Busting The Barriers. Accessibility Plan. 1 st Edition

Transcription

1 Busting The Barriers Accessibility Plan 1 st Edition

2 Table of Contents Acknowledgments... 3 Introduction... 4 The Plan... 8 The City Barrier Identification Methodologies Barriers Identified Ranking of Recommendations Barriers Addressed in Review & Monitoring Communication of Plan Conclusion

3 Appendices Glossary Definitions... A Accessibility Directorate of Ontario Word Choices... B International Symbols for Accessibility... C Recommendation... D City of Brockville Conventional and Para Transit Plan... E Bibliography and Web Resources... F 2

4 Acknowledgments City Council would like to thank the Brockville Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committee, for their advice and recommendations in the first Plan of Busting The Barriers The members of the Brockville Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committee who were involved in the development of this plan are: # Doug Mather - Chair # George Burchell # Beth Garswood # Roland Glendinning # Dave Green # Diane Hickling # Sheila MacLennan # Evelyn Millward # Tom Philpott # Judy Roth # Larry Journal - Councillor Accessibility Plan 3

5 Introduction Ontarians with Disabilities Act (ODA) There are 1.9 million people in Ontario with disabilities. This number is expected to increase as the population ages because the incidence of disability increases with age. On December 14, 2001, the Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2001 (ODA) was passed to improve access opportunities for people with disabilities. The ODA is designed so that cities, towns, and other municipalities, hospitals, school boards, colleges and universities, public transportation providers, government ministries and agencies, the private sector and people with disabilities can take part in making Ontario a more accessible province. Sections of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA) became law early in At this time the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario and the Accessibility Advisory Council (AAC) of Ontario were established. The Directorate was formed to manage the implementation of the ODA and to provide guidance, tools and resources to obligated sectors - government ministries, municipalities, hospitals, school boards, colleges, universities and public transportation organizations - that are required to prepare annual accessibility plans under the ODA. In addition, the Directorate supports the Accessibility Advisory Council works with partner organizations to develop voluntary accessibility standards and provides public education and community-based accessibility programs that demonstrate the social and economic benefits of improving accessibility. The AAC which is largely composed of people with disabilities, was established to advise the Minister of Citizenship on implementation of the ODA and accessibility of government services and to provide information programs. Each year, the council of every municipality shall, prepare an accessibility plan and either seek advice from the accessibility advisory committee that it establishes or consult with persons with disabilities and others, if the council did not establish an accessibility advisory committee. Accessibility Plan 4

6 Introduction Council s Role The Council of every municipality having a population of not less than 10,000 shall establish or continue an accessibility advisory committee, and the council of every municipality having a population less than 10,000 may establish or continue an accessibility advisory committee. The committee shall advise the council in each year about the preparation, implementation and effectiveness of its accessibility plan. Under the ODA a majority of the members of the committee shall include persons with disabilities. Each year, the council of every municipality shall create an accessibility plan that addresses the identification, removal and prevention of barriers to persons with disabilities in the municipality s by-laws, policies, programs, practices and services. Brockville Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committee (BMAAC) The Brockville Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committee (BMAAC) was established in September 2002 through a resolution of Council. Council endorsed the creation of BMAAC as required by the ODA and further endorsed that the committee be comprised of at least four people with disabilities, one member of council, one citizen volunteer and one professional from the stakeholder community. The City invited applications from members of the public who were interested in serving on BMAAC, through the local newspaper. The City received applications from individuals who represented many different organizations within the community. The committee was appointed and consists of individuals with visual impairments, hearing impairments, physical disabilities and representation for individuals with intellectual disabilities. There is additional representation from concerned citizens within the community. The Brockville Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committee (BMAAC) held their first meeting on March 12, The Committee agreed to hold monthly meetings but soon realized that there was too much work to do and decided to change from one meeting per month to two meetings per month. The committee decided on a meeting format that included a presentation and a barrier buster roundtable discussion. Members shared with each other, through presentations, their disability and the barriers that prevent them from being able to take part in all the community activities, and more importantly, to have the freedom to get around freely. Accessibility Plan 5

7 Introduction During the presentations, other members were able to get an understanding for all the disabilities that exist within the City. The committee invited reports and presentations from City Staff and presentations from local organizations for the disabled. During these discussions many barriers were identified and ideas were shared on how these barriers could be broken. The roundtable discussion allowed individual members the opportunity to discuss their issues and to decide whether the committee was proceeding in the right direction, in regard to meeting the expectations that the Council set out. As a result of the committee meetings and the dedication of the members, the City of Brockville has been supplied with a full set of recommendations and ideas on how Council can implement these recommendations. The Committee s Role The Accessibility Advisory Committee will advise the Council about preparing an accessibility plan, how it will work, or is working, and if it achieves its goals. The objectives of the Brockville Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committee are as follows. 1. Describe the process by which BMAAC will identify, remove and prevent barriers to people with disabilities. 2. Review earlier efforts to remove and prevent barriers to people with disabilities. 3. Identify the facilities, policies, programs practices, and services that the Committee will review in the coming year to identify barriers to people with disabilities. 4. Recommend to City Council the measures that should be undertaken in the coming year to identify, remove and prevent barriers to people with disabilities. 5. Recommend to City Council the ways that this accessibility plan should be made available to the public. Accessibility Plan 6

