Category Archives: Accessibility

Amherstburg An Inclusive Community? Says Who?

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I think different people have different definitions of what an ‘inclusive community’ is. How does a crosswalk, sponsored by a family, reinforce what an inclusive community is all about any more than raising a flag? Might these gestures be seen as minimal efforts?

Mayor Prue broke the tie vote in favour of Open Air, despite objections that it created barriers that excluded people with disabilities. Councillor Crain stated yes, he would remove Open Air barriers and then voted in favour of it. How does that make #Amherstburg an inclusive community?

CTV News Windsor reports Amherstburg reveals first-ever rainbow crosswalk representing inclusivity and included the following quotes:

‘WE ARE AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY. GET USED TO IT’

“It helps to reinforce what an inclusive community is all about,” said Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue. “I’m very proud of this town and foresight and the inclusivity that people have shown.”

‘INCLUSIVITY AND ACCEPTANCE’

On Twitter, Amherstburg Coun. Linden Crain also voiced his support for the new crosswalk.

“Amherstburg has taken a colourful step forward towards inclusivity & acceptance. We are thrilled to announce the installation of the town’s first-ever rainbow crosswalk! A huge thank you to the Goggin Family for making this happen. Happy #PrideMonth!”

Strong Leadership Needed

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As published in the RTT in response to May 31 Flag Raising article.

The week that initially was National Access Awareness Week in 1988 became National AccessAbility Week in 2017, not Accessibility as stated in the article.

Deputy Mayor Gibb is quoted as saying, “it is also an opportunity to reflect on ongoing efforts to become a better, more accessible and more inclusive Canada.”

I reflected and concluded that a flag raising might be seen as tokenism. 

The J. S. HELD 2021 facilities condition assessment of the town hall noted, “The building is non AODA compliant” and “the cost to convert the town hall to AODA compliant is $291,117.78.” If, as Deputy Mayor Gibb stated, “we strive to improve our infrastructure and services,” why has an AODA compliant town hall not been a priority? The $165,000 dog park and the $170,000 Libro Trail over expenditure would have paid for an AODA compliant town hall.

Mayor Prue noted the Gordon House was not accessible and campaigned to ensure all town buildings are accessible to facilitate an open and inclusive municipality. Last month, Mayor Prue referenced the AODA and said in this town, we have not brought it into force. Why not?

What about the narrow, uneven sidewalks with trees growing out of them and all kinds of obstacles Deputy Mayor Gibb mentioned during budget deliberations? 

As this week ends it’s ironic that Open Air and its barriers begin, despite any denial. People with disabilities may be excluded, physically and socially, from equally participating in the community, a preventable barrier. While there will be those who claim the 16 weekends of closed streets increase accessibility for people using wheelchairs, such positive attributes overshadow the need to commit to fixing sidewalks for year-round use and eliminating barriers.

Inclusive communities welcome ALL marginalized communities, not just some and only during festivals.

We need strong leaders to commit to the identification, prevention, and removal of barriers. When that is accomplished, and all barriers in Amherstburg are removed then there will be cause for celebration, but not until then. 

An FOI Request For This?!

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Absurd. Why did this information require an FOI request? Especially when two of the three documents are publicly available policies on the town’s website? And other municipalities live stream their workshop meetings?

CAO Critchley advised council members received training in accessibility on November 29, 2022; the Council Workshop Agenda did not mention Accessibility training.

Following this post, What Accessibility Training Did Council Receive? File An FOI Request, I submitted an FOI request and today received full disclosure of the following three documents:

AODA Alliance Call to Email MPs RE Bill C-22 (the Canada Disability Benefit Act)

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The AODA Alliance issues a call to email as many MPs as possible and an example of what to say is included as a starring point to let MPs know why this matters to you:

Please vote to ratify the amendments to Bill C-22 (the Canada Disability Benefit Act) that the Senate passed. Hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities living in poverty need the Bill C-22 to be passed right now. The Senate’s amendments read the post, May 19, 2023 AODA Alliance Update.

Essex MP Chris.Lewis@parl.gc.ca

Tell The Accessibility Advisory Committee To Select Hotel Site Plans For Review

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I’ve suggested that committee members’ contact information be made available to receive input from the public regarding accessibility concerns. Committees may not always be representative of persons with a range of disabilities.

Councillor McArthur is this term’s rep so I’ve emailed him the following and request you send him one at dmcarthur@amherstburg.ca and copy me at theburgwatch@gmail.com.

as council’s new rep to the accessibility advisory committee, you may not be fully aware of the committee’s mandate. as i’ve mentioned before, i was not given the accessibility training materials that members of council received on november 29 but i’ve submitted an FOI request for them.

given the controversy of the proposed hotel, and accessibility/safety concerns affecting persons with disabilities involving the back stairs, i would urge the committee to select the site plans and drawings for the project.

also, as i’ve repeatedly raised the issue about the lack of reports included on the committee’s agenda, you should know that there are several empty links in tomorrow’s meeting agenda. I’ve also mentioned before that verbal reports, instead of attached reports, may pose a barrier. wouldn’t it be ironic if the committee that is supposed to remove barriers creates them?

