Accessibility Committee for Persons with Disabilities - November 11, 2025

High-level summary

The meeting largely centered on updates to Accessible Transportation Services and theRFI process, including ACPD engagement and future planning, with a strong emphasis on resident input and accessibility concerns. No formal motions were approved in most sections due to governance considerations, but several follow-up actions and potential motions were identified, including data inclusions and consideration of transportation network companies for disabilities.

Five most important topics discussed

1) RFI Update on Accessible Transportation Services and industry responses - The RFI was described as market research, not a competitive procurement process: "The RFI process is simply a market research exercise and it is not a competitive procurement process." The RFI yielded 18 submissions, informing future planning. - Public impact: The results indicate industry interest in specialized transit services and shaped planning for next steps. - Notable quote: "The results suggest strong commitment across the industry to provide specialized transit service." (Summary of RFI responses)

2) ACPD engagement and future service planning - The division committed to sharing RFI findings with the Accessibility Committee for Persons with Disabilities (ACPD) to gather input: "We committed to sharing as much as possible about these results with the accessibility committee for persons with disabilities." - Planning is forward-looking, using RFI results to shape consultative questions and service design: "These considerations, along with the results from the accessible transportation services customer survey, will inform the questions that we bring forward for future consultation." - Public input pathway is via ACPD and ongoing consultations: "Future consultations with the ACPD will be conducted to gather feedback on service delivery options."

3) Accessibility taxi availability and affordability concerns - Public commenter Paula highlighted a severe decline in accessible taxi availability since pre-COVID, affecting access for mobility devices: "Pre-COVID we had 40 accessible taxis. I think now if we're lucky we have 10, and there is no guarantee they're going to be on the road." - Affordability remains a concern even with discounts, impacting access to transportation for residents with disabilities: "Even with the discount, it may be difficult for some people to afford the fare compared to the specialized service, which is the same as a transit fare."

4) Public input opportunities and testing/process transparency - Residents are being invited to contribute input through ongoing processes, including testing and ACPD engagement: "Residents with disabilities may have opportunities to provide input through the ACPD." - For the My Hamilton portal, testing remains open and feedback is encouraged: "We have testing open for another two weeks...we'd love to hear your feedback." Direct troubleshooting support is offered during testing: "Sheila Duivere is available for direct troubleshooting and feedback sessions."

5) Governance and quorum-related discussion as context for decision-making - Several sections noted governance constraints, including lack of quorum affecting motion activity and decision outcomes: - Example quote: "This is the first time we've missed quorum." - These considerations framed the ability to formalize motions in real time, with follow-up actions planned rather than immediate votes in some sections.

File numbers or bylaw references discussed

• File 7.1: Presentation on the "My Hamilton" portal relaunch.
• File 7.6B: ATS Services Performance Review Q2 2025.
• Note: The ACPD/RFI-focused sections did not specify additional file or bylaw numbers beyond these references.

Opportunities for citizen input

• My Hamilton portal testing and troubleshooting:
  • Testing is open for two more weeks; residents can provide feedback during this period. Contact: Sheila Duivere (for direct troubleshooting and feedback sessions) during portal testing.
• Accessible Transportation Services and ACPD input:
  • Residents can provide input via ACPD consultations and upcoming discussions tied to the RFI results and customer survey findings.
  • The ACPD will receive and review RFI results to inform future questions and service planning; Paula explicitly requested follow-ups with ACPD (e.g., resending March communication updates).

Motions and outcomes (titles and outcomes)

• Motion: Include Historical Data in Taxi Script Reports
  • Outcome: Likely agreed; follow-up to include 2018 and 2019 data in the Q3 reporting.
• Motion: Review Transportation Network Companies for Persons with Disabilities
  • Outcome: Discussion initiated but not concluded in this section; follow-up to Michelle to review and summarize the memo contents for the council.
• Other sections: No motions were passed, rejected, or deferred due to lack of quorum in those portions of the meeting.

Councillors present

• Paula (Council member; asked accessibility questions)
• Councillor Tadison (Tison) (Council member)
• Leo (Council member)
• Note: The Chair was present in some sections as meeting facilitator; Michelle, Hargan, Marco Mustachi, and other participants were primarily staff, presenters, or contributors rather than elected councillors.