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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05 184 Accessibility PL 05/06 e e e e THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF KINCARDINE BY-LAW NO. 2005-184 BEING A BY-LAW TO ADOPT THE 2005 - 2006 ACCESSIBILITY PLAN FOR THE MUNICIPALITY OF KINCARDINE WHEREAS Section 11 of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001, 5.0. 2001, c. 32, mandates that each year the Council of every municipality shall prepare an accessibility plan; AND WHEREAS Section 224 of the Municipal Act, 2001, 5.0. 2001, c. 25, as amended, provides that the role of Council is to represent the public and to consider the well-being and interests of the municipality and to develop and evaluate the policies and programs of a municipality; AND WHEREAS in consultation with the Municipality's Accessibility Advisory Committee, an updated accessibility plan has been drafted to identify, remove and prevent barriers to persons with disabilities to allow for their greater enjoyment of facilities within the Municipality of Kincardine; AND WHEREAS the Council for The Corporation of the Municipality of Kincardine deems it advisable to adopt the 2005 - 2006 Accessibility Plan as attached to this By-law as Schedule "An; NOW THEREFORE the Council for The Corporation of the Municipality of Kincardine ENACTS as follows: 1. That the Municipality of Kincardine 2005 - 2006 Accessibility Plan attached to this By-law as Schedule "An is hereby adopted for use by the Municipality for the identification, removal and prevention of barriers to persons with disabilities. 2. This By-law shall come into full force and effect upon its final passage. 3. This By-law may be cited as the "2005 - 2006 Accessibility Plan By-law". READ a FIRST, SECOND and THIRD TIME and FINALLY PASSED this 16th day of November 2005. }J~._£.  Mayor ' \)}il C I PAI.1J"- ~~ J..- ,,~ 0" balanced life. great energy. IQ..NCA~INL 2005-2006 ACCESSIBiliTY PLAN 2005-2006 Accessibility Plan Version #2005-1 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 MUNICIPAL.JURISDICTION PARTICIPATING IN THIS PLAN ........................................... 3 Municipality... ............. ....... ......... ................. .......... .... ............................................... ................... 3 Key Contacts. ................ ...... ...................... ............ ..................................................................... 3 1.1 Population..................................................................................................... ........................ 4 1.2 Municipal Highlights ........................................................................................... ................... 4 2.0 CONSULTATION ACTIVITIES ............................................................................................. 7 2.1 Consultation ..... .................. ......................... .......................................................................... 7 2.2 Summary of Information Collected through Consultation....................................................... 8 TABLE 1: GROUPS TO BE CONSULTED......................................................................8 3.0 PLAN DEVELoPMENT WORKING GROUP ........................................................................ 9 3.1 Working Group................................................. ............ ...... .... ........... ............ .......9 Table 2: Accessibility Working Group ..................................................................................... 9 4.0 HISTORY])FirfmATIVES TO IDENTIFY, REMOVE AND PREVENT BARRIERS IN THE MUNICIPALITY. OF KINCARDINE ............................................................................................. 9 4.1 History .................................................................................................................................. 9 4.2 Initiatives..... ............ ........................ ................................................................ 10 4.2.1 Initiative: Association of Municipal Managers Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario - Accessibility Workshop: Accessibility Quotient Audit.................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 5.0 OPERATIONAL REVIEW ................................................................................................... 15 5.1 Status .................................................................................... Errorl Bookmark not defined. 5.2 Summary of Planned Departmental Reveiws ........................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 3: Summary of Departmental Operations Reviews for 2003/04Error! Bookmark not defined. 6.0 TARGETS AND ACTIONS ........................................ ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. 6.1 Direction ............................................................................................... .... .......................... 18 7.0 OVERALL PLAN REVIEW AND UPDATING...........................................................20 7.1 Plan Review Schedule (Quarterly) ............................ ..................... ................... ..20 7.2 Plan Review Schedule (Annually)........................................................................20 7.3 Plan Additions .......... ........................ .............. .......... .......... ...... ...... ............... ...20 8.0 APPENDIX ................................................................ ..................... ... ........... 21 8.1 Definitions........................................................................................................ 21 8.2 Terms of Reference............................................................................................21 8.3 Municipal Real Property Registry...........................................................................21 8.4 About Disability....................... ......... .......................................... ...................... 22 8.5 Accessibility Advisory Committee Library........................................... ................... ...22 Municipality of Kincardine May 2005 2 2005-2006 Accessibility Plan Version #2005-1 Municipality of Kincardine 2005/06 Accessibility Plan 1.0 MUNICIPAL JURISDICTION P ARTICIP A TING IN THIS PLAN Municipality The Municipality of Kincardine. Address 1475 Concession 5 R.R. 5 Kincardine, Ontario N2Z 2X6 Key Contacts Donna MacDougall, CMO - Clerk Staff Resource Municipality of Kincardine 1475 Concession 5 RR5 Kincardine, Ontario N2Z 2X6 Office: (519) 396-3468 Email: clerk(à).kincardine.net Michele Barr, M.A.A. T. O. - Building and Planning Manager Technical Resource Municipality of Kincardine 1475 Concession 5 RR5 Kincardine, Ontario N2Z 2X6 Office: (519) 396-3468 Email: cbo(à).kincardine.net Municipality of Kincardine May 2005 3 2005-2006 Accessibility Plan Version #2005-1 1.1 Population According to the 2001 Statistics Canada Census, the population of the Municipality of Kincardine totals 11029 persons. This can be broken down into the following areas: Ward 1 (former Town of Kincardine) - 6113 persons Ward 2 (former Township of Kincardine) - 2725 persons Ward 3 (former Twp. of Bruce and former Village of Tiverton) - 2191 persons Figures taken from the above data shows an average median age for the entire Municipality of 42 vears old. This reflects a slight rise above the Provincial median age of 37.2. Statistics Canada also states that the percentage of people over the age of fifteen in our municipality is 82%. 1.2 Municipal Highlights The Municipality of Kincardine on the east coast of Lake Huron is a community composed of a town and some small villages and hamlets. The community's recorded history began in 1848 with the arrival of a group of Scottish immigrants who built a dam and sawmill on the Penentagore River. These became the focus of the village that later became the Town of Kincardine. Soon more settlers from Ireland, England and Germany joined them. They helped clear the wooded land for farming and develop the harbour, which was used for shipping agricultural products and as a base for the fishing industry. Nearby the villages of Tiverton, Underwood and Inverhuron grew to service the needs of the settlers. By 1873 the first train steamed into Kincardine to service the burgeoning agricultural industry which was, along with furniture manufacturing, to dominate the economy for nearly a Municipality of Kincardine century. An array of retail and professional May 2005 4 2005-2006 Accessibility Plan Version #2005·1 establishments as well as manufacturing operations also grew to serve the needs of rural and urban populations. These local manufacturing operations helped to support the two war efforts. In the 1960's Atomic Energy of Canada Limited established Canada's first commercial CANDU reactor in Bruce Township. This created an economic boom, providing the skilled work force with steady, high-paying jobs, Government restructuring in 1999 resulted in the amalgamation of the former Town of Kincardine with Kincardine Township and Bruce Township (Tiverton had earlier joined . with Bruce) into what is now the Municipality of Kincardine. Today's diverse community has a population of 12,000 and the main industries are energy, tourism and agriculture. Kincardine is also becoming an attractive retirement centre for those who appreciate reasonable housing prices, excellent medical facilities and beautiful scenery. . Whilst the new Municipality of Kincardine has only been in existence since 1999, the former Town of Kincardine is well over 150 years old. The Víllage of Tiverton to the north is also over 100 years old. Many of the older buildings in the urban centres are of older construction