Accessibility Advisory Committee

0:02see directions that we're pursuing but recognizing this is part of our engagement process. We want

0:06to hear from you and we have not settled on traffic on the update. We want to hear your feedback.

0:14Some of this will be reviewed from my last presentation. I was here in October, you might

0:18remember. And most of the details that we'll be presenting are listed, are also listed in the

0:25end-up advisory committee of council staff report, which was shared with this agenda. So you should

0:30have access to pretty much everything I say. So traffic coming policy, next slide please.

0:44But why are we bringing this policy to you today? According to a council motion in July 2020,

0:50the traffic coming policy, which I'll refer to as the TCP, was approved and stated that it would

0:57be reviewed with public consultation in 2025. So what is the TCP? The TCP response to residents,

1:05traffic concerns by establishing traffic calming measures on local collector roads

1:10were validated by a traffic calming review and prioritization process.

1:15Traffic calming measures are physical measures that physically change how vehicles interact

1:22with the road. They are not stop signs. They're not crosswalks. These physically impede moving

1:28vehicles. So just like station, just make sure we're on the same page. The stated goals of the

1:34TCP are to improve public safety for all road users, encourage roadways to function as intended,

1:42and encourage active transportation through infrastructure safety modifications.

1:48Since the approval of 2020, a number of policy directions have been supported by the city of

1:53Guelph. So I'll name a few policy changes and also some things that have changed since 2020.

2:00Vision Zero was endorsed in about 2022 by the city of Guelph. It is a road safety

2:06strategy founded on the belief that no loss of life is acceptable and that deaths and

2:12serious injuries are preventable. Vision Zero is guided by what is called the safe system approach,

2:18which aims to prevent serious injuries and deaths from occurring by designing safe streets to make

2:24transportation safe for all road users. According to the Vision Zero action plan,

2:29one of its 68 actions is to review and update the TCP, the traffic calming policy. Next slide, please.

2:37The safe system approach requires safe speeds to ensure that if a collision were to occur,

2:44the impact would never lead to a serious injury or death. Higher vehicle speeds increase reaction

2:50distances and braking distances, which lowers survival rates of those involved in collision,

2:56as I'm just picking this graph that is shown here. For example, if a person walking is struck by a

3:02person driving in a vehicle at 30 kilometers per hour, they have a 90% chance of survival.

3:08Now, if a vehicle is moving at 50 kilometers per hour, the survival rate of a person walking

3:14drops dramatically to only 15%. One effective strategy for creating safe speeds is installing

3:22traffic calming measures. Essentially, we are slowing or calming fast moving vehicles by using

3:30traffic calming measures to save lives. That's an important priority for this traffic calming policy.

3:37Vision Zero, safe speeds. Another important consideration over the past five years has

3:42been feedback received by the Accessibility Advisory Committee yourselves. The AAC provided

3:48feedback to Engineering and Transportation Services, or ETS, as I referred to us, that vertical

3:54measures can be painful for people with disabilities who must drive over them to get to their destination.

4:00In response, ETS limited the use of vertical measures in the TCP in the following ways.

4:08Speed cushions would be used as a last resort. Alternative routes would always be available

4:14to bypass vertical measures if used, and raised crossings would not be recommended. ETS,

4:21response to AAC, is noted in Committee of Council Memo on April 23, 2023. Next slide, please.

4:31As some of you may have joined our last presentation, but I'd like to give a brief

4:36overview of the different types of vertical measures. So when we talk about vertical measures,

4:40what am I actually talking about? There are different kinds of vertical measures,

4:44and the language and design is really important to define clearly. The first that most people

4:50think about when they think about traffic calming is speed bumps. These are short, tall bumps that

4:57cause significant jolt inside a vehicle when you pass over them. You usually see these in private

5:03parking lots. These are like rocks on the road that you have to get over. Our traffic calming

5:08policy does not allow for speed bumps in any shape or form, and we are not recommending their use.

5:16The other one you may be familiar with are speed humps. These are long and stretched out humps

5:25for vehicles go up, coast, and then they go down. We have a number of speed humps like the ones on

5:32Arthur or Dufferin Street. We no longer use speed humps because they are not as easy for emergency

5:38vehicles or transit services to use. So just to clarify, no speed humps and no speed bumps and

5:47no speed humps. Speed cushions displayed on the right of this slide are part of our existing policy.

5:54They are like speed humps that gradual vertical measure with gaps, so they're cut into a few

6:02different pieces to allow for wider vehicles to go right through if they need to. Based on AAC's

6:08concern, speed cushions were installed as a last resort over the past five years, and where we

6:15place them, we deviated from the recommended spacing of around 60 to 90 meters between them

6:21to a one city block or about 160 meters. The last other type of vertical measure I want to

6:28clarify is raised crossings. So you can see that on the left here. Like a crosswalk, but lifted up

6:35to the sidewalk height and flat on top so it's easier for people with mobility aids or people

6:40with strollers to cross without going down and then back up again. So they're flat on top.

6:46Drivers also tend to slow down just like the speed cushion and people who are walking across

6:51are more easily seen by people in cars. A final point about vertical measures. The AAC

6:58supported the use of a raised crossing design on October 17th, 2023, during a presentation in

7:05regard to approving the city's complete street design guidelines. The AAC supported the use of

7:11raised cyclists and pedestrian crossing design known as a continuous sidewalk on local roads

7:18with T intersections. The design itself contains a ramp and is raised and is in essence is a very

7:25similar design to a raised crossing. The AAC recommended that the ETS, Engineering Transportation

7:32Services staff ensure that the design has a smooth transition where the ramp is imposed

7:37and that staff receive feedback from the Canadian National Institute for the Blind or CNIB,

7:43regarding its design provided to the AAC. CNIB representatives stated to ETS staff

7:51that vertical measures are concerning if not properly designed. According to the CNIB website,

7:57CNIB does not discourage the use of raised crossings and recommends that, quote,

8:03traffic calming measures such as speed bumps should also be considered to reduce the speed

8:09of approaching vehicles and non-signalized pedestrian crossings. In summary, our policy

8:15does not contain speed bumps or speed humps, but one recommendation that you will see today is the

8:20option of adding raised crossings and tightening spacing of speed cushions as shown on this slide.

8:28Also, the AAC provided feedback to us about the use of vertical measures while also recommending

8:34the use of a type of raised crossing a year later. So I just want to summarize that big part there.

8:41As a reminder, we presented you this information on October 21st,

8:462025 covering the City of Wells Traffic Calming Policy, common vertical measures,

8:50and the effectiveness of vertical measures. The AAC recommended receiving the ETS presentation

8:56on the traffic calming policy at that time. So with that distinction made, I will share one more

9:03recent update that is relevant to the traffic calming policy. So many of you heard about the

9:08automated speed enforcement cameras. So that's what I'm speaking to right now. The Province of

9:13Ontario through the Building a More Competitive Economy Act eliminated the use of municipal

9:20automated speed enforcement or ASB cameras across the Province on November 14th, 2025,

9:26so just a couple months ago. The Province created an interim funding for effective municipalities

9:33for the quote implementation of traffic calming measures, example given speed bumps,

9:39raised crossings, roundabouts, etc., at former ASE sites, which is required to be spent by March 31st,

9:472028. I will flag here that our policy does not currently accommodate speed bumps or

9:52race crosswalks. The City of Guelph agreed to receive the $676,904 provided by the Province

10:01for Traffic Calming Initiatives. There are 36 locations in Guelph where provincial funded

10:07traffic calming initiatives can be installed, representing all the ASE locations and previously

10:14decimated community safety zones. Now I will share some details regarding some feedback we

10:19received and from another advisory committee and also through public engagement. The Transportation

10:26Advisory Committee provided the following feedback to provide feedback to ETS in regard to updating

10:32the traffic calming policy on October 16th, 2025. Their feedback is listed in the report you received.

10:39Following this feedback, ETS presented four overarching policy directions, the same exact

10:45ones that I'll be sharing with you just now. We presented those back to the Transportation

10:51Advisory Committee last week, January 15th, 2025, noting that ETS and ETS endorsed, sorry,

10:59Transportation Advisory Committee endorsed all four recommendations that I will be sharing you

11:04with in a moment. In terms of public engagement, we initiated an engagement effort called the Traffic

11:09Calming Policy Civic Circle, what I'll call the Civic Circle, in November and December of last year.

11:16The Civic Circle was made up of 15 people who live in Guelph, representing all awards,

11:22diverse primary transportation modes and varied lived experiences. The Civic Circle meant four

11:28times to review and discuss traffic calming approaches with presentations from ETS staff and

11:33traffic calming practitioners who work with other Ontario and Canadian municipalities. Civic Circle

11:39members were asked to come to a consensus on recommendations which would guide ETS staff when

11:45updating the traffic calming policy in ways that best align with vision zero principles

11:50and the safe system approach. Civic Circle members unanimously favor a traffic calming policy which

11:57prioritizes the installation of traffic calming measures within designated community safety zones

12:03and utilizes effective traffic calming measures for reducing vehicle speeds and preventing collisions

12:09over maintaining maximum convenience for drivers, minimizing travel time and avoiding discomfort

12:15for passengers. The complete list of Civic Circle recommendations are listed in your Supplemental

12:21Information Report, share with you, and will be shared with City Council and the public as well.

12:27Okay, next slide. Whoo, well I'm talking to myself, I think I'll sit in the water before I go into it.

12:38Okay, thank you. Based on the feedback received review conducted by us at ETS, we noted several

12:50challenges which should be addressed when updated the traffic calming policy. I will now describe

12:55those four identified challenges, pair with recommendations for improving the traffic calming

13:00policy, clarifying the policy direction ETS is preparing to take to update the TCP. So these are

13:07big ideas that we think are helpful for moving forward with updating our traffic calming policy.

13:14Each of these challenges and recommendations are described in the Supplemental Report,

13:18share with you, and I'll be reading off all of those in a moment. Noting again, these exact

13:23recommendations were presented and endorsed by the Transportation Advisory Committee last week

13:28and broadly are supported by the Civic Circle recommendations. So four challenges, four recommendations.

13:35Here we go. Challenge number one. ETS staff limited the use of vertical measures in the

13:42traffic calming policy to accommodate the concern shared by the AAC. ETS staff found that the impact

13:49of limited vertical measures for reducing vehicle speeds is minimal. ETS staff were unable to find

13:56evidence to suggest that the City of Wales should deviate from Ontario Municipal Traffic

14:01Calming policies or national or international guidelines regarding the use and application

14:06of vertical measures for the purpose of reducing vertical speeds. That's our first challenge.

