Fort Erie approves plan for ‘a more inclusive, accessible community’
December 5, 2024 at 9:56 PM
Even though the town has met its accessibility requirements, there’s always something more that can be done to make Fort Erie more inclusive.
That was the message from Manager of Corporate and Community Initiatives Bev Bradnam at the December 2 council-in-committee meeting, as she presented a proposed accessibility plan update to cover the town up to 2029.
“We’ve consistently moved that bar to a more inclusive, accessible community,” she said.
This marks the third accessibility plan for the municipality. With a new accessible website being unveiled in 2023, Fort Erie has hit all its compliance requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
“As the town has complied with all the requirements of the AODA, the accessibility advisory committee felt that it was important to reach out to the community to see how we could address any concerns that residents and businesses have found,” Bradnam said.
Public consultation took place earlier this year, focusing on three areas: any barriers to municipal services that are still occurring, barriers in the community people would like to see addressed, and what an accessible community looks like to the respondent.
Committee members also conducted inspections of various spaces throughout the community.
Bradnam said many of the comments about remaining barriers to municipal services revolved around accessible playgrounds.
“They have said that we’ve done a great job in the playgrounds we have put in place, but there’s still some areas that maybe need benches or shaded areas,” she said.
Other comments included consideration for accessible bike paths or further improvements to accessible washrooms.
Rubberized surfaces around playgrounds have been welcomed, she added.
The beach mats that are put out have been a huge success, Bradnam said, with some requesting the mats be put out earlier and stay out later.
Beyond recreation services, Bradnam said the doors to council chambers aren’t fully accessible. There were also comments about potholes posing challenges for people with skeletal issues, as well as sidewalk snow clearing.
In the community itself, Bradnam said people requested more StopGap ramps, and more accessible parking at events. Respondents also stressed the importance of keeping open Douglas Memorial Hospital for seniors and people with disabilities.
The 2024-2029 plan includes several recommendations. Some highlights include: looking at expanding access into the water, ensuring the town proactively inspects, maintains and clears sidewalks and curb cuts, and that the municipality review on-street parking to potentially add accessible parking spots and consider accessible bike lanes.
Bradnam said the committee is also planning to lead an awareness campaign in 2025 to show the barriers that are created when sidewalks and accessible parking spaces are blocked.
Councillors ultimately approved a report recommending adoption of the five-year plan.
“It’s important to make sure we have a plan in place to remove barriers and ensure we don’t create any new barriers,” Bradnam said.
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About The Author
Luke Edwards
Luke Edwards is a longtime Niagara community journalist who has covered a variety of beats, including business, agriculture, the wine industry and politics. When not writing, there's a good chance he can be found at a baseball diamond or curling rink.
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