02a - October 14, 2025 Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting AgendaOZ5
ElgmCounty
Elgin/Central Elgin Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee
Orders of the Day
Tuesday, October 14, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
Council Chambers
450 Sunset Drive
St. Thomas ON
Note for Members of the Public:
Please click the link below to watch the Committee Meeting:
https://www.facebook.com/ElginCounty
Accessible formats available upon request.
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Agenda
3. Adoption of Minutes
4. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
5. Delegations
5.1 Cheryl Stevenson - Sidewalk on St. George Street
5.2 Sandy Higgs - Belmont Historical Society Signs
6. Reports/Briefings
6.1 Manager of Human Resources - City of St. Thomas and County of Elgin
Joint AccessAbility Open House 2025 (verbal)
6.2 Manager of Human Resources - 2025 AODA Compliance Report
7. Other Business
8. Correspondence
9. Closed Meeting Items
10. Motion to Rise and Report
11. Date of Next Meeting
12. Adjournment
Pages
2
I
0
Elgin/Central Elgin Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee
Minutes
May 29, 2025, 4:00 p.m.
Council Chambers
450 Sunset Drive
St. Thomas ON
Members Present: Todd Noble, Elgin County Councillor (virtual)
Tom Marks, Chair
Dave Baughman, Municipality of Central Elgin Councillor (virtual)
Jenn Salverda
Carleen Green (virtual)
Staff Present: Katherine Thompson, Manager of Administrative
Services/Deputy Clerk, County of Elgin
Emily Waldick, Manager of Human Resources, County of Elgin
Stefanie Heide, Legislative Services Coordinator, County of
Elgin
Scarlett Redman, Legislative Services Coordinator, Municipality
of Central Elgin
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 4.00 p.m. with Tom Marks in the chair.
Quorum was not met, so the Chair moved to Item 6.1 while waiting for more
Committee Members to join the meeting.
2. Approval of Agenda
Resolution Number: JAAC25-1
Moved by: Councillor Noble
Seconded by: Jenn Salverda
RESOLVED THAT the agenda for the May 29, 2025 Elgin/Central Elgin Joint
Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting be approved as presented.
Motion Carried.
1
Page 2 of 15
3. Adoption of Minutes
Resolution Number: JAAC25-2
Moved by: Councillor Noble
Seconded by: Dave Baughman
RESOLVED THAT the minutes and closed meeting minutes of the October 22,
2024 Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting be adopted.
Motion Carried.
4. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
I101rem
5. Delegations
None.
6. Reports/Briefings
6.1 Manager of Human Resources - AccessAbility Week 2025 (verbal)
The Manager of Human Resources provided a verbal update on Elgin
County's AccessAbility Week 2025 (Sunday, May 25 - Saturday, May 31,
2025). Internal and external programming held this week included-
- Release of AODA and DEI training for Elgin County Staff; this training
will also be made available to staff of Elgin County's Long Term Care
Homes.
- Social Media Posts highlighting AccessAbility Week programming.
- Warden's Recognition of AccessAbility Week 2025 at Elgin County
Council Meeting.
- Email Campaign Launch highlighting accessibility features and programs
at Elgin County, including at the Long Term Care Homes and Libraries.
- A reading list that includes stories featuring characters of all abilities, as
curated by Elgin County Library staff.
- Alzheimer's Society SouthWest Partners Education Session on
Dementia Friendly Communities for Elgin County Staff presented in hybrid
format.
- Accessible Documents and Branding Education Session for Elgin County
Staff presented in hybrid format.
As quorum was not yet met, the Committee moved to Item 6.3 and
returned to vote on Item 6.1 at 4.11 p.m. after quorum was met.
Resolution Number: JAAC25-3
Moved by: Jenn Salverda
Seconded by: Carleen Green
2
Page 3 of 15
RESOLVED THAT the verbal report titled "AccessAbility Week 2025" from
the Manager of Human Resources dated May 29, 2025 be received and
filed.
Motion Carried.
6.2 Manager of Human Resources - Joint Annual Accessibility Status
Report 2023 and 2024
The Manager of Human Resources presented a report on the Joint Annual
Accessibility Status Report 2023 and 2024. The Manager of Human
Resources stated that the Status Report covers 2023 and 2024 due to a
lag time in staffing changes, is legislatively required, and outlines all the
steps taken by Elgin County and Local Municipal Partners to implement
their Joint Accessibility Plan.
