Hamilton Accessibility Committee Discusses Residential Care Reform and Transit Access

The Hamilton Accessibility Committee for Persons with Disabilities discussed residential care reform, accessibility complaints, transit and sidewalk barriers, snow-removal enforcement, and the delayed launch of an accessible-transit appeals panel. The committee approved a motion seeking improved enforcement of the snow-removal bylaw, deferred appointing appeals-panel representatives and received updates on outreach and homelessness-prevention work.

Topics Discussed

Residential care facilities

The Housing Working Group reported concerns about the city's KPMG Residential Care Facilities Modernization Program. James Kemp said the program could reduce the number of supportive-housing spaces over time as operating costs increase.

"We're very concerned about this program, about how it's going to be rolled out. Um we've tried to be involved in the um RCF coalition working group which was just formed uh that housing services is running uh to um bring these issues to the table. We've also raised issue that they need to provide um lived experience um of RCF residents. So you actually have to have some RCF residents at the table during this discussion. Uh one of the concerns we have is that uh it will be reducing spaces over time." Kemp said.

Kemp said the group had sought participation in the RCF Coalition Working Group, which is led by Housing Services. He also said current residential-care-facility residents should be included in the discussions to provide lived-experience input.

The proposed model would separate landlords and home operators from day-to-day tenant care and assign external case managers to residents.

Accessibility complaints, sidewalks and transit

Staff reported 33 formal accessibility inquiries during the first three quarters of 2026. Jessica Bone said 17 inquiries, or 51.5 per cent, concerned the built environment and public spaces.

"Built environment in public spaces—we had 17, probably like half of our inquiries, 51.5 per cent, relate to whether that's pedestrian routes, sidewalks, paths of travel, parking, facility access, entrances, road design and other accessibility considerations within public spaces," Bone said.

The committee discussed accessibility barriers involving bus stops, sidewalks and missing walkways in suburban areas, including Binbrook. Mark Tadeson said there are currently no buses in Binbrook and directed residents with accessibility concerns to contact his office.

"There are no current buses in Binbrook. If there are any accessibility concerns with the sidewalk, he's more than welcome to refer through our office at ward11@hamilton.ca and we can actually help facilitate that as well." Tadeson said.

Residents can report barriers through the City's Customer Contact Centre, department-specific services, the city website or aoda@hamilton.ca. Staff said residents must request follow-up to receive a response. The city is working on a centralized reporting portal.

Snow removal and accessibility enforcement

The committee approved a motion seeking improved enforcement of the snow-removal bylaw to assist seniors and people with disabilities. The matter was transferred from the Seniors Advisory Committee, and the ACPD will track it.

"Whereas the motion concerns both seniors and persons with disabilities with the goal of improving snow removal enforcement for all residents and aligns with the accessibility committee for persons with disabilities terms of reference... Therefore, be it resolved that the accessibility committee for persons with disabilities request that staff be directed to report back to ACPD on the seniors advisory committee's motion regarding snow removal bylaw for committee's receipt and possible comment."

A staff report is scheduled to return to the Planning Committee in the second quarter of 2027, after which staff will report back to the ACPD for review and possible recommendations.

Accessible-transit appeals panel

The city has established a payment mechanism to compensate members of the Accessible Transportation Appeals Panel, including for training. Training was targeted for early December, subject to the appointment of representatives.

The committee deferred selecting panel members for one month. Mark Tadeson supported the delay so the newly selected members could receive more information before making appointments.

"I think it would be wise for us to defer that decision for about a month or so. Once the new selection committee is chosen, I would be able to ask the members of that. I sat on it last time. It was quite an extended time limit, almost more than a year probably. I don't expect that to be the case this time, but we'll have more information probably in January." Tadeson said.

Staff said training could take place in December or early in the first quarter of the new year. No eligibility appeals were waiting to be heard.

Outreach and homelessness prevention

The Outreach Working Group discussed a public-awareness campaign using surplus advertising funds and considered surveying residents about their knowledge of the ACPD and how to report accessibility barriers. Members also discussed expanding outreach to seniors and promoting accessible and adaptive sports.

The Community Safety and Well-Being Senior Advisory Leadership Team is creating an Income Benefits Working Group focused on social assistance and preventing residents from becoming unhoused. The group is expected to include lived-experience representation.

Motions

• Items 7.1 to 7.7 — Working Group and accessibility updates: Moved by Mark and seconded by Levi; approved without objection.
• "Improved enforcement of snow removal bylaw to assist seniors and persons with disabilities": Passed. Staff will report back to the ACPD, with a related Planning Committee report expected in the second quarter of 2027.
• Appointment of representatives to the Accessible Transportation Appeals Panel: Deferred for one month to allow members to express interest and clarify the timing of the next committee appointments.

Attendees

The supplied meeting notes do not include a complete attendance list. The names or roles identified were:

• Ward 11 councillor Mark Tadeson
• Mark — moved the grouped agenda items
• Levi — seconded the grouped agenda items
• Jessica Bone — city staff member who reported on accessibility inquiries
• Michelle Martin — staff member who reported on the accessible-transit appeals panel
• ACPD committee members and city staff — individual names not provided