8 Introduction BMAAC is dedicated to making Brockville a place where... i i i i i i i i everyone can access every public washroom people can hear when the traffic lights change all public buildings have visual emergency signals affordable housing is available to everyone people can receive services in an accessible format, e.g. braille, TTY, sign language people are valued and employed for their abilities recreational programs are accessible and inclusive Every citizen can participate fully in the life of the community. Accessibility Plan 7

9 The Plan Accessibility planning puts into action Ontario s commitment, and specifically the City s commitment, to improve independence and opportunity for people with disabilities. Consulting with people with disabilities ensures that local needs, concerns and priorities are reflected within the plan. This accessibility plan examines all aspects of the City of Brockville s operations, including City by-laws, practices, facilities, programs and services. This plan identifies steps the committee suggests be taken, over time, to remove identified barriers and to prevent any new ones. Accessibility planning encourages municipalities to think strategically about removing and preventing barriers. Accessibility planning is a great way to tap new markets, attract and retain effective employees, improve service delivery, enhance customer service and increase efficiency. Outcome of the Plan The following outcomes can be considered for the City of Brockville through the integration of accessibility planning into regular business practices: # equal access is ensured for all citizens and their quality of life is improved # barriers within the municipality are identified # barrier-free design principles are incorporated into your planning and development process # a wider range of tourists and conferences/conventions are attracted to a municipality when accessibility is used as a marketing tool. # municipal workforces include and accommodate more people with disabilities # increasing numbers of people with disabilities are planned for as the population ages # the risk of human rights complaints is limited Accessibility planning will help the City recruit and retain more employees who have the skills to compete in the marketplace. Accessibility planning will help ensure that City services, policies, procedures and practices meet the needs of everyone, including staff and members of the public with disabilities. The Committee looked at various areas of the City s policies and procedures, as well as the services that are provided and the facilities in which many of these services are housed. Accessibility Plan 8

10 The Committee used a system in which they categorized each of the barriers that they discussed. The categories which the committee used are as follows. Transportation Physical Accessibility Communication Employment Housing Attitudinal In addition, each barrier was listed and a recommendation was made. The barriers include barriers found in City by-laws, facilities, services and policies. Some of the barriers were removed during the process and some will not be implemented until next year, and others could possibly not be implemented for years to come. The committee worked very hard to provide description, reasons and the way in which they would like to see the recommendation implemented. This plan provides a description of the barriers that exist in the City of Brockville and suggestions of how these barriers can be removed. Accessibility Plan 9

11 The City Brockville is a loyalist community first settled in The City s original name was Buell s Bay, named after the founder William Buell. In 1812, in honor of a war hero, Sir Isaac Brock, the settlement changed its name to Brockville. Brockville was Ontario s first incorporated community and has the distinction of possessing an authentic coat of arms. Brockville is one of the very few North American Cities with its own flag. In the first half of the 19 th Century, Brockville grew rapidly mainly due to its location on the St. Lawrence River and the Grand Trunk Railway line. The River and Rail allowed the area to export rather easily for business purposes. Today Brockville is able to offer many amenities of a large City while keeping a relaxed demeanor. The City of Brockville is located in the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville. The City of Brockville has a population of approximately 22,741 residents (from the 2001 census information). Brockville, City of the 1000 Islands is located on the shores of the St. Lawrence River. The City was established on the north bank of the St. Lawrence and initially expanded east and west from the river north to the CNR. The CNR mainline and spur lines pass through the city and provide excellent service for the area. Brockville is located on VIA s main corridor for Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto. Brockville was chosen as a designated safe community worldwide by the World Health Organization. The City s educational facilities are known for their high standards in a variety of subjects. Public and separate schools are spaced throughout the community. There are a number of educational support programs available for upgrading and training as well as a college of applied arts and technology. Brockville is able to offer excellent health care services due to its location, within a one hour drive of some of the best research clinics and institutions in Canada. The City provides acute care, active and long-term facilities as well a psychiatric treatment hospital. The City of Brockville and the United Counties of Leeds & Grenville operate under the 911 emergency service for fire, police and ambulance. The City of Brockville provides many services to its residents as well as the surrounding communities. The City maintains approximately 350 acres of parkland, greenbelts, islands and roadside. The City of Brockville manages sixteen islands, a campground, athletic fields, including soccer fields and ball parks, as well as the City s Harbour at Tunnel Bay. Accessibility Plan 10

