Accessibility Advisory Committee

0:02those decisions with intention and gratitude.

0:06This place we call Guelph has served as tradition lands

0:09and a place of refuge for many peoples over time.

0:12The more specifically, the hat to Wanda,

0:15Ron and the, oh, didn't show me.

0:19This land is held at the treaty,

0:20sorry, this land is held as a treaty lands and territory

0:25with the Mississaugas of the credit first nation.

0:29Guelph lies directly adjacent to the Haldun tract

0:33and is part of the longest established traditional

0:35hunting ground for the six nations of the Grand River.

0:38Many first nations, Inuit and Métis peoples

0:42who've come from across the Turtle Island

0:44called Guelph today.

0:48I don't think we really need disclosure of Guelph-Litt.

0:52Sorry, I wanted,

0:56if anyone would like to disclose any,

0:59January interest hearing none, they were good.

1:07Would anyone like to move to the approval of the,

1:13what was it, January 20th meeting?

1:17Can I have someone approve the minutes for that?

1:21I'm over sorry, I'd like to approve the minutes.

1:27I will.

1:29And would anyone like to second that?

1:33It's Cheryl, I'll second.

1:35And anyone against?

1:37We heard Cheryl and Jackie.

1:41Did you call on?

1:43I said Jackie, raise your hand.

1:45It's on the right.

1:46Perfect, okay.

1:47Sorry, Cheryl.

1:49Anyone against the approval?

1:52Hearing and or seeing none, I think we're approved.

1:58So now we're gonna do something really cool

1:59I've never done before, so I thought I would miss.

2:02So we have one item for our consent agenda

2:06and they are,

2:10we finding your way in a citywide way,

2:12finding strategy for wealth,

2:14and it's Alex,

2:17almost ready to go.

2:18I'll put that.

2:20Oh, so unless there are any questions or comments

2:25from our members, I will put that on consent.

2:28And I would like to ask a mover and a second

2:31to move these options.

2:34So I think what we're doing based on the agenda,

2:37Alex is here from the.

2:44That's the one economic development

2:45of tourism, the president wealth.

2:48And she was here, we decided April, April.

2:52So basically what Liz told me was that sometimes

2:56departments will come back to close the loop.

3:00So that's what Alex is wanting to do

3:04with this, the citywide way,

3:06finding strategy for wealth.

3:09I don't know if was anyone here in April?

3:12I don't know why my voice raised up like that.

3:15Jackie, were you here in April?

3:17Well, please.

3:18Oh, okay.

3:21How should we do that?

3:22Could be that's what you're here.

3:22Yeah, you just ask any members

3:24if they have any questions specific to

3:28the item on the agenda.

3:30And if none, then you can move

3:33that the February 17th, 2026 AAC consent agenda

3:37as outlined below be approved.

3:39Okay.

3:42What Liz said.

3:43Does anyone have any questions for Alex

3:46regarding this administrator questions?

3:50Sorry, administrator questions for Alex's jam.

3:58Hearing none, I am going to,

4:02I would like to ask a mover and a seconder

4:04to move these motions.

4:06Yes, the consent agenda be approved.

4:08Oh, sorry.

4:08Oh, I went on that the consent agenda be approved.

4:12Sorry, thank you.

4:13So I would like, wait a minute.

4:15I'd like a mover or a seconder and a seconder

4:17to move that the consent agenda be approved

4:20for February 17th, 2026.

4:27Jackie is a prover.

4:30I'll go back to you.

4:30Okay, the seconder.

4:32It's Cheryl, I'll second.

4:34I think Cheryl, and does anyone have a post

4:38to these recommended motions?

4:43Hearing none, seeing none, it is carried.

4:46Thank you, Alex.

4:48Can Alex go now?

4:50Yeah.

4:51Bye, Alex.

4:52Okay.

4:54Now we're going to move on to-

4:57Sorry.

4:58Yes.

4:59Just for the committees for this consent agenda.

5:02We don't see it very often,

5:03but this is, these are items, noncontroversial items,

5:08routine items that you will typically see added

5:11to the agenda.

5:12So as Chair Geo said, Alex came to the committee

5:17to gain feedback in April,

5:19and then she was just coming back to the committee

5:21to provide you with an updated report to close that loop.

5:26Oftentimes committees give advice to staff,

5:29and then you're kind of left with not knowing

5:33where that project went, what happened.

5:35So that's why we've added consent agendas

5:37to the committee, just for folks that are online

5:39that are perhaps a little bit new to the meeting structure.

5:44Just wanted to provide a bit of clarity there.

5:47So yeah, that's it.

5:48And then over to you, Chair, on to the next item.

5:50Perfect.

5:52So the next committee item that we have

5:54is the mobility transit application.

5:58And Laura is here to present from the transit.

6:03Transit could work on the website.

6:04Oh yeah, transit network design and control center.

6:07And we would like to thank her

6:08because she was deferred from chair of the 20th.

6:11So thank you for coming back.

6:14So yeah, I think Laura, you have the floor.

6:18Thank you so much.

6:20Thank you for having me back everybody last time.

6:23Just in case I'm not sure who attended last month,

6:26I'll do a little bit of a brief kind of introduction

6:29in case you weren't here last month.

6:32We ended up in the middle of our discussion.

