Accessibility Action Plan
The Accessibility Action Plan was approved by City Council in November 2008. The City is systematically implementing the plan over time.
Key recommendations
- To adopt the Facility Accessible Design Standards and the enhanced service level guidelines for accessibility
- To adopt the priority zones identified when prioritizing accessibility improvements
- To focus efforts on our infrastructure, the snow removal program and public transit.
- City to provide sensitivity and inclusion training for its existing and new employees.
- To conduct a review of our City website and update so it is more accessible & provides equal access for people with disabilities.
- Structured approach to sidewalk repairs, curb ramp installations, audible traffic signals.
- Expand distribution of Whose Job is it?” brochure & include numbers related to addressing accessibility issues.
City initiatives addressing Accessibility
Snow removal
- Enhancing the snow and ice program to also focus on addressing accessibility for persons with disabilities
- Snow removal bylaw and supports
Sidewalks
- Installing curb ramps in priority zones around the city to ensure our sidewalks are accessible by all residents
- Installing accessible pedestrian signals in the downtown business district, key commercial corridors around the city and at key intersections in all new developments
Civic centres
- Conducting barrier free assessments of all civic centres and City Hall
Transit
- Access Transit increasing fleet as funding is available and always working to ensure the Access Transit is meeting the needs of its users
- Regular Transit – 75% of all transit routes have low floor buses and this will continue to grow until all regular transit buses are low floor
- Regular Transit – installing automated voice technology to call out bus stops for patrons who are visually impaired
Playgrounds
- Established minimum accessible standards for all new playgrounds built in the City
- Long range plan to have a full size destination accessible playgrounds in the four quadrants of the City
Online
The new website complies with WCAG 2.0 AA Accessibility Standards which requires:
- Text Alternatives: Provide text alternatives for any non-text content so that it can be changed as needed into large print, braille, speech, symbols or simpler language.
- Distinguishable: Make it easier for users to see and hear content including separating foreground from background.
- Keyboard Accessible: Make all functionality available from a keyboard.
- Navigable: Provide ways to help users navigate, find content, and determine where they are.
- Readable: Text content is readable and understandable.
- Predictable: Web pages appear and operate in predictable ways.
- Input Assistance: Help users avoid and correct mistakes.
- Robust: Content must be robust enough that it can be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies.
The website also includes:
- text resizing
- translation tools
- responsive design, so the site can be accessed on any device, browser, or platform
City Council meetings
- Assisted hearing devices are available during meetings of City Council
- If you wish to address City Council or one of City Council’s committees and require the assistance of a sign language interpreter, or Computer aided real time translation (CART), you can contact the City Clerk’s office at 306-975-3240
Accessibility Advisory Committee
Primary Functions of the Accessibility Advisory Committee:
- Develop an Action Plan to provide short & long-term goals for improving accessibility to City of Saskatoon services, facilities and infrastructure.
- Monitor progress in achieving the goals set out in the Action Plan.
- Act as a resource in development of a public relations campaign to promote the City of Saskatoon’s efforts to make its services, facilities, and infrastructure accessible and barrier-free.
- Receive referrals from City Council or its committees, for review and recommendations regarding accessibility.
- Develop solutions for recommendation to City Council on policies and programs for improving accessibility.
- Ensure appropriate consultation with the community of common interest for persons with disabilities and/or persons fulfilling the role of primary caregiver to a person with a disability.
For information about how to get involved with this committee contact the City Clerks Office at 306-975-3240.