12 The City offers a number of services for its residents. These services include Animal Control, Economic Development, City Transit, Fire Services and Police Services. In addition to these services, the City is responsible for a number of City facilities. These facilities are located throughout the City and include City Hall - Victoria Building, Gord Watts Municipal Centre, Marina and Park Facilities, Memorial Centre, Youth Arena, Brockville Arts Centre, Fire Stations 1 and 2, Police Station and Water and Wastewater Treatment Facility. Many people who have visited the City were attracted to its beauty, size and location as well as the quality of life the City offers its residents. There are numerous services for those who have special needs as well as programs for the elderly. Accessibility Plan 11

13 Barrier Identification Methodologies Since the inaugural meeting in March 2003, the committee has met twice monthly to discuss barriers within the City of Brockville and how to remove those barriers. The Committee heard presentations from its members who live with specific disabilities and have heard presentations made from organizations that include the Brockville & District Association for Community Involvement (BDACI), The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), the Canadian Hearing Society (CHS) and Multiple Sclerosis Society (MS). In addition, input has been provided from Education for Quality Accessibility (EQA). The Committee has also been provided input from City staff who look after their departments, information and guidance has been provided from City of Brockville Transit Department and Brockville Para Transit, Community Services Department, Operations Department, Brockville Public Library, MIS Department and the Human Resources Department, as well as information from the United Counties Social Services Department. The committee examined a range of barriers to accessibility, from curb cuts and the lack of automatic doors in City facilities to the need for sign-language interpretation at events hosted by the City; ie/ Council Meetings and, the abuse of disabled parking permits. Although the Committee was mostly pleased with the overall accessibility of the City, they felt there are still areas that need to be more accessible and areas in which accessibility has not yet been achieved. The committee worked toward a way to identify the barriers and to categorize them in a way that would allow them to ensure that all aspects of the services provided by the City were looked at and considered. The following categories were used by the Committee to determine the barriers that exist within the City of Brockville. Transportation - Brockville Transit Physical Accessibility - Community Services Department & Operations Department Communication - MIS Department Employment - Human Resources Department Housing - United Counties of Leeds & Grenville - Social Services Department Attitudinal Accessibility Plan 12

14 Barriers Identified The Committee has prepared a listing of barriers, types of barriers and recommendations to remove the barriers. Following is a listing of barriers that have been found, identified, and a recommendation for its removal. Barrier Type of Barrier Recommendation Waive fares for support workers Transportation Waive fee for support people who ride on City Transit. Ticket Incentive Program Transportation Ticket incentive program for Para Transit Riders, comparable to program in place for Conventional Transit riders. Parity in Fare System Transportation The same fares be set for the Conventional Transit and Para Transit System. Increased Hours of Operation Transportation Increased Hours - Extended on Friday and Saturday Evening until 9:00 pm and buses be scheduled from 9 am - 2 pm on Sundays Voice Recording System Transportation Designated telephone number regarding bus schedule changes and cancellations. Bus Schedule Posting Transportation To publish an up-to-date bus schedule, along with current mapping showing City bus routes and bus stops in the City. TTY Accessible System Transportation TTY accessible system be installed at an appropriate City location to allow individuals to get up-to-date information for busing and to provide all staff with the appropriate training. Accessibility Plan 13

15 Barrier Type of Barrier Recommendation Snow Removal Policies Transportation Review/Revise Winter Control Operations Policy regarding snow removal at transit stops. Re-prioritize work undertaken by City Staff or consider contracting the work at these locations to an outside contractor. Access Elements Transportation Grab bars, handrails and steps on all City buses be equipped with bright contrasting colours for easier access. By-Law Sidewalks Care & Use of Sidewalks Physical That section 3.4 be enforced and careful consideration be given when authorizing placement of material or goods on City sidewalks. Patio License Physical Current and future patios be prohibited on sidewalks in the City of Brockville. Accessible Washrooms in City Parks and City Facilities Physical All washrooms in City Parks and Facilities be accessible for wheelchair and scooter users. City Bandshells Physical Hardy Park bandshell be accessible for people who use wheelchairs and scooters. Power Door Openers with Push Button Controls Physical All City facilities have installed power door openers with push button controls. Stages Physical Stages at the Brockville Arts Centre and the Brockville Memorial Centre be made accessible to people who use wheelchairs and scooters. Accessibility Plan 14

16 Barrier Type of Barrier Recommendation Decor Physical Environmental Close attention to alignment of furniture, as well as busy patterns on carpets, curtains or wallpaper. Audio Signaling Device Physical Audio Signaling Devices be installed at King St/Court House, Parkedale/Millwood Intersection A-Board Signs (Sandwich Board Signs) Physical Sign By-law 84-89, section 7.5 be deleted from by-law and that the use of A-Board Signs are prohibited on City sidewalks. Surface on Stairs Physical -Non-slip, non glare surface -Surface must be free from aggregates or ridges which encourage water or ice accumulation -Concrete stairs shall have a brushed finish perpendicular to the path of travel. -Provide colour and texture contrasts at the top and bottom of flights of stairs and on stair nosing. -Maintain free of snow, debris and other obstructions. Elevator Controls Physical Buttons in all elevators in City Buildings be marked with tactile and braille numbers. Electronic Devices Physical Purchases/Leases of electronic equipment be compatible and accessible to people with disabilities. Accessibility Plan 15

