Accessibility Advisory Committee

Minutes

Meeting #:

Date:

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Time:

6:00 P.m. - 9:00 P.m.

Location:

Electronic Participation

Present:

Chair Vania Karam,
Wayne Antle,
Ian Bourrie,
Ana Maria Cruz-Valderrama,
Matthew Eliot,
Murray MacDonald,
William Van Veen,
and Hannah Walhad

Absent:

Vice-Chair Holly Ellingwood,
Jodi Fisher,
Adele Furrie,
and David Humphries

Present non-voting member:

Councillor Marty Carr

1.
Notices and meeting information for meeting participants and the public

1.Public Notices English - Advisory Committee.pdf

2.Public Notices French - Advisory Committee.pdf

Members of Committee and Council, City staff, media and the general public may join the meeting with this link:

Zoom meeting no. 88964775758

Notices and meeting information are attached to the agenda and minutes, including: availability of simultaneous interpretation and accessibility accommodations; personal information disclaimer for correspondents and public speakers; notices regarding minutes; and remote participation details.

Accessible formats and communication supports are available, upon request.

The deadline to register to speak, or submit written comments is 4 pm on the day of the meeting.

2.
Declarations of Interest

No Declarations of Interest were filed.

3.
Confirmation of Minutes

3.1
AAC Minutes 8 - November 21,2023

1.AAC 8 Draft Minutes (EN).pdf

2.AAC 8 Draft Minutes (FR).pdf

Carried

4.
Responses to Inquiries

5.
Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development Department

5.1
The Ottawa Hospital to Dow’s Lake LRT Station Multi-Use Connection Environmental Assessment Study

Angela Taylor, Senior Project Manager, Environmental Assessment, Planning, Real Estate & Economic Development Department presented and responded to questions from members of the committee.

Paul Croft, consultant for Parsons, presented and responded to feedback.

Member Cruz-Valderrama suggested pedestrians and cyclist be kept apart on paths.

Member Eliot asked if there would be more updates to which Ms. Taylor said there will be an open house in the spring and more information would be available then.

Report Recommendation(s)

That the Accessibility Advisory Committee receive the presentation and provide comments as appropriate.
Received

5.2
Ottawa E-Scooters Pilot

Jessica Lloy, Project Officer, Transportation Demand Management, and Kunjan Ghimire, Program Manager, Neighbourhood Traffic Calming, from the Planning, Real Estate & Economic Development Department presented and answered questions from committee members.

Member Antle discussed that issues of safety remained with both privately and publicly owned e-scooters. Ability to hear the noise of e-scooters was also an issue of safety as they cannot always be heard over traffic and other noises.

Member Cruz-Valderrama spoke to the dangers of e-scooters to the disabled, seniors and young children.

Chair Karam spoke to issues of e-scooters presenting difficulties to wayfinding. She also suggested that the presentation would be more helpful if it focused on the concerns that people have regarding the safety of e-scooters for the accessibility community.

It was suggested by members of the committee that a report on the number of accidents and injuries be released. Staff will follow up.

Report Recommendation(s)

That the Accessibility Advisory Committee receive the presentation and provide comments as appropriate.
Received

6.
Office of the City Clerk

6.1
Accessibility Office Update

Megan Richards, Program Manager, Accessibility, Office of the City Clerk and Sarah Beriault, Corporate Accessibility Specialist, Office of the City Clerk presented and were available to answer questions from committee members.