Accessibility Plan

West Elgin, Ontario

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MUNICIPALITY OF WEST ELGIN MUNICIPAL ACCESSIBILITY PLAN Dated: September 25, 2003 Revised: April 28, 2006 Revised: April 9, 2009 Municipality of West Elgin P. 2 Accessibility Plan MUNICIPALITY OF WEST ELGIN MUNICIPAL ACCESSIBILITY PLAN 1. DESCRIPTION 1.1 Address: Corporation of the Municipality of West Elgin 22413 Hoskins Line, Box 490 Rodney, Ontario N0L 2C0 1.2 Contacts: Norma I. Bryant Clerk Municipality of West Elgin Telephone: (519) 785-0560 Fax: (519) 785-0644 Email: [email protected] 1.3 Municipal Highlights The Municipality of West Elgin was incorporated in 1998. It is an amalgamated municipality of the former Township of Aldborough, Village of Rodney and Village of West Lorne. It is located along the north shore of Lake Erie halfway between the City of St. Thomas and Municipality of Chatham-Kent. Its population of 5,338 consists of primarily an agricultural community with two villages providing urban related services for the community. Municipal Council consists of a Mayor, Deputy Mayor and three ward councillors. The Council provides policy direction to municipal staff for services relating to roads, drainage, water and sewage, parks and recreation, building, planning, waste management and administrative matters. Council meets twice monthly on the second and fourth Thursdays. 2. ACCESSIBILITY WORKING GROUP 2.1 Council authorized the formation of an accessibility working group consisting of department heads from the Roads, Parks and Recreation and Water Departments and chaired by the Clerk. 2.2 Each department head will be required to review their operations, policies and procedures. All buildings and structures in the municipality will be evaluated by a member of the working group to determine any accessibility barriers. Revised April 9, 2009 Municipality of West Elgin P. 3 Accessibility Plan 3. REVIEW OF PAST INITIATIVES BARRIER LOCATION STRATEGY USED Wheelchair accessibility Port Glasgow Trailer Park Access now available to 3 washrooms, dance hall, shuffle board, paved road Wheelchair accessibility Arena Space and ramp provided in viewing area Wheelchair accessibility Sidewalk Ongoing program, as replaced, curbs are installed to allow wheelchair movement Wheelchair accessibility West Elgin Swimming Pool Ramps to door and in pool Handicapped washroom Office space Administration Building Desk/work area (area adjacent to CBO office) wheel chair accessible Wheelchair accessibility West Lorne Complex Ramp installed 4. CURRENT INITATIVES - 2003 BARRIER LOCATION STRATEGY USED Parking Arena 2 disabled parking spaces designated, marked and identified by signage Parking Rodney Recreation Centre 1 disabled parking space designated, marked and identified by signage Parking Administration Building 1 disabled parking space designated, marked and identified by signage Revised April 9, 2009 Municipality of West Elgin P. 4 Accessibility Plan BARRIER LOCATION STRATEGY USED Handicapped parking Old Rodney Town Hall disabled parking space designated at rear of building, marked and identified by signage Handicapped access Old Rodney Town Hall Wheel chair ramp, automatic door at north building entrance 5. IDENTIFICATION OF BARRIERS 5.1 It is noted that the public works/recreation storage buildings and work areas, the water treatment plant at Eagle and the two fire halls have not been site-inspected as part of this report, only the administrative areas where the public would require entrance have been reviewed at this time. By public access is meant an area where a member of the public would meet with administrative staff such as department head or fire chief. It is encouraged that the public would meet with staff at the administrative building located at 22413 Hoskins Line, Rodney. 5.2 Buildings and equipment that are used by administrative staff and the public for meetings have been site-inspected and the barriers identified. 5.3 All future construction/renovations on municipal facilities will comply with the Ontario Building Code requirements. 