and do not comply with accessibility standards. The governing body of the Municipality of Kincardine is Council. It consists of the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor and seven councillors. Having both legislative and executive responsibilities, Council deals with matters which require policy direction, by-laws or by-law amendments and responses or actions to pertinent issues. Council also makes decisions on Committee of Adjustment matters and on the recommendations of the Committee of the Whole and the Planning Advisory Committee. Reporting to Council, the Chief Administrative Officer is responsible for the day to day operation of municipal departments. Municipality of Kincardine May 2005 5 2005·2006 Accessibility Plan Version #2005-1 Municipal departments include Chief Adminisúator's Office, Office of the Clerk, Finance, Public Works, Building and Planning Department, Recreation and Parks and Fire Department and Emergency Management. There are also multitudes of services that are not provided directly by the Municipality. These include social services (Bruce County), hospital care (South Bruce Grey Health Center), public health (Grey Bruce Health Unit) land ambulance service (Bruce County), recycling and garbage pickup (Bruce Area Solid Waste Recycling Association) elecúicity suppliers (Westario and Hydro One), libraries (Bruce County), non-profit housing (Bruce County), land planning (Bruce County), Engineering (private firms) and policing (Ontario Provincial Police). The Bruce Telecom is owned by the Municipality of Kincardine and today provides telephone services to 15,000 customers and 18,000 Internet customers in five counties. Some services are also shared with other municipalities. These include recreation agreements and fire service agreements. Municipality of Kincardine May 2005 6 2005-06 Accessibility Plan Version #2005-01 2.0 CONSULTATION ACTIVITIES 2.1 Consultation In reviewing this plan. the Municipality of Kincardine has consulted with it's Accessibility Advisory Committee, from herein known as nthe Committee". This committee has been used as a reference source for issues pertaining to disability and how these issues can be minimized and lor resolved. (See term of reference 7.0) Department heads have also been contacted and asked for input with regards to their department, historical measures that have been taken to improve accessibility, suggestions for future improvements and how those improvements can be made. The chart below gives a generalized guide as to what groups will be consulted in the upcoming year to evaluate current circumstances. Municipality of Kincardine May 2005 7 2005-06 Accessibility Plan Version #2005-01 2.2 Summary of Infonnation Collected through Consultation Information that the Municipality collects will be analysed and used to form the basis of all-future accessibility decisions and improvements. All information is kept on file and will be readily accessible for future use. Table 1: Groups to be consulted . Agency Ma~datoryl Areas of Consultation Status Preferred ..... .> Initial FADS Lodging Complete .. ~): .t. . 2003 2004 2005 Underway Planned Community living p p March of Dimes p p Independent living p p Dept. Heads p p CNIS P P Accessibility member p p interviews Heart and p p Stroke Society Local Seniors p p Groups Community p p Care Access Center Parkinson's p p Society Day Away p p Program Easter Seals p p Municipality of Kincardine May 2005 8 2oo5·06 Accessibility Plan Version #2005-01 3.0 PLAN DEVELOPMENT WORKING GROUP 3.1 Working Group The working group has consisted mainly of staff resources and the Committee. It is intended that this group can work in cooperation with senior department heads. This will allow a more diverse input of ideas and information that can be incorporated into a daily way of life with regards to accessibility issues and municipal operations. Table 2: Accessibility Working Group Working Group Member Donna MacDougall Michele Barr Position Department Represented Contact Telephone & Email Clerk Clerk's Department (519) 396-3468 clerk@kincardine.net (519) 396-3468 cboCã1kincardine.net Building and Planning Manager Building Department 4.0 HISTORY OF INITIATIVES TO IDENTIFY, REMOVE AND PREVENT BARRIERS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF KINCARDINE 4.1 History The accessibility quotient survey was also used to help identify weak and strong areas. Some examples of barriers identified include curbs requiring curb cuts for wheelchair accessibility, sidewalks with stairways attached to them, crosswalk push buttons inconveniently located, lack of varied formats for municipal information to name a few. Various Municipal departments are currently working toward addressing these issues and taking corrective action. Issues brought forward by residents are taken seriously and every attempt will be made to resolve the issues