Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee
The full agenda, as filed
All 9 items in the clerk’s order. Each carries the city’s own words: the staff recommendation, what the body decided, and its status. Nothing below is written by us.
DI18.1received
Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, Chair, Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee will give a presentation to the Committee on recent initiatives and updates.
The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee received the item for information.
DI18.2amended
Jodi Callan, Senior Project Manager, Policy and Innovation Unit, Transportation Services, will give a presentation on Accessibility and CaféTO 2022. The presentation will focus on a summary of the program in 2021 as well an opportunity to provide feedback on proposed updates CaféTO Guidelines in 2022.
The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee recommends that: 1. The General Manager, Transportation Services, report to the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee in 2023 with an update that includes the following information on CaféTO: a. the total number of complaints and their geographical location; b. the nature of the complaints including those that are related to accessibility; c. the length of time it took to resolve the complaints; d. the total number of complaints resolved and unresolved; and e. the demonstrated effectiveness between public education and bylaw enforcement.
DI18.3amended
Our Plan Toronto - Municipal Comprehensive Review - Accessibility Feedback
Jeffrey Cantos, Manager, City Planning, and Merrilees Willemse, Associate, Dillon Consulting will give a presentation on Our Plan Toronto - Municipal Comprehensive Review. The presentation provides a high level overview of the Municipal Comprehensive Review of the City's Official Plan, named "Our Plan Toronto". The Province requires municipalities to bring their official plans into conformity with Provincial plans, which includes demonstrating we have a plan in place to grow by a minimum of 700,000 people and 450,000 jobs. Planning staff are requesting advice from the Committee on how to best engage with Torontonians living with disabilities and those organizations that represent their interests.
The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee recommends that: 1. The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning conduct an environmental scan of jurisdictions that have integrated an equity-deserving lens, incorporating the needs of people with disabilities into their long-term land-use plans, instruments, and implementation strategies and report back to the Planning and Housing Committee in the second quarter of 2022. 2. The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning report back to the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee by the end of the second quarter of 2022 on draft policies prepared as part of the Municipal Comprehensive Review incorporating an equity-deserving lens with a focus on the needs of people living with disabilities.
DI18.4amended
Automated Micro-Utility Devices - Accessibility Feedback
An introduction to automated micro-utility devices will be presented by Ryan Lanyon, Manager, Strategic Policy and Innovation, Transportation Services, including a proposed provincial pilot project to test such devices off-road on sidewalks, paths or trails.
The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee recommends that: 1. City Council prohibit the use of automated micro-utility devices on sidewalks and cycle tracks; prohibit the parking, storing, or leaving of automated micro-utility devices on highways or sidewalks; and prohibit the stopping of automated micro-utility devices in a cycle track.
DI18.5received
Cycling and Accessibility - 2021 Upgrades and 2022 Goals
Becky Katz, Manager of Cycling and Pedestrian Projects, Transportation Services will give a presentation on Cycling and Accessibility - 2021 Upgrades and 2022 Goals. This presentation will provide an update on the development of accessibility guidelines and harmonized standards in the delivery of the cycling network and on the ActiveTO Yonge Complete Street Pilot Project.
The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee received the item for information.
DI18.6received
RapidTO - Bus and Streetcar Priority - Accessibility Feedback
Allan Abrogena, Senior Engineer, Transportation Services will give a presentation on RapidTO - Bus and Streetcar Priority. RapidTO - Bus and Streetcar Priority is a multi-year program to deliver safe, efficient and equitable bus and streetcar service improvements across the City. Phase 1 consultation is underway, and the project team is seeking the Committee's feedback in setting priorities for transit projects.
The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee received the item for information.
DI18.7deferred
Dwayne Geddes, Department Head, Wheel-Trans, Toronto Transit Commission will give a presentation on TTC's Wheel-Trans appeal process update, COVID 19 measures and procurement of larger vehicles.
The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee: 1. Deferred consideration of the item until the first Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting in 2022.
DI18.8adopted
Accessibility Impacts on The Closure of Essential Bus Stops in Our Communities
On October 6, my office received a notice from the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) noting the planned cancellation of two stops along the 121 bus route, effective October 10. The two existing stops were located at the intersection of Market Street and Lower Jarvis Street. According to the TTC, these changes are in part due to the new cycling tracks on the Esplanade but was mainly made to achieve the goal of 300-400m distance between stops. Following the cancellation, many residents - particularly the many senior residents in the area - reached out with complaints about the lack of accessibility of this change. The stop served three senior buildings including 85 The Esplanade (Old York Towers), 110 The Esplanade (Performing Arts Lodge) and 115 The Esplanade (OWN Coop Housing). In addition, both the bus stop's proximity to St Lawrence Market made it essential for seniors to access a grocer without a vehicle. Area residents have expressed concerns that the alternative stop now experiences heavier transit rider traffic, lacks coverings or benches, and increases the travel distance for many residents with mobility challenges. This may lead to increased demand for WheelTrans services for these residents. It appears that the notice and consultation about the removal of this stop, in particular, was not robust enough to consider the unique needs of this neighbourhood and its residents. Furthermore, it would be helpful to hear from the TTC how this decision was approved, and where this decision is documented. Understanding that the TTC consults with the Advisory Committee for Accessible Transit (ACAT), I believe TAAC and its members would benefit from better understanding the rationale, including the accessibility and equity considerations behind cancelling bus stops and ensuring safety for all.
The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee recommends that: 1. City Council request the Toronto Transit Commission Board to request the Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Transit Commission to arrange a presentation to the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee in the first quarter of 2022 on the removal of the two Market Street bus stops on the 121 route, including an explanation of how an equity and accessibility analysis was used to consider the potential impacts of cancelling or moving bus stop locations in general and these stops in particular.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam recommends that the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee recommend that: 1. City Council request the Toronto Transit Commission Board to request the Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Transit Commission to arrange a presentation to the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee in the first quarter of 2022 on the removal of the two Market Street bus stops on the 121 route, including an explanation of how an equity and accessibility analysis was used to consider the potential impacts of cancelling or moving bus stop locations in general and these stops in particular.
DI18.9adopted
Accessible Sidewalks and the Supreme Court Decision
On October 21, 2021, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that British Columbia resident Taryn Joy Marchi was due a new trial after she had sustained serious injury crossing a snow pile made during the municipality's snow clearing. Every winter, Toronto residents experience large snowbanks lining the sidewalks that are not cleared, and a number of weather-related accessibility concerns. While the City of Toronto has been thus restricted in its snow clearing response due to limited machinery, staffing, and narrow downtown streets, this ruling by the Supreme Court of Canada could be precedent-setting for municipalities across the country. If Toronto wishes to remain a safe, and accessible place to live all year round, we must evaluate our policy decisions against this new Supreme Court ruling and implement new procedures which reflect these changes.
The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee recommends that: 1. The General Manager, Transportation Services, in consultation with the City Solicitor, present to the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee in the first quarter of 2022 a review of the Supreme Court decision and any new service enhancements to ensure safer winter sidewalk and road access for pedestrians especially after a snowfall.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam recommends that the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee recommend that: 1. The General Manager, Transportation Services, in consultation with the City Solicitor, present to the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee in the first quarter of 2022 a review of the Supreme Court decision and any new service enhancements to ensure safer winter sidewalk and road access for pedestrians especially after a snowfall.