Tag Archives: accessibility

Inconsistent Evaluation Tours

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Some of the accessibility committee’s 7 members will tour 7 facilities over the course of the next year while ALL of the parks and rec committee’s 9 members will tour ALL 24 parks by the end of the year.

Three members of the two committees are the same: Shirley Curson-Prue, who chairs both, and Councillor McArthur and Tony Pietrangelo.

At the August 24 Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting, Pietrangelo noted the document title is municipal property audit locations and asked if playgrounds are municipal properties. The clerk advised they do playground audits as well; they were just waiting on the AODA standards to be updated and that it’s anticipated within a year or so that might move forward for legislation.

At the September 19 Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting, members viewed a document wherein accessibility was mentioned twice in quotes from the Parks Master Plan, currently being updated:

  1. To reflect the evolving role of parks in the Town – including a greater emphasis on events, passive uses and accessibility – a new system for classifying parks in Amherstburg has been developed. 
  2. It is essential that parks are inclusive and barrier-free, as guided by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). To ensure that the parks system is able to serve people from all segments of the community, accessible seating, washrooms, shade (structures and trees), parking, connections to key destinations and safety must be prominent considerations.

Using the Assessment Form, the accessibility committee will tour:

  • Town Hall
  • Libro Centre & Property Tony Pietrangelo, Councillor McArthur
  • Visitor Information Centre Christine Easterbrook
  • Gordon House
  • Amherstburg Public Library Tony Pietrangelo
  • Gibson Gallery Christine Easterbrook
  • Community Hub Tony Pietrangelo, Christine Easterbrook

Prue thought the biggest contention is probably the town hall and suggested they don’t need to do that first because they have the data from the last round.

Christine Easterbrook mentioned she’d never been in the Gordon House, the Gibson Gallery and the community hub. She also asked if they need to do the police station again; the clerk advised it wasn’t included because its public facing areas have been reduced significantly since COVID and it really is only a vestibule.

The parks and rec committee will tour:

  • Alma West Lookout
  • Anderdon Park
  • Angstrom Park
  • Bar Point Park
  • Beaudoin Park
  • Belle Vue House
  • Bill Wigle Park
  • Briar Ridge Park
  • Canard Estates
  • Centennial Park
  • Co-An Park Golfview Park
  • Jack Purdie Park
  • King’s Navy Yard Park
  • Libro Credit Union Centre
  • Malden Centre Park
  • North Gateway
  • Ranta Memorial Park
  • River Canard Park
  • Scodeller Park
  • Seagram’s Garden
  • South Gateway
  • Thrasher Park
  • ‘Toddy’ Jones Park
  • Warren Mickle Park
  • Waterfront Property Project

Inclusive Playgrounds Are Possible

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The number and type of comments here and on Facebook about children with disabilities is concerning. I can’t imagine anyone would choose to deny any child a fun playground experience.

There seems to be some mis- and disinformation regarding playgrounds that children with disabilities can equally access and enjoy. I also think there is ignorance about the fact that the terms accessible, inclusive, and useable are not interchangeable.

The AODA and Canada Safety Association Standards are minimum requirements and nothing in the legislation stops anyone from exceeding those minimum standards.

When there is a claim that a playground is AODA or CSA Annex H compliant, it might mean that only some elements are accessible but the playground still might not be inclusive.

There are a number of excellent resources for municipalities to refer to if decision makers decide they will exceed those minimum standards and build playgrounds that are inclusive and useable.

Holland Bloorview’s EPIC Lab has teamed up with Dr. Kelly Arbour-Nicitopoulos (University of Toronto), Ms. Ingrid Kanics (Kanics Inclusive Design Services, LLC), and Dr. Jennifer Leo (University of Alberta) to create a comprehensive report titled, “Creating Inclusive Playgrounds: A Playbook of Considerations and Strategies.”

The development of this playbook has received generous support from Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities’ Inclusive Play Project and their mission to build more inclusive play spaces across Canada.

Mickle Park Playground – How Useable?

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Below is an email to Councillor Pouget and Councillor McArthur on June 12 in advance of the council meeting.

