Montreal Consults Organizations and Groups on Universal Accessibility

In collaboration with the Commission sur le transport et les travaux publics, held another public meeting in regards to universal accessibility.

The purpose of the meeting was to begin a series of three public consultations reserved for hearing the opinions of individuals from groups and organizations who wish to express their views in the context of the consultations on universal accessibility.

Groups and organizations were able to give recommendations on what could be done to improve the deployment of universal accessibility measures to facilitate street crossing and greater inclusion of people with disabilities and seniors in projects that promote active mobility.

Moelle épinière et motricité Québec, a non-profit organization that promotes self-sufficiency and Independence for people with disabilities, recommended that street crossings and roadways be made more accessible.

They put emphasis on the fact that drivers and cyclists do not pay attention to the different types of people who could cross the streets, often forgetting about people with reduced mobility which, consequently, puts these people at risk. for people with reduced mobility the crossing of streets can take longer and because some of them are at the lower height, it puts them in danger.

Since roads and streets often have obstacles that can be impossible for people with reduced mobility, MEMO Quebec recommended that longer crossing times be implemented. They also suggested that road and frustructures allow the autonomy of any person with physical or sensorial limitations. The city could install more speed bumps throughout the city of Montreal and add more lights at busy intersections for better lighting.

RAPLIQ, another organization, also put a lot of emphasis on crossing time. They, however,  brought up other points such as how imperative it is for intersections to be equipped with audible signals to indicate to blind and visually impaired people when it is safe to cross the street. The sound signals should have an adapted tone and sound. Streets should also have paving strips to help guide people due to the texture, and the surfaces of sidewalks and streets should be equal and non-raised.

The last organization to present, Observatoire vieillissement et société, brought up the issue of icy roads and sidewalks in winter which makes it difficult for elderly people to cross streets, but also put emphasis how an awareness campaign in the media should be done to educate and inform people about universal accessibility measures.