17 Barrier Type of Barrier Recommendation Curb Cuts Physical Curb cuts be reviewed in the following geographic area and that this area be made a priority in the budget deliberations to allow for the elimination of height barriers. The geographic area is Water Street to Brock Street and Water Street east North Augusta Road Parking for Persons With Disabilities Parking for Persons with Disabilities By-Law Snow Removal - Parking Spots for Persons with Disabilities Additional Parking Spots for Persons with Disabilities Physical Physical Physical Physical All disabled parking spots be connected with a barrier free path of travel. Curb located on King Street in front of City Hall be recessed to accommodate the parking spot for disabled people. Pass and enforce Parking for Persons with Disabilities By-law. These spots be listed as high priority locations in snow removal policies. A parking spot for persons with disabilities be designated at Ernie Fox Quay. TTY Accessible System Communication Purchase and install TTY accessible system to be used in conjunction with emergency services (Police/Fire) and that staff be trained on how to use the system. Staff Training Communication Sensitivity Training be provided to all City Staff who deal with the public. This training would provide ability to interact with people with disabilities. Accessibility Plan 16

18 Barrier Type of Barrier Recommendation Information Communication Available in accessible formats such as braille, large print, audiotape. Information should also be clear and simple and in a format understandable by all people. Alerting Devices Communication Visual emergency and alerting devices be installed in all City facilities. Signage Communication Clear and Simple and in a format understandable to all people. Education Awareness Program Communication Education and sensitivity training for Staff and Council. Set aside monies to help in the education of the public, through newspaper, print material, special projects and public workshops. Purchase of an FM System Communication An FM System be purchased from the Canadian Hearing Society and the system be available at all public meetings. Implementation of Recommendations Communication When implementing recommendations, input be sought from the people who will benefit directly. Make City Hall the Model of Accessibility for all other businesses in the City. Accessibility Plan 17

19 Barrier Type of Barrier Recommendation Making Meetings Accessible Communication A budget be put in place to hire interpreters and/or notetakers, upon request, by individuals for meeting accessibility. This budget would also provide for the necessary advertising to make the public aware that City meetings are accessible. Accessible Public Telephones Communication A public pay phone in the downtown core be equipped with a TTY accessible system and with volume controls that are compatible with hearing aids. Captioning Communication Council work with and encourage Cogeco Cable to ensure all Council meetings are captioned and that decoder technology is used. Application Process Employment A barrier-free process of application be implemented for the hiring of individuals in City positions. Hiring/Evaluation Process Employment A barrier-free process for hiring and evaluating city employees be implemented. Training Employment City staff involved in the interviewing of potential employees for City positions, be provided training that would enable them to interview individuals that may require a specialized interview process. Habitat for Humanity Housing City Council continue to work with Habitat for Humanity in providing available land for this organization to build homes. Accessibility Plan 18

20 Barrier Type of Barrier Recommendation New Construction Policy (Apartment Buildings) Housing Prepare a policy that would provide individuals interested in building new apartments, specific rules such as making at least 10% of the units accessible before issuing them the required permits to proceed with the project. Letters of Suggestions Housing Letters be prepared by Council setting out specifically the need for accessible and affordable housing in the City and that these letters be forwarded to the departments within the Federal and Provincial Governments as well as to the United Counties of Leeds & Grenville. Grant Approval Attitudinal All organizations who are approved to receive a city grant, supply council with an accessibility plan that would detail their initiatives to include people with disabilities in their organization, and that this plan be reviewed and accepted by BMAAC. Accessibility Plan 19

21 Ranking of Recommendation The committee decided to prioritize the 44 recommendations into two categories. Category 1 - Recommendations that should be implemented immediately to overcome substantial barriers or recommendations that can be implemented at little and/or no cost. Category 2 - All other recommendations The results of the ranking are as follows. Recommendation Category 1 Category 2 Equal Rank 1.1 Fare for support people be waived T 1.2 Ticket Incentive Program T 1.3 Parity in Fare Systems T 1.4 Increased Hours of Operation T 1.5 Voice Recording System T 1.6 Bus Schedule posted on website T 1.7 TTY Accessible System T 1.8 Snow Removal Policies T 1.9 Access Elements T 2.1 Revision/Enforcement of By-law T 2.2 Patio License T 2.3 Accessible Washrooms in City Parks & Facilities T 2.4 City Bandshells T 2.5 Power Door Openers with Push Button Controls T 2.6 Stages T Accessibility Plan 20

22 Recommendation Category 1 Category 2 Equal Rank 2.7 Decor T 2.8 Audio Signal Devices T 2.9 A-Board Signs (Sandwich Boards) T 2.10 Surface of stairs in/at City Buildings T 2.11 Elevator Controls T 2.12 Electronic Devices T 2.13 Curb Cuts T 2.14 Parking for Persons with Disabilities T 2.15 Parking for Persons with Disabilities By-law 2.16 Snow Removal - Parking Spots for Persons with Disabilities 2.17 Additional Parking Spots for Persons with Disabilities T T T 3.1 TTY Accessible System T 3.2 Staff Training T 3.3 Information T 3.4 Alerting Devices T 3.5 Signage T 3.6 Education Awareness Program T 3.7 Purchase of an FM System T 3.8 Implementation of Recommendations T 3.9 Making Meetings Accessible T 3.10 Accessible Public Pay Telephone T 3.11 Captioning T Accessibility Plan 21

