Persons with Disabilities Advisory Committee

Terms of reference

The Persons with Disabilities Advisory Committee:

• Provides input to City Council and staff about issues of concern, including matters that require action by the City
• Exchanges information with persons with disabilities and the general public about relevant programs and issues of interest
• Engages in outreach to persons with disabilities to disseminate information and encourage participation
• Works cooperatively with other civic departments, agencies, and boards whose activities affect persons with disabilities
• Works with city staff to ensure that civic events are accessible for persons with disabilities

Policy advice

The committee:

• Provides input to City Council and staff about issues of concern
• Considers any matters which may be referred to the committee by Council or staff
• May take positions on policy initiatives from other levels of government within the mandate of the committee

Collaboration

The committee:

• Works co-operatively with other agencies whose activities affect constituent communities, including initiating and developing relevant projects
• Acts as a resource for staff doing public involvement processes and civic events

Awareness and outreach

The committee:

• Exchanges information with the constituent communities and the general public about relevant programs and issues of interest
• Engages in outreach to disseminate information and encourage participation from constituent communities

Planning and reporting

The committee:

• Produces an annual work plan with specific objectives by no later than April of each year, in consultation with Council and staff liaisons, for distribution to Council and civic departments for
  information
• Submits an annual report to Council describing its accomplishments for the year, including reference to each objective set out in the work plan and any arising issues to which the committee has responded

Subcommittees

• Accessible City
• Housing
• Social Inclusion
• Transportation

Meeting frequency

The committee meets six times per year. The committee does not meet in August.

Time Commitment

In addition to preparation time and attendance at monthly meetings, committee members will have the opportunity to: join sub-committees which also meet monthly, spend time on research, correspondence, and attend City consultations and other events relevant to the Committee.

Attendance requirement

Members may miss no more than four consecutive meetings without obtaining leave of absence from the committee. Membership will be terminated following the fourth such absence.

Membership

The Committee is comprised of 15 voting members (8 is quorum).

The Committee welcomes members:

• With or without disabilities, regardless of age, gender, neighbourhood, racial origin, income level, or sexual orientation
• Who live or work in Vancouver, or have a significant body of experience with Vancouver issues
• Who can show relevant experience, knowledge, abilities or skills related to the committee’s work
• Being nominated by a community group working on related issues is an asset

Committee members are selected through the City of Vancouver's Civic Committee public selection process.

The Committee Chair is selected by the members at the first meeting for the  Council term of the Committee.

Committee members appointed in 2016 will serve until November 4, 2018.

Members must reapply to be reappointed.

Members

• Tasia Alexis
• Caitlin Anderson
• Varun Banthia
• Peter Brown
• Cathy Browne
• Jacques Courteau
• Mary-Jo Fetterly
• Paul Gauthier
• Chelsea Hitchen
• Laura Mackenrot
• Anita Rudolph
• Leanor Vlug
• Jane Vorbrodt
• Vacant
• Vacant

Liaisons

• City Council: Councillor George Affleck 
• City Council: Councillor Melissa De Genova  
• Park Board: Commissioner Michael Wiebe 
• Vancouver School Board: Trustee Ken Clement
• Vancouver Public Library: Karen Liebel

In addition to the regular meetings listed here, the Committee also meets several times per year for informal working sessions. Please contact the Meeting Coordinator for more information.

All meetings listed below are held on Thursdays at 5:00 pm, and are open to the public.

2018 meetings, agendas and minutes

2017 meetings, agendas and minutes

2016 meetings, agendas and minutes

2015 meetings, agendas and minutes

2014 meetings, agendas and minutes

2013 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2012 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2017-2018 Work Plan

The 2017-2018 Work Plan summarizes the high priority objectives for the committee term and establishes an action plan to achieve those objectives.

• View the Work Plan  (80 kb)

2017 in Review

An overview of the committee's 2017 accomplishments and future goals as presented at the Council of Council's on October 12, 2017.

• View the poster  (297 kb)

2016 in Review

An overview of the committee's 2016 accomplishments and future goals as presented at the Council of Council's on November 9, 2016.

• View the poster  (297 kb)

2012-2014 Term in Review

An overview of the committee's closing term accomplishments and recommendations for continuation of the work was presented at the Council of Council's December 2014.

• View the committee's presentation (191 kb)

Housing and support proposal for Pearson Dogwood Lands

The Committee outlined four housing and support models for future residents in response to the proposed Policy Statement for the Pearson Dogwood Lands Policy Planning Program. The Committee adopted the document on December 9, 2013

• View the Proposal for Housing and Support for the Pearson Redevelopment (60 KB)