November 2005 - Vol. 1, Issue 3 Our website: www.contaac.ca Message from the editor: Linda Crabtree - St. Catharines and Region of Niagara AAC Hi everyone and welcome to the second edition of the COAAC newsletter. There has been a change in the running of the COAAC.. Trav Coleman, formerly of the Guelph AAC and the man who brought the idea of a coalition to the Access Ontario II meeting in Burlington, has resigned due to ill health. We wish him well. However, things continue - for now, I will run the COAAC e-mail discussion forum, keep tabs on our website and put together the e-Newsletter using information that comes in to me from you, our members, from the government and from various organizations. Geof Collis continues to put together our website at www.contaac.ca using W3C technology so that people who are blind and vision impaired may access it as well as everyone else. Louise Rolling is keeping the membership list and our list of the AACs and organizations represented by these AACs. By the way, we have more than 160 people on our membership list representing almost 60 AACs in Ontario. We are hoping that more find us. The provincial government could not give us their list of AAC chairs so we went to every AAC in Ontario and asked that their chair get in touch with us. Our goal is to put out a COAAC newsletter every two months so that the length doesn't get cumbersome and we can address items such as registering for committees run by the government or surveys in a timely fashion. It would be greatly appreciated if everyone serving on an AAC would send in at least one item, each limited to 250 words, for each newsletter so that we may all share our progress, successes, best practices, concerns and problems. And, if you find something you think will be helpful to your peers, please send that in as well. New members, and items for the COAAC Newsletter may be sent to me at linda@lindacrabtree.com. Send in the copy as soon as you have it. Please don't be put off by any perceived lack of writing ability. This isn't about creating a masterpiece, it's about your AAC and how it is functioning. Deadline for copy is the 15th or the month preceding the month of the issue, e.g. the deadline for the January issue is December 15. It is my hope that the Coalition of Ontario Accessibility Advisory Committees will bring together all of the AACs in Ontario, united and working in all ways possible, to make our beautiful province more accessible for people with disabilities. We can do this, one step or roll of the wheel at a time. From the provincial government: October 17, 2005 - New Standards Development Committees being established. The Ontario government is continuing to move forward with implementation of the province's landmark accessibility legislation by starting work on new provincial accessibility standards. The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 will make Ontario a world leader in improving accessibility for people with disabilities. Clear accessibility standards will be the building blocks of an accessible Ontario and make it possible for people with disabilities to participate to their full potential in the social and economic life of the province. The government is now recruiting members for the committees that will develop the customer service and transportation standards. Deadline for applications for these committees is November 10, 2005. Individuals who are interested in serving on these committees can submit an application to the Ministry of Community and Social Services. See complete information including application form under "In the News" at: http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/accessibility/index.html from: Michael Sullivan Policy Advisor, Policy and Accessibility Planning Unit Accessibility Directorate of Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services Toronto, Ontario M7A 2R9 Tel: 416-314-6047 Fax: 416-327-4080 e-mail: michael.sullivan@mci.gov.on.ca From the Federal Government The Government of Canada has released three publications addressing issues related to people with disabilities: "Advancing the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities 2004"; "Canadian Attitudes Towards Disability Issues"; and "Frequently Asked Questions." View all three publications at http://www.sdc.gc.ca/en/cs/comm/sd/news/2004/041203.shtml Information courtesy of our friends at: CILT PARENTING WITH A DISABILITY BULLETIN (Editor's note: The three publications were discussed honestly and openly on our discussion forum. To join, please see resources at the end of this newsletter.) Universal Design Newsletter columnist writes Universal Design Newsletter, published quarterly since 1993 by Universal Designers & Consultants, Inc, Takoma Park, MD USA, is pleased to announce that Shane Holten, President of SPH Planning and Consulting Limited (SPH Ltd.), will be contributing a column to Universal Design Newsletter that will include information on international best practices related to accessibility issues, codes, standards and guidelines. The column may also include information on "happenings" in Ontario and Canada, such as innovative case studies of projects, initiatives of Accessibility Advisory Committees (AACs) and issues related to the implementation of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Universal Design Newsletter addresses a broad range of Universal