23 Recommendation Category 1 Category 2 Equal Rank 4.1 Application Process T 4.2 Hiring/Evaluation Process T 4.3 Training T 5.1 Habitat for Humanity T 5.2 New Construction Policy (Apartment Buildings) T 5.3 Letters of Suggestion T 6.1 Grant Approval T Each member of the committee was given a list similar to the above listing and asked to rank the recommendation by checking one of the two categories. As the results show, all of these recommendations are very important. The intention behind the ranking of the recommendations was to help Council distinguish which recommendations needed the most attention. The committee has prepared a ranking based on the discussion and their own personal opinions regarding the recommendations. Accessibility Plan 22

24 Barriers Addressed in 2003 Bus Schedule Posting The bus schedule and mapping of the bus routes was posted to the website. The information is now available in an alternative format and is easily updated should updates be necessary. (See Transit Plan) Access Elements Grab bars, handrails and steps were all fashioned with bright colours to make the visibility of these objects easier for individuals with visual impairments to recognize. (See Transit Plan) Audio Signaling Device An audio signal was installed at the intersection of King Street and Court House Avenue. After some minor adjusting, the signal is working and the City worked with individuals from CNIB to help in making the necessary adjustments. (July 2003) Curb Cuts All intersections reconstructed as part of a capital project are made to be barrier free. The number of locations varies from year to year depending on upon the scope of the approved project. In addition, $10,000 is included annually in the Internal Concrete Program, completed by the Public Works Division, to eliminate height barriers at intersection crosswalks. This allows for 6-8 locations to be reconstructed per year. Locations for 2002 were: - South side of Water St. between Park St. and Bethune St. (3 locations) - NW corner of Water St. and Ford St. - SE and NE corners of Durham St. & Borden Cres. Location planned for 2003: - NW corner of Perth St. & Chislett St. - NW & NE corners of Buell St. & George St. - SW & SE corners of Buell St. & Church St. - SE corner of North Augusta Rd. and Pearl St. Accessibility Plan 23

25 Information Information is being made available and has been made available in accessible formats. Information is being posted on our accessible website which allows for font size and colours to be adjusted to meet the needs of the individual. Minutes of the following Committees can be found on the City website at (2003) T Environmental/Planning/Development Committee (EPD) T Finance/Admin Committee T Community Service/Economic Development Committee T Council T Accessibility (BMAAC) T Vision 20/20 - Strategic Plan for the City of Brockville In addition to the above, information about other City Departments can be found on the site as well selected by-laws, current events and contact information. Effective December 1, 2003 changes to the above standing committees will be implemented: T Finance and Administration Committee T Operations Committee T Economic Development & Planning (EDP) Accessibility Plan 24

26 Review and Monitoring of the Process Council and the individuals who represent BMAAC are committed to following through with this plan. Seven BMAAC members will continue their membership on the committee for another term, and as they continue their work, part of this will entail monitoring, encouraging and helping Council implement the recommendations that have been made. This plan will be created annually, which will allow Council, staff and the public to monitor the barriers that have been identified and to determine in which direction the City is moving to remove all barriers as described in the ODA. Accessibility Plan 25

27 Communication of the Plan The ODA require that public sector organizations with obligations under the Act prepare an accessibility plan and make it available to the public. This particular plan will be made available on our Website, at City Hall, at the Public Library and at other locations as listed within the City. The hard copy of this information will also be made available in large print. Should an individual request other formats, everything possible will be done to accommodate this individual and their request. Accessibility Plan 26

28 Conclusion The purpose of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA) is to make the necessary improvements that will provide opportunities for people with disabilities. Its purpose is also to enable them to become involved in the identification, removal and prevention of barriers to their full participation in the life of the province and in the life of the community in which they live. People with disabilities represent a significant and growing part of our population. Statistics Canada reports about 1.9 million Ontarians have disabilities - that would be about 16% of the population. In the next two decades, it is estimated that 20% of the population will have disabilities. Improving accessibility is a shared and equal responsibility between the province, the municipal governments and key broader public sector organizations. The City of Brockville is dedicated to making a safe and accessible City to live, work, play and learn in. The City has been working in identifying and removing barriers that exist. The ODA has enabled the City to understand the broad range of disabilities that exist and to focus strategically on existing barriers. Removing barriers and achieving accessibility will be an ongoing process. In this first year, the City of Brockville s main focus is on identifying problems and barriers. In the years to follow, the City will work within its resources to remove and prevent those barriers described from existing. In identifying and removing barriers for people with disabilities, the benefits will be felt by everyone. Implementing recommendations made by BMAAC, such as curb cuts, elimination of A-board signs on City sidewalks and power door openers at all City facilities, will be of great benefit to people who use wheelchairs and scooters and individuals with visual impairments, as well as being helpful to parents with strollers or young children. Increased hours of operation on City Transit, both Conventional and Para, enables people with disabilities to have more opportunity to take part in community activity, as well as benefitting individuals who depend solely on Transit to get them around the City. All of the recommendations that have been offered, once implemented, will be of great benefit to all residents and visitors in and to the City of Brockville. Accessibility achieved through policies, practices and forms are good for all of us. Achieving a barrier free City is an integral part of creating strong, caring, safe communities and giving all residents a sense of belonging. Accessibility Plan 27

