Item - 2020.DI8.2

The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee recommends to the Executive Committee that:

1.  City Council direct the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, and the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat to bring forward presentations on how the City is specifically supporting vulnerable people with disabilities in Toronto during and beyond COVID-19, to the September 24, 2020 meeting of the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee.

2.  City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services, to bring forward presentations on CurbTO, ActiveTO, CafeTO, and any other new transportation programs and initiatives to address COVID-19, to the September 24, 2020 meeting of the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee.

3. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to bring forward presentations on SwimTO, CampTO, and any other new or existing recreational programs and initiatives, detailing any efforts and modifications to accommodate persons with disabilities, and any employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, to the September 24, 2020 meeting of the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee.

 
4.  City Council direct the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, and the Chief People Officer, in collaboration with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, and in consultation with accessibility stakeholders, to develop guidelines for businesses to support the needs of persons living with disabilities including:

a.  Access to clear face shields, and any alternatives including notepads, to facilitate lip reading, visual facial cues and communication with persons living with disabilities.

b.  Support persons who can assist in navigating smaller spaces to support physical distancing for people living with disability.

c.  Ensuring that cash remains an accepted legal tender across businesses.

 
5.  City Council direct the Chief People Officer, in collaboration with the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and leveraging existing partnerships and programming, to explore opportunities to better support access to safe outdoor day programming for persons living with disabilities and any employment opportunities for persons with disabilities as part of a pilot strategy within the City's COVID-19 Recovery and Rebuild and report back in the first quarter of 2021. 

6.  City Council direct the Chief People Officer, in collaboration with the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the General Manager, Toronto Employment and Social Services, and in consultation with accessibility stakeholders, to develop an outreach model and determine an appropriate pilot strategy, for the purpose of providing support and referrals to relevant services, to inform persons living with disabilities, on opportunities for safe and accessible day programming and report back to the November 16, 2020 meeting of the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee.

  
7.  City Council request the Toronto Transit Commission Board to direct the Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Transit Commission to bring forward presentations on new or existing initiatives, detailing any efforts and modifications to accommodate persons with disabilities, as a response to COVID-19 response and recovery, to the November 16, 2020 meeting of the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee.

 
8.  City Council direct Strategic Communications along with any other applicable city divisions to consolidate and disseminate information on supports and services for persons living with disabilities, highlighting any services changes, additions or disruptions of new or existing services and report back by the November 16, 2020 meeting of Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee.

9.  City Council request the Medical Officer of Health to provide a presentation to the September 24, 2020 meeting of the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee on Toronto Public Health's response and efforts related to COVID-19.

10.  City Council direct the Toronto Office of Recovery and Rebuild to designate a staff person to be the liaison to the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee.

11.  City Council request the Province of Ontario and the Federal government to increase the frequency and amount of funding opportunities for qualifying individuals and families, including those receiving the Disability Tax Credit, to better support their ongoing needs including:

a.  Access to protective personal equipment, including masks and gloves, for themselves and their personal support worker.

b.  Access to technology  including wifi, computers and webcams to combat isolation and improve mental health.

c.  Access to recreation activities as many day programs, and respite centres are closed.

The City of Toronto has undergone rapid changes, over the past three months, brought on by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the subsequent declaration of a State of Emergency.  This situation is unprecedented, and the Emergency Operations Centre - led by Mayor Tory, Medical Officer of Health Eileen de Villa, and Toronto Fire Chief Matthew Pegg - has moved swiftly to bring forward new programs to safeguard public health and safety, and aid in economic recovery.

The need for accelerated, emergency action is understandable, however it must also be acknowledged that the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee (TAAC) has a mandated role in providing advice to City staff, regarding policies, programs and services affecting people with disabilities.  Several City of Toronto initiatives have come forward in recent weeks, which due to canceled meetings this Committee have not had an opportunity to review nor be consulted on.  These initiatives include transportation programs such as ActiveTO, CurbTO and CafeTO. The City has also formed the new Office of Recovery and Rebuild, focussed on supporting economic resilience.  People with disabilities contribute a unique perspective on transportation, use of public space, employment, and economic resilience.  As such, TAAC must be meaningfully engaged in reviewing these new initiatives and allowed to provide critical advice, as our mandate requires.

As normal City business begins to resume, City staff will now have the opportunity to bring forward presentations for TAAC review. It is important, therefore, that this committee identify priorities, make recommendations to request presentations from specific City Divisions and programs of interest, and advocate to improve any service enhancement or change that will impact the city life of people living with disabilities.  TAAC must continue to fulfil its mandate of ensuring that any new or existing programs or initiatives are able to receive advice that will enhance their inclusivity of people with disabilities.  This is particularly important during this current time of social and economic upheaval, when historically disadvantaged groups are left particularly vulnerable.