Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee
The full agenda, as filed
All 7 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.
DI3.1received
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.
DI3.2received
Accessibility Considerations on Single-Use and Takeaway Items Reduction
Annette Synowiec, Interim Director, Policy, Planning and Support, Solid Waste Management Services will give a presentation on single-use and takeaway items reduction. The presentation is generally for information on activity that has taken place to date, the feedback received related to accessibility, and to provide an overview of activities in advance of the next round of consultation in the fall. Annette will speak to the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee regarding stage 2 consultation activities and seek member input on this.
The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee received the item for information.
DI3.3amended
Summary of Items Considered by the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee: 2014-2018 Term
Deirdre Boyle, Accessibility Consultant, People, Equity and Human Rights Division will provide a summary and status update of agenda items considered by the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee in the 2014-2018 term.
The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee recommends that: 1. The Executive Committee request the Executive Director, People, Equity and Human Rights, to consult with the appropriate City officials on requests made by the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee during the 2014-2018 term that are identified as partially implemented or ongoing in Appendix 1 to Item DI3.3, and listed below, in order to coordinate presentations to the Committee during 2019 and 2020. - EX20.30 (DI12.3) Accessible Communication at Meetings - EX20.31 (DI12.4) By-laws and Policies for Encroachments onto the Right-of-way - EX25.20 (DI15.4) Toronto Police Services Board - Abuse and Misuse of Accessible Parking Permits - EX26.41 (DI15.6) Disability Issues Related to Policing in Toronto - EX28.23 (DI16.3) Private Ramps on Public Right-of-Way - EX29.38 (DI17.4) Festival and Events Funding Program Criteria to Incorporate Accessibility Requirements - EX30.27 (DI18.3) Dynamic Symbol of Access - Inclusion on City-owned Properties and in the Ontario Building Code and Highway Traffic Act - EX30.28 (DI18.4) Employment Accessibility at the City of Toronto - EX36.40 (DI20.2) Accessible Affordable Housing - Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee Working Groups Update - EX36.41 (DI20.2) Persons with Disabilities Employment Strategy - Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee Working Groups Update - EX36.43 (DI20.4) Wheel-Trans Appeals Process.
DI3.4adopted
Proposed Budget Process Changes to Remove Systemic Barriers to Hiring People with Disabilities
In 2017, the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee recommended to City Council that all operating and capital costs related to AODA compliance and accessibility initiatives be exempt from the 2018 budget targets. ( DI15.8 2018 Budget Process (EX25.18) ). City Council voted against the committee's recommendation. Currently, City divisions are responsible for allocating costs of all AODA compliance and accessibility within their individual divisional budgets. As a result, the Committee is concerned that divisions may be less likely to be motivated to hire employees with disabilities or provide service to individuals requiring accommodations for fear that related costs whether real or perceived will exceed their allotted budget. In addition, for divisions with smaller budgets, this disincentive is greater. A special or separate centralized fund for AODA compliance and accessibility-related expenses would ensure that accessibility measures are implemented across all divisions in a non-discriminatory manner. Pooling costs removes or at least reduces systemic barriers and biases against implementing accessibility measures or hiring individuals with disabilities. A centralized fund or budget for AODA compliance and accessibility initiatives would align with the Ontario Human Rights Commission Policy on Ableism and Discrimination Based on Disability, Section 9.3 Minimizing undue hardship which states: "...The costs of accommodation must be distributed as widely as possible within the organization so that no single department, employee, customer or subsidiary is burdened with the expense. The appropriate basis for evaluating the cost is based on the budget of the organization as a whole, not the branch or unit where the person with a disability works or has made an application..."
The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee recommends to the Executive Committee that: 1. City Council exempt all operating and capital costs related to AODA compliance and accessibility initiatives from any 2020 proposed budget target reductions. 2. City Council direct the Executive Director, Financial Planning, in consultation with People, Equity and Human Rights and other relevant divisions, to: a. conduct research on and determine the feasibility of options for a centralized budget/fund for all accessibility-related accommodations and initiatives including but not limited to, employee accommodation costs, American Sign Language interpretation, note-taking services and captioning services; and b. provide an update on potential options and next steps to the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee at a future Committee meeting in 2019.
Staff recommendation as filed
Jason Mitschele recommends that the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee recommend to the Executive Committee that: 1. City Council exempt all operating and capital costs related to AODA compliance and accessibility initiatives from any 2020 proposed budget target reductions. 2. City Council direct the Executive Director, Financial Planning, in consultation with People, Equity and Human Rights and other relevant divisions, to: a. conduct research on and determine feasibility of options for a centralized budget/fund for all accessibility-related accommodations and initiatives including but not limited to, employee accommodation costs, American Sign Language interpretation, note-taking services and captioning services; and b. provide an update on potential options and next steps to the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee at a future Committee meeting in 2019.