6:34We lost our quorum and we were deferred into this month.

6:37So thank you for having me back.

6:40I will share my screen.

6:43First, I'm going to go through the presentation

6:47that I had prepared for last time we were together.

6:50And then we can get into the actual application form

6:53and feedback.

6:55So, Gualtransit, we performed a mobility services assessment

6:59throughout 2024 into 2025,

7:02where we looked at our mobility application itself.

7:06Within this, our own recommendations came to

7:08enhance the clarity and review the length

7:11of the application form,

7:12simplify our language used in the application form,

7:15review and potentially reduce the length of the form

7:18by combining related sections

7:20and eliminating unnecessary questions.

7:24And also incorporating customer feedback,

7:26comparator forms,

7:28when updating the mobility services application form.

7:32So within our actual mobility application,

7:36we looked at our content and our complexity.

7:38So our survey results show that 19% of respondents

7:42found the application hard to understand.

7:45So our review examined comparator agency forms

7:48and we tried to align our new form

7:50in what industry is doing in transit,

7:55along with framing the healthcare section similarly

7:58to the other agencies around us.

8:01The application eligibility section

8:04used to be very complex.

8:06It had multi-layered questions for the applicant itself.

8:10And since we've revised and made that a lot more simpler

8:13with fewer of those sub questions.

8:16The length itself, we have also improved.

8:19We removed questions that mirrored questions

8:21in both sections, the healthcare and the applicant section,

8:25reducing the number of applicant questions from 14 to five.

8:29So you can see how complex and layered it was.

8:32The healthcare professional section now has 10 questions

8:36higher than our previous seven,

8:38but they align in with our comparator forms

8:40that we were looking at.

8:43And just generally better aligned in that conversation,

8:46one would have with their healthcare professional

8:48and filling out.

8:50The final mobility services application form

8:53was reduced from 17 pages to nine pages,

8:56now mirroring the nine page median

8:58of our comparator agencies around us.

9:02And we did not only just look at our comparators

9:04that are the same size as us,

9:06or our approved comparators from just

9:10what council has approved.

9:12We also included other bigger agencies to see,

9:15what is TTC doing, Mississauga, Myway, and others as well.

9:21So that is in terms of a little bit

9:23of the background of how we got here.

9:26I did also bring up our eligibility application form itself.

9:30I know we had questions posed from some of our AAC members

9:35last time.

9:36And so I'm happy to field any questions you may have today

9:40about the mobility application form.

9:50Does anyone have any questions for Laura?

9:53Joe?

9:57Hi, and I apologize, I'm in my car at the moment.

10:00So I appreciate you reading out what's on screen

10:02as I'm unable to see it.

10:06One of the questions that I had at the last meeting

10:08was if there was a possibility to introduce things

10:11that you'd need at the beginning of the form.

10:15I compared it to applying for a passport if you recall.

10:19Yes, I do remember, Jen.

10:21Yeah, wondering if there's been any momentum on that.

10:26See if that's a possibility.

10:29So today in discussion, I think the AAC

10:34would wanna gather what recommendations

10:36they'd like to see added.

10:38So we're looking for approval of our form.

10:41However, that can come with recommendations

10:43to add a section at the front,

10:46change the language around a certain section,

10:48and kind of pose it that way, Jen.

10:51Okay, that sounds great, thank you.

10:53No problem.

10:54With that being said, Lord,

10:55if we do wanna make recommendations or suggestions,

10:59this is the time and place to do that for you.

11:02Yes, it is.

11:04I would say, and I will say this officially.

11:06So through the AAC, yes.

11:09As a user or others, we're open to suggestion

11:12and understanding on our application at any point.

11:16For you folks, if there's a question later

11:19after we do this process,

11:21I'm happy to come back and answer those.

11:24I know for us, we will be taking a report back to council

11:28as a consent agenda item in March to show them

11:32we've revised our application,

11:34as similar to the presentation today,

11:36but in a report form.

11:38And then at the end of that,

11:40that will show that we've engaged

11:41with both Transportation Advisory Committee

11:44and Accessibility Advisory Committee

11:45to make sure that our form is best suited

11:48for everybody who'd like to apply.

11:52Okay.

11:53Can you change the mic?

11:55I don't know if this is the right time to say it,

12:00but what do you, what can you offer

12:05people that want to take your means of transportation

12:10that have a mobility issue?

12:13Because I know that you've got the stairs

12:17and you've got a wheelchair lift.

12:20But what if you can't take either?

12:25So our mobility service itself

12:28is low floor vehicles with a ramp.

12:31So it accommodates all types of devices in order to use it.

12:34Our conventional vehicles are also low floor.

12:38They're able to lower and the ramp is able to make it

12:41accessible.

12:41So there's two ways that people can kind of travel with us

12:45in the conventional service,

12:47or if their abilities prevent them from doing that,

12:52then they can come into our service

12:54through this application form.

12:56I hope that helps answering your question.

12:59Thank you.

13:00How, Rosa?

13:03Hi there, maybe I missed this,

13:04but I'm just curious,

13:05is there an age, a minimum age requirement

13:07to access a service or is it adults only

13:10or teenagers also can access it?

13:12We have people, clients of all ages.

13:14It depends on if they're able to fulfill any of the

13:18requirement that their healthcare professional feels.

