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The Access Advisory Committee is proud to announce that a recent initiative to promote access in housing through our city housing programs was passed by the Executive Policy Committee on July 11, 2007.

This proactive response exemplifies the spirit of the City’s Universal Design Policy which was adopted in December of 2001.

The motion reads as follows:

The Executive Policy Committee concurred in the recommendation of the Access Advisory Committee, as amended, and referred the following to Administration for further research and consideration, in consultation with the home building industry, regarding the integration of Visitable Housing into the City housing programs and their related application processes:

1. Encourage the concepts of Visitability features in the housing initiatives that promote the three features of Visitable design:

A. One zero step entrance into the home from an accessible path of travel that is 36 inches wide that is not steeper than a 5 % grade for walkways or 1:12 for ramps.

B. Doorways that are 32 inches clear throughout the floor plan and hallways that have 36 inches of clear width.

C. Basic access to at least a half bath on the main floor for a person in a wheelchair to enter and close the door.

Planning, Property and Development now includes Visitable and Accessible Housing information in its application forms for housing programs.

Congratulations to the City of Winnipeg for continuing to promote accessibility!