After watching the June 5 Amherstburg Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting, and reading some of the documents, I have some concerns regarding the recommendation to ENDORSE the playground design proposed for Warren Mickle Park’s playground redevelopment.

I’m writing to both of you because Councillor McArthur is council’s rep on the AAAC and Councillor Pouget consistently represents the interests of people with disabilities.

Ms. Heidi Baillargeon advised the AAAC an RFP resulted in three proposals that went through a Review and Scoring committee, and this was the design that was selected for installation at Warren Mickle Park. Ms. Baillargeon also advised the AAAC that it is partly a ramp structure, there are a number of accessible components, and that ‘a wheelchair can only go up to the first deck.’ It is preferable to use person first or identity first language and not refer to the assistive device alone.

How did a Review and Scoring committee approve this proposal?

What Makes a Playground Inaccessible? (aoda.ca)

  • Multilevel platforms
  • Stairs
  • Narrow walkways
  • Monkey bars
  • Bucket swings
  • Swings
  • Slides (plastic or metal)

Would someone please explain how the proposed Warren Mickle Park will be AODA compliant and inclusive if children with disabilities can’t access or use all the equipment? 

From the Parks Master Plan 2018, “It is essential that parks are inclusive and barrier-free, as guided by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). To ensure that the parks system is able to serve people from all segments of the community, accessible seating, washrooms, shade (structures and trees), parking, connections to key destinations and safety must be prominent considerations.”

While Ms. Baillargeon mentioned the CSA Z614:20, a safety standard, there was very little discussion regarding the AODA, Regulations, inclusive playground guidelines and mandatory public consultation.

The Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation of the AODA mandates public consultation as follows:

“When constructing new or redeveloping existing outdoor play spaces, obligated organizations shall consult on the needs of children and caregivers with various disabilities” and shall do so in the following manner: 

1. designated public sector organizations and large organizations must consult with the public and persons with disabilities. (emphasis added).

2. Municipalities must also consult with their municipal accessibility advisory committees, where one has been established in accordance with subsection 29 (1) or (2) of the Act. 

Outdoor play spaces, accessibility in design 

80.20 When constructing new or redeveloping existing play spaces that they intend to maintain,obligated organizations shall,

(a) incorporate accessibility features, such as sensory and active play components, for children and caregivers with various disabilities into the design of outdoor play spaces; and

(b) ensure that outdoor play spaces have a ground surface that is firm, stable and has impact attenuating properties for injury prevention and sufficient clearance to provide children and caregivers with various disabilities the ability to move through, in and around the outdoor play space. O. Reg. 413/12, s. 6.

There was also no discussion regarding the 2021 survey that no children under the age of 18 participated in. 

Will the four benches be accessible? Will the bike racks be accessible? Will there be any braille elements? Will accessible washrooms be installed? Will accessible parking spaces be available? Will accessible signage and wayfinding be installed? The concept plan 2021 included a picnic area and in answer to the question, What park amenities would you like to see at Warren Mickle Park, 50 (74.6%) said picnic table: will accessible picnic tables be installed?

Also of concern is an AAAC member’s comments regarding the slide: he could only see one problem with it – that is you put it in this park and people find out about it, they’re gonna want it in all the other parks and that means retrofitting. Then the member asked about the cost for that.

In is my understanding that AAAC members identify barriers and ‘provide advice and recommendations to Council on accessibility issues within our community’ and council makes budgetary decisions for what accessible projects it prioritizes.

Questions For New Council Unanswered: Update

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Some elected officials have now answered some of my October 26 questions, as mentioned in the November 14 post, Kudos And Questions For New Council Unanswered.

Since I did not encounter any barriers during campaigns by Councillor Diane Pouget and Councillor Peter Courtney, they were not asked to answer the three questions.

Mayor Michael Prue and Councillor Donald McArthur did not respond at the time of this post.

All answers, including typos and misspellings, are as received.

  • of the accessibility information the town provided to you for your campaign, which did you read?

    Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb: no answer

    Councillor Molly Allaire: I read all materials supplied to me during my campaign from the town. I did not want anything to jeopardize my chances of making it into council.

    Councillor Linden Crain: I read all election material provided by the Town throughout my campaign, including any information pertaining to the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001, and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.

  • what trainings have you participated in for accessibility legislation, for example, as an employee, volunteer, etc.?

    Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb    : I’m proud to say that I did complete the ADOA training that was offered to all members of council and I hope to put what I learned into practice not only in my “municipal life” but also in my personal life.

Councillor Molly Allaire: I have never really had any accessibility training. I have taken a few courses in university such as “Special Populations” and “Athletics for Everyone” which basically taught us many different populations accessibility needs and how to make recreation possible for everyone. At my previous job I learnt in the field about all walking aid assistive devices and such/

Councillor Linden Crain: Both the Town of Amherstburg and the County of Essex members of Council have received training on accessibility. I have also been advised that Administration will be doing a special session on accessibility in the first quarter of 2023.

  • how will you fulfill the obligation to remove barriers?

    Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb: no answer

Councillor Molly Allaire: I am just dipping my feet into the waters here so bare with me. I plan to start applying for grants with the towns approval of course to help making our playgrounds and “heritage buildings” more accessible. I know this is not the perfect plan but starting somewhere is important. If you have any ideas or concerns specifically about the town that you would like to bring forward I will always listen and try to help. This is why I stepped up for this position.

Councillor Linden Crain:

  • Continue an open dialogue with the Town’s Accessibility Advisory Committee.
  • Follow regulations outlined in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. 
  • Always remain available to address concerns any resident faces in the Town of Amherstburg.
  • Work closely with Town Administration to establish procedures and measures that ensure those with disabilities have the opportunity to experience all our community has to offer.

Do Endorsements Matter?

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It depends. I’d want to know a bit about the endorser and their reasons for their choices. Amid rumours of a slate, I looked for commonalities.

Leo’s lineup

Outgoing Deputy Mayor Leo Meloche publicly commented, ‘With the exception of the Mayor’s position here is the lineup I am supporting in the upcoming elections for Amherstburg Town Council.

For Councillor,
Lori Wightman
Linden Crain
Marc Renaud
Pat Simone
Don McArthur

For Deputy Mayor,
Chris Gibb.

I have had conversations with them and am confident in their ability to make key decisions that will move the Town forward while exercising financial stability. Wishing the team all the best.”

Leo’s

Gibb

Crain

McArthur

Renaud

Simone

Wightman

ACF

✅

✅

0

✅

0

✅

S Gibb Q

✅

✅

✅

✅

✅

✅

Heritage

✅

✅

✅

0

✅

✅

Barriers

✅

✅

✅

✅

✅

✅

ACF is the Amherstburg Community Foundation where the website lists all the members of ‘our team‘ and ‘Community Builders‘ like Leo Meloche and Marc Renaud, 2021. Only those running are listed above.

S Gibb Q, is Chris Gibb’s wife and these candidates answered all of her blog questions.

As I previously stated, candidates are not obliged to answer anyone’s questions and I make no assumptions, although I do wonder if it would have been fair to answer all, or none, rather than favouring some.

Of note, Lori Wightman was the only one of the above candidates who answered my blog’s questionnaire. McArthur, Crain and Renaud, after nudging, answered one about removing Open Air barriers. Crain said yes and added, “If there are particular barriers in place,” which was similar to McArthur’s, ‘If there are persisting issues with accessibility.” Renaud mentioned parking and walking distance. Gibb and Simone publicly supported Open Air but didn’t answer my reader’s question.

One more common comparison: Richard Peddie (director), and Renée D’Amore (director), along with Linden Crain, were part of the T.H.R.I.V.E. team that created the Open Air White Paper. D’Amore wouldn’t allow my Facebook comments about the candidates’ nights at the Downtown Espresso that he is an owner of, and Peddie blocked me after a few tweets about barriers at the bookshop.

Heritage refers to the Architectural Conservancy Ontario Windsor-Essex chapter’s request for candidates’ heritage platforms.

