Hamilton's Accessibility Committee for Persons with Disabilities Meeting

Hamilton's Accessibility Committee for Persons with Disabilities reviewed a DARTS security-camera privacy incident, accessible-transit performance and vehicle design, and employment barriers for residents with disabilities. The committee also received updates on winter maintenance, construction detours, housing and climate resiliency, and approved several outreach and reporting motions.

Topics Discussed

DARTS PRIVACY BREACH AND SECURITY

The committee received an update on the unauthorized release of DARTS security-camera footage under File No. AUD260001. Between November 2024 and May 20, 2025, 36 videos involving 22 riders were posted to YouTube. The City notified affected passengers, reported the incident to police and the Information and Privacy Commissioner, and had the videos removed by May 2025.

The Auditor General issued nine recommendations. In response, the City replaced the contractor's camera equipment with standardized Seon cameras, moved storage to an encrypted cloud system using VPNs, restricted downloads to authorized staff and introduced monthly inspections. Routine footage remains available for about 30 days before being overwritten unless it is preserved for an investigation.

Michelle Martin said that in November of 2024, accessible transportation services received notice from an individual stating he was in possession of vehicle security camera footage from a DARTS subcontractor and was planning to post them to YouTube. Police report was filed immediately. The information and privacy commissioner was notified. Cease and desist letters were sent and the office of the auditor general began an investigation.

Staff also said drivers are prohibited from using personal recording devices while working. The committee discussed whether passengers should be prohibited from recording other riders. Martin said transit staff would consult HSR operations and legal staff before considering a policy.

DARTS PERFORMANCE AND VEHICLE DESIGN

The Q2 2026 DARTS performance review reported 3,047 late trips, following 3,069 in the first quarter. Staff said 3.2% of trips in 2026 lasted more than 60 minutes, compared with 2.5% in early 2025. Complaints increased to three per 1,000 trips, while 2.9% of trips were denied in the second quarter. Application approval rates remained between 90% and 92%.

Owen Quinn said on-time performance for DARTS for this year for 2026 it's been about 98% all trips are on time. Now in 2025 it was around between 98 99%. The industry best practice recognized by the Canadian Urban Transit Association is 99%. So DARTS you know was almost there. They were there last year. The minimum goal is 95%. That's the minimum goal that is established in terms of on-time performance.

The committee debated a proposal to evaluate DARTS vans equipped with rear mechanical lifts. The lifts could accommodate mobility devices up to 37 inches wide, compared with the current 34-inch ramp limit. Staff said no vehicles had been purchased and cited operator-safety concerns associated with manually pushing larger wheelchairs up ramps.

Member Tim opposed the proposal, saying, many years ago, this advisory committee was consulted by ATS and DARTS and this committee put forward a motion to council that we would never again buy a lift device. Never. Period. Full stop. This committee was not consulted in the purchase of such a vehicle. Um, lift devices were banned by this city for the specific reason that people can't spend all kinds of time outdoors trying to board and and and alight the vehicle and lift devices cause a much much longer boarding and deboarding time.

The committee deferred a formal position until members can inspect and test a demonstration vehicle.

EMPLOYMENT ACCESSIBILITY AND CITY HIRING

Dez Robinson of YWCA Hamilton presented the Opportunities Program, which provides pre-employment training, coaching, advocacy, occupational-therapy support and wage reimbursements for employers offering paid placements to people who self-identify as having disabilities.

Robinson said employers increasingly combine several roles into one position, creating barriers for applicants. The committee discussed employer misconceptions, low-cost accommodations and barriers affecting people with advanced education.

Members questioned whether the City tracks employment statistics for workers with disabilities and maintains proactive recruitment and accommodation programs. City staff said they would follow up, and the committee agreed to invite Human Resources representatives to a future meeting.

One committee discussion focused on the responsibilities of employers. A speaker said, we've spent a lot of time asking people with disabilities, how can you prepare for the workplace? But I think we also need to ask employers, how can we prepare the workplace for the people we want to employ? Because employment accessibility isn't only about making the person fit the job. It is also about making sure the job leaves room for the person who actually wants to succeed.

SOCIAL WORKER CREDENTIALS AND CONSUMER PROTECTION

Sue Battelo of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers told residents to verify providers through the college's online public register. The titles "social worker" and "social service worker" are legally protected, while titles such as "therapist" and "case manager" are not necessarily regulated.

Battelo said the college has about 35,000 registrants and receives complaints involving confidentiality, conflicts of interest, competence and professional boundaries. She advised residents to check whether a provider is registered because if people aren't registered then they can't be held accountable for some of their actions. She also directed residents to 211 and the Ontario Association of Social Workers for community-support information.

WINTER MAINTENANCE, CONSTRUCTION AND HOUSING

Members discussed snow removal and pedestrian detours through construction zones. James said they have made some recommendations to their current contractor for the next year, especially around things like bus stops and whatnot. But they really can't say that there are going to be any major changes until 2028. So unfortunately we're going to see a similar snow removal this season. Another change they made is they've switched to a green salt which is a magnesium laced salt which burns all the way down to minus 18.

The committee also raised concerns about pedestrian detours through construction zones. Other updates included a working-group report on the gap between social-assistance rates and local housing costs, consultations on modernizing residential-care-facility standards, and roundtables on extreme-heat response and climate resiliency in rental housing.

Motions

• Previous meeting minutes: The minutes of the Aug. 11 meeting were adopted without amendments.
• Items 7.1 through 7.8: The committee received and approved the listed reports and updates, including accessible transportation and working-group items.
• Accessibility Committee advertising campaign: The outreach working group was authorized to use the remaining paid month of a Metroland Media Group advertising package to promote disability-related information and recruit applicants for the next council term.
• Human Resources delegation: The committee agreed to invite City Human Resources representatives to discuss disability recruitment, accommodations, assistive technology and employment data.
• AODA complaints reporting: The committee agreed to explore adding regular AODA complaint information to its reports.
• DARTS lift vehicles: A motion opposing the introduction of lift-equipped vehicles was deferred. The committee will arrange a demonstration and live test rides first.
• Accessible Transportation Services policy review: Supplementary comments omitted from the agenda package will be recirculated for review at a future meeting.

Attendees

The excerpt identifies the following committee members or councillors as participating:

• Councillor Tyson
• Paula
• Tim
• James
• Levi

Named presenters and City staff included Sue Battelo, Dez Robinson, Michelle Martin, John Kitchen, John Kohich and Owen Quinn. The excerpt does not provide a complete official attendance list.