AODA - Design of Public Spaces, Public Right of Way (PROW)
and Streetscape Infrastructure
Accessibility Simplified can help cities, towns and communities make their public spaces, public right-of-ways, and streetscape infrastructure more accessible for everyone, including people with disabilities, older persons, children and families.
Accessibility Simplified recognizes how integral it is to ensure that everyone in our communities, including people with disabilities and older persons, can safely and independently go where ever they want, be it to work, shopping or to a friend’s house.
Sidewalks, street crossings, and other elements in the public right-of-way can pose challenges to accessibility. Currently, only Ontario with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) – Integrated Accessibility Standard - Part IV Design of Public Spaces has enforceable standards for pedestrian facilities.
Even without standards however, cities and municipalities are required by human rights legislation to build and maintain accessible sidewalks, intersections and urban infrastructure.
For AODA Design of Public Spaces and public right-of-way issues, including issues related to active transportation, Accessibility Simplified can perform comprehensive compliance audits, to address:
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Curb ramps
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Sidewalks
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Pedestrian signals and controls
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Crosswalks
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Bus stops
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Trails and Beach Access
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Accessible Parking
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Accessible Play Spaces
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Accessible Outdoor Eating Areas.
Accessibility Simplified can:
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Identify and prioritize accessibility compliance issues
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Create a detailed report of audited findings and recommendations
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Provide recommendations for removing barriers to accessibility for pedestrians
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Help develop implementation plans
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Identify priority milestones for barrier removal
Case Study - AODA Compliance | PROW
The City of Ottawa wished to implement an enhanced policy requiring a wider pedestrian clearway than required by the AODA - Design of Public Spaces.
The project involved conducting accessibility audits of the public realm and pedestrian clearway in key City commercial and tourist sectors, including the Byward Market, Preston St., Bank St. Westboro, Wellington West and Hintonburg; to determine the overall accessibility of the pedestrian clearway and encroachments upon the public right of way. Patio accessibility was also assessed. A report on each patio was prepared indicating the level of accessibility, where and how accessibility could be improved for pedestrians in the clearway, opportunities to widen the clearway, opportunities to increase accessibility of the patios, and to provide direction to the City on improving public realm accessibility overall.
Research was conducted and a report prepared on leading examples of policies, practices and standards in other Ontario, Canadian and International jurisdictions with respect to PROW patios and pedestrian clearway requirements.
Case Study - PROW | Streetscape |AODA
Participated instrumentally in development and implementation of an overall Accessibility Framework to guide the Master Plan and the design and development work for the redevelopment of Lansdowne Park, 18-acre (7.3 ha) historic sports, exhibition and entertainment facility, including for the seven-hectare urban park which included a chilren's play area.
Partnered in the development of an Accessibility Framework to guide all re-development activities, including pedestrian/cycling infrastructure as integral to the redevelopment of the public realm space. This included conducting accessibility drawing reviews to ensure compliance against a range of mandatory and optional codes and standards in the review of landscape/public realm drawings at multiple 30%- 60%-90% stages of design. Conducted on-site consultations during construction to resolve issues related to implementing accessibility provisions, including with respect to pedestrian safety within the retail/public realm space.