29 The definition of a barrier is described as a structure or object that impedes free movement; any condition that makes it difficult to make progress or to achieve an objective, and; anything serving to maintain separation by obstructing vision or access. This definition is very broad, as broad as the barriers that are faced by people with disabilities everyday. It is an opportunity as well as a duty to make Brockville a model for both public and private sectors, to live, work and play in a City were every citizen can participate fully in the life of the community. Accessibility Plan 28

30 Appendix A - Glossary/Definitions Key Definitions: Barrier A Barrier is anything that stops a person with a disability from fully taking part in society because of that disability. Barriers include: G physical G architectural G information or communication G attitudinal G technological G barriers created by policies or practices Disability (As used in the Ontario Human Rights Code) A disability is a) any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness, and includes, but is not limited to: G diabetes mellitus G epilepsy G a brain injury G any degree of paralysis G amputation G lack of physical co-ordination G blindness or visual impediment G deafness or hearing impediment G muteness or speech impediment, or G physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal, or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device b) a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability c) a learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language. Accessibility Plan 29

31 Appendix A - Glossary/Definitions d) a mental disorder; or e) an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, Other Definitions & Disability Types: Physical: Physical disabilities include minor difficulties moving or coordinating a part of the body, muscle weakness, tremors, and in extreme cases, paralysis in one or more parts of the body. Physical disabilities can be congenital, such as Muscular Dystrophy, or acquired, such as tendinitis. Physical disabilities affect an individual s ability to G Perform manual tasks, such as hold a pen, grip and turn a key, type on a keyboard, click a mouse button, and twist a doorknob. G Control the speed of one s movements. G Coordinate one s movements. G Move rapidly. G Experience balance and orientation G Move one s arms or legs fully (e.g. climb stairs) G Move around independently (walk any distance, easily get into or out of a car, stand for an extended period) G Reach, pull, push or manipulate objects G Have strength or endurance Sensory Hearing: Hearing loss includes problems distinguishing certain frequencies, sounds or words, ringing in the ears and total (profound) deafness. A person who is deaf, deafened or hard-of-hearing may be unable to use a public telephone, understand speech in noisy environments, or pronounce words clearly enough to be understood by strangers. Deafness & Hearing Loss Deafness is a disability that affects a person s ability to hear. Deafness is a severe to profound hearing disability, with little or no residual hearing. Many deaf people Accessibility Plan 30

32 Appendix A - Glossary/Definitions communicate using sign language. People with hearing loss, often called hard of hearing, generally use their residual hearing and speech to communicate. Many people with hearing loss can understand some speech sounds with or without a hearing aid. Deafness can be the result of genetics, an accident, environmental factors or an illness. Hearing Loss People with hearing loss, often called hard of hearing, have some residual hearing, as opposed to being severely or profoundly deaf. People with hearing loss can understand some speech sounds with or without a hearing aid, using their residual hearing and speech to communicate. Their hearing loss can be the result of genetics, an accident, environmental factors or an illness. Blindness and Low Vision Blindness is a disability that affects a person s eyesight. Normal vision is 20/20. Someone who is legally blind has 20/200 vision or worse. Eighty percent of people who are blind have some vision, such as light perception. People who have some useful vision, but who cannot achieve clear vision by wearing glasses or contact lenses, are considered to have low vision. Low vision generally means a person s vision does not meet their needs. They may be able to improve it somewhat with visual devices such as computer screen enlargers. Cognitive Disability Cognitive disability, also called intellectual disability, indicates below average cognitive abilities. Signs of intellectual disability are failure to meet developmental milestones, decreased learning ability, persistent infantile behaviour, lack of curiosity and inability to perform at school. There are all kinds of potential causes such as infection (meningitis, congenital rubella), trauma (brain injury), chromosomal abnormalities (Down Syndrome, fragile X syndrome), inherited conditions (Tay-Sachs disease, Rett Syndrome), toxins (lead poisoning), metabolic disease (Reye s Syndrome), even malnutrition or poor social environment. However, a cause is identified in only a quarter of people with intellectual disability. This disability is sometimes referred to as mental retardation (not a preferred term), mental handicap or developmental handicap. Communication Disability Accessibility Plan 31

