New guidelines are being looked at to address accessibility barriers in Lloydminster.
City Council is proposing new regulations around overcoming barriers for people with disabilities for example, a lack of assistive technology. City Councillor Michael Diachuk says the current policy and the proposed policy address different things.
“The Barrier Free policy speaks to many of the physical challenges that adults, children and seniors will face in terms of having access to our facilities and supports and services. In the inclusion policy, it’s quieter on the physical elements but it is much more pronounced when you look at the cognitive challenges and disabilities that adults bring with them.”
Diachuk says there are budgetary aspects that come along with the new policy, where the City has to update facilities to make them more accessible for people with disabilities.
“The City’s done a number of things at this point, so if you look at our sidewalk crossings making sure they are wheelchair accessible, wheelchair accessible doors on our facilities as well. There are many programs out there with grants that support those changes because those changes were enacted after the building codes changed.”
He adds that the City will continue to make changes as needed, but will not rush into making those adjustments as other areas in the City such as snow removal will suffer.
If passed, the Barrier Free policy will replace the Inclusion and Diversity policy.
