TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT MEMORANDUM
MEETING DATE: May 6, 2024 Report No. ADM-24-026
TO: Councill
FROM: Deb Hopkins, Director of Corporate Services / Corporate Officer
SUBJECT: Capital West Accessibility Advisory Committee Engagement Survey Summaries
INFORMATION:
At the end of 2023, Council directed staff to participate in the joint Capital West Accessibility Advisory Committee (CWAAC) with the City of Colwood, District of Highlands, City of Langford, District of Metchosin, District of Sooke, and the Town of View Royal. This joint committee serves as the Township’s Accessibility Committee comprised of staff from the ember municipalities. The member municipalities share administrative support duties on an annual rotating basis. The City of Langford is currently providing Committee support.
CWAAC has completed two public engagement surveys in 2024. The first survey was open between December 8, 2023 until January 31, 2024 with the aim of better understanding how best to engage the community about accessibility barriers and the results and engagement summary (Attachment 1) will support the upcoming Request for Proposal (RFP) for facilitated community engagement. The second survey was open between March 1 to April 7, 2024 and forms the framework for what the consultant will focus on respecting public engagement and feedback. The engagement summary (Attachment 2) provides some preliminary insight into accessibility barriers experienced with Township services and facilities. The Committee is looking forward to gathering additional valuable feedback during the facilitated engagement sessions to help inform the development of the draft Accessibility Plan. Both surveys were hosted on the City of Langford’s public engagement platform and advertised by all Capital West Accessibility Advisory Committee member municipalities.
Next steps for CWAAC include issuing an RFP and selecting a consultant to conduct multiple facilitated public engagement sessions to learn more about the community’s experiences interacting with and in the member municipalities. This information will assist in the development of the draft Accessibility Plan which is anticipated to come before Council in the fall and will inform the Township’s related action plans with respect to forthcoming capital works plans and future budget considerations.
The attached survey results and engagement summaries are available on the Township’s website and were circulated to Township leadership staff for review. They are formally provided now for Council’s information.
LIST OF ATTACHMENTS:
1. CWAAC Survey 1 Results and Engagement Summary, April 24, 2024
2. CWAAC Survey 2 “Accessibility and You” - Engagement Summary, April 24, 2024