33 Appendix A - Glossary/Definitions A communication disability is characterized by an inability to understand or use verbal language to communicate with others. This can mean problems with listening, speaking, reading or writing, difficulty pronouncing sounds and words, problems vocalizing and stuttering. Accessibility Plan 32

34 Appendix A - Glossary/Definitions Multiple Sclerosis Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system - the brain and spinal cord. The disease attacks the protective myelin covering of the central nervous system, causing inflammation and often destroying the myelin in patches. The severity of MS, progression and specific symptoms cannot be predicted at the time of diagnosis and vary widely from person to person. Initial symptoms can include blurred/double vision, tingling, dizziness, loss of coordination or numbness. While MS can eventually cause immobility or other disabilities, for most people it will be many years before they may require even a cane on a regular basis. Accessibility Plan 33

35 Appendix B Accessibility Directorate of Ontario Word Choices Words can and often do influence a person s perception of others. This statement is especially true of people with disabilities. Words can create either a positive view of people with disabilities or an indifferent, negative depiction. Following is a word list and phrase list designed to help when choosing language that will be neither demeaning nor hurtful, and terms that are preferred by people with disabilities. Instead of Please Use Afflicted by cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, etc. Aged (the) Autistic Birth defect, congenital defect, deformity Blind (the), visually impaired (the) Brain damaged Confined to wheelchair, wheelchair bound Crazy, insane, lunatic, psycho, mental, mental patient, maniac, neurotic, psychotic, unsound mind, schizophrenic Person who has cerebral palsy. Person who has multiple sclerosis, etc. Person with a disability. Seniors. A person with autism. A person who has autism. A person who has a congenital disability. A person with a disability since birth. A person who is blind. A person with a visual impairment. A person with low vision. A person with a brain injury. A person with a head injury. A person who uses a wheelchair. A wheelchair user. A person with a mental health disability. A person who has depression. A person with schizophrenia. Accessibility Plan 34

36 Appendix B Accessibility Directorate of Ontario Word Choices Cripple, crippled, lame Deaf (the), hearing impaired (the) Deaf and dumb, deaf mute Deaf-Blind (the) Differently Abled Disabled (the) Elderly (the) Epileptic Fits, spells, attacks Handicapped (the) A person with a disability, a person with a mobility impairment or, more specifically, a person who walks with crutches, a person who uses a walker, a person who uses a mobility aid, a person with arthritis, etc. A person who is deaf (person with profound hearing loss who communicates using sign language). A person who is hard of hearing (person with hearing loss who communicates primarily by speech). A person with a hearing loss. When referring to the entire deaf population and their culture it is acceptable to use the deaf. A person who is deaf without speech. A person who is deaf-blind (person who has any combination of visual and auditory impairments). A person with a disability. People with disabilities. Seniors, older adults. Person who has epilepsy. Seizures. A person with a disability. The term handicapped may be used when referring to an environmental or attitudinal barrier as in a person who is handicapped by a set of stairs leading to the entrance. Accessibility Plan 35

37 Appendix B Accessibility Directorate of Ontario Word Choices Invalid Mentally retarded, idiot, simple, retarded, feeble minded, imbecile Midget, Dwarf Mongoloid, Mongolism Normal Patient Physically Challenged Spastic Stutterer Victim of/suffers from/stricken with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, etc. A person with a disability. A person with an intellectual disability. A person with a developmental disability. A person of short stature. A person who has a form of dwarfism. A little person. A person diagnosed with Achondroplasia, SED, or what ever their specific diagnoses is, a form of dwarfism. A person with Down Syndrome. One can use this terminology only when it is directly relevant. A person who is not disabled. A person who is able bodied. Specifically, a person who is sighted, a hearing person, a person who is ambulatory. A person with a disability. The word patient may be used when referring to a relationship between a medical professional and a client. A person with a physical disability A person who has muscle spasms. A person with a speech impairment or impediment. A person who has cerebral palsy. A person who has multiple sclerosis, etc. A person with a disability. Accessibility Plan 36

38 Appendix B Accessibility Directorate of Ontario Word Choices Visually Impaired (the) Wheelchair bound, confined to wheelchair A person with a visual impairment. A person with low vision. A person who uses a wheelchair. A wheelchair user. Accessibility Plan 37

39 Appendix C International Symbols for Accessibility International Symbol of Accessibility for the Disabled This symbol is used to indicate access for individuals with limited mobility, including wheelchair users. example: Accessible Washrooms Assistive Listening System Transmit sounds via hearing aids or headsets example: FM System Audio Description for TV, Video and Film This service is used to make television video and film more accessible for persons who are blind or have low vision. Braille Symbol Information is available in Braille. Closed Captioning (CC) Indicates a television program or videotape is closed captioned for deaf or hard of hearing persons (and others). Accessibility Plan 38

