Accessibility Plan going to Committee of the Whole Dec. 5

Today, the City of St. John’s released its new Accessibility Plan designed to enhance access to its programs, services and public spaces.  The plan will be reviewed by Council at the Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday, December 5, 2023.

“Our Accessibility Plan sets a path for continual improvement to ensure our City is more accessible and welcoming for everyone," said Councillor Ophelia Ravencroft. “It’s fitting that we release this plan today as December 3 is International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which is an opportunity to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. We hope the release of this plan signals a meaningful step towards fostering a more accessible and empathetic community for all."

The Accessibility Plan will focus on actions to improve accessibility and remove barriers, building upon and improving existing measures previously implemented by the City of St. John’s. It identifies barriers and actions that will improve accessibility in key focus areas including:

• The Design and Delivery of Programs and Services

• The Built Environment and Transportation

• Information and Communication

• Accommodations

• Procurement

• Employment

The plan will be reviewed annually and updated every three years.

The Accessibility Plan is built on a strong foundation of public engagement and consultation with stakeholders. The City provided various opportunities for residents to provide feedback in September and October, and presented a What We Heard document to Council on November 7, 2023. To assist with the development of the plan, the City’s Inclusion Advisory Committee formed an Accessibility Working Group.

"It has been a pleasure to work with the members of the Inclusion Advisory Committee Working Group and the city officials in assisting in the development of this accessibility plan” said Joby Fleming, Co-Chair of the Inclusion Advisory Committee. “This plan will guide the City of St. John's in our continued efforts to make the city more accessible for all. The Inclusion Advisory Committee looks forward to continuing to work towards an inclusive city.”

The City of St. John’s has a strategic direction to be a Connected City, one where people feel connected, have a sense of belonging and are actively engaged in community life. This new Accessibility Plan will advance this direction by improving access to programs, services and public spaces that build safe, healthy and vibrant communities.