14:13Our recommendation summarized here in the slide as well, that the TCP will incorporate the most

14:19effective traffic calming measures for reducing vehicle speeds as part of its traffic calming

14:24measures. Vertical measures, namely, raise, crossing, and speed cushions, will follow the

14:30recommended designs and spacing for effectively reducing vehicle speeds according to national

14:35and international guidelines. The application of vertical measures will align the traffic calming

14:41policy with Vision Zero principles, with the Safe System approach, with international and

14:46national guidelines, with traffic calming policies found across Ontario, the City of

14:51Wales Complete Street design guidelines, and its recent commitment of utilizing provincial funding

14:57for vertical traffic calming measures. Speed bumps and speed humps will continue to be excluded

15:03from the traffic calming policies list of proposed traffic calming measures. That is our

15:08recommendation to address challenge number one. Our second challenge, the traffic calming policy

15:14is initiated reactively, responding to resident requests rather than proactively addressing

15:20areas of elevated risk. This approach has advantaged certain residents who experience lower levels

15:27of risk over others and does not adequately align with Vision Zero principles and the Safe

15:33System approach. So here's our recommendation for resolving that challenge. The traffic calming

15:39policy will be evidence-informed and data-driven by prioritizing proactive installation of traffic

15:44calming measures in community safety zones, nominated and prioritized using risk-based data

15:51over resident-made requests. I wanted to point out a few details about the community safety

15:56zones because they might be new to some of us. Community safety zones are roads designed and

16:03designated by the City of Wales, where public safety is of special concern. According to the

16:08City of Wales Community Safety Zone policy approved just last year in 2025, roads can be

16:14designated by City of Council to be community safety zones where there's typically a high

16:19concentration of vulnerable road users who have an increased risk of serious injury and fatality

16:25in a collision. These roads are understood to be near all primary and secondary schools,

16:31all major educational institutions, all major health centers or hospitals, and near community

16:38facilities that include all community centers, libraries, senior centers, retirement homes,

16:43and shelters. Demographic pedestrian volume and historical vehicle speed data indicating roads

16:50with the highest risk of serious injury and fatality in a collision are also used to guide

16:55the destination of community safety zones. So currently right now, as much as we have a policy,

17:02there are 66 community safety zones in the City of Wales, 57 of those are just outside of schools.

17:10That is our recommendation for number two. Okay, we're halfway there. Challenge number three.

17:16Due to the pause in the traffic calming policy implementation and reduced vehicle speed limits,

17:22I mentioned some of these to you last time it was here. A high number of traffic calming requests

17:28remain in the traffic calming policy queue for future traffic calming implementation.

17:33None of the publicly prioritized streets have received traffic calming measures

17:37since being eligible in 2025, almost six years ago. We described this issue to you in our last

17:44presentation, but quickly I wanted to know where we stand today. As of January 1st, 2026,

17:50there are 158 streets based on that are based on 252 traffic calming requests.

17:58Those all remain in the queue to review for traffic study, prioritization, and implementation.

18:04252, just to confirm. Based on this existing queue, if we were only to install a quarter

18:11of those or 25% of those requests, based on our current capacity, it would take 11 years

18:18to address the request assuming no additional traffic calming requests were received.

18:23Now that's only a court and it would take us almost 11 years based on the current capacity.

18:28Our decade-long timeline to resolve residents' traffic calming requests is an inadequate standard

18:34for customer service. So how do we get to what is our recommendation for that?

18:40The traffic calming recognition number three, the traffic calming policy will prioritize

18:44addressing streets with the highest risk of collision-related injuries over a first-come,

18:51first-serve approach. ETS staff will create a transition plan to address existing publicly

18:57prioritized streets as additional resources permit. ETS staff will close all remaining

19:03traffic calming service requests which fall outside of community safety zones and previously

19:08prioritized streets. Residents will be able to make requests for traffic calming under the updated

19:14traffic calming policy. However, they will be notified that reviews will commence upon completion

19:20of all community safety zones, traffic calming installations throughout the city. So basically,

19:27community safety zones first over resident-made requests. Okay, our final challenge that we

19:34try to address is challenge number four. The city of Wells Complete Street Design Guidelines

19:40describes specific traffic calming measures that are not currently listed in the traffic calming

19:45policy. Since the traffic calming policy update in 2020, new traffic calming measures have been

19:51adopted across North America that are currently not defined in the traffic calming policy.

19:57Some traffic calming measures, namely speed cushions and curb extensions, also impact

20:02the quality of movement for people who cycle. So to address that issue, we have recommendation four.

20:07The traffic calming policy will add new traffic calming measures to align with the

20:12city's Complete Street Design Guidelines and the latest traffic calming approaches.

20:17The traffic calming policy will meet its goal of encouraging active transportation through

20:21infrastructure safety modifications by adding new measures which fully accommodate people to cycle.

20:28New traffic calming measures, when applied for the first time, will be reviewed with

20:32relevant stakeholders, including sustainable transportation, wealth transit, operations,

20:37fire, and paramedic services. So we're getting at the end here. In terms of a timeline,

20:43we focused on our engagement. We've been doing engagement for the past couple months. This is

20:47near the end of our engagement. We are eager to hear your feedback and directions so we can take

20:53then formalize an update to the traffic calming policy and then present it to Council on April

21:007th of this year. These are our four recommendations for you today. These are two recommendations for

21:08you today to help guide your feedback for updating the traffic calming policy, noting that what is

21:13listed is a summarized version of the details I presented to you just now. So here are two

21:19recommendations and noting that the four recommendations which I discussed are also listed

21:23under recommendation number two. And I said back to you. Thank you very much.

21:29Hey, get some water. Does anyone have any questions for Nico? I think he went through six

21:35pages of talk. So it was a lot. But based on what Nico did say, we have a recommendation that the AAC

21:51receive the presentation on the traffic calming policy update.

21:56So we can talk to you online. Yes, that's a cool question. Very good. Go ahead. Thank you.

22:06Thank you for going over the presentation again when we did this in, I think it was October.

22:13It was condensed due to time. So I appreciate you going through it again. And I do agree. I think

22:23we spent 26 minutes there listening to a lot of content. So bear with us as we formulate our

22:30questions for some of this. I am interested in some of the additional things besides vertical

22:39measures. You talked near the end about narrowing roads or redesigns of streets. It usually happens

22:46at intersections to reduce the amount of space it takes for perhaps a pedestrian to cross a street

22:53and whether it be raised or not. I'm wondering if you could give a bit more information about where

22:59those would be incorporated into this plan because what I'm hearing right now are a lot of speed

23:05questions first in and around the noted areas. I'm just wondering are any of those also being

23:11considered to have crosswalks or narrowed roads or where the road is brought out to shorten the

23:20distance for pedestrians, etc.? Yeah, great question. Our recommendation is for an update to the

23:30traffic calming policy. And so maybe to be clear, we have an existing list of 17 different measures

23:36that are part of our current traffic calming policy. We're not recommending excluding any of

23:40those right now. And so to your point, I think it's Jen. So right now there are measures such as

23:49kind of curb extensions that can be paired with crossings. Crossings by themselves are not a

23:55traffic calming measure, but you can add things like race crossing which physically change the

23:59road or road narrowing with curb extensions. So you kind of tighten the road. Chicanes is another

24:06variation of that where you kind of create this weaving in and out. So those are called broadly

24:11horizontal measures and those will continue to be effectively used where appropriate within our

24:17traffic calming plans. Thank you. I appreciate that. And then I guess a follow-up one and I

24:26apologize I'm remote right now so I can't see if another hand is raised. How will your group

24:34determine which is the right one? Because you're absolutely right. In previous AAC groups, they

24:40would talk about heavy reliance on a speed bump causing back pain and pain in general for users

24:48who have to go over a lot of speed bumps. And I know we're not using speed bumps or speed humps,

24:53but I'm just curious how you're determining which is the best solution at locations.

25:00Yeah, good question. So roads are different and they come in many different shapes and forms.

25:08Some things just don't really work sometimes because of trees or power lines or going uphill

25:15or just short distances or the roads sometimes curve. There are many different things that you

25:21want to make sure. The things that you implement on the road are consistent so people know that

25:27things are coming up. You don't want people to generally be surprised about a traffic calming

25:32measure that comes up with them. You want to create some sort of consistency so it allows

25:37them to say, yeah, it's probably best if I just slow down a little bit. So those are a number of

25:42factors that we look at. I mean, in terms of what is most effective, we know that based on our

25:49research, vertical measures tend to be more effective at slowing vehicles down. That doesn't

25:55necessarily mean that other types of measures are not, don't have value. So for example, by narrowing

26:00the road, that is super helpful for slowing people down. Now you narrow the road and you add a vertical

26:06measure, that's kind of an extra bonus. So you kind of want to create different layers that

26:12engage the drivers to slow down as much as possible because at the end of the day, what we're trying

26:16to do is figure out the most effective ways that work for a given context that reduces vehicle

26:21speeds to save lives. Can I share then that, yes, I understand vertical measures because I mean

26:30physics, they're going to stop your car and partly you don't want to damage your car or vehicle or

26:35bus, what have you. But it also is not comfortable. So hopefully that'll slow some people down. That's

26:41great. Yes, absolutely effective. But again, not always the best solution or I don't know if it's

26:48like the cheapest one, what have you. I would consider the feedback that's already been given

26:54by the AAC in the past that it not perhaps be the default solution in all matters. Just to

27:03thinking of all wealth, Gualfite's experience. Do you have an example? Because there's an example

27:15involved regarding the curb extension. We do that for exceptions. Yeah, after everyone,

27:24Steve Anderson, I'm with the transportation engineering group at the city. So John, we've

27:29recently on a reconstruction of Metcalf Street at the intersection of Metcalf and Pleasant. So it's

27:35by the Elliott. I can appreciate not everyone here is driven by there, but there's an example

27:41where we tightened the intersection up as part of a reconstruction. Metcalf is one of those

27:47kind of wider than it probably needs to be roads. We're doing a bit of work on White Law Road this

27:53year. We're going to do the same thing at an intersection there. So it's relatively new. We

27:59haven't done a ton of it, but because we restrict parking within 15 or 30 meters of an intersection

28:07anyway, there really isn't the need for that additional road with at an intersection. So

28:13certainly that's something we'll be doing a lot more frequently as we tackle roadways in the future.

