Out and About

In November 2007, the Measuring Up Committee identified the need to evaluate the accessibility of the infrastructure for people with disabilities using the streets of Abbotsford. In response to this need, the Transportation Working Group started the ‘Out and About’ research project. The vision of this project was:

• To develop a tool to assist in the evaluation of the physical accessibility of the pedestrian infrastructure for people with visual impairments, users of wheeled devices, and all other pedestrians;
• To increase stakeholder awareness by presenting information on standards developed by groups representing people with disabilities and best practices from other communities; and
• To provide recommendations on how to effectively assess the pedestrian routes in the City of Abbotsford based on accessibility.

The goals of the project were to develop the tool, pilot it on a specific pedestrian route, and develop recommendations on the process for using the tool on other routes in Abbotsford.

A literature review was conducted and stakeholders were consulted as part of the research. Guidelines and the assessment tool were developed based on the findings from the research. The main topic areas for the tool include:

• Curb cuts
• Crosswalks
• Crosswalk Signals
• Islands
• Sidewalks
• Benches
• Obstructions and maintenance of sidewalks
• Slopes
• Signage

The Transportation Working Group selected a circular pedestrian route which started at George Ferguson Way and Gladwin, went south on Gladwin to Bevan (via Peardonville and Emerson); east on Bevan to Ware Street; north on Ware to George Ferguson way and finally west back to Gladwin. The route was divided into three sections and each section was assessed on separate occasions with a different group of people, each including at least one person with a disability. During the walk-abouts other pedestrians with disabilities were interviewed on the route when the opportunities arose.

The tool was successful in identifying required improvements under each of the topic headings. All involved agreed that the involving a person with disabilities in the assessment process was mandatory. Without their input, one must rely on guidelines and principles without a clear understanding from the user’s perspective.

The project concluded with a list of recommendations aimed at improving the accessibility of the pedestrian routes in Abbotsford. Included in these was a recommendation to develop a plan of action to improve and upgrade sidewalks; that Abbotsford use the accessibility tool as a part of the both future development and upgrading processes in the Engineering and Development Services Departments; and that the City consults with an organization that represents people with disabilities to assist with reviewing accessibility prior to starting projects that include pedestrian infrastructure. In addition the recommendations included a list of immediate improvements that were considered short term and low cost including trimming of hedges and painting faded lines.