Design issues that are important for designers, facility managers, municipalities, colleges and universities, public transportation providers, school boards, hospitals and the broader disability community. The first column will appear in the January 2006 issue of Universal Design Newsletter. If you are interested in learning more information about Universal Design Newsletter go to http://www.universaldesign.com or if you have suggestions or comments, e-mail them at UDandC@UniversalDesign.com. Shane Holten can be contacted at info@sph-planning-consulting.ca or by phone at 416-488-5700 (Voice/TTY). We look forward to working with the COAAC on sharing information related to accessibility best practices and highlighting the work being done across Ontario! You can visit UD&C on-line at http://www.universaldesign.com and SPH at http://www.sph-planning-consulting.ca. (Editor's note: This newsletter is $75 US a year for four issues. You might look into your AAC paying for it so all can benefit from the good information it holds.) Transition Team planning the AODA Alliance A little over two months ago, David Lepofsky announced that he was stepping down as head of the Ontario with Disabilities Act Committee (ODAC). At that time, he put in place a transition group called the AODA Alliance that will "concentrate its efforts on ensuring that the statute that has now been passed into law will be clearly understood by the disability community and that citizens who care about the removal of barriers are encouraged to participate in the standards development process." The Canadian Hearing Society (CHS) will be distributing information pertaining to the AODA legislation and its implementation in this post-Lepofsky era to the former ODA membership group. We have been in touch with the transition team and have put the letter sent out by them to all former members of the ODAC on our www.contaac.ca website. If you would like to join the alliance (they are presently recruiting board members) or receive their e-mail please read their letter on our website and contact Mary Lumgair at mlumgair@chs.ca. We hope to work in tandem with this organization. Our focus is helping AACs develop and form a strong, united voice. As we understand it, theirs is as a watchdog re the new AODA - that's our take on it all so far - we'll keep you posted or you might join and get their news firsthand. Visitability Power Point Presentation A Power Point on how to create zero step entrances - the question advocates report as the one most often raised by builders - is now available. Concrete Change, the leaders in Visitability, has collaborated with Rex Pace of Universal Design Solutions to create a 138-slide Power Point titled, "Entryways: Creating Attractive, Low-Cost Zero-Step Entrances. An introductory section on the benefits of zero-step entrances is followed by sections covering Myths, Basic Construction Principles, Methods, and Costs. The two intended audiences are builders, and advocates who want to prepare themselves to influence builders more effectively. The Power Point was funded by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts. To order go to http://www.concretechange.org and follow directions. The presentation isn't expensive but by the time you get this, the introductory price for the first 50 to order will likely be off and it is not known what the regular price will be. Ontario AAC News (listed In alphabetical order) Town of Ajax Our committee has completed the Year Three Plan and it has been passed by council. Our recent projects have included the following: Providing advice and comment on the plans for the renovation of the Town Hall and the new Council chamber to increase accessibility for all citizens and the development of a booklet for local businesses on " How to Make your Business More Accessible", to be delivered to local businesses by our economic development department. Sarah White - Committee Coordinator for the Town of Ajax Accessibility Advisory Committee. sarah.white@townofajax.com (Editor's note: We've asked Sarah to let us know when the booklet is available so we can all learn from it). Essex County Essex County AAC (ECAAC) hosted its 3rd annual Accessibility Workshop and Information Fair on October 12 and "Accessibility -- A Clear Path to the Future." About 100 participants attended the day long event, which provided key information about the new Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. Internationally recognized keynote and motivational speaker, Paul Young, shared his life story - one of consistently overcoming attitudinal barriers created by society. Paul understands the need for a voice for people with disabilities and is a strong advocate for the principles of equality and self-determination. In addition, a variety of concurrent sessions was offered, all focussing on overcoming barriers to accessibility: A "Boundary Free"Playground, Sense and Sensitivity, The United Way's Community Investment Strategy, Employment Opportunities, Accessibility in the Private Sector, and Adaptive Technology to Improve Accessibility. If anyone would like additional information on the information presented at the workshop, visit www.countyofessex.on.ca. The recently redesigned, accessible web site, including a section on accessibility and the committee, was another ECAAC goal. Linda Saxon - Essex County AAC - linsaxon@yahoo.ca