Committee Member Todd Noble joined the meeting at 4.08 p.m.
Resolution Number: JAAC25-4
Moved by: Councillor Noble
Seconded by: Jenn Salverda
RESOLVED THAT the report titled "Joint Annual Accessibility Status
Report 2023 and 2024" from the Manager of Human Resources dated
May 29, 2025 be received and filed; and
THAT the report titled "Joint Annual Accessibility Status Report 2023 and
2024" be approved by County Council.
Motion Carried.
6.3 Manager of Human Resources - Compliance Reporting and Update
on Desk Audits (verbal)
The Manager of Human Resources provided a verbal report on
Compliance Reporting including the following-
- AODA Compliance Reporting is required in 2025 and will be due on
December 31, 2025. A draft report will be submitted to this Committee and
then Elgin County Council for approval prior to the reporting deadline and
this will be a publicly posted document as is required by the Province of
Ontario. The reporting form has been updated by the Ministry for Seniors
and Accessibility to streamline the reporting process.
- A random -selection, standard desk audit was received from the 2023
Compliance Reporting with a submission deadline of June 9, 2025.
Committee member Carleen Green joined the meeting at 4.04 p.m. and
quorum was met. The Committee then proceeded to Item 6.2.
3
Page 4 of 15
Resolution Number: JAAC25-5
Moved by: Jenn Salverda
Seconded by: Carleen Green
RESOLVED THAT the verbal report titled "Compliance Reporting and
Update on Desk Audits" from the Manager of Human Resources dated
May 29, 2025 be received and filed.
Motion Carried.
6.4 Manager of Human Resources - Joint Accessibility Open House 2025
with City of St. Thomas (verbal)
The Manager of Human Resources provided a verbal report on the Joint
Accessibility Open House 2025 with the City of St. Thomas. Committee
members indicated an interest in participating.
Committee Member Dave Baughman joined the meeting at 4.13 p.m.
Resolution Number: JAAC25-6
Moved by: Jenn Salverda
Seconded by: Dave Baughman
RESOLVED THAT the verbal report titled "Joint Accessibility Open House
2025 with City of St. Thomas" from the Manager of Human Resources be
received and filed.
Motion Carried.
7. Other Business
None.
8. Correspondence
None.
9. Closed Meeting Items
9.1 Closed Meeting Minutes - October 22, 2024
10. Motion to Rise and Report
None.
11. Date of Next Meeting
The Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee will meet again at the call of the
Chair.
12. Adjournment
0
Page 5 of 15
Resolution Number: JAAC25-7
Moved by: Councillor Noble
Seconded by: Dave Baughman
RESOLVED THAT we do now adjourn at 4.19 p.m. to meet again at the call of
the Chair.
Motion Carried.
Katherine Thompson,
Manager of Administrative
Services/Deputy Clerk.
Tom Marks,
Chair.
5
Page 6 of 15
C lneruL A Stevev,sov,
Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In 2024, the County of Elgin in partnership with the Municipality of Central Elgin reconstructed
St. George Street (County Road 26) to an urban road standard from Wellington Road (County
Road 25) to the CN railway crossing.'
Excerpt (paraphrased) from a 2023 email from Peter Dutchak:
`This (2024) project will also relocate the pedestrian sidewalk away from the travelled roads in
order to improve pedestrian safety and comfort.'
Today I am advocating for a walkway on the west side of St. George
Street, from 120 to 132 inclusive, as well as a crossover at the
entrance to Cowan Park for an additional measure of safety. Prior to
the construction in 2024, a generous shoulder on either side of the
road provided pedestrians with an area to walk and option to select
the best location to cross the road.
Post -construction, pedestrians, young or old, able or not, have been forced to unsafely walk on
the roadway and even more unsafely cross the road. In addition, the new guard rail at the top of
the hill has created a significant visual barrier for vehicles and residents on foot.
The installation of straight sided curbs has created new slip and trip hazards and are simply not
manageable for some. Rushing to cross the street or jumping out of the path of a vehicle is not
feasible, let alone a reasonable expectation of residents.
My goal since the completion of construction last year has been to restore a
JJ Y,
level of safety and accessibility that was lost because of the construction.
jJi `Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) is a law that
helps reduce and remove the barriers that persons with disabilities may face
in everyday life by establishing standards for accessibility.'