Agenda Accessibility Advisory Committee April 27

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The agenda for the first meeting of this year/term is now posted on the town’s website and contains empty links which to me indicates a lack of transparency and accountability.

I have suggested training in procedure and have raised the issue of empty agenda links with no attachments. I advised then-CAO Simmons of a recurring problem that i previously mentioned. The agenda contains links to no attachments; for those who are interested in observing the meetings, having to rely on audio without being able to read any documents is a barrier to participation and accountability.

Simmons responded, thank you for bringing them to our attention and we will endeavour to make improvements including not leaving links devoid of information.

And it continues with this agenda: I counted 14 empty links.

Nomination of Chair and Nomination of Vice Chair contain two empty links.

The presentation, Amherstburg Accessibility Advisory Committees (AAAC) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) is an empty link to 6.1  Amherstburg Accessibility Advisory Committees (AAAC) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

This item has no attachments.

ORDER OF BUSINESS is an empty link to 7. ORDER OF BUSINESS.

This item has no attachments.

7.1 Accessibility Advisory Committee Work Plan is an empty link to 7.1  Accessibility Advisory Committee Work Plan.

This item has no attachments.

7.2 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan is an empty link but the pop up link does work: 2022 07 04 – 2021 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan.pdf

7.3 Committee 2023 Meeting Schedule is an empty link; the pop up window contains a link that works but colours should be reviewed. 2023 Calendar of Committee Meetings.pdf

7.4 Accessibility Audits of Town Property and Parkland is an empty link to 7.4  Accessibility Audits of Town Property and Parkland.

This item has no attachments.

8. NEW BUSINESS is an empty link to 8.  NEW BUSINESS.

This item has no attachments.

9. ADJOURNMENT is an empty link to Adjournment.

This item has no attachments.

When Will Town Hall Accessibility Be A Priority?

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Council will consider South Fire Station – Consolidated Build verses Renovation Options with Fire Chief Montone’s report and recommendations, including one upside down Attachment 4.

Attachment 5 points out the obvious about the town hall:

‘The building is non AODA compliant for, it is not possible to to convert this building to make accessible due to the general construction of the building. This building was designed as a multilevel building with provision for accessibility in mind and the cost to convert the town hall to AODA compliant is $291,117.78.’

Could that cost have been covered if it had been a priority?

Dog Park = $165,000.

Libro Trail Over expenditure = $170,000

Total spent on two projects = $335,000.

Watch tonight’s council meeting live.

Short Term Rental Meeting Post Review

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It would be so much more enjoyable, and less time consuming, if council meetings were conducted with more decorum – less speeches, personal anecdotes and repetitive comments and my pet peeve – staff appreciation. I understand the importance of council/staff relations, but offering kudos and thanking staff for a report? applauding staff for reading comments into the record?

As recently as the March 14 post, Open Air Post Review To Council, copied to council, I offered kudos to Councillor Pouget for consistently acknowledging the town’s legal obligation to comply with provincial legislation, specifically, the AODA and Human Rights Code.

At the April 17 meeting, Short Term Rentals, Councillor Pouget raised a concern regarding the accessibility issues: According to the provincial government guidelines do mention accessibility legislation, including the Human Rights Code for short term rentals. Pouget asked Mr. Tetler has that been taken into consideration?

Mr. Tetler said these properties would need to be brought into compliance with the Fire Code and the Ontario Building Code so he couldn’t speak to what each property would have at this time.

Councillor Pouget said she was basically referring to the Accessibility Act, according to the provincial government,

CAO Crtichley explained the Building Code has specifications for what has to be in properties to comply with AODA so these homes will need to be in compliance with the Building Code.

As I mentioned on March 13, the Human Rights Code has primacy over all other Ontario legislation.

I repeat today, kudos to Councillor Pouget for consistently acknowledging the town’s legal obligation to comply with provincial legislation, specifically, the AODA and Human Rights Code.

On March 14, Deputy Mayor Gibb spoke about his in-laws, as he did yesterday, in reference to where family members live, in Blue Mountain, and when they come to Amherstburg to visit his in laws.

As council’s rep on the Accessibility Advisory committee, Councillor McArthur should have advocated for the removal of barriers.

Councillor McArthur offered kudos to the bylaw department while Councillor Crain wanted to thank staff for their work on this. A staff member listed about twelve municipalities that were looked at. Shouldn’t all of the research been included in a ‘fulsome’ report so council was more informed?

Councillor Allaire shared her personal experience of what she prefers as a renter and was in favour of Option C.

I counted four members of council who encouraged people to continue contacting authorities to report disturbances.

Revised Agenda Short Term Rentals April 17

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There are now six delegations for the 5:00 pm meeting listed on the revised agenda regarding the Administration Report, Appendix “B” OWNER OCCUPIED and Appendix “C” Not Owner Occupied. The pages are not numbered.

The provincial guide for municipalities that are considering regulating home-sharing in their communities does mention accessibility and provincial legislation.