5.4 Administration Building BARRIER BARRIER TYPE STRATEGIES FOR REMOVAL OR PREVENTION Entrance door Physical Install automatic door opener Outside signage Communication Install accessible signage at ground level, include Braille and engraving Interior doors too narrow Architectural Widen doorways when renovations are being done Door knobs Physical Change to lever type when renovations take place Counter Physical Install a lower counter when renovations take place Revised April 9, 2009 Municipality of West Elgin P. 5 Accessibility Plan BARRIER BARRIER TYPE STRATEGIES FOR REMOVAL OR PREVENTION Lack of hearing devices in Council Chambers Audio Install hearing devices when renovations take place Desks in Council Chambers Physical Provide wheelchair accessible desk when renovations occur Washroom - none handicapped accessible Physical / architectural Upon renovation, change to unisex washroom to be wheelchair accessible in accordance with OBC. Lunch room fixtures Physical Sink, water taps, counter not accessible - change when renovations occur Vault doorway too narrow and interior too constricted Architectural Door size needs to be changed and need to remove center filing cabinets to allow movement - upon renovation Fire alarm system Visual Need to add strobe lights to fire alarm system Telephone system not accessible to all Information/ Communication Provide access to TTY device 5.5 Arena BARRIER BARRIER TYPE STRATEGIES FOR REMOVAL OR PREVENTION Entrance door Physical Install 2 automatic door openers Interior doors too narrow Architectural Widen doorways when renovations are being done Washroom - none handicapped accessible Physical / architectural Renovate washrooms to be handicapped accessible in accordance with OBC. Revised April 9, 2009 Municipality of West Elgin P. 6 Accessibility Plan BARRIER BARRIER TYPE STRATEGIES FOR REMOVAL OR PREVENTION Public telephone Physical/ Technological Located too high - change when renovations occur No volume control Provide access to TTD device Fire alarm system Visual Need to add strobe lights to fire alarm system 5.6 Library - Rodney Branch BARRIER BARRIER TYPE STRATEGIES FOR REMOVAL OR PREVENTION Entrance door too narrow Architectural Widen doorways when renovations are being done Entrance door Physical Install automatic door opener Outside signage Communication Install accessible signage at ground level, include Braille and engraving Lobby signs not accessible to visually impaired Communication Install appropriate signage Fire alarm system Visual Need to add strobe lights to fire alarm system Revised April 9, 2009 Municipality of West Elgin P. 7 Accessibility Plan 5.7 Library - West Lorne Branch BARRIER BARRIER TYPE STRATEGIES FOR REMOVAL OR PREVENTION Entrance door too narrow Architectural Widen doorways when renovations are being done Entrance door Physical Install automatic door opener Outside signage Communication Install accessible signage at ground level, include Braille and engraving Lobby signs not accessible to visually impaired Communication Install appropriate signage Washroom - none handicapped accessible Physical / architectural When renovations occur, renovate washrooms to be handicapped accessible in accordance with OBC Rear entrance Physical Install rear emergency exit door ramp when renovations occur Fire alarm system Visual Need to add strobe lights to fire alarm system 5.8 Port Glasgow Trailer Park BARRIER BARRIER TYPE STRATEGIES FOR REMOVAL OR PREVENTION Signage Information Install directional signs indicating accessible facilities Public telephone Physical/ Technological Door to booth too narrow - change upon renovation No volume control Provide access to TTD device Revised April 9, 2009 Municipality of West Elgin P. 8 Accessibility Plan 5.9 Rodney Recreation Centre BARRIER BARRIER TYPE STRATEGIES FOR REMOVAL OR PREVENTION Entrance door too narrow Architectural Widen doorway when renovations done Entrance door Physical Install automatic door opener Entry to activity area Physical Drop from hall to activity area - change upon renovation Washrooms Physical/ architectural Renovate washrooms to be handicapped accessible in accordance with OBC Drinking fountain too high Physical Change upon renovation Emergency exits off activity area Architectural Doors too narrow, step up - change upon renovation Telephone Information/ communication Provide access to TTY device, volume control 5.10 Old Rodney Town Hall Building BARRIER BARRIER TYPE STRATEGIES FOR REMOVAL OR PREVENTION Outside Public Washroom - none handicapped accessible Physical / architectural Renovate washroom to be handicapped accessible in accordance with OBC - this may not be possible due to stair locations Interior doors too narrow Architectural Widen doorways when renovations are being done Door knobs Physical Change to lever type when renovations take place Revised April 9, 2009 Municipality of West Elgin P. 9 Accessibility Plan BARRIER BARRIER TYPE STRATEGIES FOR REMOVAL OR PREVENTION Height/location of general office desk Physical Purchase new desk and relocate to allow wheelchair accessibility Lunch room fixtures Physical Sink, water taps, counter not accessible - change when renovations occur Washroom - none handicapped accessible Physical / architectural Renovate washroom to be handicapped accessible in accordance with OBC. Outside entrance to Seniors meeting room Architectural One step up from sidewalk - may not be possible to change Seniors meeting room fixtures Physical Sink, water taps, counter not accessible - change when renovations occur Stairs to 2nd floor Physical Need to install a chair lift No handicapped washroom on 2nd floor Physical During renovations, construct a handicapped accessible washroom in accordance with OBC. Step between rooms on 2nd floor Physical During renovations, eliminate 2" step Fire alarm system Visual Need to add strobe lights to fire alarm system 5.11 West Lorne Complex BARRIER BARRIER TYPE STRATEGIES FOR REMOVAL OR PREVENTION Entrance door too narrow Architectural Widen doorways when renovations are being done Entrance door Physical Install automatic door opener Revised April 9, 2009 Municipality of West Elgin P. 10 Accessibility Plan BARRIER BARRIER TYPE STRATEGIES FOR REMOVAL OR PREVENTION Outside signage Communication Install accessible signage at ground level, include Braille and engraving BARRIER BARRIER TYPE STRATEGIES FOR REMOVAL OR PREVENTION Interior doors too narrow Architectural Widen doorways when renovations are being done Washroom - none handicapped accessible Physical / architectural Renovate washrooms to be handicapped accessible in accordance with OBC. Public telephone Physical/ Technological Located too high - change when renovations occur No volume control Provide access to TTD device 5.12 OLD RODNEY JAIL BARRIER BARRIER TYPE STRATEGIES FOR REMOVAL OR PREVENTION Entrance door too narrow Architectural Widen doorways when renovations are being done Entrance door Physical Install automatic door opener Stairs Physical/ architectural Change when renovations take place Light switches Physical Lower light switch when renovations take place Revised April 28, 2006 Revised April 9, 2009 Municipality of West Elgin P. 11 Accessibility Plan 6. SETTING OF PRIORTIES 6.1 During the annual budget review, Council will determine which barriers will be addressed in that current year depending on budget restraints and feasibility. 6.2 As Council has taken a major initiative in locating a driver/vehicle licensing office in the old Rodney Town Hall, major renovations are required to provide an accessible office. Renovations include but are not limited to the construction of a ramp and automatic door opener on the north side entrance of the building. 6.3 2004 - library entrance door, administration entrance door - automatic openers. 7. MONITORING OF PROGRESS 7.1 The accessibility working group shall meet every six months to review progress. Input may be requested from individuals with disabilities that assisted in the preparation of the original report. On an annual basis a report shall be submitted to Council for their review. The timing of submission of this report shall coincide and/or precede budget discussions if funding is required. 7.2 Identification of barriers that has come forward since the last report, will be included in the annual report and prioritized, if possible. 8. CONSULTATION 8.1 Prior to the public meeting and consideration by Council, ratepayers with disabilities shall be consulted. The draft report shall be reviewed and input requested. 8.2 The West Elgin Community Health Centre provided a list of five individuals to contact. Three individuals agreed to assist in the consultation process and were forwarded a copy of the draft report. 8.3 Comments received: Signs inside buildings should be larger, especially washroom and exit signs. Sidewalks need to be smooth and where construction has occurred that results in gravel, repair as soon as possible. People cannot see that the portion of the sidewalk is gravel and may fall. Revised April 9, 2009 Municipality of West Elgin P. 12 Accessibility Plan Revised April 9, 2009 9. ADOPTION BY COUNCIL 9.1 Council shall hold a public meeting to present the draft accessibility plan to the public. Advertisement of this meeting shall be in accordance with the municipality's notice by-law. 9.2 The public meeting was held on September 11, 2003. Comments were received from a representative of the Seniors Group. They consider West Elgin to be almost barrier free with only the odd place where there are too many steps to climb. 9.3 The plan was approved by Council on September 25th, 2003. Copies have been placed in the Rodney and West Lorne libraries and on the municipality's web site. 10. ANNUAL REVIEW 10.1 A report shall be submitted annually to Council. This report shall include a review of past year's activities and proposals for the upcoming year. The timing of the annual report shall take into consideration budgetary requirements.