The Battlefords Chamber of Commerce is looking at accessing funding to have a lift installed for its basement at its building in North Battleford. (file photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Accessible communities

Local chamber hopes to install lift to improve accessibility at N.B. facility

Jun 19, 2020 | 2:00 PM

It might be easier in the future for individuals with disabilities to access the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce building’s lower level.

The organization hopes to install a lift to improve access to the facility’s basement where chamber board meetings are held.

The chamber is applying to the Enabling Accessibility Fund, a federal government program available through Employment and Social Development Canada that offers support for projects that make communities and workplaces more accessible for people with disabilities, according to the program’s website.

“The news came out the application window was open,” the chamber’s chief operating officer Linda Machniak said. “This is a regular program they [offer] annually. I just thought it might be an opportunity for us to take advantage of this chance perhaps to put in an application, to [install] a lift in because we don’t actually have access to the basement for anyone with a mobility-issue otherwise.”

She said the lift, which would essentially be a small elevator, could be used for future employees, a guest to the building or when there are meetings.

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“It doesn’t necessarily have to be for someone with a wheelchair,” Machniak said. “It could be somebody who has mobility issues, has a walker or something else that they need supports.”

The chamber requested quotes for the cost for the project, she said, and is working on submitting the proposal. If the funding comes through, the project would need to be completed within 24 months.

The province recognized National Access Ability Week earlier this month. It is in the process to develop accessibility legislation and implement a new Saskatchewan Disability Strategy, to remove and prevent accessibility barriers for people with disabilities.

Accessible communities

Robin East is president and founder of Barrier Free Saskatchewan, a non-profit organization that aims to help improve accessibility throughout the province.

“Every place in the province has accessibility issues,” he said. “Our push is to get an Accessibility Act [established] in the province of Saskatchewan.”

East said this way municipalities and service organizations or groups would be required to notify the province of any barriers in their community they are aware of, such as a restaurant entrance or bathroom, or any other issue. Then, the province would ask for a timeline for them to eliminate that barrier.

East, who is legally blind, uses a service dog daily. One issue he would like to see addressed is ensuring more communities have accessible pedestrian signals at road crossings, providing audible signals.

“That will signify that you can cross a particular street both by sound and voice,” he said.

East also wants communities to install a vibrating arrow for crossing signals that would point individuals in the direction they need to walk. Anyone who is both deaf and blind could simply feel the vibrating arrow so they know which way to go, and that it is safe to walk.

“Those are pieces we would expect municipalities to put into place,” he said.

East said there are many accessible pedestrian signals in Saskatoon. Group members hope they will also be installed in North Battleford, Battleford and many other communities.

East believes when communities have more accessibility features available it will allow people with disabilities to have greater independence.

“People don’t have to stay at home,” he said. “They should get out and about. They should do things. Go like everybody else and do what you need to do. And if something is not accessible, then address that. Take some action, whether it is a phone call, a letter, or file a complaint with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission.”

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow