City of St. John's 2027-2029 Accessibility Plan

Engagement is closed. Staff are reviewing feedback

A new three-year Accessibility Plan has been drafted to improve accessibility and reduce barriers in programs, services and spaces operated by the City and Metrobus. Public engagement closed on October 25th and staff are reviewing submissions.

Our new plan builds on the progress made from the 2024-2026 Accessibility Plan (PDF opens in new tab) to improve accessibility in key priority areas. Over the last 3 years, we opened the new H.G.R. Mews Community Centre, added new accessible playground equipment, improved access to parks, expanded accessible pedestrian and transit routes, reduced paratransit wait-times, and developed inclusive policies and procedures. Many other improvements are highlighted in the 2024 and 2025 progress reports available under Important Links.

While a lot of great work was completed, we know there is more work to do. We worked with City's Inclusion Advisory Committee, Metrobus Accessibility Committee, and reviewed feedback from previous accessibility planning and public engagement to draft 35 goals and 92 actions for the next 3 years.

PDF copies of the Draft 2027-2029 Accessibility Plan, Plain Language Version and summary sheets for each priority area are available on this page. If you need an alternate format, please email engage@stjohns.ca or call 709 576 4450.

Together we are making the City of St. John's a more accessible place to live, work, learn and play.

Overview of the Draft Goals

Select the plus sign by each priority area for a quick overview of our plans to improve accessibility in the programs, services and spaces that we build, maintain and operate. Learn more about the actions planned to achieve these goals in the full draft available on the right side of this page.

Goals to improve accessibility of how we plan and deliver programs and services:

Improve accessibility of public engagement
Improve accessibility of recreation programs
Improve training and learning tools to enhance accessibility and disability awareness
Prioritize accessibility in planning
Review emergency management procedures with an accessibility lens
Review municipal election procedures with an accessibility lens

Goals to improve accessibility in City-owned or operated public spaces:

Explore ways to improve accessibility standards in built environments
Improve access to accessible parking
Improve accessibility in City-owned housing
Improve accessibility of City buildings
Improve accessibility of parks, sports fields, and playgrounds
Improve accessibility of public washrooms
Improve pedestrian accessibility

Goals to improve accessibility of public transportation:

Expand transit fleet
Improve accessibility of bus routes and bus stops
Improve accessibility of Metrobuses
Improve service delivery standards
Investigate ways to increase ridership of persons with disabilities on Metrobus
Review and develop accessible communication practices
Strengthen digital accessibility

Goals to improve accessibility in information and communication:

Create awareness about the importance of accessibility in the community
Develop standard practices for internal and external communication with staff and the public
Improve accessibility of emergency related information and communication
Improve accessibility of forms and documents
Improve facility accessibility through signage
Improve website accessibility
Strengthen digital accessibility

Goals to improve employment opportunities and experiences with the City and Metrobus:

Improve accessibility of employee training
Improve workplace accessibility through technology
Review and improve accessibility of recruitment practices
Strengthen workplace inclusion

Goals to improve accessibility through the purchase of goods and services:

Build procurement accessibility knowledge and capacity
Improve accessibility of procurement processes for suppliers
Investigate opportunities to integrate accessibility into procurement policies and solicitation documents

Goals to improve accessibility through accommodations:

Finalize and pilot the Accessible Accommodations Policy

Use the tabs to learn more or ask questions

Questions

Questions?

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Use this space to ask questions about the draft plan and we will provide an answer. When an answer is prepared, your questions will be posted. Some questions may require coordination with staff.