28:22Nico, when you said some numbers, what was the, it was 11 years from, what's in the queue or what's

28:30in the... Yeah, let me get back to my notes here. Thank you. Yeah, let's get back to my notes here.

28:42Yes. So as of January 1st, so you know, traffic calming requests in our current policy come in by

28:49residents. They're made by any resident anywhere. You could say, hey, this area needs a traffic calming

28:56request. So many people along the same exact street can make many requests. So that's, there's a

29:02difference between number of streets and number of requests. So there's 158 streets that contain

29:09collectively 252 traffic calming requests. And so it's a bit rough because in broadly, we've done

29:18maybe between each year, we can probably do one to three traffic calming streets. So if you kind of

29:26break down that number of, like, we have this, just, we have 158 streets. Now we would do a traffic

29:33study in our current policy to say, well, does it qualify for traffic calming? So like, what are the

29:38speeds above? And we have a whole in their current policy, we look at, you know, is there a history

29:42of collision and 1% higher over the speed limit are people going to a number point system to

29:47prioritize. Now traditionally, at least based on what we've done before and reviewing what was currently

29:53exist, only about 25% of that of those 158 streets qualified. So if we were just to do a quarter of

30:03those streets, then based on our current capacity, it would take 11 years. And then

30:08based on these papers, it says 50, sorry, when you said community, so public schools, schools,

30:16that was 57. Yeah.

30:21What's the top of the queue? So we have 66 community safety zones right now. The way community

30:27safety zones have evolved, community safety zones generally were in front of schools, they kind of

30:33replaced school zones in some ways, the expanded school zones, the province allowed municipalities

30:38to say wherever areas are a special concern. So right away, that went to school zones. Now,

30:44you might remember that that's also where automated speed enforcement cameras went. So now those are

30:49gone. So last year, we created a community safety zone policy that allowed us to sit thinking about

30:55vision zero. Well, it's schools are absolutely important. And also, there are other places

31:01that are high risk. So we need to think about those areas too. Part of the goal was also to say,

31:06this is these could be areas where we could put an automated speed enforcement camera.

31:10Now we no longer can. But we still have this community safety zone policy that allows us to

31:15designate where community safety zones are. So we have new community safety zones that were just

31:20added recently. And in total, we have 66. There's 150 some like streets and all

31:29right now the current what did I just say 158 streets that are on the list.

31:39Being your hand up apparently. I have a quick question. Example of one of these

31:47safety measures where it's more of a weaving down the street. Would that be like what you did on

31:52down your road? Many, many years ago, where tents and not be straight. There's some islands sticking

32:01out. Yeah, that's probably the really the only example we have in the city right now.

32:10Dean, where that one maybe didn't mean its full potential is is all the weaving is really just

32:18on the one direction. Like if you're sort of leaving the city from the hand one to go

32:23to the country, if you're driving into the city, that curb line never changes. So

32:29if we were to do that again, we would probably try to balance that out. So each direction

32:39was impacted the same. But to your question, that's really the only example we have so far in the

32:45city. That's the only one I could think of. So I wasn't sure anybody's really gotten out that

32:50extension is aware of how that's set up. So I just wanted to point out to people.

32:57Does the quality of me how they're like I can't remember any raised raised ones.

33:02Like they don't have any sorry, we don't have any raised sidewalks. Right now in terms of the

33:09designs, we don't have a raised crossing that meets the official designs. But we do have a speed

33:16kind of ends up. Yeah, there's one on Dufferin Street where it's called the CNR Trail crosses.

33:24That would have been installed in about 2000 before my time at the city. It's the closest thing

33:32we have to a raised crosswalk, but it's not sort of if we were to redo it today, it would look a

33:37little different and be a little more formalized. But that's the only example on a roadway. I can't

33:43speak to all private property in the city. Like I just want to differentiate. We are talking about

33:48just city streets with this policy. That one, it pretty falls off the mark in terms of AODA

33:55compliance. Raised crosswalks should ideally have some sort of, you know, twist kind of tactileness

34:02at the bottom. So it's clear to know that you're moving on to the roadway. The one on CNR doesn't.

34:08Yeah. So we would follow the recommendations that other cities pursued in terms of the design.

34:15Are there a lot of cities that are trying to do the TCP? I assume everyone's doing it because of the

34:23cameras being... Sorry, your question is which ones have... Hopefully, are all the cities

34:29in Ontario doing some form of TCP? Yeah, yeah. And pretty much I can tell you one that doesn't,

34:38most municipalities, mid-sized, large cities, have some sort of policy that directs people's

34:44concerns around vehicle speeds. Some become in all shapes and different forms. We spoke to a

34:51number of different municipalities and reviewed them in terms of which ones have what kind of

34:59measures. All of them that I reviewed, about 15 of them, have some type of vertical measures.

35:05Now, they limit them in some ways. They might not say, well, we don't want speedhomes on a

35:10transitway or for emergency services, things like that. But none of them limit their use.

35:17And all of them include speedhomes, some versions of speedhomes, speedcushion, and race crossing.

35:22Nobody formally forbids it. One of them. Yeah. Do we have any other questions for Nicole? Yes,

35:28Jen and Colleen. Jen? Hi, sorry, just a really quick one. I was just wondering,

35:37for feedback, is this something like, will we see you again in five years? Or would you be

35:46reaching out to the different committees and groups that you have for this one next year?

35:52Is there an opportunity for conversation? I was just curious on that front.

35:56Yeah, please. Hi, Jen and Steve again. So we don't sort of have a formal frequency. I think

36:03there's probably an expectation we'd review this policy formally to this level every five years,

36:10unless something significant changed within update to the AR&DA, an update to some design

36:16standard, something like that. But after today, we'll kind of formulate all the engagement as

36:23Nico says we go to council in April. And then should council approve the policy, we would start

36:30working within the framework and probably like, what's this, 2026. So probably relook at updating

36:38the policy 2031. Five years goes by faster than you think it has to do this level of work.

36:48And Colleen, do you have your hand up as well?

36:52Yes, I have a question. I live on Westwood Road. And they just recently, and I mean,

36:59like in the last two weeks, put in a new crosswalk for pedestrians, but there's no lights.

37:08So how are the cars actually going to acknowledge it's crosswalk, even though it

37:14chats out a little bit? Sure. So there's guidance from the province when it comes to pedestrian

37:27crossings. And when certain thresholds are met, you put in more measures. So the busier road is

37:35would get flashing lights up to including like a full traffic signal with like a red,

37:40yellow, green ball, like we have on a number of our busier streets. So on West Mount, the

37:50volume of traffic is within the threshold that the... So it was Westwood...

37:57Westwood, Westwood, same thing. Yeah. Like Merrigan Green. Exactly. Yeah. So the threshold

38:03for traffic for additional measures like flashing lights and such was not met. So we follow the

38:09guidance from the province on that. Okay. Sorry. Sorry. Just one other person gets to go before you.

38:17Okay. Thank you. That's one second calling or checking. Cheryl, I see you.

38:29Sorry, I just had a quick question. I know it was briefly mentioned in the presentation about,

38:36you know, the feedback from CNIB or checking the website in terms of recommendations. And

38:45I just wanted to ask, you know, in terms of the design, if there will be, you know, tactile

38:50walking surface indicators, pavement markings, so that there's contrast lines so that people can

38:57identify, you know, and help them when they're transitioning from the sidewalk to the pedestrian

39:02crossing, like especially for those who are blind or with low vision. And I know, I think it was

39:08briefly discussed with the chair that there, you know, would go by the guidelines within,

39:15you know, benchmark with best practices from other municipalities. But will some of the

39:24recommendations from CNIB be considered in this? And the other question is, I know, like especially,

39:32you know, with these types of raised crosswalks, if there's an absence of a slope,

39:38sometimes more maintenance is needed, like in the winter months. And will that be taken into

39:43consideration when, you know, looking to implement these? Yeah, great question, Cheryl. And maybe I

39:52want to make sure I get all your points here. So, forgive me if I missed some of the points that you

39:57raised. The first, yes, we definitely look towards CNIB in terms of their recommendations for guides,

40:04in terms of how to design these measures. Other cities have had regular working relationships,

40:09as far as I understand, with CNIB for their changes to the roadway. We would look to other

40:15municipalities for how they've created these designs and also kind of make sure, ensure that we are

40:20following the AODA standards. The other questions you had were, sorry, Cheryl, what were the other

40:28questions? So, yeah, it was just about touching base to make sure that, you know, there's,

40:34you know, with looking at, like you're saying, the AODA guidelines, but also just to make sure

40:40that there are sufficient, you know, tactile walking surface indicators so that people can

40:44transition safely, but also looking at the maintenance, any consideration for maintenance

40:50with planning, because with the race crosswalk, there may be additional need for maintenance,

40:57given that there's, you know, no slopes, right? Yeah, thank you, Cheryl. And you're absolutely

41:03right that, you know, changes, any change to the roadway changes things for how we work on the

41:08roadway and maintain that. It's not as simple as just creating a sidewalk, it's like a sidewalk

41:13forever, water, snow, I'm sure you've seen how the roads and sidewalks change over time,

41:20and that's something that's really important to us. So, listed in our recommendation is that

41:25when we add anything new, which would be a race crossing, we regularly work with operations

41:30and in terms of maintenance and making sure that our snow plows work for these type of measures.

41:35So, we want to make sure that we're not, you're not trying to put putting things new without

41:40asking people, we want to make sure we're all on the same page. Maintenance is a very important part,

41:44and it's part of our recommendations to ensure that these groups that are part of our traffic

41:48home policy make sure that they can provide feedback for how it's working for them.

41:53Great, thank you.

41:56Jackie.

41:58Thanks, Hal. Now, just we have to take it in order, right? Yeah, okay. What was the

42:07Westwood? What's your name? Colleen. Colleen was talking about the intersection

42:20and that there's no lights or anything from each other. That's okay, it was for a pedestrian

42:28crossing that just got put in on the, yeah, and you said that there's no lights there.

42:33How would cars come to know? So, what we did there is, so the signs that stop for pedestrians,

42:41so the drivers see that. We have about probably 25 of those installations throughout the city now.

42:50We also did ball boats. There's another example where Westwood is again a wider road than it

42:57probably needs to be. So, what we've done there is the pedestrian is in a raised area out,

43:06so they're very more visible. So, the driver would see the pedestrian and the obligation

43:11is for the driver to stop at that point. But not all, no offense to you, okay, sir, but not all

43:20drivers read the summits with lights and more efficient than a summoning saying so again for

43:31pedestrians. But I think what Stephen was saying earlier was it's not like something,

43:36it's coming down from the from the provincial government. So, the one on Westwood, I assume

43:42that there's a lot of traffic, but the one on York Road by Lion Park, it has a little

43:47fudgy things on it because it gets a lot more traffic. Yeah, but Westwood can traffic too.