13:21So it can be, if I scroll down,

13:23there's different categories

13:24that their healthcare professional,

13:27when they're working with them can actually apply under.

13:31So there's cognitive, physical, sensory, mental health,

13:35medical or other,

13:36and that can include all ages and disabilities.

13:41Okay, thank you.

13:43No problem.

13:44It's not to listen to the lawyer, right?

13:46Like on the application itself,

13:48it doesn't say, what Melissa said,

13:51it doesn't say from 12 to 99 or whatever.

13:55There's no limitation that way.

13:58No, it doesn't state an age.

14:00So anybody is able to fill out this form

14:03and apply for our service.

14:05And Jen, I know that you're driving still,

14:07so let us know if you need anything ran out.

14:11It's okay.

14:12I didn't see anything ever had it on.

14:15Yeah, no, thank you for that.

14:16I have Apple CarPlay, so everything's hands free.

14:19I'm good there.

14:20I can have it on my phone, sorry, on the display.

14:22I just hit raise hand.

14:24It's very cool.

14:25Oh, wonderful.

14:27It's, I'm feeling very official.

14:29But yeah, this is probably because I can't see the screen

14:33and it's already there.

14:35I'm just wondering in either a communication

14:38that would go out to people beforehand

14:40or as again an intro to the application,

14:44we will have a lot of people from Guelph

14:46who've already been part of the program

14:49and are looking to continue.

14:50They will see yet one new form.

14:53It's much improved from the things I can see

14:56and recall from last time.

14:59Will there also be a segment in there

15:01to say anything like what's changed

15:03and what is staying the same

15:06so that people can anticipate?

15:10I don't know if before we were asking

15:12for a label or a diagnosis,

15:13but now we're talking about functional limitations.

15:16Would that be, is that part of it?

15:19And my apologies if it's already there.

15:21No, that's okay.

15:22So anyone who is an existing client

15:24within our Guelph Transit Mobility Services

15:27would not have to come back to this form

15:29unless they were a conditional or a temporary,

15:32meaning let's say temporary, I've broken my leg

15:35and I need your services or it's the winter time

15:39and I use it during the winter,

15:40but I don't need to when it's warmer and I'm able to.

15:43So for those people, not much should change.

15:47In terms of our temporary or conditional,

15:51when they come and reapply,

15:53they're able to use our new form and it says,

15:55have you applied before?

15:56Yes, and you can mark that off,

15:59which means we'll be able to pull up your previous form

16:02and they won't have to fill out as much detail.

16:06We'll have some of that on file as well.

16:09Okay, the reason I was just thinking of it is

16:12maybe somebody's tried to fill this out three years ago

16:15and they just gave up because it was frustrating.

16:17Again, not you, their experience, that's valid.

16:20So sometimes that really nice warm introduction

16:24can be just a couple of sentences

16:26to say we appreciate you applying.

16:30Here we have updated this form,

16:33it's in alignment with X, Y and Z.

16:35Here are some things that have changed.

16:37Like you have writing points, we've streamlined it,

16:40it's shorter, it's clearer,

16:42and here are the things that are still the same.

16:44It's just that, I was just wondering if that would be part

16:47of it, because again, you've got people,

16:50we have so many people in our community

16:53that just have to fill out forms to qualify to participate.

16:57And it's cumbersome and bureaucratic

17:00and can feel demeaning and take away a sense of independence.

17:04So I wanna give that sense of dignity back.

17:07So we're here for you in that wonderful service

17:10we can provide.

17:11I can understand that, Jen, thank you.

17:14I know we updated our website with new details

17:16around our mobility application,

17:18but I don't think we framed it in as positive a light

17:21as maybe how you explained it.

17:23We kind of just placed our new forms on the website.

17:26So maybe there is room at least in that portion

17:29of communication when people come, we can say,

17:33we've revised this form for you to make it better.

17:37Yeah, like we've heard you and we've made it better.

17:41Like you've been part of this.

17:43So I think that sense of respect and dignity

17:46for the community would go a long way.

17:49Okay, thank you.

17:51Thank you.

17:52And Cheryl, I see you have your hand up.

17:57Hi, yes, I just had a couple of questions actually

18:01for the first section of the form.

18:04I know I think I had started to raise it last time.

18:07I know we were short on time.

18:09I just, a few of the questions are mostly geared toward

18:15whether or not individuals can get physically

18:18to the bus stop and if they're able to physically access it.

18:24So I'm just wondering, in terms of persons with disabilities

18:28that where that's not the barrier,

18:30but there's another barrier that can affect ability

18:33to take public transportation,

18:35like for example, someone who's immune compromised

18:38with severe environmental allergies,

18:43who public transportation would be a barrier.

18:49That there doesn't seem to be a section really

18:53to kind of capture that.

18:54I was just wondering, I saw in question five,

18:57it said there's one section that says,

19:00is this where all barriers can be described?

19:03I mean, sorry, please describe barriers or challenges

19:07you experience when you think conventional transit

19:09and how Guelph Transit Mobility Services

19:12could support your travel needs.

19:14Sorry, and then I earmarked it and said,

19:17like is that kind of what you were thinking to capture that?

19:19I just, I guess I might be, okay, perfect.

19:24Yeah, that's exactly it.