`Design of Public Spaces Standards (DOPS), under the AODA addresses
accessibility requirements mostly for external public spaces, including exterior paths of travel
(sidewalks).'
`These requirements apply to all new or significantly redeveloped outdoor sidewalks and
walkways designed for pedestrian travel. The intent of the requirements for sidewalks and
walkways is to provide minimum standards of accessibility to make sure they are safe and
useable for all pedestrians, including people using mobility devices.'
Thank you for your time.
Page 7 of 15
From: Sandy Higgs
Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2025 9:58 AM
To: Katherine Thompson <kthompson@elgin.ca>
Subject: Re: Elgin County - Central Elgin Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee
Hello Katerine,
The issue I wish to discuss is very simple. Belmont Historical Society would like to make our
signs accessible to the blind and would like to know what Central Elgin Accessibility Committee
can do to help us make this happen. I will bring models to help explain what we need.
Thank you for any help you can give us with this project.
Sandy Higgs
Page 8 of 15
ElginCounty
Report to Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee
From: Emily Waldick, Human Resources Manager
Date: October 14, 2025
Subject: 2025 AODA Compliance Report
Recommendation(s):
THAT the report titled "2025 AODA Compliance Report" dated October 14, 2025 be
received and filed; and,
THAT the committee endorse the submission of the 2025 AODA Compliance report to
the Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility by the legislated deadline of December 31,
2025.
Introduction:
The purpose of this report is to provide the Commitee with an update on Elgin County's
compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), and
to advise that the mandatory bi-annual Accessibility Compliance Report is due at the
end of 2025.
Background and Discussion:
The AODA requires public sector organizations, including municipalities, have to file
Accessibility Compliance Reports every two years with the Ministry for Seniors and
Accessibility. These reports confirm compliance with accessibility standards under the
Act, including:
• Customer Service Standard
• Information and Communications Standard
• Employment Standard
• Design of Public Spaces Standard
• General Requirements (training, policies, multi -year accessibility plan)
Elgin County remains committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible community.
Over the past reporting cycle, the County has continued to:
• Implement and maintain its Multi -Year Accessibility Plan (2022-2026);
• Provide AODA training for all new employees, Council members, and volunteers;
• Review and update accessibility policies and procedures;
Page 9 of 15
• Ensure that public websites and web content conform with WCAG 2.0 Level A&
• Incorporate accessibility considerations in employment practices and
procurement processes;
• Monitor and address accessibility concerns in County facilities and public spaces.
Staff have reviewed the reporting requirements and confirm that Elgin County is in
compliance with all obligations under the AODA.
Financial Implications:
No Financial Implications
Advancement of Strategic Plan:
Local Municipal Partner Impact:
All Local Municipal Partners will prepare and submit their own reports.
Communication Requirements:
Submit the completed Accessibility Compliance Report to the Ministry by December 31,
2025. Continue implementing and monitoring the County's Multi -Year Accessibility Plan
(2022-2026) and provide annual accessibility updates to Council.
Conclusion:
Elgin County continues to meet its responsibilities under the AODA and is well -
positioned to submit the required compliance report before the legislated deadline.
Filing the report affirms the County's commitment to building an inclusive community
where all residents and visitors can access programs, services, and facilities equitably.
All of which is Respectfully Submitted
Emily Waldick
Human Resources Manager
Approved for Submission
Blaine Parkin
Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk
Page 10 of 15
Ontario Ministry for Seniors and 2025 Accessibility Compliance Report
Accessibility
Organization category Designated Public Sector
Number of employees range 50+
Filing organization legal name Corporation of the County of Elgin
Filing organization business number (BN9) 122433808
Fields marked with an asterisk (") are mandatory.
B. Understand your accessibility requirements
Before you begin your report, you can learn about your accessibility requirements at rain:to_r'i�io.ca/accessji_b.jiltii:ty
Additional accessibility requirements apply if you are:
.._producer of education material (e,g. textboolks)
e in..._education...liin_s:tii:tutiira�n.....(e�g. schooll board,.._craJl.11ege, unliverslity or schooll)
MEMEMMMM
If you are a municipality submitting this report, and submitting on behalf of local boards, please indicate which boards below.