43:56We just, we just followed the guy because again, you can always go higher up like York Road could

44:03be a full traffic signal and again there's a cost to all that. So, we just follow the standard.

44:10It's the same as every municipality follows those same standards. So, maybe just a point

44:17of clarification like Jackie, you're totally right. Like crossing the street, if you worry,

44:22the cars are not going to stop, how are they going to stop? Now, what we're talking about now are

44:27physical measures. Crossings, stop signs, crosswalks, those are, we have a whole list of things that

44:34are followed that we follow from the province. Those are not physical measures for how we,

44:39how we design the roads. So, what we're talking today are around physical changes to the road.

44:44Crosswalks are outside of the traffic common policy. However, that said, now I'm not

44:50confirming this, but we do know that other municipalities use raised crossings with

44:55crosswalks at midlocks. And yes, of course, you may not see it there, but you, you will know that

45:01it's coming up because you'll feel it moving up. So, some people do pair raised crossings,

45:05which we're talking about here, with crosswalks. But crosswalks as they are today,

45:10it's not within the traffic common policy. Okay. Now, when you talk about raised crosswalks,

45:18like how raised is it? Yeah. Good question. I don't actually have these. So, the typical

45:26curb height is 600 millimeters. So, you would just make it flush. So, like the sidewalk is

45:34typically flush with the curb. So, the road would go up at a, I don't exactly know what the slope

45:42would be, but then the crosswalk portion would be flush with the sidewalk. So, instead of,

45:48you know, it kind of ramps down to the road, the road would ramp up to the same height as the sidewalk.

46:01Yeah. The visual, I don't know if we can bring back up the visual. I think that,

46:07that might support. When there are two little pictures that Miko showed us, the one on the left

46:15was the raised platform one. So, you can see that it's level with the curb. So, 600 millimeters.

46:22Yeah. So, 60 centimeters. And then it's all one height across the sidewalk. So, there's still room

46:35for the drivers to go up a little bit of a slope, then a flat area, then down. And then, but it's

46:42also at the same level for people with mobility issues for the visually impaired to be able to

46:48safely cross the street. You're welcome. Any other questions for any questions? I just weigh in,

46:56just in on this. I know that CNIB has a new person that Louis has retired. So,

47:04has there been connection with that new person at CNIB? Okay. Okay. Any other questions from

47:18insight or onsite or virtual? Oh, Kathy. Kelly. Hi, everyone. Sorry, you don't hear my kids in

47:27the background. I don't think we can go. No. Well, I muted. They were yelling. First of all, I was

47:38unable to see if we did connect with that individual. I work for CNIB. I'm in research. So, if you need

47:44any support with that, define the exact person. I'm happy to help with that. And secondly,

47:52I'm always curious. I have sight loss. So, in terms of the transportation piece and where my

47:58position is as a pedestrian, I'm always very lost of the etiquette of bikers and where and when it's

48:04safe to bike on the sidewalk and the road. And then, with all of these traffic boundaries,

48:11what's the appropriate etiquette of the pedestrian to monitor like what my etiquette is and to

48:17understand boundaries and those pieces? So, I've experienced a raised sidewalk and I can understand

48:27that. And I can, like the sidewalk itself is supposed to be intuitive for the user. Is there

48:35an, like, is it incorporated what bike etiquette drivers or bikers, where and how, where they're

48:44supposed to follow, if that makes sense? Like, the road is for the cars and the sidewalks for the

48:50pedestrians. Where do the bikers live and go? And is that built into the design? And is that

48:56intuitive of the bikers? Hi, Kathy. It's Steve again. So, that would be a little bit outside of

49:04the traffic comic policy, but regardless, like, I forget the exact age, but I think the expectation

49:11is that a cyclist is treated as a vehicle. They should be riding on the road. Having said that,

49:16we are building some facilities off-road cycle tracks, which are specifically for bikes. We also

49:24have multi-use path, which shares four pedestrians and cyclists. But at a, at a crosswalk today,

49:32technically speaking, a cyclist would have to stop, dismount, walk their bike. They cannot legally

49:39ride through a crosswalk. They can only do that in very limited traffic signals, where again,

49:46there's a dedicated cycling facility. So, I think your point is quite valid. There's a lot of

49:53educating that needs to happen for all road users, where we have those mixing zones, but

50:01the cycle should be on the road or walking and dismounting across crosswalks.

50:06Okay. So, the cushioning designs is not, like, you don't have to plan that out. It's kind of

50:14the road users follow, like, that design and the sidewalk users follow that design, basically.

50:21That's right. Okay. Okay.

50:25Well, on Kathy's point, just to be curiosity, when it comes to the TCPs,

50:29um, do the bike or the cyclist, do they get, like, is there any input from the cyclists

50:37when you're creating TCPs?

50:41Well, yeah. Well, in terms of recommendation for, to you, is to make sure that transportation

50:47plannings, people who run sustainable transportation, are involved with the planning of our plans,

50:54the actual designs that we're building. We all want to make sure they're involved from the get code.

50:58So, they do have, um, they do have their stakeholder in this. And I think one of them,

51:05just to kind of reiterate, number four is also, right now, we have, we have 17 measures, but there's

51:10other really interesting ones that have been designed that prioritize both, that are board

51:16guest traffic coming measures, but also support cycling. So, for example, kind of right turn,

51:21right, right in, like, drivers would have to go under purger, so we don't have anything like that

51:25in Guelph, but would prioritize cyclists to move forward and would also slow the street down.

51:30So, that's an example of one measure that we're considering that would support cyclists as well.

51:34So, yeah, we do want to have their involvement.

51:38So, speaking of recommendation four, we did receive the presentation,

51:46really, where do you want to thank you? Does anyone else have any questions?

51:51And can we maybe endorse the four recommendations that Nico and Steve have given us to play with?

52:04Chair, if I may, it's easier for the committee to separate the recommendations into two. We can

52:10receive the presentation, um, and then we can, we can endorse or we can do it all as one vote. And,

52:17um, Jordan here has also captured some of the comments, so we can also move a second

52:24motion or third motion rather, that the AC endorsed the following recommendations to the TCP,

52:30and then we can, or I can bring it up on the screen. Absolutely.

52:34Absolutely. I need to keep you. Okay, I like that idea. So, let's do three steps.

52:46Yeah, I mean, if it's easier, if we just want to receive, you can have a mover and a seconder

52:54for that entire motion as staff had brought forward. And then, for the committee's purpose,

53:01we did also capture some of your comments that perhaps

53:09some recommendations to the TCP, TCP for staff's consideration, if that's appropriate for you,

53:14Nico, and helpful, then, um, we can, we can go over these as a committee to make sure that

53:20we've captured that correctly. But my recommendation would be to, um, pass staff's recommendation,

53:28if all of this is okay with it, and then we can move on to, um, going through the comments.

53:35Um, is everyone okay with that?

53:38Wait, I'm not sure if there's a live through. Okay. So, I think what we'll do is we'll break it down

53:43into three different, um, approvers and seconders. Go ahead. No, you just need one mover, one

53:51seconder for this entire, um, recommendation on the screen, and then we can move on to a separate

53:58recommendation. Okay. What Liz said. And we get a mover for the, there, motion on the floor.

54:09Yeah. You think I'm gonna get a seconder? I'll second it. Thanks to you.

54:17And all in favor? Hearing nays or not nays. Oh, so let's go with that one has been

54:28here. Thank you. And then we go to the other screen.

54:33Oh, sorry, I had Cheryl. I just had a question. Sorry. Um, just to clarify, this is the motion to

54:39receive the policy or to, um, uh, to accept the policy recommendation. I think it's just to

54:49receive it. Okay. There's, um, sorry, perhaps it's easier for us to read it out, but, um, what was

54:57currently moved and seconded and voted on, um, was that the AC receives a presentation on the

55:02traffic calming policy and that the AC endorsed the following recommendations to this TCP as proposed

55:08by engineering and transportation services. Um, and those were all the recommendations that,

55:14staff walked you through. Um, so that has been, uh, moved, seconded and, um, voted on and carried.

55:24I think that was clear. Okay. Thank you. But then we're going to Jordan wrote down

55:34some stuff or wouldn't put that on screen. Um, right here. So, um, in addition to,

55:47the motion that was just passed, we did listen to the conversation and we did capture, um, some of the,

55:54some of the comments and recommendations, um, through, uh, the discussion. Um, so

56:01what we've drafted for the committee and again, we can, we can edit it. We can work together to,

56:06to wordsmith things if we did not capture, um, your, um, your thoughts accurately.

56:14But what we have on screen is that the accessibility advisory committee provide the following comments

56:18as it relates to the recommendations to the TCP for staff's consideration. Um, so we have,

56:25uh, TCP will consider a greater focus on horizontal measures such as raised crossing,

56:30vertical measures such as speed humps should not be the default solution to traffic calming in the

56:35TCP. Um, TCP will consider pedestrian measures such as tactile walking indicators and

56:45contrasting lines and follow Canadian National Institute for the blind guidelines. Um, TCP

56:51emphasize winter maintenance of pedestrian measures and TCP allow for, um, measures that

56:57clarify cyclists pedestrian and driver prioritization. Um, now I leave it to the committee. Did we

57:04capture those, those comments, those recommendations correctly? Um, again, happy to, uh,

57:12to make some edits on fly. And we're Dean.

57:18Yeah, I know the, the speed humps and questions are they not,

57:25are those not horizontal measures, not vertical?

57:31Yeah, I think it's just the first point. There's a mistake there. So TCP will consider a greater

57:35focus on horizontal measures such as raised crossings. Raise crossings are a vertical measure.

57:41Um, and I, I don't know if that's what the committee was going towards. Sorry, can you repeat that?

57:46Because I thought the emphasis was to also explore horizontal measures, meaning narrowing of roadways.

57:53Yeah, I think the example just needs to be changed. So rather than a raised crossing,

57:57an example there would be a narrowing of a roadway. Yeah.

58:00Gotcha. That's right.

58:02Okay.

58:15Well, no, because I, I picture, uh, speed, uh, speed humps, even though they go up and down,

58:23they go across the road horizontally, right? To me, the vertical measures are the, those posts

58:29that you see, they gone, uh,

58:31uh, in rural, uh, just down from, uh, uh, Zers and that.

