MEETING PREVIEW: Accessibility Advisory Committee for April 15, 2025

Of all the shake-ups at the Advisory Committees of Council, this might be the most shook up. Although the Accessibility Advisory Committee is perhaps the least altered, it was the subject of controversy last April when most of the committee, including the chair, vice-chair, and former vice-chair, all resigned after staff refused to grant the AAC the increased autonomy they were seeking. Now, they will start again. Build back better? I guess we will see…

NOTE #1: This meeting will take place in Meeting Room A at City Hall, but you can also watch it on video via Microsoft Teams. (Find the link on the meeting agenda.)

NOTE #2: Accessibility-related accommodations available upon timely request to the committee liaison at 519-822-1260 extension 3536; TTY 519-826-9771 email: accessibility [at] guelph.ca.

NOTE #3: The meeting begins at 3 pm and is expected to wrap up around 5 pm.

Advisory Committee of Council General Roles, Responsibilities and Procedural Training – This seems to be pro forma for these first meetings of the new ACOCs. And since are so many people in this committee are new, it makes sense to begin with a review of the framework, the Code of Conduct, responsibilities of members, procedural training and agenda management for advisory committees anyway.

Orientation and Training from the Accessibility Liaisons on Specific Roles and Responsibilities – Supervisor for Accessibility Services Leanne Warren and Accessibility Co-ordinator Kayla Besse will lead the new AAC through the functioning of the committee, the work they do, and the resources that they have in order to do it. The members of the committee will also be asked to share their interests when it comes to committee work.

Election of Heritage Advisory Committee Chair and Vice-Chair – Once the new committee is orientated, they will wrap up by electing the new chair and vice-chair. The previous chair and vice-chair, Lorelei Root and Anordul Cameron, both resigned in protest at April’s AAC meeting.