Item - 2020.DI8.4

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

1.  The City Manager, in consultation with the City Clerk, review options for allowing remote participation by Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee members when an accommodation is required, and provide an update to the Committee on its November 16, 2020 meeting.

I would like the City Manager's Office to consider piloting assistive, remote access options for Committee participation for one or more members who may not be able to attend due to a mobility or other concern, but may otherwise be able and willing to participate.

This is supported by:

a. current and future health and human rights concerns and obligations. 

b. Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee's willingness to volunteer to be the pilot.  By legislation, Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committees must be comprised of majority people with disabilities (PWD).  Many PWDs may have health considerations limiting their mobility.  An assistive remote access option, would remove what would otherwise be an arbitrary barrier to an obligation of equal access to participation.