Accessibility Advisory Committee

That the October 17, 2024 Accessibility Advisory Committee Agenda be approved.

That the August 20, 2024 meeting minutes be approved.

That the October 17, 2024 Consent Agenda as outlined below be approved: Additional Residential Dwelling Unit Incentive Program – Final List of Accessible Design Features 1. That the Additional Residential Dwelling Unit Incentive Program – Final List of Accessible Design Features report be received. Committee edit to Appendix A of the Accessibility Advisory Committee Member Handbook 2023 1. That the committee approve the edit(s) to the Accessibility Advisory Committee Member Handbook 2023 as part of their annual review of Appendix A.

1. The AAC requests that staff review the engagement process to add measures that ensure that when completion of promised engagement is not possible, staff will communicate that to the AAC as soon as it is known, and that staff be available to answer questions about the situation at a subsequent AAC meeting. In the event that completion of promised engagement is not possible, the AAC requests that staff make efforts to contact AAC members via email or alternate means to provide opportunity for alternate forms of engagement.

2. In order to address a current gap, the AAC wishes to be involved in reworking the AAC orientation documents and manual to include information that reflect the roles, responsibilities, and rights of members as laid out by the province and not just the city. This information should include the AAC’s right to have final say over our own agenda and meeting content even when staff disagree, as well as information about city mandates not being allowed to guide members in contravention of provincial mandates. This will ensure that AAC members can be as effective as possible.

3. The AAC requests that the city change the process of scheduling AAC meetings to include authority and approval of the AAC in those decisions. Since contents of meetings and agendas fall under the authority of the AAC through the chair, having decisions about cancelling and rescheduling meetings fall under the authority of the city provides opportunities for unnecessary conflict if staff do not approve of the contents of a meeting agenda.

4. The AAC requests that council revisit the processes through which AAC members are appointed to include transparency for and involvement of AAC members in the decision. AAC members would like to have the opportunity to make recommendations to council about membership the same way staff do, and to be made aware of the recommendations of staff. This would protect members’ abilities to do our work unrestricted by fear of repercussions in the event of disagreement from staff and will also ensure that membership best reflects the diversity of the disabled community.

That the AAC receive Report 2024-436, Draft Housing Affordability – a focus on goals and actions and that the draft goals and actions (Attachment 1) be included in the final recommended Housing Affordability Strategy in Q4 of 2024.

The AAC requests that permissible spaces be expanded to include more accessible spaces, as the current locations do not reflect accessibility for disabled individuals, and do not meet the city’s goals for safety and dignity of encampment residents. Areas in wooded areas, far from accessible pathways, in rivers, along riverbanks, with unsuitable surfaces for wheelchairs and mobility devices, isolated from access to community supports, and with high grade slopes are not accessible.

1. That the AAC receive the Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan report. 2. That the AAC recommend the inclusion of an additional grant, up to $20,000 per affordable unit, as part of the Affordable Housing CIP Vacant Residential Unit and Vacant Space Conversion Grant.

That the October 17, 2024 Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting be extended to 5:05 p.m.

1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) receive the staff report - CNIB and PAL card holders transitioning to OnYourWay (OYW) fare card. 2. That the five-year check-in not be a requirement. 3. That the transition to the OnYourWay fare card not be a requirement.