Accessible Transportation System
Connecting People to their Community
Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods and Access Transit
Who Benefits from an Accessible Transit System?
The short answer is Everyone
More specifically it includes:
• People with disabilities (PWDs)
• Seniors and people aging into disability
• Families, particularly those with small children.
Stats on Disability
• There “has been a dramatic 23% growth in the number of persons with disabilities between 2001 and 2006, an increase from 3.6 million to 4.4 million of Canadians.”
• In 2006, almost 3 million people – one in ten Canadians – had mobility limitations.
•Seniors now make up 14% of Canada’s population and are expected to make up almost 25% by 2036.
What are the benefits of an Accessible Transit System?
• Freedom of movement is fundamental to quality of life and to the ability to live independently and be a full, equal and productive participant in society.
• For many PWDs and seniors there are no other transit options due to health or finances.
• It decreases isolation, loneliness, and depression.
What are the keys to achieving an Accessible Transit System?
Planning
Communication
Education
Consultation
TransLink’s Consultation Method
In 2005 TransLink launched a full accessibility review. The resulting Access Transit Strategy included:
• The creation of an Access Transit Office
• Customer support improvements
• Better access to a range of transit services
An Accessible Transit System is Accessible Everywhere
Accessibility is required in:
• Planning and Development Stages
• Infrastructure
• Information
A few last thoughts…
• Accessibility is a living breathing thing that needs to be fed, maintained, updated, and constantly watched.
• Consulting with PWDs is vital because no one truly understands the need for accessibility or what accessibility is until they experience it themselves.
• Do not assume that transit users know how the system is accessible. Education and outreach are vital. It’s not enough to just have policies and procedures, people must be aware of the policies and procedures.
To learn more about Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods (CAN) visit www.canbc.org
To learn more about Access Transit visit www.translink.ca/en/Rider-Info/Accessible-Transit/Access-Transit.aspx