DI3.5adopted
Request for Update on the Wheel-Trans Appeal Process
On June 20th, 2018 the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee received for information a presentation by the Project Lead, Customer Service and Assistant Manager, Customer Service, Wheel-Trans on an update to the Wheel-Trans Appeal Process. http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2018.DI20.4 During the course of the meeting, the Committee made several requests for accessibility and communication improvements as well as to confirm from Wheel-Trans that all customers with conditional eligibility are still eligible for door-to-door service until such time as the Toronto Transit Commission is fully accessible in 2025.
The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee recommends to the Executive Committee that: 1. City Council request the Toronto Transit Commission to request the Acting Head of Wheel-Trans to make a presentation to the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee prior to the end of 2019 to provide an update on the Wheel-Trans appeal process and corresponding accessibility and communication improvements based on the comments made by Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee members at its June 20th, 2018 meeting. 2. City Council request the Toronto Transit Commission to request the Acting Head of Wheel-Trans to make a presentation and seek feedback from the committee prior to the end of 2019 on the upcoming re-registration of all Wheel-Trans customers to determine their new eligibility based on the AODA legislation.
Staff recommendation as filed
Michael Miceli recommends that the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee recommend to the Executive Committee that: 1. City Council request the Toronto Transit Commission to request the Acting Head of Wheel-Trans to make a presentation to the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee prior to the end of 2019 to provide an update on the Wheel-Trans appeal process and corresponding accessibility and communication improvements based on the comments made by Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee members at its June 20th, 2018 meeting. 2. City Council request the Toronto Transit Commission to request the Acting Head of Wheel-Trans to make a presentation and seek feedback from the committee prior to the end of 2019 on the upcoming re-registration of all Wheel-Trans customers to determine their new eligibility based on the AODA legislation.
DI3.6adopted
Accessibility and Safety at the Toronto Raptors Parade and Rally
On Monday, June 17, 2019, the City of Toronto and MLSE hosted a victory parade and rally, in celebration of the Toronto Raptors' historic NBA Championship win. While the intention of the event was to allow space for all fans to participate in cheering on the team, overcrowding and a lack of clear pathways significantly affected accessibility for fans with disabilities, as well as safety for all participants. The City has an obligation to ensure that events of this nature follow the provincial guidelines for planning accessible events. Access Ontario directs that consideration be given to concerns such as, accessible parking, accessible transportation, pathways and barriers, washroom access, and seating. While accessible areas were set aside, in front of the mainstage, and on the roof of the skating building, the overcrowding, lack of proper wayfinding and clear pathways, meant that these areas were not truly available to those who needed them. Mayor Tory has stated publicly that the City Manager would be working with the Police, the TTC, other City divisions and Toronto sport's teams to review the planning protocols for the event, and identify areas of deficiency. It is imperative that improved accessibility planning be included in this review. Events that are planned with accessibility as a core principle must necessarily include protocols that increase safety for all participants. Clear pathways would have allowed for improved emergency response. Comprehensive crowd management may have ensured that area transit remained accessible for all users, and that the unfortunate incidents of stampeding and trampling were mitigated. With the overall safety implications and equitable access in mind, I ask that the City take steps to incorporate improved accessibility planning into future events.
The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee recommends that: 1. The Executive Committee direct the City Manager to include, in the review of the Raptors Parade and Rally, a comprehensive analysis of the accessibility considerations, including American Sign Language (ASL), Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART), and improvement opportunities for future events; such analysis to be completed in consultation with the People, Equity and Human Rights Division, as well as the Social Development and Finance Administration's Community Crisis Response Program.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam recommends that: 1. The Executive Committee direct the City Manager to include, in the review of the Raptors Parade and Rally, a comprehensive analysis of the accessibility considerations, and improvement opportunities for future events; such analysis to be completed in consultation with the People Equity and Human Rights Division, as well as the Social Development and Finance Administration's Community Crisis Response Program.
DI3.7adopted
The City of Toronto has hosted public events in recognition of Seniors' month, Pride and an indigenous sunrise ceremony, but no public event in recognition of people with disabilities as of yet.
The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee recommends that: 1. The Executive Committee request the Executive Director, People, Equity and Human Rights to explore the feasibility of the City of Toronto holding a public event in recognition of International Day of People with Disabilities on December 3, 2019, and report to the next meeting of the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee on September 26, 2019. The report could include identifying some key themes and topics of interest like employment, and should liaise with like-minded organizations such as the Centre for Independent Living in Toronto, and options for a joint event/information fair.
Staff recommendation as filed
Michael Miceli recommends that the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee recommend that: 1. Executive Committee request the Executive Director, People, Equity and Human Rights to explore the feasibility of the City of Toronto holding a public event in recognition of International Day of People with Disabilities on December 3, 2019, and report to the next meeting of the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee on September 26, 2019. The report could include identifying some key themes and topics of interest like employment, and should liaise with like-minded organizations such as the Centre for Independent Living in Toronto, and options for a joint event/information fair.