This recap reflects the audible portions of the meeting. Members of the committee spoke without their microphones activated several times during the meeting, including Chair Shirley Prue who frequently speaks away from the microphone. I have raised the issue several times with council and administration.

The committee could still benefit from training on procedures, as I suggested during my June 2022 delegation. There seems to be confusion about the necessity of motions.

Also notable is member Emily Rutherford’s repetitive requests she made in January to address three concerns adversely affecting people with disabilities in the community.

There were only two scheduled agenda items:

1. The multi-year accessibility plan
2. National AccessAbility Week 

Chair Shirley Prue asks the clerk to take the roll call and read the land acknowledgement.

2026 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

• Prue asks the clerk to read her message to be included in the plan.
• Prue asks if any comments from them, other than editorial was received. 
• Clerk mentions receiving comments from various stakeholder groups, including service providers and employment agencies, all very supportive of the plan.
  
  No one asked how many comments or what they were.
  
• All the comments echoed this seems a very progressive plan that puts accessibility in the forefront. 
• Some feedback was specific. For example, TWEPI sent information on hosting accessible events. 
• Once this is adopted, the final adopted version will come back to the next committee meeting to discuss next steps and the implementation; look at 2026 and 2027 goals.

Implementation and Ongoing Efforts

• The clerk discusses the committee’s efforts to incorporate stakeholder engagement in various activities and the importance of ongoing feedback.
• The plan is described as a living document with projects that will be reviewed annually to ensure they remain priorities.
• Marc Renaud praises the committee’s active role in identifying and addressing accessibility issues, emphasizing the need for continuous improvement.
• Prue encourages members to stay informed and communicate issues to ensure the highest common denominator of accessibility is met.

National AccessAbility Week Update

• The clerk outlines the schedule for National AccessAbility Week, May 31 to June 6, including a multimedia campaign, flag raising ceremonies, and speaking engagements.
• Mayor Michael Prue and Chair Shirley Prue will speak about the importance of accessibility at the June 3 flag raising at the Libro. (Someone previously encountered barriers at the town hall flag raising).

I’m looking forward to the speeches. Mayor Prue has acknowledged the town has not brought it (AODA) into force; has said if people won’t get out of the way on sidewalks, they won’t get out of the way; and stated, “This town has not been compliant. And I have promised, as mayor, and the council has promised, that we will hence for, hence forward, going forward, always be AOD compliant. And I want people to know that the those who have disabilities have every right to use every one of the services in this town, the same as everyone else,” at the start of 2025 – the AODA deadline.

But the town continues with Open Air and an agreement with Movati.

• The town will feature an accessibility-focused book display at the Amherstburg branch of the Essex County Library.
• Invitations will be sent to various local organizations to participate in events and activities during the week.
• Easter Seals pledge forms will be available at the flag raising ceremony to encourage community commitment to accessibility.
• Anyone can make that pledge there, hold it up, wearing their red shirt, publicly reaffirm their position, and hopefully that encourages a sense of advocacy and support and community activism that will really sort of drive forward change in communities and different places.

I have advocated for a strong commitment to accessibility for 35 years. And I know other residents are committed to change, but we need a strong political commitment, not another piece of paper.

Communication and Outreach

• The clerk details the communication plan for National Accessibility Week, including social media posts, Rivertown Times articles, and gateway sign messaging.
• The purpose behind this proposal will be to really celebrate National AccessAbility Week by raising awareness about accessibility and promoting the initiatives to be more inclusive
• Key messages will be that:
• National AccessAbility Week celebrates the leadership, achievements and contributions of persons with disabilities in building stronger and more inclusive communities
• Accessibility is a shared responsibility, that together residents, businesses and community partners can help make Amherstburg more inclusive for everyone. 
• Throughout the week, the town will showcase local accessibility features and municipal parks, trails and facilities and share supports that are available to support persons with disabilities. 
• The flag raising ceremony will serve as a symbol of our continued commitment to accessibility, inclusion and community collaboration. 
• Our communication channels will be using the website to feature these announcements, social media posts, which will be featuring local champions and accessible spaces and tips. 
• The hashtag #NAAWeek2026 will be used to promote the week and encourage community engagement.
• Emily raises a concern about the inclusion of assisted living facilities in the outreach; the clerk promises to reach out to them.
• Tony Pietrangelo suggests reaching out to grade schools, emphasizing the importance of involving students in accessibility initiatives.

Unfinished Business

• Tony Pietrangelo requests an update on the committee’s finances, including the status of the reserve fund.
• The clerk explains that the reserve fund is built up annually with a base contribution of $55,000, with additional funds from specific projects.
• The committee discusses the need for regular financial updates and the importance of identifying barriers before allocating funds.
• Emily brings up the issue of a hazardous pylon near the beer store, which the clerk acknowledges and promises to address.
  
  She brought this up in January; see list of her January concerns below.
  
• Emily mentioned she wasn’t at the last meeting, but she was at the previous one and believed something they discussed was meeting up about the blind sign over at Blue Haven and what we were going to do at the crosswalk that they’re trying to implement near blue Haven. She wondered if that was still something that they were going to discuss. The clerk said when her availability is open, they’ll have that call.

She brought this up in January; see list of her January concerns below.

Emily brought up three concerns at the January meeting:

1. She pointed out the pylon in the middle of the sidewalk near the Beer Store that’s been there for about a year and a half. At that meeting the clerk said we hope to affect the repair as quickly as we possibly can, following that and remove that notification of the hazard as we remove the hazard itself; he can follow up to find out.
2. She raised concerns about the safety of crossing Front Road near the Blue Haven facility. The clerk advised in January the budget deliberations addressed those concerns in terms of council hearing the concerns of the residents and moving a motion to include the funds necessary to construct the crosswalk in close proximity to Blue Haven.
3. She raised concern about signage indicating a blind resident lives in the area. The clerk said at that time certainly I can take that and follow that up offline. Generally, those requests, we receive them often in terms of areas where you know there may be needs and then signage is erected to reflect that need. So that’s not a problem. We can follow up on that. Let’s chat after the meeting and we’ll pursue that for you. 

New Business

• Emily raises concerns about the placement of barriers during Open Air weekends; the clerk agrees to review and address.
• The committee discusses the importance of ensuring accessibility for all, including the use of sidewalks and proper placement of barriers.
• Prue emphasizes the need for continuous improvement and community involvement in accessibility initiatives.
• The meeting concludes with a motion to adjourn, which is seconded and approved.

The committee would receive emails. I requested copies of those emails but have not received a response. I have repeatedly requested that documents be attached to agendas to create efficiencies.

Meeting adjourned.