58:43Yeah, you're, you're right. The language is totally confusing.

58:47So just to clarify the vertical measures, what we mean by that are

58:51changes to the vertical, uh, grade of the road that the road actually goes up and down.

58:57It's one way to think about it. Those posts, we call them flex posts and are only done,

59:02done in seasonal and their temporary. So when we're talking about

59:06physical traffic calming measures, we're there talking about things that are there

59:09permanently and our physical changes. So horizontal measures are kind of like how you see it

59:14horizontally in terms of changing the road to narrow it in different ways. Vertical and kind of

59:20go up and down that way. So your vehicle actually goes up and down.

59:24Okay. I just need to get that clarified. That's all. All right. Thank you.

59:27Yeah. A quick question. We, uh, it's a question to the group, um, at AAC members.

59:40Is there interest in, I'm not sure if it'd be with this or a separate recommendation that, um,

59:48this group like T, TCP, the group comes back to us within two years to give us an update of

59:56how things are going. Uh, it gives us an opportunity to give any feedback for hearing anything.

1:00:01I don't know if that's separate or if there's interest open to collaboration and feedback on

1:00:06it. If it's not right now to talk about it, we can do this separately.

1:00:11Like I think that's better than the five year plan. Yeah. Yeah. That's right. Does anyone,

1:00:19um, would you be okay with that? Like the, the TCP, ATS people world?

1:00:30If that's the voodoo committee show.

1:00:33Make a motion on it to request it. Yes. Yeah.

1:00:41Do you want to put some wording around that, Jen?

1:00:44Um, the AAC, uh, recommends for requests, I guess. I'm open to feedback on this. Sorry.

1:00:53I'm going on the fly here. Um, requests that the TCP, we could begin to part of it or a group,

1:01:01returns to the AAC with updates and opportunity for feedback. Um, in, uh, where are we at?

1:01:092026 say 2028. That's really good. You're good. Um,

1:01:17we'll see. That was on the fly. That's pretty rough. So, um, would anyone like to move?

1:01:25One second. Sorry. We're just going to, we're just going to wordsmith it and then bring it up

1:01:29on the screen. Um, and Cheryl, I see you have your hand up as well too. Okay.

1:02:46I didn't, um, sorry, through you, chair to member Jen, I believe. Um, did you specify,

1:02:56how often this policy? Two years. Two years. Consider returning to the AAC.

1:03:03She landed on 2028. Yeah. I was just thinking rationally, like, if there, if the current cadence

1:03:13is five years, let's look at two and then reassess all things going well. It'll be a pleasant meeting

1:03:23to hear about all the successes. Hey, can you share my screen? This is what I came up with. We can,

1:03:36we can edit it, but, uh, that the accessibility advisory community recommend that staff consider

1:03:43returning to the AAC as a part of their, I'm going to say TCP calls or TCP review in 2028.

1:03:53Does that, is that, is that satisfied? It's crystal clear for us. Yeah. And, uh, through you,

1:04:01chair to Jen, uh, did I capture that? Okay. Um, yeah, just asking you to the group is consider

1:04:08versus request strong enough, or are we requesting within two years?

1:04:13I'm going to go back.

1:04:17Instead of consider, put request. Yeah, that's good. We'll be back. If this is true,

1:04:26if this gets passed, we go with those words there, we'll be back.

1:04:30Okay. Thank you. I appreciate that. We can't, um, again, as a committee, we can't direct staff to

1:04:36do something, but we can, we can suggest we can, um, recommend. Yeah, recommend. Yeah.

1:04:45That's fine. And recommend despite too, whichever.

1:04:51So sorry, through you, chair, I think it would be easier. So we have that and that would be a

1:04:56separate motion that we can consider, but I just want to make sure that we're going back to this

1:05:01slide where, um, we've captured those comments. Um, so if we, if we want to just take this one,

1:05:08and then we'll move, uh, to the other recommendation, um, again, uh, I guess member Cheryl, Cheryl

1:05:16Hasper. Yes. Hi, thanks. Um, I, I was actually just looking to clarify something in this, um,

1:05:23slide that you pulled up. So it says the vertical measures such as speed hump should not be the

1:05:29default solution. I thought, I'm sorry and correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought in the presentation,

1:05:35it was mentioned that, um, not, not be looking to use speed bumps or speed humps, but, uh, rather

1:05:42the faced speed cushions. That's great. So I just wanted to clarify because that point, um,

1:05:51as it's worded suggests that, that consideration would be given to, um, putting in speed humps,

1:05:59but they wouldn't be the default. But, but my understanding was that they were not going to

1:06:03be used to the speed cushions. That's a good point. We could say that speed cushions are not the

1:06:12default. Yep. Yep. Good question. So that being said, um, can I get a motion to

1:06:28just ask one more time if there's any questions related to this. Okay. So, um,

1:06:33does any, any other questions regarding the shared screen of data traffic calling policy that

1:06:39the thing notes with? Can you give 10 seconds please? Oh, good people.

1:06:48You know what place does it need? I mean, there's, John and I have known each other for many, many years.

1:06:52So like an on 25 years or something. That's a long time. Everyone's thinking. Um, so hearing,

1:07:00none. Um, can I get a motion to approve? Both screen on the left, Jackie? And can I get a second

1:07:10or word? Both second, Colleen Harper. Great. Thank you, Colleen. You're welcome. And then, um,

1:07:18can we also go to the other screen with the, um, Oh, did you call the vote? Oh, the last one?

1:07:27So, um, is all in favor? Yes. And I'm probably easier to say anyone against. Yeah. Hearing,

1:07:39none motionless carry. All right. Then can we also do, um, asking nicely the TCP people staff

1:07:52to come back instead of five years, come back in review with us in two years. So 2028.

1:08:01Do you, do you have any questions regarding that?

1:08:04Or questions? I have the wait 10 seconds.

1:08:10This one's okay. Oh, with anyone like to move to approve the updated

1:08:19TCP policy on our screen, I'd approve Colleen Harper. Anyone seconded it?

1:08:26Jackie. And anyone against? Yeah, that's right. Perfect. Um, so hearing none,

1:08:34that motion has been approved. And sorry, through you, chair, because I think there may have been

1:08:40confusion with, um, the initial recommendation, uh, provided by staff that the committee, uh,

1:08:46voted on, um, putting it out there to the committee. Um, the motion up on the screen

1:08:54was moved seconded and voted on. If there is, if you would like to reconsider, um, please let me know.

1:09:04We can, we can, we can vote separate on it. We can, we consider the motion and separate it,

1:09:10a little bit complicated to explain, but I, we just want to make sure that everybody was,

1:09:15was comfortable with, um, the recommendation that was brought by staff that Nico, uh, took the

1:09:22opportunity to walk us through. I should go through each one. Should I? No. It's in the agenda.

1:09:30So hearing none, um, anyone saying otherwise, um, the motion for the updated traffic calming policy

1:09:40or the four recommendations that Nico mentioned has been passed and approved?

1:09:46Should I just wanted to make sure, we did go through it quite quickly, so I just wanted to

1:09:50make sure that, um, it was okay. And if there was any questions, then we could have revisited that,

1:09:56but, oh, I appreciate it. I'm sure. Sorry, just to clarify, um, I think we were all in agreement,

1:10:04um, but given those, um, our comments and suggestions that were put forward and voted on,

1:10:12so, um, as long as that noted that we agree with the recommendations, um, that Nico presented,

1:10:19given our feedback that was provided as well. Thank you. I don't think I said that word, like,

1:10:25right, like, um, so yeah, just, so I'm in agreement. But isn't it, sorry, it's not my place.

1:10:42Yeah. We're having a huddle. So can you nap another motion to capture that? Yeah.

1:10:49Oh, sorry. So we go into what we just voted on to get further comments? So we, so we did, so,

1:10:56so we did vote on the recommendation provided by staff, uh, that was moved, carried, um,

1:11:02and, uh, sorry, moved, seconded, and carried. And then the, um, second motion was that the

1:11:10accessibility advisory committee provide the following comments as it relates to the recommendations,

1:11:14to the TCP for staff's consideration. That was also, so that was where all the comments

1:11:19that we went through provided by, um, the committee that was also moved, seconded, and carried. And

1:11:25then the last motion was with regards to staff coming back to the committee with the review.

1:11:30So everything will be captured in those minutes. All those comments will be, be, sorry, be provided

1:11:36to staff. Um, so just everything has been voted carried. Everything's all good.

1:11:42I think we're good. Okay. So moving on, we cut one. Okay. Thank you guys for everything that you

1:11:50did. Thank you too. And next on our agenda is Laura Braggs, the mobility transit publication

1:12:02on Laura's, the medical transit and the Fort Design and Control Center.

1:12:06Okay.

1:12:08I don't remember it.

1:12:10Sorry.

1:12:17Sorry.

1:12:19Sorry. So apparently, um,

1:12:23it was, was everyone just left?

1:12:28No, it was none of them.

1:12:30So, what was they going?

1:12:32Yeah,

1:12:34Chair, may I just suggest that we do, um, a five minute recess just so that we can get a little

1:12:38of the staff to each of you guys, we're going to have the five minute recess. If that's okay. So go put on your

1:12:42jackets and go to snow angels and snow and we'll wait for Laura to see if we can either come back or maybe reschedule.

1:12:48Part time or reschedule.

1:12:50So we'll get some water, rehydrate yourselves.

1:12:54Look at this. Is this a cylinder? No, never mind. But you were supposed to hear.

1:12:58In that case,

1:13:00I'm going to go ahead and get a little bit of the staff to see if we can get a little bit of the staff to

1:13:15hear.

1:13:21In that case,

1:13:23you have to do staff presenting.

1:13:27The staff have to present it or can the committee still move through what was given to them?

1:13:39We'll just give

1:13:41Laura a second to hear.

1:14:12In here.

1:14:21So me and same lady, you'll be sitting right about here on the,

1:14:43of course, and I will just wait because it's a little bit of a game.

1:14:49So,

1:14:51that was a line.

1:14:53That's what we did for Laura.

1:14:55It's very different.

1:14:57Yeah.

1:14:59So,

1:15:01so,

1:15:11how are you?

1:15:13How are you?

1:15:15I'm good.

1:15:17So through you, chair, we haven't been able to reach

1:20:20the staff

1:20:22for the presentation.

1:20:24However, there are two recommendations that I can provide to the committee with and we can move forward with,

1:20:30you know,

1:20:32whatever direction you choose.

