Minutes

Accessibility Advisory Committee

Wednesday, November 22, 2023

4:00 P.m. - 6:00 P.m.

Electronic Meeting

Members:

• N. Davison, 
• A. Ho, 
• T. Vegh, 
• B. Barra-Berger, 
• C. Davies, 
• R. DiGiovanni, 
• S. Foglia, 
• L. Gold, 
• L. Hulme-Smith , 
• B. Keshen, 
• K. Malsi, 
• V. Spatafora, 
• A. Tocco, 
• and S. Wollin 

Staff:

• S. Ayres, 
• K. Bacani-Angus, 
• M. Charendoff, 
• V. Choe, 
• C. Clark, 
• I. Cortada, 
• A. Griepsma, 
• K. Heathcote, 
• M. Herder, 
• T. Kirkwood, 
• D. MacKay, 
• S. Maio, 
• V. Navolskyy, 
• I. Soneji, 
• E. Straughan, 
• J. Strong, 
• K. Wishart, 
• and B. Wu 

Other:

• J. Countryman (YRP, A. Lauzon (YRP), D. MacDonald (YRP), E. Lau (Markham AAC)

   

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A.

Call to Order

Regional Councillor Vegh called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m.

B.

Land Acknowledgement

Regional Councillor Vegh made the following acknowledgement:

We acknowledge that York Region is located on the traditional territory of many Indigenous peoples including the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Huron-Wendat and Métis peoples and the treaty territories of the Haudenosaunee, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and Williams Treaties First Nations.

Today this area is home to many diverse Indigenous Peoples, and we recognize their history, spirituality, culture and stewardship of this land.

We also acknowledge the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation as our closest First Nation community.

C.

Disclosures of Interest

None

D.

Deputations

D.1

Disability Barriers for People with Albinism

Committee received the deputation by Ruby Ratnasingham.

E.

Accessibility Updates

E.1

Update on Accessibility Activities

Committee received the following verbal updates from Stephen Maio, Senior Executive Officer, People, Equity and Culture Branch, Office of the CAO:

1. Erin Mahoney is the newly appointed Chief Administrative Officer of York Region.
2. Recruitment is currently underway for a Manager, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility, People, Equity and Culture Branch, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer to replace Lois Davies who has retired.
3. Lauri Hoeg is the successful candidate for the newly introduced position of Lead, Indigenous Relations Advisor, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility, People, Equity and Culture Branch, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer.
4. Kim Heathcote is the successful candidate for the position of Manager, Mobility on-Request, Transportation Services, replacing Sharon Doyle who has retired.

Committee received the following verbal updates from Kim Bacani-Angus, Lead, People, Equity and Culture Branch, Office of the CAO:

1. The Accessibility Unit is working on completing the Accessibility Compliance Report which is due by December 31, 2023 and is submitted on behalf of York Region and York Regional Police.
2. Information will be provided shortly to York Region Accessibility Advisory Committee (YRAAC) members to submit eligible year-end mileage claims.
3. Individual member review meetings will be scheduled in January to provide the opportunity for feedback and to assist the Accessibility Unit in planning for next year.
4. Details will follow regarding an in-person social event that is being planned for Spring 2024 to offer members the opportunity to engage with each other outside of the YRAAC meetings.
5. National AccessAbility Week 2024 is from May 26 to June 1 and York Region will be hosting a professional development forum in collaboration with members of YRAAC and local AAC members.

F.

Presentations

F.1

Unionville Commons Seniors Hub Consultation

Committee received the presentation by Jennifer Strong, Manager, Integrated Business Service Delivery, Planning and Partnerships, Community Health Services and Michael Charendoff, Policy, Research and Initiatives Advisor, Integrated Business Services, Community and Health Services.

Committee recessed from 5:01 p.m. to 5:12 p.m.

F.2

Accessibility – Beyond Compliance

Committee received the presentation by Alicia Lauzon, Supervisor, Professionalism, Leadership and Inclusion, York Regional Police and Joseph Countryman, Supervisor, Training and Education, York Regional Police.

G.

Communications

G.1

Canadian Melody for East-West Accessibility Pedestrian Signals

Committee recommends receipt of the memorandum dated November 16, 2023 from Doug MacKay, Manager, Engineering, Capital Planning and Delivery, Transportation Services, Public Works.

G.2

2024 Meeting Dates for the York Region Accessibility Advisory Committee

Committee recommends receipt of the memorandum dated November 2, 2023 from Christopher Raynor, Regional Clerk.

H.

Other Business

H.1

Meeting Format of the York Region Accessibility Advisory Committee

Questions were raised regarding the future potential format of Accessibility Advisory Committee meetings. Staff responded that Council requested information on the current hybrid format of Council and Committee of the Whole meetings, which will be presented to Council for consideration.

H.2

Next Meeting of York Region Accessibility Advisory Committee

The next meeting of the York Region Accessibility Advisory Committee is scheduled to be held virtually on February 21, 2024 at 4 p.m.

I.

Adjournment

The York Region Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting adjourned at 5:49 p.m.