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Item 11.3 - Attachment 1 |
Access Advisory Committee Minutes 16 August 2011 |
MINUTES OF THE ACCESS
ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN MEETING ROOMS 1 & 2, GROUND FLOOR,
PRESENT
Mr John Moxon in the Chair, Leonie Clarke, Joe Dimech, Jim Grainda, Councillor C X Lim (arrived 6.05pm), Debbie Manuel, Hamish Murray and Duy
Quang Nguyen.
IN ATTENDANCE
1. WELCOME
John Moxon welcomed
everyone to the Access Committee.
2. ACKOWLEDGEMENT OF
TRADITIONAL OWNERS
John Moxon acknowledged
the Burramattagal Clan of The Darug, the traditional land owners of
3. APOLOGIES
An apology was received and accepted for the absence of
Elizabeth Collins - Community Services Team Leader Home Support & Community
Services and Jayne Boardman – Social Outcomes Project Officer.
4. CONFLICT OF
INTEREST DECLARATION
There
were no declarations made regarding conflict of interest at this meeting.
5. CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
A
copy of the Minutes of the Access Advisory Committee meeting held on 21 June
2011 had previously been forwarded to each member.
RESOLUTION (Murray/Grainda)
That the Minutes of the meeting of the Access Advisory
Committee held on 21 June 2011 be taken as read and confirmed as a true record
of the meeting.
6.
ParraConnect
John Moxon
provided a background on ParraConnect, a proposal to put technology to its best
use and to ensure that
An
Expression of Interest (EOI) had been sought from the IT Sector in conjunction
with ParraConnect and some 44 EOIs had been received for consideration.
It should
be noted that Council will not fund the proposals; rather it will facilitate
implementation and seek funding from the private sector, State and Federal
Governments, and from other organisations.
Two (2)
projects currently being considered are:-
Mobile
Concierge – A card
that can stand alone or be used in a smart phone that will enable a purchase to
be made in some 100 local stores (likely up to a $100 limit operating as a
debit card) by simply placing the card on a reader. The card may also be used
in libraries, for car parking and as a loyalty card. It is likely the project
will commence in November this year.
Information
Kiosks – These are
only in the ideas stage. Future meetings will be held to discuss the content
and placement of information kiosks around the CBD where access will be available
to a computer screen to obtain information (ie on tourism), make complaints or
make an enquiry.
It was
noted that any such kiosk should be accessible for visually impaired persons,
be voice accessible, have captions and be wheelchair accessible.
It was
further noted that an IBM conference would be held in October to address how
information technology ideas can be brought to fruition rather than just
discussed.
ACTION
That John Moxon, Leonie Clarke and
Hamish Murray be appointed to a working group to work with Council’s Manager
Information Technology and the relevant development team to provide input into ParraConnect
technology, including the website and Information Kiosks.
7. Public
Domain Details Update
Information
was tabled from
Ms Westlake
had further noted that the first project based on the new guidelines has been
commenced at the corner of Wigram and
Unfortunately,
the contractor had not built the project according to plan. Accordingly the
works will have to be redone as it is important that the first project
constructed using the new tactile and directional indicators is carried out
correctly.
8. International
Day of People with a Disability (IDPwD)
Mr Moxon
noted that he had forwarded a letter to the Lord Mayor and Councillors seeking additional
financial support for the Day’s event but had not been successful in achieving
further funds.
9. Railcorp
Letter
The Lord
Mayor had now received a response indicating that detailed design and planning
work would commence in the 2011/12 financial year to prepare for a future “Easy
Access” upgrade at Clyde Station. RailCorp expects that the works will be
carried out within the next 5 years.
ACTION
That follow up letters be sent on a
6 monthly basis seeking an update on the proposed works at
10. Library
Return Bin Feedback
The
Committee had previously raised concerns in relation to the library return bins
at the Parramatta Central Library. In particular, the Committee was concerned with
the size and lighting of signage and the height of the return slot and bar code
scanner.
A response
had now been received from the Service Manager – Library Services which
indicated:-
1. The
problem with the signage is acknowledged and accordingly new signage is being
arranged with larger print. A work request has been submitted for extra
lighting to be installed to improve visibility in the area.
2. Council’s
Capital Works Project Team had consulted the relevant Standards prior to the
installation of the return chutes and all chutes were constructed in accordance
within the required range.
Mr Moxon
noted problems existed as wheelchair users were not able to get under the
relevant chutes which made reach distances inappropriate. He added that the
relevant reach standards should have been consulted.
ACTION
That Hamish Murray and John Moxon
submit their concerns and make reference to the relevant standards, in writing,
with respect to the library book return chutes for further consideration by the
relevant staff.
Note
Councillor C X Lim arrived at the
meeting at 6.05pm.
11. ParraConnect
(2)
On arrival
of Councillor C X Lim, a member of the ParraConnect Committee, the meeting
recommitted the issue of ParraConnect for further discussion.
Councillor
Lim noted that ParraConnect was a vehicle for technology to meet social and
business requirements and sought input, suggestions and comments from Committee
members.
Councillor
Lim detailed future ideas being pursued including connected meeting rooms and
the option to borrow reader tablets from libraries to enable books to be
downloaded and read electronically.
Ms Clarke
noted that Information Kiosks located at Top Ryde and Merrylands had poorly
contrasting colours, small print and pictures and were almost impossible to
use.
Councillor
Lim suggested that standards needed to be developed for the betterment of
public display systems.
ACTION
The Access Committee provide
information on the best organisations with which to consult (ie Vision
12. GENERAL
BUSINESS
12.1 Access
and Equity Policy
Jayne
Boardman had recently accepted the role of Social Outcomes Project Officer and
would like to attend a future meeting of the Access Committee to provide an
update on the Access and Equity Policy.
ACTION
Ms Boardman be invited to attend a
future meeting of the Access Advisory Committee to provide an update on the
Access and Equity Policy and in the meantime, any input into this policy be
provided to Ms Owen.
12.2 Library
Service for People with a Disability – Brochure
A copy of
the subject brochure was circulated to members.
12.3 EyeWatch
Mr Moxon
noted that Neighbourhood Watch had recently been reinvigorated under the title
of EyeWatch.
Members of
EyeWatch will be able to report crime and obtain information from Police in
real time on FaceBook. Membership to EyeWatch will be vetted by the Police and
those members of the public with serious criminal convictions will be declined
membership.
Ms Owen
noted that concerns had been expressed by other staff that the FaceBook page
was not being strongly moderated.
Mr Moxon
noted that he would be meeting with the relevant police officers shortly and
would raise Ms Owen’s concerns.
NEXT MEETING
18 October 2011 at 5:30pm
Meeting Rooms 1 & 2
The meeting concluded at 6.46 pm