ACAT Meeting - March 25, 2010

Agenda is not available for this meeting.
Please check the meeting minutes for meeting details.

Agenda is not available for this meeting.
Please check the meeting minutes for meeting details.

Agenda is not available for this meeting.
Please check the meeting minutes for meeting details.

Agenda is not available for this meeting.
Please check the meeting minutes for meeting details.

Nil.

Item No. 5, “Business Arising Out of Minutes” - Sam Savona inquired as to the status of the letter that was to be forwarded to TTC Chair Giambrone, from ACAT Chair, Susan Davidson with respect to the motion that was passed at the January 28, 2010 meeting regarding Trip Planner and Information Panels in shelters.

Susan Davidson advised that she had discussed this matter with Bill Frost who advised that he would be speaking directly with Chair Giambrone in an effort to bring ACAT issues to the attention of the Commission.

Item No. 12, “Other/New Business – Customer Service Panel” Susan Davidson advised that she is in the process of setting up a meeting with Steve O’Brien, the Chair of the Customer Service Panel, which will include a presentation from ACAT, with support from Wheel-Trans staff.

Susan also asked ACAT members to submit any issues that they would like to be relayed to the Customer Service Panel to her via email.

Nil.

Communications Subcommittee

In the absence of Heather Green (Chair), Angela Marley reviewed the notes of the Communications Subcommittee meeting of March 19, 2010. Many of the items discussed relate to the Trip Planner project and the issues relating to the information on the website.

Mazin Aribi expressed his concerns with the lack of involvement, from an accessibility point of view, on the project in its early stages. He stated that it is difficult to modify or add accessible information into the project once it has been established. ACAT agreed that the lack of information on station layout is also unacceptable.

ACAT was encouraged to forward their concerns to the Marketing Department through the Communications Subcommittee so that all of the issues could be looked at.

Robert Muzzy raised the issue of seniors using automatic entrances. This matter was referred to the Service Planning Subcommittee for their review.

Design Review Subcommittee

Craig Nicol, Chair, reviewed the issues discussed at the March 3, 2010 meeting including the mid-road platform design for the Sheppard LRT and the Dufferin Station Easier Access improvements. The upcoming meeting scheduled for March 31, 2010 will deal with the design for Roncesvalles Avenue and the priority list for 2010.

Glenn Johnston distributed the following notices for the information of ACAT: “Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension Public Open House”, and “Notice of Completion of Environmental Project Report.”

Wheel-Trans Operations Subcommittee

Angela Marley, Chair, advised that the Subcommittee met on March 11, 2010 and is dealing with the “riders’ rights and responsibilities” issue.

“Commission Meeting Update” - Marian McDonell gave a status of the issues that were before the Commission at its meeting on March 24, 2010 which included a presentation on TTC E-Initiatives (Internet Trip Planner, Next Vehicle Arrival System, Customer Service Disruption Notification, Narrowcasting, and Next Train Arrival System).

Anna Noviss suggested, and staff agreed, to make arrangements to have the Commission presentation entitled, “TTC E-Initiatives” brought to a future meeting of ACAT.

The Commission also received a report entitled “Subway Suicide Prevention”. After hearing the deputations, the Commission discussed the issue of Platform Screen Doors (PSD’s) and noted that staff will include this project in the 2011-2015 Capital Budget submission. It was also stated that the subway line from Eglinton to Union would see the first installation of the PSD’s.
 
Adam Cohoon suggested that ACAT could highlight some of the positive features associated with PSD’s, other than just suicide barriers.

Glenn Johnston noted that the Design Review Subcommittee has received a presentation from the consultants working on the concept of PSD’s and that there is a mechanism in place to address Adam’s suggestion.

Scott McArthur inquired about Wheel-Trans service during the G20 Summit in June 2010.

Tom McPherson advised that there is no information as yet, but would keep ACAT informed as it became available.

Sam Savona raised the issue of lack of route maps over the doors in subway trains. This issue was referred to the Communications Subcommittee to make the necessary inquiries. ACAT was also encouraged to call Customer Service with the vehicle number of cars where maps are missing.

Susan Davidson advised that Evelyn Gartner would circulate the schedule for Driver Re Certification sessions to those ACAT members interested in attending.

After some discussion, it was suggested that interested members prepare a document to address the issues that affect people with various disabilities which could then be used as part of the training session.

The meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.

Freda Stanois
Secretary