Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes

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Online Attendance Only
Committee Members:
  • Debbie Alexander
  • Christine Easterbrook, Chair
  • Rachel Jewell
  • Gord Queen, Vice Chair
  • Stephanie Olewski
Absent:
  • Brad Frenette
  • Diana Kirkbride
Administration:
  • Katherine Hebert, Deputy Clerk
  • Crystal Sylvestre, Administrative Assistant, Legislative and Community Services

1.
Call to Order
 

The Chair called the meeting to order at 5:02 PM.

2.
Land Acknowledgement Statement
 

We begin by acknowledging that the land on which we gather is the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of First Nations, comprised of the Ojibway, Odawa and Potawatomie Peoples.


To recognize the land is an expression of gratitude to those whose territory you reside on, and a way of honouring the Indigenous people who have been living and working on the land from time immemorial.


We value the significant historical and contemporary contributions of local and regional First Nations and all the Original Peoples of Turtle Island.

3.
Recording of Attendance
 

All members were in attendance virtually, with the exception of Diana Kirkbride and Brad Frenette who sent their regrets.

4.
Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest
 

There were no conflicts of pecuniary interest declared.

5.
Adoption of the Minutes
This item has attachments. 

1.2022-01-13_ECAAC_ Meeting Minutes_UA.pdf

Minutes of the January 13, 2022 Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting. 

  • Moved ByGord Queen
    Seconded ByStephanie Olewski

    That the minutes of the January 13, 2022 meeting of the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee be adopted as presented.

    Carried

6.
Delegations and Presentations
 

There were no delegations scheduled for February 10, 2022.

7.
Communications
 

  • Moved ByStephanie Olewski
    Seconded ByGord Queen

    That the items listed as Communications on the ECAAC Agenda for February 10, 2022 be received as information and any noted actions taken. 

    Carried

7.1
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
 

Every month there are online resources available this week is White Cane Week.

7.2
AODA Alliance
 

7.3
Statistics Canada - Reminder for Survey
 

Pilot Study on Everyday Well-Being - Your Participation is Important - survey closes March 31, 2022


The goal of collecting and analyzing this real-time, self-reported data is to gain a better understanding of the factors, particularly the impact of arts and cultural activities, that can influence the day-to-day changes in emotional moods and mental states of participants, especially at a time when COVID-19 has had an impact on the physical and emotional well-being of so many Canadians.

7.4
Community Living Ontario
 

7.5
CBC News
 

7.6
CBC News
 

7.7
Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB)
 

7.8
Rick Hansen Foundation
 

7.9
Accessible Parks Canada
 

Survey Participants Needed - We are conducting a research survey study on obstacles to accessibility at provincial and national parks in Canada so that we may find solutions to make these parks barrier-free. If you are interested and would like to participate, you can access the consent form and fill out our 20 minute surveys in the following links.

7.10
The Guardian
 

Paralympics were March 4 - 13, 2022.

7.11
Federal Government Budget
 

Pre-Budget Consultative Process - Survey Online

8.
Unfinished Business
 

8.1
Joint Meeting of the Local AAC Chairs and Vice Chairs
 

Verbal update on the status of a possible meeting date. 

Katherine Hebert advised that she has been in touch with the local AAC Coordinators, and although some had expressed interest in attending the Joint meeting some of the committees meet at less frequent intervals, and had yet to meet to appoint a Chair for 2022. It was anticipated that the AACs will have appointed a Chair by March or April 2022 and a Joint meeting would follow that.

In order to bring the flag project to fruition before AccessAbility Week, communication through email with the local tier AAC was required to determine if a cost sharing arrangement is possible or desired. It is anticipated the local AAC will respond once they have an opportunity to discuss.

An estimate for the design and manufacture of a flag would be expected in the near future along with a timeline to ensure the project can be completed in time for AccessAbility Week at the end of May 2022. Ms. Hebert will communicate with the ECAAC once a quote is received, then, based on feedback will approach the local municipalities to poll for interest. This communication will all be held by email, to expedite the decision-making process.

8.2
Accessibility Forum/Speaker
 

Update on options and possible costs for guest speakers:

  • Haben Girma - $7,500 USD for a 1 hour fireside chat or lecture style talks, including Q&A  Official Website
  • Laverne Jacobs - Biography Page Professor of Law at the University of Windsor is not available in 2022.
  • Maayan Ziv - $5,000 CAD for a keynote address  AccessNow Website 

The Chair suggested connecting with Julie Sawchuk to discuss pricing as a speaker. Julie is an author and former Huron County teacher who leads a committee focused on standards development. Ms. Hebert will connect with Julie Sawchuk.

Discussion included adding obtaining a speaker to the Joint Chairs meeting to investigate cost sharing opportunities.

8.3
Social Media Updates
 

There is an opportunity to link the ECAAC Facebook page to personal accounts if members would like to be a page contributor.

8.4
Accessibility Flag Follow-Up
 

Discussion regarding previous proposal from the Town of Essex, for a regional Accessibility Flag design.

AccessAbility Flag project will be communicated through email to other AAC's to gather interest and decide on the approach, if any.

9.
Reports from Administration
 

9.1
Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
 

Review of 2018-2022 MYAP and preliminary discussion on areas for updates/changes. 

Members were asked to bring forward any desired updates to prepare for the next version of this plan, including community groups they would like to consult in the version. Discussion included continuing the relationship with ERCA through consultation.

A public consultation survey would be offered to the public to gather input as well as County of Essex departmental plans in regards to accessibility in our service.

ECAAC members asked to be included in the County of Essex mental health events that are hosted through FSEAP.

9.2
Opportunity for Funding - Provincial Government
 

This grant potential was released from the Ontario Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility.

If successful in the application, funding received could be used for the trails project to implement solutions to issues found in and for analysis of the information collected in the future.

The County has been approached by a third party, with a proposal to partner on the WECTT project. An opportunity to expand this project and accelerate the data collection has been presented informally in discussions with personnel from AccessNow. AccessNow specializes in communicating the accessibility of private and public facilities with a robust online map. The AccessNow assessment approach consists of a team comprised of people with disabilities partnered with trail experts to gather and record information. There is a cost to the partnership, but should funds become available in the future, further exploration of this opportunity could be warranted.

Gord Queen mentioned there is a local cycling group collecting information regarding the trails as well. The information is expected shortly and Mr. Queen will share as soon as possible.

  • Moved ByStephanie Olewski
    Seconded ByGord Queen

    That administration will investigate the Access Now application and the possibilities of integration with the WE Check the Trails project. 

    Carried

10.
New Business
 

No New Business was presented at the February 10, 2022 meeting.

11.
Next Meeting Date
 

The next meeting of the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee is scheduled for March 10, 2022 at 5:00PM. 

12.
Adjournment
 

  • Moved ByGord Queen
    Seconded ByStephanie Olewski

    That the February 10, 2022 meeting of the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee be adjourned at 5:43 PM.

    Carried
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