REGINA — It’s been two years since the city approved its decade-long accessibility plan.
The plan lists 80 actions to implement to identify, eliminate and prevent barriers that limit participation in civic life, reinforcing the city’s continued commitment to being an age-friendly and accessible community, and developing a centralized strategic plan to guide and co-ordinate accessibility initiatives across city departments.
So far, 33 actions are now in place, according to a report at Wednesday’s executive committee meeting, including:
- The launch of the PedApp, a system which allows blind and deaf users to safely cross select intersections;
- Ensure sidewalk design standards include pedestrian ramps at all corners and are perpendicular to crosswalks;
- Review Indigenous procurement policy and assess whether any of the strategies or approaches adopted in that policy should be adopted;
- Level 1 disability awareness and 2SLGBTQIAP+ awareness trainings are now required for all city staff;
- Complete the development of accessible playground standards, in consultation with the community;
- Expanded inclusive recreation services and participation supports, including an increase in adapted program offerings (from five to up to 50 offerings per season), creation of the inclusion support service, low-sensory swim/skate times, virtual programming and expanded adapted equipment across facilities;
Meanwhile, 41 other actions are currently in progress, including:
- Upgrade a minimum of 15 traffic signal locations annually from standard pedestrian activators to accessible pedestrian signals yearly (the city only managed 12 last year);
- The city is reviewing criteria for prioritizing sidewalks for inspections and repair;
- Develop and deliver comprehensive disability awareness training for both accessible and non-accessible taxi drivers and securement training for all accessible taxi drivers. Require taxi staff to have refresher training every 24 months;
- Improving bus stop accessibility in 2026, while accessible bus stop signage will be updated and installed in summer/fall 2026;
- Develop and implement an inclusive hiring strategy that addresses accessibility concerns related to recruitment (including the accessibility of job postings and ability to apply) and supports the entire onboarding and promotion cycle of an employee with a disability;
- Enhance accessibility and safety of pedestrian infrastructure for people who are blind or have low vision. This will be implemented from a future budget.
The city also received community feedback from interviews with key stakeholders, a digital survey, focus groups, and pop-up events.
Among over 475 participants, three key areas were identified as barriers for city services: roads and sidewalks, transit, and built environment.
When it came to roads, sidewalks and transportation, 75 per cent of participants said city sidewalks pose significant barriers, including accessible curb cuts and sidewalk ramps.
Recently, the city has renewed 8.9 km of sidewalks, installed 56 new pedestrian ramps and rehabilitated 96 pedestrian ramps.
Additionally, snow clearance creates significant barriers to transportation.
Unlike many other municipalities, the City of Regina does not clear sidewalks. Instead, property owners are responsible for ensuring pathways are cleared within 24 hours for designated downtown properties and 48 hours for all other properties for a snow or ice event.
Accessible curb cuts and sidewalk ramps were also identified as significant barriers.
In their progress update, the city says they’re targeting installing 32 new sidewalk ramps from the 2026 budget.
As for built environments, nearly 50 per cent of responders said open spaces and public parks have barriers.
The city is currently working on renewing accessibility standards for Kinsmen Park. Once completed, Parkdale Park will be the next park renewal.
