|
The Auroran http://www.newspapers-online.com/auroran/accessibility-issues-plague-library-square-design-advocate/ Export date: Tue Apr 23 20:24:02 2024 / +0000 GMT |
Accessibility issues plague Library Square design: advocate By Brock Weir Tyler Barker is hoping local lawmakers can see things from his perspective. Mr. Barker, a long-time advocate for a fully accessible community and chair of Aurora's Accessibility Advisory Committee, wants Council to take a second look at plans for Library Square before they are set in stone to make sure access to the new community space, and indeed the associated buildings that bookend the plans – the Aurora Public Library and the expanded Church Street School – are as accessible as possible for Aurorans of all abilities. Plans for Library Square were approved in principle by Council last month. In addition to a three-storey expansion to the Church Street School, plans for Library Square itself include an open piazza between the two landmark buildings, which will provide a community gathering space adaptable for many purposes. Parking currently situated between the two buildings will be moved to the east of the site, roughly to the footprint of the former Aurora Seniors' Centre/Fire Hall building, which was recently demolished, along with the old Aurora Public Library building, to make way for the redevelopment. Accessible parking for the Library, which is currently just outside the rear entrance to the current library facility, is slated to be moved to the north of the building, off a laneway that will be constructed as part of the Library Square development. This plan to relocate the two fully accessible parking spots to a potentially busy laneway further away from the building, however, falls well short of the mark in Mr. Barker's view, and in the views of his committee members. “Library Square itself I don't have an issue with, the concept, but [I have an issue] with the fact they are putting the spots further away, the drop-offs further away,” Mr. Barker told The Auroran on Thursday before giving Councillor Harold Kim an on-site idea of his concerns. “It is a matter of at least maintaining accessibility or trying to enhance it, never making it harder. Even for somebody that can drive, the drop off is further away and they might not be able to walk.” The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), he says, calls for making accessible parking as close to overhang protection as possible to protect individuals using mobility devices – in Mr. Barker's case, an electric wheelchair. This is another area he says the Library Square plan falls short. “Just last June, I was coming out of my grandmother's retirement home and [the accessible parking] was really close to my van, but I was only out there for a minute in a torrential downpour and my wheelchair fried, the mechanism didn't work, so we had to literally tow me up my ramp because the power was fried,” he says. “Thar would be a big challenge for me and others in my situation if the weather is bad, or if the weather just turns. “You should always enhance accessibility and never take it away. I notice the Library has roughly 300,000 users a year coming in and out of this place, but it only has two spots and they are moving them further away. Yet, the seniors' centre has nine spots by the door, the Leisure Complex has eleven by the door, why are we doing this to the Library?” The issue of accessible parking in Library Square has been a hallmark of recent debates over the issue, including the meeting leading to its approval, and Councillors John Abel and Wendy Gaertner being among those raising the loudest alarm bells. From the perspective of fellow Accessibility Advisory Committee member James Hoyes, the Committee never had a chance to provide formal comment on either of the two original Library Square concepts, prompting Mr. Barker to take his issues directly to a Council meeting. “I want [Council] to understand the challenges that I and many others face, maybe seeing it from my point of view, actually seeing what the challenges will be,” said Mr. Barker. “I know they mean well, but they don't have the accessible eye and just showing them gives them a better understanding. We're not a special interest group. I and my mom, and my family, have dealt with challenges. I am 32 next week, so when we see things that can be easily fixed or consulted on, that's what makes me a little bit upset because the committee has value and we're not demanding. We're just trying to be as practical as possible.” Meeting with Councillor Kim, Mr. Barker and Mr. Hoyes suggested a few modifications they believed could be made to address the issue, including bringing the accessible parking spaces in just a few metres out of the laneway closer to the Library. “It just hit home in terms of there other possibilities,” said Councillor Kim, noting he would be bringing his to Council's attention by their July 24 meeting. “I can't disagree with the recommendations and I think if other Councillors and other stakeholders were here and had one on ones, I don't think they would have any issues either. Now it is just a matter of taking it to the planners to say, what are the challenges, if any, with this option? We're not that far off from what Tyler and James and the Committee desires and what was currently drafted. Let's close that gap.” |
| Excerpt: |
|
Post date: 2018-07-18 12:15:50 Post date GMT: 2018-07-18 16:15:50 Post modified date: 2018-07-26 14:38:33 Post modified date GMT: 2018-07-26 18:38:33 |
|
Export date: Tue Apr 23 20:24:02 2024 / +0000 GMT This page was exported from The Auroran [ http://www.newspapers-online.com/auroran ] Export of Post and Page has been powered by [ Universal Post Manager ] plugin from www.ProfProjects.com |