40 Appendix C International Symbols for Accessibility Information Symbol The symbol is used to inform individuals that specific information is available in accessible format. It is often used on signs or floor plans to indicate location of the information or security desk. Accessible Print This symbol is for large print - printed in 18 point or larger font. examples: pamphlets, minutes, etc Live Audio Description This source is used by people who are blind or who have low vision. A trained Audio Describer offers a live commentary or narration (headphones and transmitter are used). The commentary or narration is a concise, objective description of visual elements. Access (other than print or braille) for Individuals Who are Blind or Have Low Vision example: guided tours, tactile tour with exhibition that may be touched Accessibility Plan 39

41 Appendix C International Symbols for Accessibility Sign Language Interpretation Volume Control Telephones Telephone Typewriter (TTY) Accessibility Plan 40

42 Appendix D - Recommendations The following recommendation are presented by the Brockville Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committee. 1.0 Transportation 1.1 Fares for support people There are some individuals who need support people with them on a continuous basis. At the present time, the individual who requires a support person is responsible for paying fares for themselves as well as their support person. Eliminating the fare for the support person reduces the financial burden to the individual. This could work similar to services that VIA Rail offers to escorts. Increased ridership could result if individuals did not have to pay two fares. BMAAC RECOMMENDATION: That City Council waive the fee for support people who ride on City Transit. The City may request documentation from an individual attesting that they cannot travel alone. 1.2 Ticket Incentive Programs The Para Transit System at present does not offer any incentive program when purchasing tickets to ride the system. Currently the Conventional System offers the following Incentive Program: Book of 11 tickets $ Ride Pass $70.00 Monthly Pass $70.00 BMAAC RECOMMENDATION: That Council implement a ticket incentive program for Para Transit riders, comparable to the program in place for Conventional Transit riders. 1.3 Parity in Fare System BMAAC RECOMMENDATION: That City Council set the same fares for the Conventional Transit System and the Para Transit System. 1.4 Increased Hours of Operation Accessibility Plan 41

43 Appendix D - Recommendations The current transit system, both Conventional and Para Transit, have the same hours of operation Monday to Friday 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Individuals who are dependent on the Transit System, both Conventional and Para, must limit their activities on weekends. BMAAC RECOMMENDATION: That City Council increase the hours of operation for City Transit to allow people to attend such events as Church. The committee recommends that hours of operation be extended on Friday and Saturday evenings until 9:00 p.m and that buses are scheduled from 9:00 a.m until 2 p.m. on Sundays 1.5 Voice Recording System BMAAC RECOMMENDATION: That City Council provide a designated phone number for individuals to call regarding bus schedule changes and cancellations. This would allow individuals to obtain information before leaving for the bus and finding out a change has been made after standing at the stop for an extended period of time. 1.6 Bus Schedule Posting Many individuals with disabilities depend a great deal on computer technology to obtain information. It is a way for individuals to obtain information in an alternate format. BMAAC RECOMMENDATION: That City Council publish an up-to-date bus schedule, along with current mapping showing City bus routes and stops within the City of Brockville. 1.7 TTY Accessible System TTY s (teletypewriters) consist of a keyboard and small display screen which allows for telephone communication over the phone lines via typed conversation. Some TTY s are used in conjunction with conventional phones, others plug directly into phone jacks. If both the caller and the receiver have a TTY, the call can take place directly person to person. If, however, one of the parties does not have a TTY, they can still communicate through a telephone relay operator using a toll-free number. The operator acts as a communication link by typing what the hearing person says so that it appears as written text on the TTY screen and voicing what the TTY user types. Voice Carry Over (VCO) allows TTY users to speak for themselves and to use the TTY display to read the response when making or receiving relay operator calls. Accessibility Plan 42

44 Appendix D - Recommendations VCO works with a conventional phone and a TTY, as well as with stand-alone phones equipped with the VCO feature. BMAAC RECOMMENDATION: That a TTY Accessible System be installed in an appropriate City location that would allow individuals to get up-to-date information for busing in the City and; a further recommendation to provide all staff with the appropriate training. 1.8 Snow Removal Policies There are approximately 150 transit stops in the City of Brockville. During times of minimal snowfall the stops are shovelled by hand. However, if a significant quantity of snow falls, the stops are cleared by means of the City s front-end loader. The frontend loader is utilized by City staff to undertake snow removal at all locations identified as currently having a higher priority rating in the current snow clearing policy. According to the current policy, Transit Stops are number 12 on the list of overall priority for snow clearing and ice control operations after a storm. BMAAC RECOMMENDATION: That Council review and revise the Winter Control Operations Policy in regard to snow removal, at transit stops and re-prioritize the work undertaken by City Staff or consider contracting the work at these locations to an outside contractor. 1.9 Access Elements BMAAC RECOMMENDATION: That grab bars, handrails and steps on all City buses be equipped with bright contrasting colours for easier access. 2.0 Physical Accessibility 2.1 Revision/Enforcement of By-law One of the biggest challenges for individuals with physical disabilities is being able to travel down City sidewalks, due to obstacles placed on City sidewalks by businesses. BMAAC RECOMMENDATION: That By-law 95-93, specifically section 3.4, be enforced, and before Council authorizes any material or goods be placed on City Accessibility Plan 43