Chair Sue Caron led the discussion with the other members of the Accessibility Advisory Committee to determine next steps and actions for each of the actions in the 2021 Work Plan.
The key highlights from the discussion were:
- There should be a focus on determining the themes and activities for National Accessibility Week, which takes place at the end of May 2021.
- This should also include putting up the banner at Town Hall that Sue made to highlight National Accessibility Week.
- The AAC should compile a list of education and awareness topics for future media campaigns that can take place at least once a month.
- Some of these topics include:
- Accessible Parking spaces,
- Customer Service Standards, and
- Service Animals.
- There needs to be a discussion with different departments within the Town about how the AAC can be used as a resource for the work that they do to incorporate accessibility into design.
- Even with COVID-19 and the restrictions that have been in place, the AAC wants to ensure that the needs of Persons with Disabilities are being considered and met, especially during:
- Patio season when businesses can extend onto the sidewalks,
- Built environment and being able to access the businesses on King St.,
- Wayfinding and signage to ensure all accessible features and amenities are being highlighted, and
- Whenever new developments are being considered by the Town of Cobourg.
The goal for this year is to lay the foundations for the work plan topics that extend over multiple years to ensure that the AAC in collaboration with the Accessibility Coordinator. By doing so, accessibility can become a more prominent budget item for the 2022 Council budget.