19:25Like number five, really like from one to four

19:29is more like the basics.

19:30Number five is like, if you feel you haven't been able

19:33to explain something about your experience, your challenges,

19:36when you come into our service,

19:38or maybe what prevents you from even coming to our service,

19:40this is really the question that you're able to put in,

19:43how this service would support your needs much better.

19:47Okay, perfect.

19:48Thank you for clarifying.

19:49I just, I wanted to check that,

19:51because I know, for example, for myself,

19:53that being immunocompromised,

19:56there's often a lot of accessibility challenges around that.

20:00And so I just wanted to see if there,

20:04if there was a section that could be available for persons

20:08where just getting physically to the pickup location

20:13is not what the barrier is.

20:17If that makes sense.

20:18Yeah, thank you for sharing Cheryl.

20:20I'm just gonna grab my charger, continue.

20:21I can still hear you.

20:22My computer seems to be losing our battery here.

20:25There we go.

20:28That's all good.

20:29So I have a question then on that, just following up,

20:32because you've brought that up twice and validly so.

20:36I'm curious, would you feel the question would be clear

20:42for yourself and a lot of other people in Guelph,

20:44if it was slightly reworded to say,

20:47like if your barriers were not captured

20:49in the earlier questions, please describe them here.

20:54That would definitely, I think be helpful.

20:57It might provide some clarity.

21:01That's what I'm wondering about.

21:02So my background is I'm a sign language interpreter.

21:04So I'm always looking at the language.

21:07How can it make it as welcoming as possible

21:09to as many people as possible?

21:11So that's why I'm kind of pulling at that thread a bit

21:16because I guarantee you, you're not the only person

21:20that would feel the same way.

21:22If it was just generic to say what barriers versus

21:26if the barriers you experienced with public trends

21:29that were not mentioned above, please describe below.

21:35Yes, absolutely.

21:37I think that is a very good point to raise.

21:42It's clear language.

21:43It's one of the things we're looking for with AODA.

21:46So I'm not sure who's during the meeting again.

21:50I'm doing this all through audio,

21:53but maybe if somebody wouldn't mind writing that down,

21:56I think that could be a couple of the recommendations

21:58that part of a few of the recommendations

22:00that I'll be able to provide later.

22:03Laura, do you mind going back up to section two?

22:08I think it was the one listing all of the...

22:13Oh, the types.

22:15Yes, give me one second.

22:18Here we go.

22:19So that was it.

22:21Not that one.

22:23What would cause you not to use normal...

22:26Oh, yes, not a problem.

22:28That one is just here.

22:30Sorry for my scrolling, everybody.

22:32Given you a whiplash online.

22:34Here we go.

22:35It was a choice.

22:35Great.

22:36So would it be, as Jethyn Sherrill suggested,

22:41could it be an option to put another checkbox there,

22:45mention the word, you know, other...

22:49And if it says other, please fill out section five.

22:54Oh, okay, yeah.

22:55That's a good connection as well.

22:58And that where you were thinking, Jethyn Sherrill?

23:03Sorry, could you just repeat that?

23:05I'm just trying to follow along on the form.

23:06All right, so under the eligibility information,

23:10section number two, in which situations

23:14are you able to get to and from

23:16a conventional conventional bus stop,

23:19please select called apply.

23:20If the one that you suggested wasn't there,

23:24either a new compromise or allergies or what have you,

23:29have Laura make a checkbox, another checkbox

23:33under number two, something to the effect of,

23:36well, actually you can see on section number one,

23:38other, please specify.

23:41The please specify could be under section five.

23:44And I apologize, John, that you can't see that.

23:50No, your descriptive video is great.

23:52So that's all good.

23:55I definitely think that would be helpful

23:58because I know when I scroll through,

24:01a lot of times I fit in the other category personally.

24:05So I just, I'm always looking for that other checkbox

24:09and then some kind of common box

24:12where you can describe the additional requirements

24:16that you have and even going down

24:20and then in keeping what Jen was saying,

24:23maybe incorporating a little bit of the plain language

24:26to maybe tweak some of the wording in section five.

24:31So it's a little more clear.

24:33I think that would definitely help

24:36if that's something that, you know,

24:40Laura, you're open to, but just some feedback, but.

24:45Thank you, Cheryl.

24:49Is that, well, we can make that as one of the recommendations.

24:51Yeah, okay.

24:53So for those people who do have a copy,

24:56then I'm not gonna read it all over again, sorry.

24:59Does anyone have any other questions

25:01regarding the application?

25:02Oh, sorry, Melissa.

25:03Yeah, I do see one hand, Melissa's hand.

25:05It's your Melissa.

25:06Hi, I'm new.

25:07So this is like new to me, this is program altogether.

25:09So I just have a couple of questions.

25:11Is this a paid service, Laura?

25:13Like do people pay for this?

25:15You would pay what you would pay in a conventional bus.

25:18You would pay for your fare with us on mobility services.

25:21So it would be if you were paying in cash,

25:24$3.25, if you hadn't on your way card,

25:27ranging in terms of what you qualify in which category for.

25:31Okay, okay, thank you.

25:32I appreciate that.

25:33And help loading assistive devices.

25:35Like how does that work?

25:37If it's a mobility bus, obviously we can use the ramp

25:39with the loading it, but what if it was a taxi?