1:20:34We can still take comments on the,

1:20:40the item.

1:20:42Members have been provided with the presentation and the report.

1:20:50As part of your agenda or so you can take, so we can provide comments without input from staff or we can defer the item to the next meeting.

1:21:04Now we are unaware of the staff's timelines for this and whether or not they would be able to come back to the committee.

1:21:12But it's entirely up to the committee or to you, chair, as to what you wish to do.

1:21:22But we, it is still possible to have a discussion and take comments without input from staff, but being mindful that we have clerk's office and accessibility staff here and no transportation

1:21:34expertise in the room right now.

1:21:36So, let's say that.

1:21:40Would you guys be okay if we motion to defer Laura's presentation to next meeting if timing is an issue?

1:21:52Wait, do we know if timing is an issue?

1:21:54I'm unaware right now.

1:21:56Okay.

1:22:00I would think that's a good idea because we can look over what's here and have a whole bunch of questions.

1:22:08That may have been answered in the presentation from them.

1:22:12Yeah, so.

1:22:14Yeah, I agree.

1:22:16Okay.

1:22:18How do I ask this? Can I get a motion to defer Laura's presentation?

1:22:22Yep, we can get so a motion to defer the mobility transit application item to the February 17th.

1:22:36Can I, what Elizabeth just said, but I'll say it, can I get a motion to defer Laura's mobility application form presentation to next meeting, which we decided February 17th?

1:22:56Yeah.

1:22:58I'll do that.

1:23:00Let's ask again.

1:23:02Have you moved?

1:23:04I'm probably over here.

1:23:06Can I get a seconder after Jackie moved it?

1:23:08I'll share all second.

1:23:10Thank you, Cheryl.

1:23:12Any, any, not nice.

1:23:16Any, hold on, I got to, there's a word of anything.

1:23:20Anyone against?

1:23:22Hearing non-seeing, no arm up or anything like that.

1:23:26I'm going to get a motion to defer Laura's presentation to next meeting has been approved.

1:23:37Now, there is one other thing on our agenda in it is number 2.3, which is an election of the access advisor,

1:23:51the AC vice chair.

1:23:53Liz said she was going to talk about this, so I don't, I can just sit back.

1:23:57Through you chair. Yes.

1:23:59With the resignation of our vice chair.

1:24:03A couple of months ago that leaves the vice chair seat vacant.

1:24:09Once that becomes vacant, we vote on it or we look to appoint a new vice chair. Now the role of the vice chair is simply to step in when the chair is unavailable to chairing me.

1:24:19So, but like, like any meeting clerk's office staff and accessibility staff are always there to support whoever may be in that chair position.

1:24:29So it's not, it's not that nerve wracking to be in the role.

1:24:35But with that being said, I will open it up to the committee to see if there are any volunteers who wish to be.

1:24:47Okay, we had Jackie in the room.

1:24:51Now, anybody online interested.

1:24:57Dean.

1:24:59You will, you're all so interested Dean.

1:25:01You say.

1:25:03Okay, Melissa had her hand up.

1:25:05Did you have your hand up on this?

1:25:15Maybe I was seeing things I was looking for the technique in the room.

1:25:17No, I think that was Dean's hand on that side.

1:25:19Oh, was it okay?

1:25:25Okay, so with that being said, we had two individuals who are interested in the vice chair position. So, as per our city council appointment procedures, if there's more than one candidate seeking appointment, we will, we'll call a vote.

1:25:43But before doing so, members, you are provided with perhaps a few seconds a minute or so to maybe voice why you would be interested in this, in this position to the rest of the committee.

1:25:55And upon hearing that we can, we can vote on that.

1:26:03Ladies first. So Jackie, can you tell us about it by yourself and why do you think you would be a great fit for the vice chair position?

1:26:11Why can't Dean go first?

1:26:15So, I was raised right. Ladies first.

1:26:19Yeah, but let go off like Dean first.

1:26:23You want me to go first Jackie?

1:26:27Okay, I have no problem with that whatsoever.

1:26:31As you can see by my name on the screen, I'm Dean Martin.

1:26:37I've lived in Guelph all my life.

1:26:41Well, the first 20 years I lived out in Plistons just down on Downey Road.

1:26:47But since then we've been here ever since.

1:26:53I'd like to take a more active role in the committee.

1:26:57Maybe if the current chair steps down one day.

1:27:03No, this might be a good way for me to prepare to enter that role down the line.

1:27:11And it's, you know, I just want to be more involved with.

1:27:17What's what's happening within the city.

1:27:24I think accessibility is going to be more and more of a key thing as our population grows older.

1:27:34And for also from my grandson who's autistic.

1:27:40Accessibility for him is going to be important also. So, from both the rising need for accessibility.

1:27:46From aging community and from, you know, more identifying of neuro divergence and other such things.

1:27:54I think it's going to be.

1:27:56It's something I'd like to be more hands on.

1:28:01And that's about it.

1:28:04Over to you Jackie.

1:28:06Okay, I'm Jackie.

1:28:11I've been living in Guelph all my life.

1:28:17And I am limited myself by ability.

1:28:27Issue and I have been told by much people that I would make a great advocate for disabled because I have no filter.

1:28:40I'm just me.

1:28:48Thank you.

1:28:49Okay, so thank you to both members.

1:28:53With that being said, we will call a vote.

1:28:57We will begin it goes by alphabetical order. So we'll hold a vote for a member of Martin first.

1:29:04Now for committee members, you are only allowed to vote once and majority vote will be appointed.

1:29:12So with that being said, I would like to.

1:29:19Kind of for themselves.

1:29:25So with that being said, all those in favor of appointing Dean Martin as the vice chair of the accessibility advisory committee for term ending in November 2026 or until a successor is appointed.

1:29:4210 months.

1:29:50Yes.

1:29:57Colleen, can you just clear okay I see your hands up so with that being said, that's majority.

1:30:06Yeah.

1:30:14Member Dean you if you wish you can vote as well.

1:30:19Because it's self serving. I don't feel comfortable.

1:30:23Casting for myself. I think it needs to be a vote by everybody else and I will.

1:30:30I'm staying for voting for myself.

1:30:32Now with that being said, it looks so just to clarify for recorded votes we have member Cheryl member Melissa member Colleen Harper voting in favor for appointing Dean Martin as the vice chair.

1:30:54Okay.

1:30:58Oh, and Jen.

1:31:02Sorry.

1:31:03Yes, thank you.

1:31:04Okay, thank you so much. And now we will call the vote for appointing member Raymond Jackie Raymond to be elected as a vice chair of the accessibility advisory committee for term ending in November 2026 or until such a successor is appointed.

1:31:21Member Kathy.

1:31:28Yeah, member Melissa I think that's just a legacy hand from the previous vote.

1:31:40Confirm it. Okay, thank you. And then sorry chair you said Jackie. Okay.

1:31:47Jerry vote.

1:31:57Yes, so I believe so based off of the record we have two votes for a member Jackie or Jackie did you vote yourself for a vote. Okay, so we have a tie vote.

1:32:29Correct.

1:32:30Or no, for it was for three.

1:32:34Go ahead.

1:32:36Very you chair.

1:32:38So, after reviewing the vote, we received four votes for member Martin, and we received three votes for on terrible sir.

1:32:50And three votes for member Radman. So what this means is that neither members have achieved over 50% of members that are in this meeting.

1:33:03So what we're going to do is we're just going to hold one more vote for a vice chair, and we require at least one of our members member Martin or member admin to achieve over 50% of the members we have here today.

1:33:18And that means we have eight members so they require five votes in the affirmative to become the vice chair.

1:33:26So, through you chair, if you would like to hold the vote again in alphabetical order, I'm staring number market and then remember you got it. Okay, so thank you, Jordan.

1:33:37So that being said, how many people would like to get who would like to know both for number Dean case property. Yeah.

1:33:50He Martin, but I pray he would agree on because the vote was a was a number last time I will vote this time.

1:34:14Okay, so based on numbers and what Jordan just whispered to me. Congratulations Dean you are the vice chair.

1:34:24Thank you very much.

1:34:26You're not going anywhere we see yourself part of the team okay.

1:34:30Oh, I'm Mark.

1:34:33So, um, so with that being said, should we just should we form one thing.

1:34:39Let's say we have okay yeah before the vote. Yes.

1:34:43So congratulations to sorry so we will just put this in a motion.

1:34:54So that it's recorded in minutes.

1:35:07Okay.

1:35:09So, so, can I get a motion to approve Dean Martin, not that Dean Martin, be selected as the vice chair of the AC for term ending in November 26, sorry, November 2026 ready, or until the successors appointed.

1:35:26Can I get a mover.

1:35:30Thank you.

1:35:34Call him and then can I get a seconder.

1:35:43So, John, but apparently Melissa had her head up. I'm sorry Melissa.

1:35:49Okay, then anyone oppose.

1:35:52Hearing none. The motion has been carried and approved.

1:36:00Was there anything else regarding through your chair. We did just care back from transportation staff.

1:36:05Laura has joined us if if the committee is still open to to to quickly going through that that item we can we can.

1:36:18It's up to you chair really yeah if you would like.

1:36:21Well, Laura's here. We have. Yeah, I think you Laura's.

1:36:26I'm sensitive. Is everyone okay if Laura does.

1:36:31Present to us today instead of deferring to next meeting.

1:36:35I know people have kids and life and stuff like that.

1:36:40So, sorry, I'm not raising my hand just for efficiency for the recommendation. Is this for information or for a decision or recommendation just to make sure we have enough time for questions.

1:36:57For recommendation for recommendation.

1:37:00That's what I want to.

1:37:01Is that correct Laura.

1:37:04Yes, it is so we've.

1:37:06We've been sensitive before February 17.

1:37:13I would need February 17 would be the latest if we can't get quorum, then I won't get the opportunity to have engaged with you prior to having a report.

1:37:23Move forward.

1:37:24Okay, no, that's her. Okay, I'm fine to go ahead then. Thank you.

1:37:28So that being said, I think we should.

1:37:30Jen, Jen said she was okay. Yeah, so Laura, you got the form.

1:37:34Okay. Thank you everybody. Sorry for the confusion today.

1:37:39I'm happy that you're able to stay a little longer and listen. I'm really happy to be here to give you the update.

1:37:46So, I have a little bit of a presentation that I'm going to share with you. It's two slides and it'll go through.

1:37:55So, for our sake, a discussion on our mobility services and the update that occurred.

