Alberta publishes new accessibility standard guide, but Minister says more work to do
The Alberta government has published a new accessibility design guide, marking the first major update to the document since 2017.
The guide is meant to help architects, city planners, the construction industry and the public understand and implement building rules to make public and private spaces more accessible for those with mobility challenges and disabilities.
The guide doesn't contain new building rules, but it does formalize a number of building code changes made earlier this year.
Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver, whose portfolio includes the provincial building code, said in an interview that the changes include new requirements related to curb ramps, companion seating, power doors and signage.
"When you talk about people with mobility issues or disabilities ... it's a whole range of things," McIver said. "Some of those disabilities or challenges are hearing, some are sight, some are physical mobility. And they all deserve to fully participate in society.
"These evolving standards are designed to make that better."
Also new to Alberta's building code, and the design guide, are requirements to have things like elevator controls provide auditory confirmation that they've been activated.
Universal washrooms are also to feature change spaces with adult-sized change tables.
Water bottle filling stations are to be located in buildings with barrier-free travel paths.
Similar to exit signs, accessibility signs are also required to point out barrier-free building entrances, washrooms, elevators and parking spaces.
McIver said while the changes will be helpful to some, more can be done, especially because existing buildings don't need to be updated.
"If a building was built five years ago or 50 years ago, the building was built according to the standards of the day," he said. "You can't go knocking down every 10-year-old building, because it doesn't hit the 2024 standard."
"I don't blame people with mobility issues or other disabilities for being impatient with it, but we are genuinely trying to move forward and make things better on a constant basis."
Zachary Weeks, an Edmonton-based accessibility consultant and advocate, said not requiring existing buildings to meet new standards significantly limits the impact the standards have.
"I certainly empathize," said Weeks, who uses a wheelchair. "I want to be fair in saying that there's going to be some buildings that are not able to be updated as well as others."
But Weeks said it's something Alberta could enforce or facilitate through legislation.
"We're (one of) the last two provinces (that don't have accessibility legislation)," he said. "Therefore all of the accessibility related requirements or guidelines are all very piecemeal."
Accessibility legislation is something the government has said is a possibility.
Last year, Alberta's Office of the Advocate for Person's with Disabilities undertook public engagement on what potential accessibility legislation should include.
Alysha Wishloff, press secretary for Community and Social Services Minister Jason Nixon, said in an email the ministry is reviewing the results of that engagement effort.
"Alberta’s government wants to make sure any changes to improve accessibility across the province are well-informed and will continue to take a thoughtful approach to improving accessibility," Wishloff said.
"Alberta’s government is committed to working with the disability community to ensure Albertans with disabilities are supported and live fulfilling lives."
When it comes to some of Alberta's new accessibility standards, specifically signage, Weeks said he thinks they're a step in the right direction.
"Whenever I enter a building, I don't know where the wheelchair accessible washroom is. I don't know where the elevators are. So it's a constant journey of finding out where things are to meet your needs," he said.
"I think that's a great addition."
Given the new guide was published Friday, Weeks said he plans to review the new changes thoroughly.
McIver said it's likely there will still be holes in Alberta's accessibility standards, but it's a work in progress.
"I get to talk to people with disabilities from time to time. And let me say this: I've never yet talked to one that says the standards are good enough," he said.
"That's a good reminder for me that we need to constantly be making improvements."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 25, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israeli military launches strikes on military targets in Iran, officials say
Israel launched airstrikes early Saturday on what it described as military targets in Iran in retaliation for a ballistic missile assault Oct. 1, officials said. There was no immediate information on damage in the Islamic Republic.
DEVELOPING Scotiabank confirms outage for mobile, online banking
Scotiabank has confirmed outages affecting mobile and online banking services, according to a statement published to its X account.
Climate change breaks heat records across Canada this summer
Human-caused climate change made almost all of Canada’s heat waves hotter and more likely, Environment and Climate Change Canada said in an announcement Friday.
'I did everything I could': Canada Post driver recounts helping save woman from fiery Tesla crash
Canada Post driver Rick Harper recounts how he and others help save a woman from a Tesla that caught fire after crashing into a guardrail on Lake Shore Boulevard.
An abrupt goodbye to a guerilla goldfish aquarium beneath a leaky Brooklyn fire hydrant
A makeshift aquarium that popped up this summer in a puddle beneath a leaky fire hydrant has been paved over, to the dismay of neighbors who turned the area into a hangout spot and goldfish shrine.
Mother who beat and starved her 5-year-old son to death sentenced to over 50 years in prison
A New Hampshire woman was sentenced Friday to 53 years to life in prison in the death of her 5-year-old son, who was beaten, starved and exposed to drugs before his 19-pound body was found buried in a Massachusetts park in 2021.
'Get away from your inner circle': Liberal MP 'shocked' PM didn't take more time to reflect on calls to resign
Longtime Liberal MP Wayne Long says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should give more weight to the views of his backbenchers in determining his future leading the Party, rather than relying on those in his immediate orbit.
Sleeping U of M student attacked in her dorm, Winnipeg police searching for suspect
Winnipeg police are looking for a suspect after a woman's dorm room was broken into at the U of M and she was assaulted.
Canadian warship missile test aborted mid-flight after communication failure
A Canadian navy missile test was aborted mid-flight this week after controllers lost communication with the projectile off the coast of southern California.