Revised: March/13 TORONTO TRANSIT COMMISSION REPORT NO. MEETING DATE: Wednesday, September 25, 2013 SUBJECT: Advisory Committee on Accessible Transit (ACAT) Providing Advice to the TTC Board for Over 25 Years INFORMATION ITEM RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the Board receive a presentation from Ms. Angela Marley, ACAT Chair entitled ACAT Providing Advice to the TTC Board for over 25 Years. BACKGROUND At the July 25, 2013 Advisory Committee on Accessible Transit, ACAT s role in the orientation of new TTC Board members was discussed. On the Chair s suggestion, ACAT agreed to provide an educational presentation at a public TTC Board Meeting. 1-17 - - - - - - - - - - - -
ACCESSIBILITY ADVICE TO THE TTC BOARD FOR MORE THAN 2O YEARS
2013 ACAT MEMBERS Chair Angela Marley Co Vice-Chair Susan Davidson Co Vice-Chair Howard Wax Sarah Adams Judy Berger Brayan Bratanov Bill Castor Adam Cohoon Debbie Gillespie Lori March Lynn McCormick Craig Nicol Tim Rose Sam Savona Valdo Tammark
2013 ACAT MEMBERS
TTC ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ACCESSIBLE TRANSIT What is ACAT? What is ACAT s Role? ACAT s Contributions ACAT s Current Issues TTC PUBLIC FORUM on ACCESSIBLE TRANSIT SERVICE
ACAT In 1992 TTC established the ACAT to advise on difficulties faced by people with disabilities and seniors, and recommend the elimination of barriers to accessible public transit in the City of Toronto ACAT Terms of Reference Recommendations => Changes: Handholds on vehicle doors, amplification at Collector Booths, benches in subway stations, textured strip on subway platforms
ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES THEN, TODAY THESE ARE INTEGRAL PARTS OF TTC SERVICE
WHAT IS ACAT? Volunteer advisory committee to the TTC Board 15 members, each serving a three-year term Annually the TTC Board appoints 5 members Pool Members, appointed for one year term, have no vote, may be called on to fill a vacancy Volunteer commitment minimum - 7 hours per week No political affiliation Designated position on Customer Liaison Panel
ACAT MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA Resident of the City of Toronto Use TTC/ Wheel-Trans Demonstrated interest in accessible public transit issues Involved with issues that relate to Seniors / People With Disabilities
REPRESENTING THE COMMUNITY ACAT Members are selected to represent diverse groups: Persons with physical, sensory or communication disabilities Seniors, at least two members Maximum of two other persons who do not have a disability
ACAT ROLE Represents the needs and concerns of persons with disabilities and seniors using TTC services Advise the TTC on providing accessible public transit service and on policy issues pertaining to seniors and persons with disabilities Support TTC staff in providing consultation, education, and advice to persons with disabilities, seniors, and the community at large
ACAT IN ACTION Monthly Public Meetings Receive Presentations to review the accessibility of new TTC/Wheel-Trans services Receive 5-minute Deputations Subcommittees report on their work Customer Liaison Panel Member Report Report on Quarterly Meeting of ACAT Executive with TTC Chair and CEO ACAT makes recommendations to TTC Board
EDUCATION - ADVICE Participate in Operator Recertification and staff education on accessibility Assist staff in changing the culture of TTC employees to accept and support barrier-free public transit system Assist staff to create a Request For Purchase process that is fair, conforming to the standards required by the AODA and TTC Review Accessible Transit Services Plan
ACAT SUBCOMMITTEES Administration - Ensures that ACAT functions effectively using TTC mandated guidelines, procedures, and policies Communications Reviews communications affecting accessibility and usage of TTC services by seniors and persons with disabilities
ACAT SUBCOMMITTEES (cont d) Design Review Concentrates on the assessment of accessible design standards and the appropriate application of those standards Service Planning Reviews and advises on integration and best practices in accessible transit, the planning of new and expanded transit service and cross-boundary conventional accessible transit Wheel-Trans Operations Advice on Wheel-Trans operation and service issues
MOVING TOWARD AN ACCESSIBLE TRANSIT SYSTEM Challenges: Integrating Accessibility Components into Policy & Operating Procedures Readiness for Accessible Transit System Impact of Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2005 (AODA) New infrastructure and vehicles Budget to Implement Accessible Transit Plan
MOVING TOWARD AN ACCESSIBLE TRANSIT SYSTEM (Cont d) Challenges: Accessibility Education for Stakeholders Accessible Travel Assessment and Training Encouraging Wheel-Trans customers to use conventional transit system Accessibility features in place at launch of new vehicles and services
ACAT CONTRIBUTIONS Reviews New Vehicles and Services Accessibility Features Wheel-Trans Eligibility Criteria/Application Process Lift Line Elevator Status, Message Update Protocol Technology Improvements Trip Planner, Website Represents Accessible TTC at People in Motion Show Co-Sponsors the TTC Public Forum on Accessible Transit Services Testing Ideas and Concepts, e.g. Filling the Gap
REVIEWS ACCESSIBLE FEATURES
PEOPLE IN MOTION SHOW
SIMULATED BUS STOP PIM
CURRENT ISSUES PRESTO Fare Payment System customermachine interface Review TR train, Streetcar, Articulated Bus Vehicles and Operating Procedures Wheel-Trans Online Booking Customers Entering Their Own Addresses Support Person Procedure - AODA regulation Priority Seating - Customer Education Campaign
RED SEATS TURNING BLUE
TR TRAIN PRIORITY SEATING
NEW STREETCAR PRIORITY SEATING
CUSTOMER AND OPERATOR EDUCATION
CURRENT ISSUES (Cont d) Integrate Accessibility Information into TTC Print and Electronic Messages Advocate Accessibility be one of the 8 strategic objectives in the TTC 5-Year Corporate Plan
ACAT IS DOING ITS JOB When accessibility features are integral parts of TTC services, as the handholds are integral parts of TTC vehicles
ACHIEVING AN ACCESSIBLE TRANSIT SYSTEM THAT MAKES TORONTO PROUD!
TTC BOARD AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT EDUCATION TTC PUBLIC FORUM ON ACCESSIBLE TRANSIT SERVICE Annual opportunity for customers to give feedback to TTC Board Members and TTC Senior Managers Learn about the accessibility issues that are important to your constituents ACAT members and staff are reviewing Public Forum format to offer education and feedback sessions to attendees
AN INVITATION FROM ACAT TO TTC BOARD MEMBERS ACAT members invite and encourage you to learn more about accessibility We invite you to attend ACAT General and/or Subcommittee meetings Meet with individual ACAT members We recommend you attend the annual TTC Public Forum on Accessible Transit Service
THANK YOU! QUESTIONS?