1:38:04So, let me just share my screen and we can get moving.

1:38:11If at any point you have a question, feel free, you can raise your hand. I have two screens going so I'll be able to see it.

1:38:18In wealth transit, we performed a mobility services assessment for our para transit accessibility service throughout 2024 and 2025.

1:38:28And one of those, you know, not only were we reviewing our mobility services program, it was all of the pieces that were within it.

1:38:35And that included our mobility services application form itself.

1:38:39So, within our assessment, we internally had a recommendation to enhance the clarity and review the length of the application form to simplify the language used in the application form to review and potentially reduce the length of the form by combining related sections and eliminating unnecessary questions and to incorporate customer feedback and

1:39:02comparator forms when updating the mobility services application form.

1:39:07So, if we also look.

1:39:12So, another piece, there was a conversation around mobility application and taxi script with council last year where the mayor and council asked transit to go back and look at our mobility application, which was great because it was already on our list to review.

1:39:30And so, when we ended up going through it, we focused on content and complexity, along with length.

1:39:39So, I'm going to give you a general update of how it's changed. I did attach, as part of the agenda, the previous mobility application form and the new form so that you can see the difference of fields that we've added or changed.

1:39:55The mobility services customer survey that we performed in 2024 and 2025 showed that about 19% of respondents found the application hard to understand.

1:40:06The review examined comparator agency forums, aligning with kind of industry best practices of what's included in those forums, and we reframed the healthcare professional section to look similar to other agencies.

1:40:20The applicant eligibility section used to be very complex. It had multi layered questions for the applicant, and it has since been revised to be much simpler wording and fewer sub questions.

1:40:36The length itself, we removed questions that mirrored similar questions included in the healthcare professional section. The number of applicant questions specifically not for the healthcare provider went from 14 to five.

1:40:51So, the complexity for that person to have to fill out when applying into our mobility application or our mobility service became a lot easier.

1:41:03The healthcare professional questions now had 10 questions higher than the previous seven. So we took a few of the questions from the applicants section previously that they needed healthcare support to answer those questions.

1:41:18We moved them into the healthcare section itself. Now, with all of this change, we went from a 17 page form down to a nine page forum that mirrors what our comparator forums look like, along with creating an easier understanding of how to move through the form as an applicant and for the healthcare professional.

1:41:42And so our our ask today for the advisory committee is that the accessibility advisory committee support the updated Guelph Transit Mobility Services application form with any recommendations that you may see within that form that you'd like us to look at maybe even further.

1:42:04But ultimately, we wanted to share the changes that we've made and present to the AAC for your support in the changes that we created for that form. And I can stop sharing or if if the committee would like, I can also share the previous form and the new form as well, if that's a request.

1:42:30If you have one more, can we, I don't know if you can do the side by side, but can we do the being newer updated one?

1:42:39Yes, I can. So just give me one moment and I will pull that up. I'm just going to get out of my full screen here. And I will pull up our new application. Here we are.

1:42:56So similarly shown to our previous mobility application form. Our first page is just information about the application, the different sections that have to be completed, along with how to submit and what the review process actually looks like.

1:43:27So in terms of submission, we've actually created more accessible options as well for folks. So if you were to call us and ask us, we would still mail you a paper form and you could mail it back to us. We have the option to submit in person.

1:43:44There's also a version online you can download in a PDF fillable, along with a screen reader compatible version for anybody who may require that type of form as well, also available on our website.

1:43:59We're also happy to help folks fill out content with them over the phone and mail them whatever we've worked with together to bring to their health care provider as well.

1:44:08So page one is how to contact us and just the general details about the A is where you will fill out your own personal information and B is for your health care provider and yourself.

1:44:21Section A for the applicant.

1:44:25Some folks may apply then this might be their second application so that allows them to say if it's a renewed application and if yes what was your client ID so that could be possibly someone who has broken a leg who's coming in temporarily into our service where they would still have a client ID but are no longer currently in our service.

1:44:49And all of the applicant information so their contact home address mailing emergency contact information. We asked for three. Historically, we had fewer in the past, but we found some of our clients based on age.

1:45:06It may be that their spouse that they had as their emergency contact may not be with them, or a relative is moved so we still have the same three. If they are required, or if they'd like to have a representative that speaks on behalf of them.

1:45:22They would fill out the information for that representative. And then the eligibility information itself is which wealth services do you currently use with the option of I do not use any or you can list a mixture in what situations are you able to get to and from a

1:45:43traditional bus stop. Can you get to a bus stop approximately one city block, either by yourself or using an assistive device, and then devices are used. Yes, do you want to make up can you make a fine to make up by that to make it worse.

1:46:02Please.

1:46:03There we go.

1:46:08No problem.

1:46:11I'm going to ask you a question.

1:46:13I'm going to ask you a question.

1:46:15Which wealth transit services do you currently use select all that apply in which situations are you able to get to and from a conventional bus stop. So when I have a support person, I've received travel training.

1:46:31When a path is level or slightly inclined, when the path is free of ice, when there is no when there was a sidewalk, when my disability allows me to, or I am not currently able to get to or from a conventional bus stop.

1:46:44Hi, I know that there's a little more we have to get through, but I struggle with the idea that there's, there's two different type of worlds, and I live in the world that I have to continuously use social services and services of the city of wealth because of

1:47:04disability. Therefore, my identifying information is consistently put within the different programs and departments and I'm actually unsure about the securities of that identifying information.

1:47:15And with all the different types of services I've now provided my children's information, my health information, medical information, personal information, a lot of different types of information kind of scattered through through wealth.

1:47:33And I always question, what is the protocol and storage for my anonymity if someone were to require all of those pieces that I don't know and I'm not necessarily secure with that.

1:47:48My other pieces is when I'm somebody that actually, and this is full disclosure and confidential, I don't appear to be disabled as disabled as I am. So often enough, when I talk about my functionality, which is my own personal abilities within the environment that I have created for myself and that's how I've been able to function.

1:48:13And that's my choice and my privilege actually others don't have that opportunity for privilege.

1:48:18I find it difficult to accept when people reduce my eligibility for something when I went as far as collecting the doctor information because when you break your leg and you have to go through insurance and you have to take time off work that's like a maybe a one to time thing but this is my every day of my every life.

1:48:37And I am constantly and continuously proving that I'm disabled and I don't get a raise I don't. I stay within the social dynamics of disability therefore I'm inhibited to move forward.

1:48:51And every moment I take proving that I'm disabled is a moment away from me even having quality in my social life and enjoying my life and including the services. I don't feel that the services aligned with each other in the city of wealth as well.

1:49:09I think that departments are moving in the direction and I actually really appreciate the work that you've done because I was able to see the previous guide or the previous questionnaire so I don't want to invalidate that because I really appreciate it.

1:49:23I think that we could maybe in wealth with with all that we have to work with connect a little bit more in terms of these types of these surveys or these sorry I forget the word in this moment.

1:49:39I'm sorry what we're reviewing now these applications to ensure that maybe we already have data that is easy and shareable less work for me. Maybe data needs to be confidential and maybe one time when I said I'm disabled I can skip a few steps because I'm sort of believed in that manner.

1:49:57So I don't know what to do with all of that but I definitely think in the planning and design for universal design and longevity and sustainability of something like this that would be wonderful to keep in mind for that like equalizing experiences for something as simple as transportation like getting to the bus stop is a big feat sometimes.

1:50:20And I think not to sorry to trouble or a thank you Kathy.

1:50:24I think Kathy Lee and such he was take that away.

1:50:28And because it doesn't make perfect sense to why but you need to apply improve their disabled three or four times.

1:50:36But if we have, you know, the paperwork and everything like that, it should be, it should be good.

1:50:42So honestly, Kathy, thank you so much for sharing that.

1:50:46Yeah, I don't expect to do anything now kind of thing I just thought as we're talking about it it'd be good to kind of bring up and that's all but thank you.

1:50:54Very true. Thank you Kathy. I appreciate that.

1:50:57Okay.

1:51:01I'm going to continue through any other questions folks please raise your hand I'm happy to pause.

1:51:08So we do talk about physically are you able to travel one city block which is approximately 175 meters, either by yourself or using an assistive device.

1:51:19And then the outline of which assistive device if there is one what that would look like so it talks about our different device sizes, and then the ability on I'm just going to zoom out just a little bit to be able to select all assistive devices

1:51:37currently used and that could be if you have a dynamic disability and some days are different for you you can list all of those.

1:51:43It also includes new styles that we haven't included previously with elevated leg rest tilt and recline which was not on our list previously so we can learn more about your device, more about your own needs when you come into our service so we can help make your trip, even better.

1:52:02Perfect. Give me one second Laura Jen has her hand up. And also there was a message that came up on the screen that we have five minutes left as well but Jen, I see your hand.

1:52:11Yeah, I, I know we've talked about this that we'd be limited for time but it looks like it might be worth putting this at the top of the agenda for the 17th.

1:52:24I only mentioned that because I'm already thinking of three separate questions that I would have for the application. For example, traveling one city block. Is that with snow when it's cleared or not.

1:52:37I do like another jumping to another topic I do like the functional invitation approach versus identifying type of disability.

1:52:46And I also had a question about at the beginning of the application is it showing a list of the things that you will need to fill out this application if you're doing it for the first time, just so that people can feel prepared through what is naturally and often a stressful situation.

1:53:04So, I don't all of that out there, but just to say I think we might need to defer some of this to next meeting.

1:53:11Well, apparently, John, I think you were sharing but apparently, I'm isn't a factor. So, time is an effect.

1:53:19Yeah.

1:53:21So, yeah, we can. So what is another way to because I like if, can we look at the application and give written edit recommendations back.

1:53:31What are other options because I remember I thought we're hearing February 17 was the last possible day but it was still an option, as long as we have quorum.

1:53:44I think.

1:53:46What I don't think she understood the time is not a consideration.

1:53:50Oh, it's not a consideration perfect.

1:53:52Let's go to next meeting please if we could because I think there's a lot of great content here. And I think from our fellow member of what we're just hearing I don't think she's the only one who'd like to be able to share.

1:54:05Through you chair to the members of the meeting.

1:54:10There is no hard stop at 5pm. There's no need for motion to go beyond 5pm.

1:54:18So, Laura can continue their presentation and my recommendation would be that members provide comments and feedback through motion.

1:54:29Any, any individual written comments provided to to Laura would not be appropriate as it doesn't come from the committee. So, if we could, we can continue on and for those who are joining us virtual if you do need to step out at 5.

