Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes

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Online Attendance Only
Absent:
  • Debbie Alexander
  • Christine Easterbrook, Chair
  • Brad Frenette
  • Rachel Jewell
  • Diana Kirkbride
  • Gord Queen
  • Fern Walsh

1.
Call to Order
 

The Chair called the meeting to order at 3:04 pm.

2.
Recording of Attendance
 

The Chair noted that Fern Walsh was absent, and all other members of the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee were present virtually.

Also in attendance were Don McArthur, Manager of Communication and Organizational Development and Ellen Van Wageningen, Communication Officer for the County.

3.
Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest
 

There were no conflicts of pecuniary interest declared.

4.
Adoption of Regular Meeting Minutes
This item has attachments. 

1.Post-Meeting Minutes - ECAAC Meeting Agenda_Feb11_2021 - English.pdf

Minutes of the February 11, 2021 Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting

  • 11-2021
    Moved ByGord Queen
    Seconded ByDebbie Alexander

    That the minutes of the February 11, 2021 meeting of the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee be adopted as presented.

    Carried

5.
Delegations and Presentations
 

There were no delegations or presentations at the April 8, 2021 meeting. 

6.
Communications
 

  • 12-2021
    Moved ByGord Queen
    Seconded ByBrad Frenette

    That items listed under Communications numbered 6.1 through 6.9 be received as information.

    Carried

6.1
AODA Alliance Updates
 

6.2
AODA Toolbox
 

Current highlights of the Toolbox are:

  • Employment Standard Development Committee has received final recommendation and submitted to government for consideration.
  • The deadline for businesses and non-profits required to submit a compliance report has been extended to June 30, 2021.
  • Webinar series for website accessibility and design is now available.

6.3
Ontario Ministry Newsroom
 

6.4
Ontario Ministry Newsroom
 

6.5
Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB)
 

6.6
Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB)
 

6.7
Abilities Magazine Online
 

6.8
Abilities Expo
 

6.9
Wayfinding Software
 

Sharing information from the Town of Amherstburg - https://pedesting.com/

The Town of Amherstburg are supporting the Pedesting App to provide point to point routing for both indoor and outdoor wayfinding. 

7.
Unfinished Business
 

7.1
Trails Accessibility Assessment Project (TAAP)
 

Discussion RE Launch of project. Trails Accessibility Assessment Project Tool 

  • Review of the tool details, wording and functionality
  • Anticipated timeline for trails review 
  • Theme for social media and news/notices 

Discussion RE Launch of project. Trails Accessibility Assessment Project Tool

  • Review of the tool details, wording and functionality
  • Anticipated timeline for trails review
  • Theme for social media and news/notices

Don McArthur, Manager of Communication and Organizational Development and Ellen Van Wageningen, Communications Officer, were in attendance to discuss promotional support for the TAAP project.

The goal is to launch the media campaign before National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) which runs from May 28 to June 3, 2021

The media campaign will include a press release to County website and County email channels.  The Warden and Christine Easterbrook, Chair will participate in the press release.

Some elements of the promotional campaign may include the following:

  • A dedicated page on the County website that outlines the details of the project and an invitation for people to participate in the data gathering by filling out the e-form.
  • Create a video of committee members using the trails; shared on CWATS media
  • Invite CWATS, local municipalities and Greenway advocates to include the project information in their communications.
  • Providing guidance information for people to use during the data collection, such as surface material, slopes, bathrooms, grade changes, accessible parking, debris on trial, shade elements, large depressions or sharp drop offs, entrances, benches/rest spaces, signage to communicate location markers for emergency response and for ease of use etc..
  • create unique hashtag and name

Cathy Paduch, County of Essex, GIS Technician can provide periodic reports to the ECAAC on the data collection progress. This committee will review information and prepare a report for ERCA. Feedback opportunities for data collection will be key to provide valuable information to ERCA for future plans.

Although data is being collected by the community, addressing the findings will be done exclusively by ERCA at their discretion. This project’s goal is to bring to light the accessibility and features of our trails and to improve communication for everyone in our communities.

The ECAAC will be providing Essex County Council with a presentation regarding their activities at the May 19, 2021 Regular Meeting.

7.2
Social Media Updates
 

What's New with:

  • ECAAC Facebook: Now include updates regarding Community Living events. Periodically post signs from awareness walks from previous events.
  • @EssexCountyAAC Twitter update: routine postings of sharing articles from accessibility community and community partners.

7.3
National Access Awareness Week, May 31, 2021 — June 4, 2021
 

The ECAAC Delegation at County Council is scheduled for May 19, 2021 leading up to Access Awareness Week 2021.  The ECAAC will include information regarding the impacts of COVID-19 on people with disabilities, the TAAP project and an overview of Joint meeting. It was decided that those presenting on behalf of the ECAAC would be the Chair, Vice Chair and one other member, being Rachel Jewell.

8.
Reports and Questions
 

8.1
Joint Meeting of the Local AAC Chairs and Vice Chairs
This item has attachments. 

1.2021-03-11_AACJointMeetingMinutes_Rev0_UA.pdf

Minutes of the Joint Meeting of the Local AAC Chairs and Vice Chairs, dated March 11, 2021, Christine Easterbrook, Chair and Gord Queen, Vice-Chair. 

The minutes of the Joint Meeting were reviewed.

The Joint Meeting was well received and a great stepping stone to meeting more often. City of Windsor will host the Fall meeting. Twice per year is sufficient and the Working Group can meet in between.

  • 13-2021
    Moved ByGord Queen
    Seconded ByRachel Jewell

    That the minutes of the Joint Meeting of the Local AAC Chairs and Vice-Chairs, dated March 11, 2021, be received as information; and

    That a copy of the minutes be forwarded to County Council as information. 

    Carried

9.
New Business
 

10.
Next Meeting Date
 

The next meeting of the ECAAC is scheduled for May 13, 2021, 3:00PM. 

11.
Adjournment
 

  • 14-2021
    Moved ByBrad Frenette
    Seconded ByGord Queen

    That the April 8, 2021 meeting of the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee be adjourned at 4:03 PM.

    Carried
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