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Parking Lots to have Pedestrian Walkways
The Property and Development Committee approved a recommendation of
the Access Advisory Committee following the public hearing held on
October 16, 2007 to update Zoning Bylaw 6400. This is the bylaw
that covers all of Winnipeg except for the downtown.
The Committee responded to the recommendation raised by the Access
Advisory Committee that asked for accessible pedestrian pathways to
be required in parking lots. The new Bylaw will require that
parking lots with over 200 stalls must include a pathway. This
is a change from the 500 stalls that was proposed in the draft bylaw.
This change to the bylaw is a significant step forward as in the past
there was no requirement at all for accessible pedestrian walkways
in parking lots.
On December 18, 2007 Winnipeg City Council adopted a recommendation
from the Access Advisory Committee to increase funding for the City-Wide
Accessibility Program by $100,000 (from $250,000 to $350,000) for 2008.
The Accessibility Program assists City Councillors and staff to address
existing and reported accessibility issues in City of Winnipeg built
environments. This initiative was originally established by City Council
in December 2002. The program was the follow up action to the AAC-led
Accessibility Audit of the downtown.
Program goals are: to improve the accessibility of existing Civic buildings
and outside environments to provide comfortable and equitable services
to the citizens and visitors of Winnipeg; and, to provide a safe and
accessible workplace to attract a more diverse and representative workforce.
Program dollars are distributed after approval by a selection committee
consisting of representatives from Internal Services, Public Works, Planning
Property and Development, Community Services and the Access Advisory
Committee.
Visitable Housing and the City of Winnipeg housing programs (html page) (doc)
Winnipeg Accessibility
Award
The Winnipeg
Accessibility Award (pdf) is intended to raise awareness about the
importance of accessibility in the City of Winnipeg and its role in making
life more equitable, safe, comfortable and affordable for everyone including
people with disabilities. Everybody, regardless of diverse sizes, ages,
abilities and backgrounds, must be afforded the opportunity to participate
on an equal level. The Winnipeg Accessibility Award highlights some of
the positive examples that exemplify this goal.
Nomination forms can be obtained by calling 986-8345.
Universal Design Policy
A first for a Canadian municipality, Winnipeg City Council adopted the
Universal Design Policy (pdf)
in December of 2001. Universal Design is a design approach that works towards
meeting the needs of a broad array of users,
including people with disabilities, in designing products, information,
services and the built environment. All major civic renovations and
new civic projects will now be viewed through the perspective of Universal
Design, setting Winnipeg apart from other municipalities.
City of Winnipeg provides special communication services
for the Deaf Community
The City of Winnipeg,
through its Access Advisory Committee, has adopted
a policy for the provision of special communication services for persons
who are deaf. The Deaf Community, upon request, has access to American
Sign Language interpretation assistance when accessing City of Winnipeg
services.
Services for the deaf are prioritized on three levels of need:
Level 1 - Emergency
Services
Level 2 - Critical Services,
Council meetings, public committee meetings, policy and by-law interpretation,
staff meetings.
Level 3 - Casual
services - such as communications with front-line city departments
and services.
For non-emergency situations, persons who are deaf will be required to
give the city one week's notice to book an interpreter. Though the City
Clerk's department is administrating the program, it is up to each city
department to book interpreters on their own through the E-Quality
Communication Centre of Excellence (ECCOE) at 475-6332.
For emergencies, persons who are deaf can call 911 and their call will
be referred to police, fire or ambulance. These departments are prepared
to call for an interpreter if required, interpreters are on call 24 hours
a day, seven days a week.
www.aacwinnipeg.mb.ca
Last Updated May 5, 2008