1:54:46So please do so and we will just monitor form.

1:54:55Cheryl, do you have your handle.

1:54:59Yes, sorry, I agree with Jen I think that I mean because we're close to the five o'clock mark I would it be possible to please defer this to the to the next meeting.

1:55:16And if I think I remember how Laura said that there was a lot of deadline timeline, the most or the most, what am I trying to say, the very, very maximum that you can do was February 16th.

1:55:32Laura is that correct. 1717.

1:55:35Yes.

1:55:37So that being said, ultimately the feedback we want from you folks is that the new changes and that we the adjustment to the form is something that the AC is supported above the recommendations that come with that are form right now that's out online.

1:55:56So, if you look at the changes that are coming forward, that is the new adjusted form that you see, it does not mean that we are closed off to changing language or edits or those recommendations at any point throughout this year and moving forward.

1:56:16So, I think that we're engaging with the AC. We'd like to say that we have come to you folks to say, this is what we've made what are your thoughts and work that into our form by being able to come in February.

1:56:30That's what I will be able to say is that we will be all working together, hopefully to help finalize what this can look like as a group.

1:56:39So, if we do not meet like let's say we don't have quorum in February, it will be a kind of an outstanding of we've revised the form, we're still waiting for a future date to engage with the AC.

1:56:51So, I hope that that helps with some of the decision making as well today. And really there is much opportunity to go through this in a lot more detail in terms of certain language or certain sections as we kind of move forward.

1:57:06And I hope that we can open throughout our time together.

1:57:10So, I saw a couple of people with their hand heard their thumbs up so thank you for that.

1:57:15So, how do I do this?

1:57:19Oh yeah. Okay, so we learned you might keep going.

1:57:22Sure, not a problem.

1:57:25In terms of Jen, Jen you asked a question about traveling one city block. And if it was with snow cleared or not. So let's say in terms of your application period, you, it could be in either case, you could be coming to us saying temporarily in the wintertime when the snow is not cleared, I cannot do this, or it could be that you want full time that even when there is snow or

1:57:49when you want snow, you have a hard time navigating. I think that would come with like really we're open for either of those types of user.

1:58:00In terms of the beginning of the application, I can go back at the end if you'd like and I can kind of leave that up for you to be able to read through it.

1:58:10It does talk a little bit about what you need in order to fill that out and how to fill it out and get it to us as well in that.

1:58:20Now in terms of the eligibility, like information, so we had, you know, how do you do you currently use it and what situations could you if any, can you navigate a city block and maybe in this one you would say sometimes if the snow is not cleared, no, I'm unable to.

1:58:41So you'd be able to preface and explain and then which assistive devices you may be using yourself. And then also what barriers or challenges you experience when using conventional if you do and how wealth transit mobility could support your travel needs.

1:58:59So share any relevant information you feel could support your eligibility.

1:59:05It includes your representative signature or for yourself if you have no representative.

1:59:12And then section B is the health care. So our previous forum with a lot of big questions for both the customer whose app applying and the health care professional.

1:59:24You'll notice as we kind of go through the health care professional, there's an array of eligible professionals that you can use in order to help with the application and it outlines all of these and of course there are others that live outside of this list that we would be able to work with the applicant.

1:59:42There's a message on what our service really entails for that health care provider as they read through the form, how they can get a hold of us if they have any questions or concerns about the form.

1:59:55The health care professional actual like declaration this is all of their information to state you know this is their their contact information their stamp of registered health care professional.

2:00:07And then goes through the health care verification. So what types of disability or disabilities affect the applicant's ability to use conventional fixed route transit service.

2:00:19And it lists the categories and it can select all that apply. So not just one, including other that can also be listed for the applicant.

2:00:31Within this they're able to explain how the disability or disabilities selected above affect the applicant's ability to use that service so they can provide more detail for Gualt transit review.

2:00:44The categories of mobility service eligibility as regulated through the province of Ontario there are three categories unconditional which is a permanent disability preventing them from using any type of conventional transportation service temporary.

2:01:01So a temporary disability that prevents them from using the service for example someone with a broken limb as I mentioned, or a conditional eligibility, a person with a disability where environmental or physical barriers limit their ability to consistently use conventional

2:01:18transportation. For example a person unable to travel on fixed route due to snow in winter months.

2:01:25So that would be an example that Jen brought up and so what type of category if temporary or conditional, you can add explanation in terms of the duration so it could be you know a six to eight week recovery period for a temporary eligible applicant.

2:01:42And we would record that in our system.

2:01:46So if the applicant uses a mobility scooter, are they able to transfer independently to a vehicle seat, yes or no.

2:01:55All passengers of Gualt transit must wear a lap belt. This is to help mitigate risk for all the passengers and the driver exclusion from the lap belt must be provided by a physician.

2:02:09So that is a possibility so they are able to request the applicant to be excluded from wearing a lap belt due to a documented medical condition, and they can provide more explanation in terms of the inclusion.

2:02:22So it could be related to let's say a surgery that's happened on someone's abdomen, and they are recommending that they do not have a belt across where that happens, and they can transfer and stay within their device.

2:02:36So that could be listed.

2:02:39A support person is someone who aids an individual with a disability with communication mobility their personal care medical needs, and or with access to good services or facilities.

2:02:51The support person should be capable of meeting the needs of the individual with the disability during travel and or at their destination. And so, does the applicant require a support person to travel.

2:03:02Yes, no, or sometimes and they can also provide explanation for that.

2:03:08Can the applicant present fair, take a transfer, tap a pass or show proof of payment upon request, yes or no.

2:03:18Can the applicant safely be left alone and unattended at their destination. Yes, no, or sometimes with the ability to explain those circumstances.

2:03:30Does the applicant show any behavior that may affect the safety of the applicant, other passengers or transit staff during travel.

2:03:39IE physical aggression disorientation, and they're able to say yes, no, sometimes, or explain what that can look like.

2:03:47Does the applicant have a history of falls or a balance or gate concern. Yes or no.

2:03:54In their professional opinion, the applicant can ride conventional buses and does not require the service which, if you've gone to your provider, most likely that will not be something that is checked cannot provide conventional buses due to their disability can ride conventional buses under circumstances such as so that could be the weather if it's a conditional or, you know, after their temporary has been has been lifted.

2:04:20And that is the body of what the application looks like today.

2:04:25When it is fillable with more space, it comes to 11 pages, depending on the size, it's, it's content really is nine pages long, but it does provide areas to expand for applicants within what they're working on.

2:04:44And I will just scan back up to the top so that we can take a look at the very top here just explains what our service is about. So I'll leave it on the how to apply to be looked at as we chat.

2:05:09And did you have a question regarding the first section.

2:05:14It was, it was, it was a general question I've seen.

2:05:19Say you're applying for, I'm making something up here on the fly a passport.

2:05:25It's always great to know ahead of time you're going to need your birth certificate you're going to need photo ID you're going to need somebody who can sign for you to prove your, your identity, right with a signature.

2:05:36It was just those elements if there's anything here that it doesn't, it seems like it's mainly somebody writing or someone having being able to write in for them about personal experience I just didn't know what proof points to say like you will fill out section a section be you will need

2:05:57to do your health care professional or whomever that is.

2:06:01And it was just, just to make sure we were covering it off so people knew, because sometimes you know your part way through a form, especially if it's new that you want it to be clear and simple and everything set up front that's all just for a clear language and a great cognitive

2:06:19experience.

2:06:21That's a great point Jen. That's a great point and I think, you know you've kind of gathered.

2:06:26Like you said, I don't think other than the health care professional section which may require more information that would be filled out with your health care professional at that time so hopefully they'd be able to kind of help with that.

2:06:41And then the additional, I don't know if maybe we would, you know, like, in terms of what they would need maybe information of their emergency contacts or or that kind of detail.

2:06:53Yeah, food per thought.

2:06:56So, just to say something just to streamline it. Again, filling out any form for some folks sometimes some days myself myself included can be stressful.

2:07:06So just say like have three contacts ready with their phone number and email. I would also by the way, if you have folks who have a phone number but don't use it by default and I mean hard of hearing or deaf, who is the second point of contact have it as identifying who what's the primary

2:07:23person who is the second point of contact. So if they're touched with their backup person, their emergency contacts.

2:07:29I would fill that in because I didn't see that in the form.

2:07:33I must sound like a interpreter so you see that often with people who are deaf they're saying like I'll fill it in but don't call me.

2:07:40And there might it might be of interest to write in our focus is on the functional elements of your disability you will not be asked to give the label or diagnosis or something like that.

2:07:52Again to show it.

2:07:55If I'm reading it accurately we're not asking if you have a particular type of epilepsy or a particular type of Parkinson's.

2:08:03And what we're saying is, what are the limitations that are, I'll say qualifying you to be able to take advantage of this program. Well use the program, and I see somebody else has their hand up.

2:08:17Thank you.

2:08:20There's those.

2:08:24Laura, I just had a couple questions but I just wanted to echo what's been said it looks like a, you know, a great form very, you know, concise, and, you know, the focus on the functional limitations and restrictions versus asking for diagnosis is great.

2:08:41And I just had a few questions about in the first section. I noticed that there's a few questions that are focused on, you know, whether or not someone can get to the physical bus stop that I was just wondering because there don't appear to be any questions about, you know, if they're not able to

2:09:04access public transportation because of being on the actual bus, like for example, you know, individuals sensory disabilities and you know compromised individuals things like that where, you know, invisible disabilities that would, you know, you know, enable them to not be able to access a standard bus, you know, or

2:09:28transportation versus just getting to the physical bus stop. So I was just wondering if there was consideration for, you know, adding in an additional, you know, other section or if there's anything else that that they could, you know, indicate about their their disability in the in the application.

2:09:47And for this section.

2:09:49Apologies, apologies through through the chair to the committee and staff. We did just lose quorum. So that means that the meeting can no longer continue on.

2:10:03And there's no vote to adjourn the meeting. Simply, simply ends. But the video is recorded. And clerks office staff will connect with staff to to coordinate whether or not this can be brought forward.

2:10:22Next meeting.

2:10:24What that being said, there's nothing for you to do chair the meeting is just adjourned.

2:10:30So we just we thank committee members.

2:10:34And apologies for going over and that we lost quorum. But thank you for everyone are attending today.

2:10:43Thank you everyone. Thank you for your time everyone we'll see you next month.

2:10:46Everybody keeps safe and keep warm tonight.

2:10:49You too guys.

2:10:51Bye bye.

2:10:52It happens ages.