Saskatoon needs to make accessibility improvements a priority
City is taking steps in right direction, but new council has some work to do
A growing number of people, both old and young, have mobility issues and communities need to address them as quickly and efficiently as possible
When the Olympics were held in the United Kingdom a few years ago, city council in London was aghast to discover the city had mediocre accessibility for anyone with mobility problems. People with walkers or wheelchairs had trouble finding accessible accommodation, restaurants with accessible washrooms, and theatres with accessible seating.
Public transportation was often difficult. The buses had steps and were inevitably crowded, and many of the tube stations lacked working elevators. There was too often a sign proclaiming, “Lift out of order.”
There was an immediate attempt by the various levels of government to improve the situation, but it was estimated it would take at least five years to make London satisfactorily accessible.
Travelling in Canada is still a hit or miss for those with mobility issues. Good accessibility, first to all civic buildings, is an issue that should be addressed by a new city council. Stronger pressure could be put on the owners of private facilities to make them more accessible as well. Saskatoon could possibly become the most accessible city in Canada.
The City of Saskatoon is presently making a fair attempt to provide improved accessibility through its Accessibility Advisory Committee, and some positive steps have been taken. This committee is made up of concerned disabled people and two city councillors. The city managers involved attend regularly, really listen, and they do act.
Most of the intersections on streets in Saskatoon now have a mini-ramp for a walker or wheelchair. The ridges help if you have a wheelchair, but they are a nuisance if you have a walker. However, the downtown bicycle lanes protected by white posts are a new hazard, especially on 23rd Street by the Medical Arts Building where the lanes are never used. With the changes in road configuration, these bike lanes are downright dangerous.
Snow clearing around bus stops is gradually improving together with the clearing of sidewalks, but venturing out on foot needs to be safer in Saskatoon in winter. The Access Transit bus is helpful for many disabled people, but scheduling is still a problem — especially for those with medical appointments.
Accessibility to public libraries and leisure centres is gradually improving, but you still cannot get to programs in the basement or to the washrooms at J.S. Wood Library. The former Mendel Art Gallery building lacked an elevator, and this will surely be one of the priorities of the Children’s Museum locating there.
Designated parking for the disabled is still inadequate downtown, and signs are not very clear as to whether handicapped people can legally park or only load in a space. Access to the SaskTel Centre is not easy, and there is only makeshift space for wheelchairs.
The city, however, has no control over private facilities and businesses. These still have a long way to go and could improve enormously. The newly expanded airport, for example, now has good parking and excellent family washrooms.
The Persephone Theatre, however, with its difficult steps and no centre aisle, is a nightmare to negotiate after patrons have struggled to find almost nonexistent parking. Some churches and even funeral homes could do better, whereas movie theatres have reasonable accessibility and are always happy to improve seating.
Accessibility is always good at the chain restaurants like Tim Horton’s, McDonalds, Dairy Queen and A&W. Their washrooms are clean and spacious, with raised seats and helpful rails. Other restaurants, especially the older ones downtown, vary widely in the quality of their accessibility, but they do try.
Good accessibility in Saskatoon for people with every kind of disability should be one of the goals, and a new proactive council could quickly achieve some positive results.