Prince Albert accessibility meeting hears calls for quicker fixes, long-term planning

“The problem with consultation is it tends to be one and done and we realized that we wanted to do something that was much more integral and meaningful to change.”

She said the public forum is intended to provide ongoing feedback, help prioritize recommendations, guide funding decisions and support regular updates to council.

“We’re hoping that it becomes something that really has a life of its own.”

The City of Prince Albert said the accessibility fair was designed to let individuals and families share feedback, discuss accessibility challenges and connect with organizations that support people with disabilities. The plan is intended to identify, remove and prevent barriers in areas such as public buildings, parks, infrastructure, communications, employment, transportation, service delivery and procurement.

Mark Warner attended the meeting on behalf of his 27-year-old daughter, Gwen, who uses a wheelchair, is on oxygen and is non-verbal.

Warner said one of the issues that prompted him to contact the city was finding accessible parking stalls blocked by snow at a local facility.

“The accessible parking areas were the only spots in the parking lot that weren’t cleared of snow,” Warner said. “Being in a wheelchair, you can’t access the sidewalk in those spaces either because there’s rivers of snow.”

Wheelchair-accessible transportation is another major issue. Warner said people who rely on the city’s accessible transit service may have to plan two weeks in advance and then work around other riders’ schedules.

Warner continued he would like to see the city consider changes to its taxi bylaw requiring cab companies to include accessible vehicles in their fleets at the same rate charged to other passengers.

He also said the feedback group should have a role when new city facilities are being planned so accessibility issues can be caught before construction.

“If something as simple as high visibility tape on something can make things easier and better for people, then having somebody who knows that at the beginning when we’re building a facility can save a lot of money and a lot of time trying to refit things to make them accessible after the fact,” Warner said.

Dinsdale said some of the improvements discussed Tuesday are “quick wins,” such as improving contrast on stairs or making metal bars between doors more visible.

She said the city has already acted on one concern raised through the process by adding speakers to buses so next stops can be announced.

“There are some things that are very quick wins and there are some things that are a longer game. We want to be ambitious and do much more than that.”

Dinsdale added the city is reviewing buildings, transit and walkability, while also collecting feedback that could be used when applying for grants.

Common issues raised so far include clearing snow and ice from accessible parking spaces, maintaining sidewalks and improving parts of the transit system, she said.

“It doesn’t matter how accessible the building is, if people can’t get into the building.”

Warner said adult change tables would also make a significant difference for his family and others. He said his daughter often has to be changed in a vehicle or taken home because suitable public facilities are not available.

“Having public facilities that were available for that would be wonderful. That would be a game changer for us and I’m sure a lot of other people.”

Warner said he believes there is a willingness at city hall to make improvements, and said the feedback group itself is evidence of that.

“I’m one of those weird people that feels like if I don’t do it, nobody’s going to. It’s not just for my daughter, it’s for all of the people in our community.”

The Accessible Saskatchewan Regulations require prescribed public sector bodies, including municipalities, to develop accessibility plans, consult with people with disabilities, post the plans publicly and review them at least every three years.

Dinsdale said Prince Albert has met the provincial requirement, but wants the plan to lead to meaningful change.

“We’re really interested in doing much more than ticking a box.”

by Susan McNeil

Prince Albert accessibility meeting hears calls for quicker fixes, long-term planning

What's Trending