Windsor Accessibility Advisory Committee Mandate
Terms of Reference
Preface
The Windsor Accessibility Advisory Committee (WAAC) is committed to complying with the provisions of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2001). To carry out the mandate of the Act the WAAC shall advise Windsor City Council in promoting a barrier free community for the persons with disabilities.
Terms of Reference
In addition to the above, the WAAC will be responsible in its advisory role to City Council to:
a. Oversee the development and preparation of the Annual Accessibility Plan, and to
b. Provide advice to City Council annually about the implementation and effectiveness of the Annual Accessibility Plan.
Furthermore, following its historical and traditional role since its implementation in 1981, the WACC in fulfilling its advisory function will work to promote and achieve the following goals and objectives:
a. To review and monitor federal, provincial and municipal directives and regulations as they relate to persons with disabilities.
b. To identify issues of concern to persons with disabilities and on the basis of research, knowledge, and experience on Committee members to recommend action where appropriate.
c. To participate in community committees that seek to eliminate barriers for persons with disabilities.
Membership
The WAAC shall be comprised of the following members:
[Membership structure was adopted by Council at its meeting held January 23, 2012 (M24-2012)]
In accordance with Council Resolution M 175-82, membership is restricted to individuals residing within the City of Windsor, who have an expertise and proven interest in promoting a barrier free community for people with disabilities. Council may waive this provision.
The WAAC Committee shall meet every other month, or at the call of the Chair and the subcommittee will meet on the opposite month. The Committee may meet more frequently should a majority vote of the members deem it necessary. The Committee may decide to hold meetings during the months of July, August and December. Should a member miss three consecutive meetings in a row without a valid reason, the Chair will contact the member to determine if there is interest in remaining on the Committee. Should a member decide to resign, the vacancy shall be filled within a month’s time.
Length of Term
Striking Committee appoints members for a period of 1 year. In accordance with Council Resolution M 103-93, members may be re-appointed up to a maximum term of 6 years. Council may waive this provision.
First Meeting
The WAAC Coordinator shall chair the first meeting of the newly appointed Committee in any year. The Coordinator will also preside over the elections for Chair and Vice-Chair.
Elections
The Chairperson and Vice-Chair shall be elected at the first meeting of the newly appointed Committee.
Rules of Order
Elections and Meetings will be conducted according to Bourinot’s Rules of Order and the City of Windsor Procedural By-Laws.
Meetings
The WAAC shall meet once a month. The Committee may meet more frequently should a majority vote of the members deem it necessary. The Committee may decide to hold meetings during the months of July, August, and December.
Sub Committees
The WAAC may establish sub-committees as required. Membership shall be appointed by the WAAC. The Chair of any sub-committee must be a member of WAAC.
Reporting
The WAAC reports directly to the City Council through the Chairperson. The Chairperson and/or his/her designate is the official spokesperson for WAAC. All sub-committees report directly to WAAC.
Staff Resource
The CAO of the City of Windsor will identify appropriate administrative staff to act as resources to WAAC. Administrative staff are resources to the Committee and as such do not have voting privileges. The WAAC Coordinator is the primary staff contact to the Committee.
Prologue
A. In 1981, the Mayor of the City of Windsor, Bert Weeks, set up a “Mayor’s Coordinating Committee” for the U.N. Year of the Disabled, 1981. The driving force behind this move at that time was Jack Longman, a passionate advocate. The purpose of the Coordinating Committee was to increase the level of awareness of the barriers facing persons with disabilities.
B. Following 1981, the Committee recommended to City Council that it not be disbanded but that it continue as a Standing Committee of Council. Thus the Windsor Advisory Committee on the Disabled (WACD) was formed (1982).
C. In 1992, a name change occurred to coincide with the change of the name of the provincial Office for Disabled Persons to Office of Disability Issues. The name adopted locally was the Windsor Advisory Committee on Disability Issues (WACDI) (1992).
D. With the passage of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act in 2001, the Committee will be known as the Windsor Accessibility Advisory Committee (WAAC) (2002). The historical and traditional role of serving the Windsor community in its efforts to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities.
Council Services Department
350 City Hall Square West, Room 203
Windsor, Ontario N9A 6S1
Canada
Phone: For general information, call 311. For detailed inquiries, call the Committee Coordinator at (519) 255-6222 ext. 6430.
Fax: (519) 255-6868
Email: clerks@city.windsor.on.ca