raised. Please refer to section 4.2.1 Table 3 for a complete listing of barriers identified to date. Municipality of Kincardine May 2005 9 2005-06 Accessibility Plan Version #2005-01 4.2 Initiatives Accessibility issues are being recorded and filed, a resource library on accessibility issues has been created. The municipal accessibility plan will be reviewed and revised if required, on an annual basis by September 30 of each year. There are too many various issues to be reasonably dealt with at once in a small to medium sized municipality with limited staff and resources. The Municipality of Kincardine will endeavour to plan for the future how these limited resources may be best used to efficiently resolve accessibility issues within our boundaries. Facility Accessibility Design Standards (FADS) At the Council Meeting, May 18, 2005 Council adopted the use of the London FAD. Standards, as amended from time to time, as a guide when technically and economically feasible to do so and forms part of the Accessibility Plan. Where to look for Barriers The following are just some of the areas where barriers may be found: The Built Environment · Exterior/interior of a building · Parking areas · Drop-off zones · Hallways · Floors · Lobbies · Reception areas · Offices · Washrooms · Elevators · Stairs · Storage areas · Lighti ng Municipality of Kincardine May 2005 10 2005-06 Accessibility Plan Version #2005-01 Physical · Regulations · Rules · Protocols · Safety and evacuation · Furniture · Work stations · Doors · Doorknobs · Windows · Bathroom hardware · Locks · Security systems Technoloaical Information · Computers · Operating systems · Standard software · Web sites · Keyboards · Mice · Printers · Fax machines · Telephones · TTY's · Photocopiers · Appliances · Control panels · Switches · Books · Print · Internet · Signage · Bulletin boards · Brochures · Fonms · Manuals · Faxes · Computer screens Recreational Facilities· · Procurement and purchasing · Job postings · Hiring · Interviewing · Testing · Meetings · Planning and subdivision approval · Promotion · By-laws · Playgrounds · Gymnasiums · Swimming pools · Change rooms · Theatres · Auditoriums - stage and theatre · Picnic areas · Tracks · Playing fields · Rail trails · Recreational trails Policies and Practices Communication Municipality of Kincardine May 2005 11 2005-06 Accessibility Plan Version #2005-01 · Training · Receptionists · Public announcements · Security staff Tools · Hands tools · Machinery · Carts and dollies Service Deliveries · In person · By telephone · By mail · By email · Via the web Transportation · Buses · Trains · Aircraft · Watercraft · Cars · Trucks · Vans Municipality of Kincardine May 2005 12 2005-06 Accessibility Plan Version #2005-01 5.0 OPERATIONAL REVIEW 5.1 Summary of Planned Departmental Reviews The following table summa rises the municipal departments that will be under review according to this plan in the upcoming year. Issues within these departments will be addressed and appropriate improvements and changes will be made where resources allow. It must be noted that improvements and changes to operations, policies, procedures etc. must follow municipal protocol and may only be implemented within constraints of available municipal resources including staffing and budget. All due diligence is being followed in the achievement of municipal compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarian's with Disabilities Act, 2005 (Bill 118). Chief Administrator's Office - Accessibility Achievements What barrier was identified? What type of barrier was it? Disability type How were these barriers addressed? Chief Administrator's Office - Targets and Actions 2005/2006 What by-law, policy or Action to take place Timing practice will be reviewed? CAO Policy Review 2005 - 2006 Municipality of Kincardine May 2005 13 2005-06 Accessibility Plan Version #2005-01 Clerk's Department - Accessibility Achievements What barrier was identified? What type of barrier was it? Disability type How were these barriers addressed? Clerk's Department - Targets and Actions 2005/2006 What by-law, policy or Action to take place Timing practice will be reviewed? Department Budgets Encourage Departments to have their 2006 Budget budget contain an Accessibility line Item - i.e. Recreation, tourism, administration, etc., By-law to adopt Plan 2005 Timeline to be set in accordance with November And to include FADS Plan so that in future legislative 2005 requirements are met - AAC to determine by resolution. In determining purchase awards and 2005/2006 Procurement Policy tenders for public or employees legislation section 13 says we shall have regard to persons with disabilities Amend Policy to include SHALL have regard. Consolidated by-law to be drafted and 2006 Traffic & Parking By-law disabled parking to be reviewed throughout the municipality. 