Guelph AAC Guelph City Council recently approved the accessibility design manual for Guelph and the next step is to get the manual accepted as an adjunct to the building code for Guelph. David Birtwistle - Councillor, Ward 4 (St.David's Ward); Chair, Planning, Environment & Transportation Committee(PETC) - david.birtwhistle@guelph.ca Town of Markham AAC The Town of Markham AAC has asked their council to require all future service stations to have a full-service component and a resolution to that effect was recently passed by Markham Council. Recently, Imperial Oil approached Town of Markham officials to request approval to construct a new service station in the Major Mackenzie/Hwy 48 area. According to Regional Councillor Jack Heath (who is a member of our committee), the Mayor would not approve the new service station without the provision of a full-service component. Imperial Oil said that they would have someone available to pump the gas for persons with disabilities, but a 24-hour advance notice would be required! Earlier today, I received a phone call from a reporter at our local newspaper the Markham Economist. She said that she heard through the Mayor's Office that Imperial Oil has now agreed to provide a full-service component at this gas station, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for a two-year period. It appears that the price at the full-service pump would be the same for persons with disabilities as at the self-serve. What is not yet clear, however, is how a person with disability would self-identify (e.g., using the provincial parking permit?). Stay tuned... Bob Hun., Chair Town of Markham AAC, and am also the Town's representative on the York Region AAC. - hunn@sympatico.ca City of Ottawa Oct. 25, 2005 - The City of Ottawa Accessibility Advisory Committee is eagerly awaiting the first day of work for the Municipal Accessibility Specialist, a newly-created full-time position within the city. This position was approved in the 2005 city budget and the process of interviewing and selecting a successful candidate has taken the past several months. We had over 90 applicants from across North America, and chose 10 highly qualified candidates to interview. We hope to announce the successful candidate within the next week. We would like to hear from any other municipality which has a similar dedicated city staff position. Gwen Bell - Chair, Ottawa Accessibility Advisory Committee - gwen.bell@rogers.com Region of Niagara The Region of Niagara Accessibility Advisory Committee recently finished six months plus of work on developing accessibility standards to be used in all regional buildings. The standards were adopted from those developed by the City of London. Permission was requested from London to use the standards and granted, a committee went over the standards carefully, tweaking was done, a 100 page guide developed and presented to regional council. Niagara Regional Council approved the standards Nov. 4, 2005. They will be available shortly on CD and in print form to all Region of Niagara departments, all 12 municipalities in Niagara, builders and developers as well as the private sector who wish to follow updated standard based on Universal Design. St. Catharines/Niagara Region AAC Niagara Regional Housing held a forum, Oct. 21, concentrating on developing more affordable housing in the area. There are more than 4,000 households on the waiting list for affordable housing and 94 of those are households needing an accessible place to live. The Mayor's Accessibility Advisory Committee for St. Catharines and the Region of Niagara Accessibility Advisory Committee worked together to present an information table featuring information on Universal Design and Visitability. More than a dozen architects signed up to receive the new Niagara Region Accessibility Standards. As a follow up, Niagara Regional Housing has asked to meet with members of the committee to further discuss Universal Design, Visitability and the new standards. St. Catharines AAC Knowing that the projects identified by the Mayor's Accessibility Advisory Committee of St. Catharines were too much to handle for St. Catharines city staff, the committee asked that funding be put in the city budget to hire an accessibility co-ordinator. That was two plus years ago. It took about six months to get a job description together and several months after that an ad went in newspapers and on monster.ca. Forty applications were received and ten very good applicants were selected for interviews. The decision among the hiring team was unanimous and that person was hired. The St. Catharines committee awaits the arrival of this person whose time will also be contracted out to work with the Niagara Region Accessibility Advisory Committee and Regional Staff. This process took a very long time. It was incredibly frustrating for all and the St. Catharines committee were in resignation mode several times over the red tape and inactivity involved, but through sheer determination, everyone kept at it and the position has been filled. We know that expectations regarding this position differ between city staff and the St. Catharines committee and the regional staff and its committee. The job is going to be a challenge but we are confident the person chosen is up to it. We'll let you know how it works out. Linda Crabtree - St. Catharines and Region