What We Heard Summary

Through extensive consultation and engagement with residents including people with disabilities, older adults, and their networks of support and care, there were a number of priorities identified for the new Accessibility Plan.

The City worked with consultants Happy Cities, Meaningful Access Consulting, and Regina Treaty/Status Indian Services to conduct focus groups, pop-up events, interviews, and a public survey.

The following is a summary of what we heard during the consultations. This is not an exhaustive list; however, it covers the most common barriers that were identified.

Findings – What we heard

Participants identified a lack of clarity and consistency for what “accessible” means to the City of Regina as a major challenge. Participants identified what an “accessible Regina” would mean to them:

• A city that is accessible for all, regardless of age or ability.
• A city where people with disabilities are welcomed into the community.
• A city where every new building and space is accessible.
• A city that is:
  1. Affordable
  2. Well-connected and safe for walking and rolling
  3. Educated and aware
  4. Accountable
• A city that includes the perspectives of people with disabilities.

Three community priorities emerged through discussion in focus groups, interviews, and at pop-up events that apply to all service delivery areas:

1. “Nothing about us, without us” – people with disabilities must be included in decision-making and planning, early in the stages of a project.
2. Collaboration with community organizations.
3. Dignity and respect.

Survey results showed that the most common barriers faced by participants when using the City of Regina’s services and programs were:

1. Roads and sidewalks, as indicated by 79% of respondents.
2. Transportation, as indicated by 54% of respondents.
3. Built Environment, as indicated by 49% of respondents.

The top barriers under each service delivery area are summarized below, with corresponding survey results, where relevant. These barriers were heard across all engagement activities, including the survey, focus groups, interviews, and pop-ups.

Built Environment

1. Sidewalks – Regina is not a walkable or rollable city because sidewalks are not reliably available, are in poor condition and are not well-maintained (noted as a barrier by 75% of survey respondents)
2. Snow removal – insufficient snow clearance creates significant barriers to transportation (noted as a barrier by 64% of survey respondents).
3. Washrooms – insufficient accessible washrooms across the city (noted as a barrier by 39% of survey respondents)
4. Parks, public and open space (noted as a barrier by 47% of survey respondents), specifically:
   1. Many paths and trails lack clear routes and proper paving.
   2. Insufficient seating along City-owned parks and pathways.
   3. Parks and other public and open spaces don’t have enough accessible features (e.g., washrooms, playgrounds, drinking fountains).

Transportation

1. Public transit — services are not sufficient (hours, frequency, availability) making public transit an inefficient and unappealing option (bus frequency noted as a barrier by 39% of survey respondents)
2. Paratransit — can be difficult to access, inefficient or unreliable
3. Transportation affordability — high costs for taxis and ride-hail options are a challenge for people who don’t have access to a private vehicle.

Employment

Many participants noted that they did not have significant experience with employment with the City of Regina, so they shared their experience on employment barriers broadly.

1. Not enough employment opportunities for people with disabilities – lack of suitable, properly compensated roles, and lack of flexibility for working reduced hours or remotely (noted as a barrier by 39% of survey respondents).
2. Application and hiring process is a barrier – accessibility is not often considered from job descriptions listing unnecessary requirements to the interview process (noted as a barrier by 34% of survey respondents)
3. Not enough accommodation for employees with disabilities – including a lack of information about the accommodations available.

Programs, Services, and Financial

1. Limited options for people with disabilities – particularly for young children, older adults and people needing low-stimulation or sensory safe zones.
2. Insufficient training – staff require training on supporting people with disabilities (noted by 29% of survey respondents)
3. Online payment and registration processes for many programs and services are a barrier.

Communication

1. Reliance on digital materials – a barrier for those without access to digital tools (noted as a barrier by 50% of survey respondents).
2. Lack of information on accessibility accommodations/services in the city – including who to contact at the City with concerns
3. Lack of American Sign Language (ASL), closed captioning and computerized Note Taking Services (CNS) available and/or offered across Regina.

Procurement

Most feedback received about procurement was general:

1. The city’s procurement process could be more transparent and accountable.
2. Small businesses face more barriers than larger and more established organizations.

Ideas for motivating change

Participants shared their ideas on how the City of Regina can ensure the Accessibility Plan will motivate change and achieve its desired outcomes. Proposed ideas include:

• Prompt action with incentives and requirements.
• Monitor impacts and results.
• Invest in accessibility through dedicated budget and resources.
• Adopt a forward-thinking mindset, starting with short-term wins.
• Engage and bring more awareness to accessibility.
• Involve and empower the community.
• Lead by example.

*Taken from the What We Heard Report from Happy Cities and Meaningful Access*