25:42I saw that there was the option for taxi

25:44if there was no bus nearby, is that right?

25:46Yes, there is option.

25:48We have an overflow service that we use for Redtop taxi.

25:51They have two types of vehicles,

25:54ambulatory vehicles and mobility vehicles.

25:57So when you have a mobility device,

25:59we would book you into a Redtop with that capability

26:03so that you can be in your device

26:05and be traveled using the taxi service.

26:07And we would qualify that in your application

26:11and be able to book your trips accordingly.

26:13Can you be also not in the device?

26:15Like if it's a mobility scooter,

26:16can we load the device and then you get in the car

26:18as per usual?

26:19Oh, yes.

26:20And about the, okay, support person.

26:25How does that work?

26:26So there's a support person.

26:27Is there a cost associate with the support person as well?

26:30No, there is not.

26:31Okay, thanks.

26:33That's everything, I do appreciate that.

26:34Thank you.

26:35No problem.

26:36And just to let you know Melissa,

26:37for someone who uses or used the service,

26:41they do really good work.

26:43They're very accommodating.

26:46It's, yeah, they'll tether down like this,

26:49an accessible vehicle of some type.

26:51They'll tether down the scooter,

26:52they'll tether down the walker.

26:54You don't have to worry about anything like that.

26:57So it is a really good service to have.

26:59And the fact that there's no fee,

27:02except for like a normal bus pass fee.

27:06It's a great opportunity for the city of Guelph.

27:11And even for the mobility taxis,

27:13taxis with red cap, red car, red cap.

27:17Red top.

27:18Yeah, there you go.

27:19Red top.

27:20They work as well with the city of Guelph too.

27:22So it is good.

27:24That's perfect.

27:25I had no idea this existed.

27:26So I learned something new today.

27:27So thank you.

27:28Oh, that's what we're here for.

27:29Hey, Cheryl, get your hand up as well.

27:41Cheryl.

27:42Yeah, I knew Cheryl.

27:43Just in case you may be chatting.

27:46Sorry, I guess it must have froze there for a second.

27:50I cut out what you were speaking,

27:51what you were saying, my apologies.

27:54Yeah, I just had a question actually.

27:56So in the medical providers section

28:00where they're filling out the form,

28:04it speaks to, again,

28:08it gives a lot of questions about conditions

28:13and everything else.

28:14And I just noted that there was no, again,

28:19a section to provide additional information

28:22or any other accommodation needs.

28:24So I'm just wondering if that's something,

28:28again, looking at the categories

28:34for medical, cognitive, and then physical.

28:43So I'm just trying to bring up the list here.

28:45But...

28:48A cognitive, physical, sensory, mental health,

28:52medical, and there's an other

28:54where they are able to expand and specify.

28:58If there's something that isn't listed within that section

29:00that they'd be able to add.

29:04I think also they have a section underneath that

29:08where they can explain the effect that that has

29:12on their ability to take either service

29:15and what that looks like.

29:17Okay, yeah, so I'm looking at that.

29:20Because yes, other, like in question one

29:24on the healthcare verification,

29:25and then there's one small box to just specify.

29:30And then, okay, so you're saying,

29:31so please explain how the disability selected

29:34affects the applicant's ability

29:37to use conventional fixed-route transit services.

29:41But then it goes through and it speaks to

29:45other types of accommodation needs, right?

29:49And talking about using mobility scooters,

29:56exclusions for, like for example, a lap belt.

30:00Talk about support, person, and other.

30:03But again, just to clarify,

30:07like if there was other accommodation needs, for example,

30:10if someone needed a buffer zone on the,

30:12on, you know, when you're using transportation

30:17to make sure that they're not,

30:18if they are, have special needs where they can't sit in

30:22a group where they need to be near the front

30:24or things like that.

30:25Just wondering about space to detail that.

30:29So, because there is that one section,

30:31but because there are other accommodations listed,

30:37I guess what I'm wondering of putting another section

30:41at the bottom, just to say any other accommodations

30:43not listed that are required.

30:46Right, like at the end, like a little kind of expansive box,

30:50like anything we haven't covered, similar to number five,

30:53like if you feel like something else needs to be explained.

30:57Exactly, exactly.

30:59And I just wanted to ask a question actually.

31:04I know that there is a section on this form

31:07that asks the doctor to, you know,

31:12indicate whether a support person is required.

31:14And I guess I was just wondering about that

31:17because I know generally, like that is usually done

31:21exclusive to the doctors, like outside of that.

31:25It's normally, you know, the individual works with,

31:30you know, a home health agency,

31:32occupational therapist, things like that to arrange that.

31:35So, for example, like if it's a GP

31:37that's filling this form out,

31:39they wouldn't necessarily be speaking to that.

31:45You know, like, so I guess I'm just wondering,

31:49like for example, in the first section,

31:51the person with disabilities is indicating,

31:54yes, I have a, you know, a support animal.

31:59I have, you know, assistive devices,

32:01but then the, and a support person,

32:05but then the physician is being asked to speak

32:11to whether a support person is required, but not other.

32:19I guess I'm just wondering why

32:21that was included in this section.

32:25Yeah, so we, I will say the healthcare professional section,

32:30we framed a lot using comparator transit agencies

32:35and what their forms look like.