of Niagara AACs linda@lindacrabtree.com Sault Ste. Marie City Staff Sensitivity Training - In Sault Ste Marie we developed our own sensitivity training. It was a joint venture with staff and the AAC. The feeling was that there was a need to have a good understanding of the legislation and an honest insight of accessibility issues. I would like to say that it came off without a hitch; Dorothy Macnaughton chaired the committee and although we put together the first Access Ontario conference in three months, when you involve staff, things takes a whole lot longer. Aside from that frustration there was also a lack of trust that volunteers could manage such a feat. Dorothy, being the saint that she is, stuck it out, although I have to say from my perspective, nobody should have to tolerate disrespect. I believe though, through her endurance, the AAC has gained city-wide respect and support. The training was powerful and staff are onside. I wish you all had an opportunity to witness the support and honesty that staff shared. Front line staff said they had never had an opportunity to receive information and share insights on people with disabilities. We got community theatre involved and they did comprehensive research with several of our local groups on the issues and as a result we presented several short plays that were honest and sometimes hard hitting. This set the mood for open discussion, and personally, I am still amazed at the number of people that just came up to me afterwards wanting to talk about a family member or friend, or just the mistakes that they had made from not knowing and, how thankful that they all were to receive accurate information. Dorothy did a fantastic job explaining the legislation and how we, as a community, can be proud to be involved. A number of people commented that they wanted to know more. We had a power point presentation of pictures that the AAC wanted in featuring barriers that they face on a daily basis and although a number of them were omitted, they enabled people to better comprehend what barriers are and how to now identify them on their own. This was something that, unless seen first-hand accompanied with an explanation, they had a difficult time with. Growing Pains I know that a number of you struggle with growing pains and although we have made great strides, they are something we have recently faced here, first hand. Let's face it, we cannot expect buy-in by all and until recently coordinators did not exist for most for us. Good leadership is difficult for major companies. We are no different. Without a clear definition of the direction you are going or the airing of different expectations, you end up floundering. Like many, our AAC has a number of individuals that comprehend the task at hand, and some that will never get it. I believe this is natural. The difficult part is that the same people get burdened with a majority of the work. We all know that if you are not doing anything, you cannot be blamed for anything. It is too early to say where this is going because there are still a number of meetings going on, but our CAO understands the good work that the AAC has done and is very supportive so I'll keep you posted but it is something that I thought we should be honest about. Unless we are transparent the waters get muddy. Those are the major things that are going on up north. Until next time - keep on fighting the good fight towards accessibility for all Tracey Roetman - Accessibility Supervisor - City of Sault Ste. Marie roetman@shaw.ca COAAC discussion forum To be part of our COAAC discussion forum, simply send a blank e-mail to accessontario-subscribe@topica.com. There are about 70 people on the forum and we do our very best to limit discussion to AAC concerns but sometimes other interesting disability related topics sneak in. If you aren't rigidly opposed to some folks discussing disability issues of the day and not always concerned with just AAC business, this forum might be of interest to you. Access Ontario III We haven't heard from any AAC who is looking into holding Access Ontario III. If your AAC is working on it, would you please let us know. The City of Burlington has issued a report about the last conference. We'll put it on our COAAC website. Resources Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 English http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/Statutes/English/05a11_e.htm French http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/Statutes/French/05a11_f.htm Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001: English http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/Statutes/English/01o32_e.htm French http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/Statutes/French/01o32_f.htm Human Rights Code English http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/Statutes/English/90h19_e.htm French http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/Statutes/French/90h19_f.htm From: Michael Sullivan Michael.Sullivan@mci.gov.on.ca Remember: Copy deadline for the Jan. 2006 COAAC newsletter is Dec. 15 and thanks to all who contributed this time around. We're only six months old and growing fast - thanks to you. Linda Linda Crabtree CM, O.Ont., O.M.C., B.A., LL.D.(hon.) 1 Springbank Dr. St. Catharines, ON, Canada L2S 2K1 (905)685-0496 linda@lindacrabtree.com www.lindacrabtree.com www.accessibleniagara.com