Accessibility Committee for Persons with Disabilities Meeting - August 11

The Accessibility Committee for Persons with Disabilities met Aug. 11 with quorum present. Members heard a delegation on the BEAK beacon app for possible use at the Sept. 4 Ability First Accessibility Fair, approved information items related to Accessible Transportation Services appeal panels, received working group updates, and reviewed fair logistics at City Hall.

Topics Discussed

1. BEAK accessibility app delegation

Christopher Mloud, co-founder of Blue Heron Interactive, presented the BEAK beacon system, which sends accessibility-focused content to a user's phone when they come within range of installed beacons. He said "the app has been from very the very beginning designed to work with as many sort of accessibility features that are already being used and integrated into the operating systems of people's cell phones."

Mloud said the system can provide audio, text and ASL video content for deaf, blind, low-vision and deafblind users. On ASL content, he said, "there's a video option that's available for each beacon. And so what we recommend is that when people are uploading the content that that video space be used for ASL interpretation videos."

The committee discussed a proposal to test four to six beacons at the Ability First Fair. The project team would handle content preparation, a site survey, on-site troubleshooting and post-event analytics, while fair organizers would provide signage and identify the project as a partner.

Members also asked about limitations. Mloud said the system is not intended as a navigation tool for features such as washrooms. The committee also discussed the need to promote the technology so attendees know it is available. One member noted, "if people don't know it's there, then they're not going to try it out."

2. Accessible Transportation Services appeal panel compensation and procedures

Michelle Martin presented the framework for compensating ACPD members who sit on Accessible Transportation Services appeal panels. The panels would hear appeals related to eligibility decisions as well as late cancellation and no-show suspensions.

Under the framework, panelists would be paid at the median rate of ATS customer care representatives, with payment issued by the end of the following calendar month. Training time, including refresher training, would also be paid. Hearings would be booked in minimum three-hour blocks, generally between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Martin said panelists must complete mandatory training before hearing appeals. Training will cover eligibility policy, barriers to using conventional transit, confidentiality and ethics. The report also states: "Any deliberate breach of ATS client privacy shall result in immediate removal from the appeal panel and the offending appeal panel shall be barred from future appeal panel participation."

3. Appeal process implementation and accommodations

Committee members asked how accommodations would work for panelists and appellants. Mayor Andrea Horwath, who was present, said, "I think accommodations will have to be considered on a case by case basis and reasonable accommodation should always be provided" including breaks or time to review documents.

Staff said training for panelists is expected to begin in the fourth quarter, though election-year timing could affect rollout. Members also asked about enforcement of the late cancellation and no-show policy. Staff said no suspensions have yet been imposed; only warning levels 1 and 2 have been issued so far. If a suspension is appealed, enforcement would be paused until the appeal is heard.

4. Working group updates

The Built Environment Working Group reported it had reviewed outstanding business and wants regular staff reporting on capital builds and related accessibility matters. A letter is expected next month.

The Housing Working Group said it plans to meet with the Housing Services Division in September. One member reported, "we reviewed the round table for poverty reductions uh no sorry the social planning and research council's assessment on social assistance and the rising homelessness rates and we also discussed the SPRC's disability demographics report." A draft letter or report on social assistance rates is expected next month.

5. Ability First Accessibility Fair planning

The committee reviewed plans for the annual Ability First Accessibility Fair, scheduled for Sept. 4 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at City Hall.

Mark Tadeson said changes at City Hall have affected event parking and loading: "because of changes to city hall, we are no longer able to park the buses out the back. It is now a complete loading zone. Uh so we are going to have to move the vehicles to the west side forecourt."

Organizers said vendor setup areas have also been adjusted. The mayor is scheduled to open the event, and Tadeson was invited to present awards if available. Rickshaw services have been confirmed, and organizers expect award adjudication to be completed by the end of the week.

Motions

Received and carried: - Items 7.1 through 7.9 - Accessible Transportation Services Compensation for Appeal Panelists

Attendees

• Carrie Macintosh, Legislative Coordinator
• Michelle Martin, Manager for Accessible Transportation
• Lauren Bates, Senior Project Manager, Community Engagement
• Christopher Mloud, Blue Heron Interactive

Elected officials present in the provided materials included: - Andrea Horwath - Mark Tadeson