TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: October 7, 2024 Report No. ADM-24-066
TO: Council
FROM: Deb Hopkins, Director of Corporate Services
SUBJECT: Draft Township of Esquimalt Accessibility Plan
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council receive the draft Accessibility Plan for information and direct staff to make the plan available for public feedback for at least 30 days.
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
In December 2023 Council directed staff to join the Capital West Accessibility Advisory Committee with six partner municipalities and to prepare an initial Accessibility Plan with a focus on employment and service delivery. Staff, in collaboration with our partners, has completed the draft inaugural Plan and is seeking Council direction to provide notification of its availability and to invite public comment and feedback prior to Council's consideration of approval.
BACKGROUND:
At the December 18, 2023 meeting, Council directed staff to formally join the Capital West Accessibility Advisory Committee (CWAAC) comprised of six partner municipalities including the City of Colwood, District of Highlands, City of Langford, District of Metchosin, District of Sooke, and Town of View Royal. This direction recognized the CWAAC as the Township's Accessibility Committee as required under new legislation enacted in June 2021 under the Accessible British Columbia Act. At this meeting Council further directed staff to prepare the initial Accessibility Plan with a focus on employment and service delivery in collaboration with the CWAAC. CWAAC held it's first meeting on November 23, 2023 appointing Langford as the host municipality providing the Committee with administrative support for the first year.
CWAAC has met four additional times with meeting minutes provided to Council and published on the Township's website. Business completed to date includes conducting two surveys and conducting seven public engagement sessions with the assistance of consult...
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