2005/2006 Communications (1) WEB Page to be interactive for people with disabilities - consult with Running Tide - AAC to advise requirements. Website to include higher profile for 2006 Accessibility matters - AAC to state how we should develop this. Municipality of Kincardine May 2005 14 2005-06 Accessibility Plan Version #2005-01 (2) Establish a recognition program for owners when their buildings meet the 2006 Accessibility Standards for the public. (3) The AAC to develop a communication strategy for intemal 2006 municipal use and external use (4)The AAC to continue its public 2006 education campaign Summarize for dissemination to the Tourism public accommodation available for people with disabilities; 2006 Consider in future advertisements inclusion of disabled persons. Building and Planning - Accessibility Achievements What barrier was identified? Policy- Need for review of zoning by-law with regard to handicapped parking. What type of barrier was it? PolicylPractice Disability type Physical How were these barriers addressed? Handicapped parking section included in zoning by-law. Building and Planning - Targets and Actions 2005/2006 What by-law, policy or Action to take place practice will be reviewed? B&P Plan Review B&P Information Access B&P Use of Accessibility Standards Timing B&P Parking By-law Official Plan with regard to accessibility Review AAC Information on website Consideration of FADS when reviewing and developing municipal and private projects Consolidate parking by-law for municipality 2005 & 2006 2005 2005, ongoing 2005 2006 Municipality of Kincardine May 2005 15 2005-06 Accessibility Plan Version #2005-01 Recreation and Parks - Accessibility Achievements What barrier What type of Disability How were these was identified? barrier was it? type barriers addressed? Facility - Architectural Physical Ramp extension and Davidson Centre repair access to senior's room Facility - Physical Physical Handicap Entrance Davidson Centre installed (new exterior entrance door) Facility - Arts Physical Physical Handicap accessible Centre Theatre washroom Facility - Arts Physical Physical Installation of elevator Centre Recreation and Parks - Targets and Actions 2005/2006 What by-law, policy or Action to take place Timing practice will be reviewed? R&P programs Review 2005 R&P accessibility to parks Review 2005 and services R&P accessibility for Wheelchair ramp at ice level of ice 2005 wheelchair users to watch surface at the Davidson Centre hockey games R&P accessibility at Installation of an elevator (Dependent 2005 Davidson Centre on Community Needs Study Report) R&P washroom Study of Municipal public washrooms to 2006 accessibility ensure adequacy and accessibility Municipality of Kincardine May 2005 16 2005-06 Accessibility Plan Version #2005-01 Fire Department and Emergency Planning - Accessibility Achievements What barrier What type of Disability How were these was identified? barrier was it? type barriers addressed? Fire Department and Emergency Planning - Targets and Actions 2005/2006 What by-law, policy or Action to take place Timing practice will be reviewed? F&E visual fire alarms for Review 2005 deaf persons in municipal buildings Community Emergency Review 2005 - annually Plan Public Works - Accessibility Achievements What barrier What type of Disability How were these was identified? barrier was it? type barriers addressed? Curb cuts Physical Physical Curb cut standard approved subject to a field review by AAC Public Works - Targets and Actions 2005/2006 What by-law, policy or Action to take place Timing practice will be reviewed? PW crosswalks and Review opportunities to improve 2005 ergonomic operation of pushbuttons PW snow removal-curb Review opportunities to improve 2005 cuts and sidewalks and handicapped parking areas Municipality of Kincardine May 2005 17 I 2005-06 Accessibility Plan Version #2005-01 , PW Use of Accessibility Consideration of FADS when reviewing 2005, ongoing Standards and developing Public Works projects PW wheelchair ramp at With Streetscape Project 2005 Library PW Arts Centre wheelchair With Streetscape Project 2005 ramp PW automatic entrance Door at the Municipal Administration 2005 Centre 7.0 Overall Plan Review and Updating 7.1 Departmental Review Schedule (Semi-annually) The Departmental Reviews will be updated semi-annually by January 15 and July 15 of each year by department heads. Progress of their individual departments toward meeting their prescribed accessibility goals will be recorded and a report will be created for council review. These departmental reports will also be made available for review at Accessibility Advisory Committee meetings. The Committee will make comment as to the progress made toward targeted goals in relation to the current year's Accessibility Plan. 7.2 Plan Review Schedule (Annually) The Accessibility Plan will be updated annually with information collected from semi- I annual reviews by department