Category Archives: Accessibility

Should Minutes Be Consistently Corrected?

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Background

During a council meeting earlier this year, Councillor Michael Prue had a question about committee minutes, the presence of his wife, Shirley Curson-Prue, at a committee meeting and the recording of votes.

Mayor DiCarlo said the minutes would be looked into and any corrections required would be made.

Present

On August 4, 2022, I read the August 8 town council meeting agenda and emailed all members of council that the Amherstburg Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAAC) meeting minutes June 23, 2022 were incorrect.

“The minutes indicate the motion was ‘that the delegation be received.’ However, following my presentation, Chair Shirley Curson-Prue asked, “May I have a motion to receive this document?” Chris Drew said he’d make the motion which was then seconded by Angela Kelly and carried. The audio is available online.”

I assumed errors were to be corrected.

On Friday, August 5, Mayor Aldo DiCarlo emailed, “Thank you for the clarification.”

On Monday, August 8, council received the AAAC minutes without comment.

Caffeine and Company Stairs A Barrier To Some Persons With Disabilities

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I’m continuing my tour of some of the downtown Amherstburg eateries; more photos to follow.

The former Echo building is now a coffee shop.

stairs a barier to Caffeine and Company in Amherstburg, OntarioThis is where Windsor Police held Coffee With A Cop in 2019 and apologized: Coffee With A Cop: Windsor Police Apologize For ‘Misstep.’

stairs a barrier to coffee with a cop in amherstburg, ontario

Pepper Cat Stairs A Barrier To Some Persons With Disabilities

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I’m continuing my tour of some of the downtown Amherstburg eateries; more photos to follow.

A reader alerted me to the accessibility issue at the Pepper Cat restaurant so here’s a photo of the stairs. Councillor Candidate Linden Crain tweeted now that’s creative! and added a dog vs. cat emoji.

stairs an accessibility barrier to pepper cat restaurant in Amherstburg, Ontario

close up of stairs to pepper cat restaurant in Amherstburg, Ontario

Park House Museum Accessibility Barriers

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Continuing with photos from my downtown tour, the Park House Museum walk and ramp could use an update.

When asked about accessibility, Park House Curator advised they are currently fundraising to replace the current ramps and walkways and to add a push-button door.

As for the website, ‘we have changed the colour from black to white to enhance visibility and recently launched a user survey to see where our visitors would like changes to be made.’ I couldn’t locate an Accessibility Policy on the website, but the Curator provided me with a blanket policy including a link to training that will be provided, as outlined by the documentation at www.mto.gov.on.ca. i’m not sure how useful the Ministry of Transportation site will be.

In March 2022, the town granted the museum’s request for $8500. and provided an additional $6500. for a total of $15,000.

In March 2022, it was also announced that the museum received a $19700. grant from Ontario’s Community Building Fund Operating stream.

The August 8, 2022 town council agenda includes a memo: $15,000 for the precommitment of the 2022 Park House Grant

Sooner, rather than later, funding will need to be allocated to imrproving accessibility at the Park House and other buildings in town.

park house museum rotting wooden walk and ramp in amherstburg, ontario

Amherstburg’s Open Air 2022 Barriers Part Three – Maps

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Amherstburg is not Bogota.

Populations:
Amherstburg 21,936
Bogota 11, 167,000

Amherstburg’s Open Air event where, for the third year, barriers prevent the almost 5,000 persons with disabilities from equally participating in their community: barriers to the post office, banks, hair salons and parking to allow for games, patios, entertainment to occupy the streets.

Visit Amherstburg website includes two links to the same map:

“To assist you we have this map to help you best decide where to park your vehicle. You’ll see we have added additional accessible parking spots at the Open Air thresholds as well as additional bike racks to help encourage active transportation.

Click here to see additional bicycle, vehicle and accessible parking areas.”

The first map:downtown Amherstburg map closed streets during spring to fall weekends

The second map:downtown Amherstburg map closed streets during spring to fall weekends accessible parking

Who decided it was a good idea to have two links to one map on the same page?