32:36So this looks similar to other ones that we've seen,

32:39but I do understand your point, Cheryl, on that.

32:43I think in some cases, the applicants themselves

32:48may not be the one filling out the form, even for them.

32:52They may have their support person

32:54that is filling out the form on their behalf,

32:56and there's a section for them as well

32:58in the eligibility information above.

33:01And then this would be like another kind of like step

33:04when they're there, that we would be identifying,

33:07you know, yes, no, or sometimes for them.

33:10It could be related where they need a support person

33:14because it's a conditional where, you know,

33:16they use it during the snow months

33:18and they need a support person during them

33:20as an extra precaution and then other months not.

33:26So that is consideration for the rest of the group as well

33:30on the form itself.

33:35No, thank you for clarifying.

33:37Again, I just thought, just because I know, you know,

33:40autonomy is very important.

33:42So I'm just, you know, given, I guess I just wanted to

33:47get some clarification as, you know,

33:51the individual themselves is filling it out

33:54in the first section and indicating that, yes,

33:56I require a support person, yes, I require, you know,

33:59a support animal, yes, I require assistive devices,

34:02but yet in the physician form, they're being asked to speak

34:07to the need to bring a support person

34:11and whether it's required or not,

34:13but not other accessibility requirements.

34:18And I guess that was just a question

34:20of why the position is required to speak to that

34:23and when in a lot of cases, they're not involved

34:26with that process.

34:27So I, yeah, I can understand that.

34:29I think also when we look at the other kind of questions

34:32in the healthcare professional section,

34:34so the healthcare professionals able to describe

34:38if they can present fair, take a transfer,

34:41tap a pass, et cetera,

34:42that can be connected to needing a support person

34:45in order to do those things.

34:46So they have the ability like,

34:49can the applicant safely be left alone or unattended?

34:51If that's a no, that might have been referenced in,

34:55you know, do they require a support person?

34:57Yes, based on yes, they cannot be left,

35:00or no, they cannot be left alone on board.

35:04So it kind of links into the following kind of sub questions,

35:10but again, like good food for thought for everybody

35:13as we go into our recommendations

35:14on the mobility application.

35:18Thank you so much for clarifying.

35:19And again, I just wanted to say, I think, you know,

35:21the forum looks great.

35:23I know we raised it the last time,

35:24but the fact that it's focused on, you know,

35:27functional abilities versus diagnosis, I think is great.

35:31And I think you've done a good job with it.

35:35Thank you for that feedback, Cheryl.

35:40Does anyone else have any other questions

35:42for Laura O'Leary-Haber here?

35:49Jen?

35:54Really quick one, and Cheryl's commentary

35:57brought it up actually.

35:58So really, really appreciate the conversation.

36:00If somebody has a condition that changes over time,

36:04do they have to refill out the entire forum

36:06and go back to their doctor?

36:07And what I'm thinking of is someone who has Parkinson's

36:11or MS where you can have a good or bad day,

36:14or your health could be declining,

36:18or before you could do something independently,

36:20but now you do benefit from having a support person.

36:25Is that easy to update depending on where the person is,

36:29but they'll have to go back to their doctor,

36:31which could cost them 40 bucks or more

36:33because it's filling out a form

36:35rather than going there for care?

36:37So just great question, Jen.

36:39Yeah.

36:40Yes, so they would not need to refill out our entire forum.

36:44If they were temporary or conditional, it's possible,

36:47but what they also have the ability to do,

36:49they can speak to us directly,

36:53and we can reach out to their healthcare professional

36:55just to update the status.

36:58But the full application would not need

37:01to be completed again for them.

37:03Essentially, especially if you're in our care,

37:07there are a lot of people where their needs change

37:09throughout their care with us,

37:11where they may not have started in a device

37:13and now they have one,

37:15or they've transitioned from one type of device

37:17to another one,

37:19we're able to support them throughout that.

37:21A lot of that just comes with a conversation

37:23to the bus operator or a phone call to mobility,

37:26and we adjust their profile for them.

37:29There'd be maybe select cases

37:31where we would need to confirm medical

37:34for that individual if the paperwork is required.

37:39But for the most part, we're able to just work

37:41on a case-by-case applicant kind of,

37:43or even just existing user

37:46and update their profile that way.

37:50Okay, thank you very much.

37:51Yeah, we like to make it as easy as we can for everybody.

37:54We understand we have varying people within our program

37:58that have varying functionalities

38:01and we try and do our best.

38:04I really appreciated hearing the good feedback of our service.

38:08We're really proud.

38:10We have a 4.8 out of five customer rating

38:13for everybody who takes our ride.

38:15So it makes us feel really good

38:17that we're able to kind of give that,

38:19really hands-on service with a good attitude

38:23and be as supporting as we can to everybody who's with us.

38:29And Cheryl, is he gonna give you a hand up?

38:30And I don't know if that was last time.

38:35That's a legacy hand, my apologies.

38:36I like that term.

38:41Just wanna make sure.

38:43Does anyone have any other questions for Lauren?

38:49I think, do you have any?

38:54Yes, so through you, Chair, I can share my screen.

38:59I did try to capture some of the comments.

39:04So happy to read them out

39:05and we can workshop through them

39:07to make sure that I've captured your feedback.