heads. All updates will be made as part of a progressive action toward meeting the targets as prescribed in the current year's plan. Municipality of Kincardine May 2005 18 2005-06 Accessibility Plan Version #2005-01 8.0 Appendix 8.1 Definitions Disability: Any restriction or lack of ability to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being. Ba"ier(s): This is the item to be addressed with specific remedial actions. Action(s): The goal of the actions is to move the organization forward in eliminating and preventing barriers. Resources Necessary to Undertake Action: Necessary resources may be funding for actions or merely staff time dedicated to doing the work proposed. Departmental Lead: These are the staff member(s) who are accountable for completing the action(s). 8.2 Terms of Reference See attached Terms of Reference 8.3 Municipal Real Property Registry A listing of Municipality of Kincardine Real Property is available in the AAC Library. 8.4 About Disability See attached. 8.5 Accessibility Advisory Committee Library Municipal Administration Centre 1475, Concession 5 RR#5, Kincardine, Ontario, N2Z 2X6. Municipality of Kincardine May 2005 19 8.2 Approved by Council June 18, 2003 Accessibility Advisory Committee Terms of Reference Vision: To make recommendations to Council that consider the needs and rights of persons with disabilities and assure maximum integrated accessibility for all citizens. Duty of committee (Extractedfrom ODA section J 2) The committee shall advise the council in each year about the preparation, implementation and effectiveness of its accessibility plan. Advice the council on the accessibility for persons with disabilities to a building, structure or premises, or part of a building, structure or premises, (a) that the council purchases, constructs or significantly renovates; (b) for which the council enters into a new lease; or (c) that a person provides as municipal capital facilities under an agreement entered into with the council in accordance with section 2]0.1 of the Municipal Act. Functions: (Extractedfrom ODA section 12) The committee shall, (a) perform the functions set out in this section, including reviewing in a timely manner the site plans and drawings described in section 41 of the Planning Act that the committee selects; and (b) perform all other functions that are specified in the regulations. Other functions approved by Council J. Liaising with other accessibility advisory committees Municipal, County, and Provincial 2. Liaising with ]ocal stakeholder groups representing persons with disabilities 3. Liaising with other local agencies with requirements under the act. Examples: Police, Hospital, Library, Schools, BMTS, Ambulance, etc, 4. Liaising with Municipal "Service" providers, with requirements under the ODA and any "Agency" prescribed in accompanying regulations. 5. Provide guidance to Municipal Departments, and Councillors on ODA requirements 6. Provide public forum and workshops on accessible communities issues 7. Catalog and prioritize accessibility issues related to existing municipal facilities ] 8.2 Approved by Council June 18, 2003 Structure: I. The committee shall be comprised of: · Members of the public (at least 50% with disabilities). Appointed by By-Laws of Council pursuant to the Ontarians with Disabilities Act. · A Council member in good standing. 2. The committee will also function with the support of: · Municipal clerk. · Person assigned to prepare the Accessibility Plan. 3. An elected chair, ITom among public members. 4. The committee reports to Council. 5. Sub Committee may be established, at the discretion of the committee. 6. All communications and recommendations with municipal councillors and staff, on behalf of the committee, must be approved by resolution of the committee. Meeting Protocol: I. Public meetings will be the norm. In camera sessions will only be allowed as per the Municipal Act. 2. Members shall declare pecuniary interest or conflicts, as soon as they are aware of them. 3. Minutes shall be kept of all meetings and shall be posted to all members within 10 business days of the meeting, except where voted on by the committee. 4. Notice of meeting shall be issued a minimum of fhe business days. prior to the meeting. With agenda item submitted to the clerk prior to this issue. 5. A 50% quorum is required to hold an official meeting. 6. If there isno quorum, a meeting may be held to discuss the issues, but no mandate or voting can be held on any issue raised. Minutes will be kept of this meeting, but it will be titled an unofficial meeting. 7. The regular meetings shall be held on the fIrst Thursday of each month. 8. Meeting will commence at 5:15pm with maximum duration of I \" hours. To extend the duration of any meeting a 2/3" majority vote is required. 