The City of Regina is actively seeking public input on the progress of its comprehensive Accessibility Plan, which was adopted in 2024 to systematically eliminate barriers for seniors and individuals with disabilities across the municipality. Nearly two years after the plan's implementation, city officials are encouraging residents to participate in a survey to evaluate achievements and identify areas for enhancement.
Survey Details and Community Engagement
A public survey has been launched this week and will remain accessible at BeHeardRegina.ca until March 2. This initiative aims to gather diverse perspectives from Regina's population to assess which actions have effectively advanced the plan's objectives and where further improvements are necessary. Ashley Nemeth, the city's accessibility coordinator, emphasized in a news release that "The City of Regina is committed to ongoing community engagement throughout the implementation of this plan." The feedback collected will be compiled into a detailed report presented to Regina City Council in May.
Progress Report and Completed Actions
As of February, the city reports significant headway, with 74 out of 84 action items either completed or currently in progress. Specifically, 33 actions have been finalized, 41 are underway, and 10 have not yet commenced. The plan, designed to be fully executed by 2034, was developed in response to public consultations that highlighted key areas posing challenges for people with disabilities. Regina's Accessibility Plan was also formulated to comply with provincial and federal legislation, including the Accessible Saskatchewan Act and the Accessible Canada Act, which mandate governmental frameworks to promote accessibility.
Notable Achievements Since 2024
Since the plan's adoption, the City of Regina has accomplished several critical milestones, including:
- Conducting accessibility audits for all 40 city facilities and initiating necessary upgrades.
- Implementing disability awareness training programs for municipal employees.
- Replacing existing signage in city facilities with accessible alternatives.
- Launching PedApp, a mobile application that assists vision-impaired pedestrians in activating walk signals in downtown areas.
- Increasing the number of accessible taxi licenses and expanding paratransit service hours.
- Maintaining regular meetings with the Accessibility Advisory Committee to ensure continuous oversight.
Future Initiatives and Short-Term Goals
Looking ahead, the city has outlined ambitious plans for the current year, focusing on expanding snow removal operations, repairing high-traffic sidewalks, updating inclusive hiring policies, and further integrating traffic lights with the PedApp system. Additionally, city council anticipates receiving a report later this year on revising Regina's accessible playground design standards. Funding has already been allocated in the 2026 budget to complete accessibility upgrades at Rick Hansen Optimist and Glencairn Park playgrounds. The municipality projects that nearly all short-term actions will be finalized by the end of 2026, underscoring a steadfast commitment to fostering an inclusive urban environment.