N/A - this irelpoirts its only for the Corporation of the County of Elgin
C. Accessibility compliance report certification
Section 15 of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 requires that accessibility reports include a statement
certifying that all the required information has been provided and is accurate, signed by a person with authority to bind the
organization(s).
Note: It is an offence under the Act to provide false or misleading information in an accessibility report filed under the AODA.
The certifier may designate a primary contact for the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility to contact the organization(s);
otherwise the certifier will be the main contact.
Certifier: Someone who can legally bind the organization(s).
Primary Contact: The person who will be the main contact for accessibility issues.
Acknowledgement
I certify that all the information is accurate and I have the authority to bind the organization
Certification date (yyyy-mm-dd) " 2025-09-02
Certifier information
Last name
Parkin
First name
Blaine
Position title
Otheir
Position title other
C9AO
Business phone number
519-631-1460
Extension ❑ Check here if TTY
105
Page 11 of 15
Page 1 of 5
Email " Alternate phone number Extension Fax number
cao ellgiin.ca
Primary contact for the organization(s)
Check if the primary contact is same as the certifier
Last name First name
Walldiick Emily
Position title Business phone number Extension ❑ Check here if TTY
Manager, Human Rescuirce: 510®514-0520
Email " Alternate phone number Extension Fax number
ewalldiickellgiin.ca
D. Accessibility compliance report questions
Instructions
Please answer each of the following compliance questions. Use the Comments box if you wish to comment on any response.
If you need help with a specific question, click the help links which will open in a new browser window. Use the link on the left to
view the relevant AODA regulations and the link on the right to view relevant accessibility information resources.
General
1. Is your organization in compliance with all applicable requirements of the General Section? " * Yes O No
R.aad.._c�.::.._i e�. 191/11 Part II: Generall II...earn.._tnrr rgabaut.. r recr requiirements fear question 1
. e...:tlnji_.ss..ellf..:..s.e.s..m..e..n:r...:trarall.tra.._jdentlif
pe_qulirements applly'to oar orqainlization.._u_indet:..:the
Qeneraal...I e_qulirements
Comments for ..f.he County of Elgin confirms compliance with allll applicable requirements under Part I: Generall
question 1 (G. Reg. 101/11). The County has adopted and maintains Human Resources Policy 2.130
County Accessibility Policy, Policy 2.130.1 Ernergency Workplace Response for Employees
with Disabilities, and Policy 2.50.2 Accommodations in the Workplace. These are supported by
(procedures and are publicly available in accessible formats, with alternative formats and
communication supports provided upon request. In partnership with its seven Locall IVluniiciilpall
Partners, the County developed a Joint Multii®Year Accessibility Plan for 2021 2025, reviewed
and updated at least every five years. Accessibility training its mandatory for allll employees,
volunteers, C oundI and Committee members, and third parties, covering the IASR and the
Ontario Human Rights Code with respect tc disability and the duty tc accommodate.
Page 12 of 15
Page 2 of 5
Information and communications
2. Is your organization in compliance with all applicable requirements of the Information and Q Yes 0 No
Communications Standards?
R.aad 0 I.earn morg about ��r rec ients for
question 2
..... .... .... ... ....... ..... ... ....... .... . .... .... ... .... .... .
standards
U.se thJ5 s..e..11.f"..@..s..s..e..s..s..m..e..n t bo.Q.l bo id e n tify-wh ich
Mquhr.eme nt s a pp 1.
. . .... y _ to your organization under the
InfbrmaHon and ComimunlicaHons Standards
.......................................................................................................................................................................................................
Comments for
Fhe County of Elgin confirms compliance with a11 applicable requirements of the Information and
question 2
Communications Standards under the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (0. Reg.
191/11). Accessible feedback options are available -through an online feedback form, a request
form for accessible formats and communication supports, and an embedded accessibility contact
form on the County website. The public is advised that accessible formats and communication
supports are available upon request, with a notification statement included in most posted
docuirnents."The County ensures accessibility across its communication platforms, including the
offidall County website, Economic Development & Fourlsirn, Library, and Museum sites, as weI1 as
sodall irnediia channels (Facelboolk, TMtter/X, Instagrairn, You Fulbe). These measures ensure
information and communications are accessible -to persons with disabilities and fulfiI1 a11
requirements of the Regulation.
Employment
3. Is your organization in compliance with all applicable requirements of the Employment Q Yes 0 No
Standards?
"
R.aad 0 Rkg������� I earn morg about ��r rec ients for question 3
..... .... .... ... ....... ..... ... ....... .... . .... .... ... .... .... .
U.se Uhi.s s..e.11.f"..a..s..s..e..s..s..m..e..n t bo.Q.l bo id e n tifywh ich
pequjrements applly r��.anlizahon under, the
..E.MpLoyment Standards
Comments for
Fhe County of Elgin is in compliance with the Employment Standards under the Integrated
question 3
Accessibility Standards Regulation (1ASR). The County has established and maintains policies
and practices -to accommodate employees with disabilities -throughout the employment 11fecycle,
including recruitment, selection, performance management, career development, and return -to -
work processes. Employees are informed of the availability of accommodation during recruitment,
and reasonable accommodations are provided as required. lndlvlduall accommodation plans are
docurnented where necessary, and workplace eirnergency-response information is adapted for
employees with disabilities. A11 eirnployment-related communications and supports are offered in
accessible formats when requested, and the County ensures no undue cost is limposed. Ongoing
training is provided -to managers and staff -to ensure awareness of obligations under the
Employment Standard.
Page 13 of 15 Page 3 of 5
Transportation
4. Is your organization in compliance with all applicable requirements of the Transportation 0 Yes No
Standards?
..R..e..a..d 0 11 earn mo.re a..b..o..u..t ��r rec ients for question 4
..... .... .... ... ....... ..... ... ....... .... . .... .... ... .... .... .
.."..I."h.a "...r.a.....ns. ortahon Standards Reference GUide
proVides infbrmaHon about access �ib ihly .. .................................................................................................................................................................. --mQuiernents
.fir.om the
Comments for FhIs is not applicable as we are currently not responsible for an transportation services.
question 4
Design of public spaces
5. Is your organization in compliance with all applicable requirements of the Design of Public Yes 0 No
Spaces Standards?
Read 0. R I earn more about yo question 5
.................................................. ............................................................................... . ur re ients for
".F.h e DO P..Q R.e.f.e.re.n.Q.0 G.Ujid.e provides an over.'Vi.e..w of
the scope —applicability ecific requiiremenra of
.Q..O P.S.
Comments for Our organization is in compliance with the Design of Public Spaces Standards under the
question 5 Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR). AII new construction and redevelopment
projects are designed and built -to irneer the general) requirements of the Standards, ensuring
accessibility is integrated from the outset. In addition, the Elgin County Joint Multi -Year
Accessibility Plan (NAYAP) outlines clear procedures for both preventative and emergency
maintenance of accessible elements in public spaces. This ensures 'that features such as
walkways, irarnlps, parking areas, and other accessible infrastructure remain functlonaI and safe.
Fhe NAYAP allso includes established processes for managing temporary service disruptions,
providing t1irnely communication and alternative solutions wherever possible. Together, -these
measures demonstrate a proactive and systematic approach -to compliance and accessibility.
Customer Service
6. Is your organization in compliance with all applicable requirements of the Customer Service Yes 0 No
Standards?
..R..e..a..d 0 11 earn mo.re a..b..o..u..t ��r rec ients for question 6
..... .... .... ... ....... ..... ... ....... .... . .... .... ... .... .... .
U.se t..h..1i.s s..e..11.f"..a..s..s..e..s..s..m..e..n t t.o.Q.1 bo jd e n tifywh ich
pequjrema��Ian�izahon under, the
.............................................................................
Customer 5 e rvioe Standards
Comments for Fhe County is in full)) compliance with the Custorneir Service Standards as set out under the
question 6 Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR). AII employees receive accessibility
orientation training -that includes comprehensive instruction on the Accessibility for Ontarians with
Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Customer Service Standards. The County maintains a formal)
Request for Accessible Format or Communication Supports process, accessible online, in person,
or by phone. Information is delivered in accessible formats promptly, and at a cost no greater than
the standard charge -to others. In accordance with Human Resources Policy 2.130, the County
reserves the right -to require an individualI with a disability -to The accompanied by a support person
onlly after consultation, and solely where health and safety considerations necessitate.
Page 14 of 15 Page 4 of 5
Page 15 of 15
Page 5 of 5