9. Emergency meetings may be called by the chair or delegate. It is expected that all due consideration with regard to calling the meeting. and will be limited to the specifIc reason for calling the meeting. 10. Action Item lists of all outstanding items will be maintained as part of the minutes. II. The committee will endeavor to act proactive]y and act promptly on all issues relevant to the committees duties and functions. 2 8.4 ABOUT DISABll..ITY The Disability Continuum There is no univexsally accepted meaning for the woni "disability>'. Most definitions, however, can be placed on a continuum. At one end of the speclIum, ði5"bility is explained in tcmls of medical conditions (medica! model). At the opposite eDd, disabilityis explained in terms of the social and physical contexts in which it occurs (environmental model). .. Design flaw in tbe Environment < :> Health Problem in an Individnal The medical model focuses on deficiencies, symptoms and tre<'-<;r1ÍS. The World Hc:a1th erg,mi..mon's (WHO) 1976 definition fur disability, for example, is "any restriction or lack: (resulting from an impairment) of ability to pc:rfon:n an activity in the manner orwitbÏn the range considered nonnal for a human being. W Medical model definitions promote the idea that disaln1ity is a deviation from the 1lOnD. Many people with disabilities are troubled by definitions that regard disability as abnormal, ,....-. preferring instead to portray disability as commonplace, ua1ma1, and Ù1 fact, inevitable. As people age, they experience gradual declines in visnal acuity, auditory sensitivity, range of motion. bodily strength and mental powers. Significant functionallimítaûons affect almost half of people between the ages of 55 and 79, and over 70"10 of people over 80_ Beyond middle age, disability is the norm. The environmental model expl~ disability in relation to social and physical contexts. In this view, the environment, 110t an individual's medical condition, causes disability. For example, during an electrical blackout, a person who is completely blind can effOrtlesslY11llvigate around the home, hammer nails, and, if a Braille user, read a novel. A sighted person would be unable to perform these tasks easily, if at aU. In this example, the enviromnent disables the sighted person. The environmental model emphasizes that people with disabilities are capable human beings, and that it is bmiers, not medical conditions, that are disabling. Disability results wnen people design a world for their way of living only, without taking Ù1to accoant the natural- and fwesecablc - wriability among ÒJ.m:m beings. In other words, disability is a consequenĊ“ of design tlaws in the built and human enviromnents~ All barriers are humm-made. If design problems cause baIriers, then disabilities can be f'liminared - ormÍnimÝ"ed - by modifying how we live, the tools we use, and our intuitions about the proper way to do things. If systemic baniers Çau&c disabilities, the disabilities can be eHminatM by modifications to po~cies. plans and. processes. If attitudes cause barriers, then disability awareness, respect and. an undetstanding of positive interaction with people with õiS"hilities wiD remove barriers. Specialized medical knowledge may be needed to treat diseases and symptoms, but not to address barriers. Barriers, not medical conditions, prevent people with disabilities wm participating fully in life. ' Types of disability and Cunctionallimitations A person's disabilitY may make it physically or cognitively hard to perfonn everyday tasks such as operating a keyboard, reading a sign, differentiating colours, distinguishing sounds, climbing stairs, grasping small items, remembering words, or doing arithmetic. Consider the functional limitations associated with twelve different kinds of disability and the effects of these limitations on an individual's ability to perfonn everyday tasks.7 1. Physical Physical disabilities include minor difficulties moving or coordinating a part of the body, muscle weakness, tremors and in extreme cases, paralysis in one or more parts of the body. Physical disabilities can be congenital, such as Muscular Dystrophy; or acquired, such as tendoIÙtis. Physical disabilities affect an individual's ability to: · perform manual tasks, such as hold a pen, grip and turn a key, type on a k~yboard, click a mouse button, and twist a doorlalob · Control the speed of one's movements · Coordinate one's movements · Move rapidly · Experience balance and orientation · Move one's anns or legs fully, e.g., climb stairs · Move around independently, e.g., walk any distance, easily get into or out of a car, stand for an extended period · Reach, pull, push or manipulate objects · Have strength or endurance 2. Hearing Hearing loss include problems distinguishing certain frequencies, sounds or words, ringing in the ears and total (profound) deafness. A person who is deaf, deafened or hard-of-hearing may be unable to use a public telephone, understand speech in noisy environments, or pronounce words clearly enough to be understood by strangers. . "'~',~"'1i''''':;' 3. Speech Speech disability is a partial or total loss of the ability to speak. Typical voice disorders include problems with : · Pronunciation · Pitch and loudness · Hoarseness or brcathiness · Stuttering or slurring People with severe speech disabilities sometimes use manual or electronic communication devices. Individuals who have never heard may have speech that is hard to understand. 