39:11So as of right now, the motion that we're proposing

39:17is that the Accessibility Advisory Committee

39:18support the updated wealth,

39:20transit mobility services application

39:22and provide the following comments

39:24for staff's consideration.

39:27So I've added, add introduction to the application,

39:30noting that based on community feedback,

39:33we have revised the form to make it more inclusive.

39:36Can note specific changes or what has stayed the same?

39:39So this goes to Member Pocky's suggestion.

39:44So Jen, feel free to jump in

39:46or we can workshop that one.

39:50I can keep going with what else we've heard.

39:54Consider adding plain language in question five.

39:58If the barriers you experienced with transit

40:00were not mentioned in the above questions,

40:02please add below.

40:05Adding a possible check box

40:07in section two of the eligibility information.

40:10So other see below section five.

40:14And then, sorry everyone,

40:16we were talking about healthcare verification,

40:19Member Cheryl Stacey, and I wasn't able to capture

40:24if there was a suggestion made there,

40:26but I'm looking to the members to see if there's anything

40:31that we wanted to add for that section.

40:34I see Member Stacey.

40:36Cheryl?

40:38Yes, I think it was just adding another section Laura

40:42saying at the bottom, just to say if there was anything else

40:48that any other accommodation needs or anything else

40:51that hasn't been captured providing an opportunity

40:56to provide that below.

40:57So basically, similar to the eligibility form

41:02where in section five, adding something at the bottom

41:07under the position verification form at the very bottom,

41:11just other or if there are any additional accommodation needs

41:17or anything that hasn't been captured above,

41:20please describe or please specify.

41:25Just something very short and additional other box

41:29really at the end.

41:37As well as an additional check box?

41:40Other box.

41:41Other box, okay.

41:43Sorry, yes, because it's the separate form.

41:45So this would be the form that the physician is completing,

41:48not the applicant.

41:59Sorry, I'm getting,

42:00sorry, Leigh-Anne's also suggesting language

42:04as I go along here.

42:08Okay, there we go.

42:10Thank you, Leigh-Anne.

42:13Give it up, we're here.

42:14That's how she gets it.

42:15Yeah, special secret to Ellen and Chad on the side.

42:18No, I think.

42:28I can, and I read this out loud as well.

42:34I'll just pull this up.

42:38Okay, so I've just put under healthcare verification,

42:41consider adding language at the bottom

42:43to include any additional accommodation requests

42:46slash needs that have not been captured above.

42:51And additionally in the medical professional section,

42:54add an other option related to accommodation needs.

43:04Hi, it's Cheryl, sorry.

43:06I think that's the same thing, isn't it?

43:10Yeah, if you prefer just keeping the one bullet,

43:14the last bullet that I can do,

43:16that I can remove the under healthcare verification,

43:19consider adding language at the bottom

43:21to include any additional accommodation entirely up to you

43:24or if you'd like me to modify.

43:27Yes, because I just,

43:28I think those two bullet points are the same thing.

43:31So really just adding language at the bottom

43:35to include any additional accommodation requests

43:38or needs that haven't been captured above.

43:41Will do.

43:42Will do, yeah.

43:46Can you try to see your hand up as well?

43:50Yes, so for the very first part,

43:54thank you for writing all that out for us.

43:57The one you talked about the introduction

43:59and how the form has been updated.

44:02And I can't remember the language.

44:03I'd like to replace whatever the verb was,

44:07was simplified the form, we've simplified it.

44:11Simplified or shortened?

44:14Or both, because I think that's really important

44:16to let folks know is just that we didn't just tailor it

44:19or use a different font.

44:22And then the other one that I was suggesting last meeting

44:25and this one was,

44:26and I don't know if it was mentioned already,

44:29for this application, you will need

44:34and then throw in the bullet points.

44:36Whether it be ID, right?

44:40Those elements to be prepared ahead of time.

44:42So maybe you can gather all of them

44:44and say if you have low vision,

44:47you can get them all in one place

44:49and get them so that it's easier to fill out

44:53and make it a less stressful experience.

44:56So the example that you said originally,

45:02Shannon, was like when you're reapplying

45:04or renewing your passport,

45:06you'll need that one instead.

45:09But if you have it at the top of the form.

45:13Yeah, because even though we've cut it down

45:17by a number of pages, just it's so nice to know

45:20and personally I love it

45:22because I get angst with forms too,

45:24just to know, okay, what do I need passport?

45:27I need ID, I need a photo that has a signature on the back,

45:31et cetera, et cetera.

45:32So then I just, I've got everything,

45:34I can sit down and fill out this thing.

45:39Just to, sorry, through you, Chair,

45:41to Member Pocky, just want to clarification on the...

45:47Just simplified.

45:48Yeah, the simplified language.

45:49Now, the first bullet I have is add introduction

45:52to the application, noting that based on community feedback,

45:55we have revised the form to make it more inclusive.

45:59Was that the word that you were looking to change?

46:01So actually revised and simplified.

46:05Okay, make it, have revised and simplified, perfect.

46:13Make the form to make it more inclusive

46:15and then can note specific changes

46:18or what has stayed the same.

46:19And then I added a separate bullet to state

46:22adding the required documents needed prior

46:24to completing the form at the top of the form.

46:29Should I say application form?

46:31Yeah.

