Accessibility Advisory Committee

That the December 19, 2023 Accessibility Advisory Committee Agenda be approved.

That the November 14, 2023 Meeting minutes be approved.

In order to accommodate independent voting for all residents of Guelph, the AAC recommends that the city offer Online/Internet Voting, Remote Accessible Vote by Mail, Vote by Phone, Vote by Mail, and door-to-door vote from home options for upcoming municipal elections. The AAC feels that leaving any of these options out will leave some disabled voters without access to a confidential and independent way to mark their ballot. Providing all options will help the city meet their duty to accommodate those individuals under the Ontario Human Rights Code. Furthermore, the AAC would like to highlight the importance of specifically RAVBM and Internet voting as the most universally accessible options, which would solve significant service gaps that have been present in the past two elections for many disabled individuals who have not had access to independent voting.

Regarding the facilitated accessible voting discussion held on November 14th, 2023 the AAC requests the city disregard the point form notes provided entirely and only use the meeting recording verbatim to reflect the opinions of the AAC on accessible voting.

That the AAC support and recommend that the Singe-Use Plastics Prohibition Regulations advocacy letter be submitted to the Director of Plastics Regulatory Affairs Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada.

That the Accessibility Advisory Committee of Council support the proposed new play space at University Village Park as presented and to be implemented in 2024.

That the AAC recommend the design of the new Central Station include adult changing stations, and that access to the washroom centre dignity and equity for all individuals, and look forward to the design meeting the FADM.

That the Accessibility Advisory Committee supports renovations to the existing Silvercreek Park washrooms, the replacement of the pavilion, the new trail design, new fixed seating, the new accessible parking spot and supports the overall design, with the additions of the modifications mentioned at the December 19, 2023 Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting.

That the Accessibility Advisory Committee be adjourned at 4:43 p.m.