4. Vision Vision disabilities range from slightly reduced visual acuity to total blindness. A person with reduced visual acuity may have trouble reading street signs, recognizing faces, or judging distances. They might find it difficult to maneuver, especially in an unfamiliar place. He or she may have a very narrow field of vision, be unable to differentiate colours, have difficulties navigating or seeing at night, 'or require bright lights to read. Most people who are legally blind have some vision. 5. Deaf-blind Deaf-blindness is a combination of hearing and vision loss. It results in significant difficulties accessing information and perfonning activities of daily living. Deaf-blind disabilities interfere with communication, learning, orientation and mobility. Individuals who are deaf-blind communicate using various sign language systems, Braille, standard PCs equipped with Braille displays, telephone devices for the deaf-blind and communication boards. They navigate with the aid of white canes, service animals, and electronic navigation devices. People who are deaf-blind may rely on the services of an intervener. Interveners relay and facilitate auditory a,nd visual information and act as sighted guides. Interveners are skilled in the communication systems used by people who are deaf-blind, including sign language and Braille. 6. Smell Smell disability is the inability to sense, or a hypersensitivity to, odours and smells. A person with a smelling disability may have allergies to certain odours, scents or chemicals or may be unable to identify dangerous gases, smoke, fumes and spoiled food. .-,-,"" -".:;" 7. Taste .~- Taste disability limits the ability to experience the four primary taste sensations: sweetness. bitterness, saltiness and sourness. A person with a taste disability may be unable to identify ingredients in food, spoiled food, or noxious substances. 8. Touch Touch disability alters the ability to sense surfaces and their texture or quality, including temperature, vibration and pressure. TouchiI!g sensations may be heightened, limited, absent (numbness), or may cause pain or burning. A person with a touch disability may þe unable to detect (or be insensitive to) heat, cold or changing temperatures. Alternatively, a person with a touch disability may be hypersensitive to sound. physical vibrations. or heated surfaCes or air. 9. InteRectuat An inté1lectual disability affects an individua1&#8217;s ability to t!ùnk and reason. The disability may be caused by genetic factol's (e.g" Downs Syndrome), exposure to enviroDDlental toxins (as in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome), brain tIauma and psychiatric conditions. ,.- A person with an intellectual disability may have difficulty with . Language: understanding and using spoken or written information · Concepts: understanding cause and effect · Perception: taking in and responding to sensory information · Memory: retrieving and recognizing information &om short- or long-term memory · Recognizing problems, problem solving and reasoning 10. Mental health There are three main kinds of mental health disabilities: · Anxiety: a state of heightened nervousness or fear related to stress . Mood: sadness or depression · Behavioral: being disorganized; making false statements or inappropriate comments; telling distorted or exaggerated stories ..- People with mental health disabilities may seem edgy or irritated; act aggressively; exlnòit blunt behavior; be perceived as being pushy or abrupt; start laughing or get angry for no apparent reason. 11. Learning Leaming disabilities are disorders that affect verbal and non-verba! infonnation acquisition, retention, understanding, processing, organization and use. People with learning disabilities have average or above-average intelligence, but take in infonnation, retain it, and express mowledge in different ways. Learning disabilities affect reading comprehension and speed; spelling; the mechanics of writing; manual dexterity; math computation; problem solving; processing speed; tIle ability to organize space and manage time; and orientation and way-finding. lZ. Other Disabilities result &om other conditions, accidents, illnesses, and diseases, including ALS (Lou Gehrig disease), asthma, diabete$. cancer, rllV/AlDS, environmental sensitivities, seizure disorders, heart disease, stroke, and joint replacement --'.