Barriers includes meet and greets, website and twitter issues that may have excluded persons with disabilities.

Other candidates may share common interests, but these are only the ones I compared due to the rumours of a slate for information purposes only.

Copyright – this information is protected by Canada’s Copyright Act. Request written permission from the burg watch at gmail dot com.

Amherstburg Candidates And Accessibility: Facebook

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The following candidates use Facebook, that I’m aware of, but may have issues that prevent some people with disabilities from accessing their information:

Mayoral candidates:

Michael Prue
Bob Rozankovic

Deputy Mayoral candidate:

Nancy Atkinson
Chris Gibb
Gregory Moore
Dennis Sanson

Councillor candidates:

Molly Allaire
Andrew Argoselo
Linden Crain
Tara Kearsey
Donald McArthur
Marc Renaud
Patricia Simone
Gerry Theriault
Lori Wightman

The town was to provide candidates with accessibility information.

Accessibility Awareness And Candidate Accountability

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The Downtown Espresso Cafe is advertising candidate meet and greet sessions. Out of concern that persons with disabilities may be excluded because of the step, I posted to You know you are from Amherstburg when…. a Facebook group “for all who grew up in the great town of Amherstburg, Ontario Canada!!!”

Notification: “Your comment was automatically declined based on certain criteria in this group.”

‘See feedback’ revealed: These rules come from the group admins.

1 No Promotions or Spam
Absolutely no sale posts of any kind unless you have approved it by the admin first. Certain posts will be allowed based on the discretion of the admin.

2 No Hate Speech or Bullying
Make sure everyone feels safe. Bullying of any kind isn’t allowed, and degrading comments about things like race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, gender or identity will not be tolerated.

3 Be Kind and Courteous
We’re all in this together to create a welcoming environment. Let’s treat everyone with respect. Healthy debates are natural, but kindness is required.

I then wrote the same comment on the Downtown Espresso Cafe Facebook page and it was deleted.

Other than ‘the candidates should know better,” everything else in the comment was quoted from the town’s information.

The candidates should know better. The step to get in can make this inaccessible. From the town’s 2022 Municipal Election Draft Accessibility Plan: “The Town of Amherstburg will provide Candidates with the Candidates’ Guide to Accessible Elections produced by the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO). The Town will also incorporate accessibility information and messaging into Candidate Information Packages and Candidate Information Sessions.”

Copyright – this information is protected by Canada’s Copyright Act. Request written permission from the burg watch at gmail dot com.

Amherstburg Candidates And Accessibility

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Page numbers are missing, an issue I’ve raised in the past, but Amherstburg’s 2022 Municipal Election Draft Accessibility Plan states, 

The Town of Amherstburg will provide Candidates with the Candidates’ Guide to Accessible Elections produced by the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO). The Town will also incorporate accessibility information and messaging into Candidate Information Packages and Candidate Information Sessions.

$166,000. Amherstburg Dog Park

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Sent to members of council prior to yesterday’s council meeting.
I am shocked, and disheartened, to see the $160,000. Dog park recommendation on tonight’s council meeting agenda.
How could anyone justify such an expenditure that hardly improves the well-being and interests of the municipality or maintains the financial integrity of the municipality?
Council could ill afford a rainbow crosswalk; wasn’t it only approved because of sponsorship?
For how long has accessibility to the Gordon House and town hall been delayed? How many narrow sidewalks need to be replaced with new ones that meet code requirements? Both the building code and the AODA?
For how long will residents have to wait for new, accessible playground equipment to be installed?
It’s now been over two years since former CAO Miceli advised me that the town was working on a Routine Disclosure Policy, which is within council’s mandate. The item, although discussed at council meetings, is not even included in the unfinished business list.
Given all the accessible items money has not been allocated for, I have to object to spending taxpayer dollars on something that, in my opinion, is frivolous. People can walk their dogs anywhere but people with disabilities being denied access remain marginalized. When will you prioritize full inclusion?
Lastly, by what authority will you address the Miracle League at a council meeting? You should know that segregated activities are not viewed as inclusion by everyone.