46:32And then the third bullet I have is consider

46:35adding plain language in question five.

46:37If the barriers you experienced with transit

46:39were not mentioned in the above questions,

46:41please add below.

46:43And then adding check box in section two

46:46of the eligibility information, other see below section five.

46:50And then based off of Member Stacey's suggestion,

46:55as well under healthcare verification,

46:57consider adding the language at the bottom

46:59to include any additional accommodation requests

47:01slash needs that have not been captured above.

47:06And did you get rid of the last bullet, right?

47:08Yes, yes, I removed, it was getting really tight in here.

47:11But I fear that if I make this smaller,

47:14it will be very difficult to read.

47:15So I apologize everyone.

47:20And then the notes that below that you see

47:22are just my notes.

47:24And so you were all talking,

47:26I was trying to capture everything.

47:29So do we want to edit?

47:33Do we want to add?

47:34I am here to help those changes.

47:37So again, happy to workshop.

47:40If not, I can reread the whole motion as well.

47:45That's way too much.

47:46Jack, do you have any questions, thoughts?

47:49No?

47:51So what Liz did or has done for the motion for the,

48:01like considerations, does anyone have any questions

48:04regarding them?

48:05Are we good with the one, two, three, four, five,

48:10five updates we would like to see done with the application?

48:21So that being said, and hearing the air in it from anyone,

48:26can we move to have the...

48:34Yeah, the motion's up on the screen.

48:35Would you like me to read it before we get a mover?

48:38Yeah, I'll just do it one more time

48:39just for the sake of those in the car.

48:43That the accessibility advisory committee

48:44support the updated wealth transit mobility services

48:47application and provide the following comments

48:50for staff's consideration.

48:53Add introduction to the application,

48:55noting that based on community feedback,

48:57we have revised and simplified the form

48:59to make it more inclusive.

49:01Can note specific changes or what has stayed the same?

49:05Adding the required documents needed

49:07prior to completing the form

49:09at the top of the application form.

49:11Consider adding plain language in question five.

49:14If the barriers you experience with transit

49:17were not mentioned in the above questions,

49:19please add below.

49:20Adding a checkbox in section two

49:22of the eligibility information,

49:24others see below section five.

49:27And the last bullet is under healthcare verification.

49:31Consider adding language at the bottom

49:33to include any additional accommodation requests,

49:36that have not been captured above.

49:43Can I get someone to move hand second

49:46to this amazing shaping drop that was there?

49:50Jackie's a mover?

49:51Can I have someone second it, Jen?

49:55And his second being yet?

49:56Yeah.

49:58Is anyone, is anyone, again, thought against it?

50:03But is anyone, I think, yeah,

50:04anyone opposing what we did?

50:07Hearing none and seeing none,

50:10I'm gonna say that that motion will be carried.

50:13Fabulous.

50:13It's a really bad circle.

50:15Laura, thank you so much for sticking around

50:17and thank you for coming back a second time.

50:21Thank you for having me.

50:22Take the changes that we have given you

50:26to consider will be very helpful for us

50:29and the future of the service.

50:35I appreciate your time.

50:36Thank you so much, everybody.

50:39Thank you, Laura.

50:40Have a very nice evening.

50:41Thank you.

50:42That's that, but we just did it right.

50:46Yeah.

50:47Bye, guys.

50:48Do we have any, by the way, great job, guys.

50:51I thought that was really good.

50:53I think Laura appreciated the comments

50:58and the suggestions that we made.

51:01So I think that was really good.

51:02So good job for us.

51:04Do we have any announcements?

51:08Any announcements?

51:09Just one from the clerk's office.

51:12We just wanted to inform the committee

51:14that city clerk's office has stolen our Kaila Besse

51:20to join our team.

51:21So you may not see Kaila in the AC meetings,

51:25but you will definitely see her in the city clerk's office

51:29with the committee of adjustment work.

51:31But clerk's office wants to thank Kaila

51:34for all your help and support with the AC.

51:38And you can always tune in online

51:40if ever you miss the action,

51:43but that's just a little update

51:45from the clerk's office there.

51:47Thank you.

51:48Thank you.

51:48And you're more than happy to hang out with us.

51:51Very good.

51:52Does anyone online have any announcements?

51:54Or Jackie, do you have any announcements?

51:57Nope.

51:57Current.

51:58So that being said, would anyone like to adjourn

52:05on this meeting so Liam can go out

52:09and enjoy the beautiful British Columbia weather?

52:13So would anyone like to move through and adjourn the meeting?

52:17Jackie and Jen, I see your hand up as well.

52:20Do you want a second then?

52:22Yep, I second.

52:24Perfect.

52:25And all of our anyone against adjourning it?

52:28I can't see that being a problem.

52:30Perfect.

52:32So we have a meeting that adjourned.

52:34So our next meeting is March 17th,

52:37which is a St. Patrick's Day.

52:41So everyone has the trustee ingredient

52:43and we're at the same time,

52:45can see channel at three p.m.

52:49If there's nothing else,

52:50everyone have a great rest of your day.

52:52Liam and Joy British Columbia.

52:56Thank you everyone.

52:56Thank you.

52:57Thank you.

52:58Thank you.

53:00Hurry back, Liam.

53:02Don't you go for it.

53:04Show me that way so it's good.