Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver, who oversees the provincial building code, informed The Canadian Press that the updates introduce new requirements concerning curb ramps, companion seating, power doors, and signage. Photo by Dbo789/Wikimedia Commons CCA by SA 3.0
The Alberta government’s newly released accessibility design guide highlights significant updates in signage requirements, aiming to improve navigation for individuals with disabilities. While the guide doesn’t introduce new building rules, it formalizes earlier changes to the provincial building code, emphasizing the importance of clear and accessible signage.
Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver, who oversees the provincial building code, stated, “Whenever I talk about people with mobility issues or disabilities, it’s a whole range of things.” The updated guidelines now mandate that accessibility signs indicate barrier-free entrances, washrooms, elevators, and parking spaces. This move is intended to help individuals find essential facilities without unnecessary confusion.
Zachary Weeks, an Edmonton-based accessibility consultant who uses a wheelchair, welcomed the new signage requirements. “Whenever I enter a building, I don’t know where the wheelchair-accessible washroom is. I don’t know where the elevators are,” he said, emphasizing the need for better wayfinding. “This is a constant journey of finding out where things are to meet your needs.”
The updated guide also includes requirements for auditory confirmation from elevator controls, ensuring all users are informed when an action is taken. Weeks pointed out that these changes are a step in the right direction, but he cautioned that without comprehensive accessibility legislation, the impact of these guidelines may be limited.
McIver acknowledged that while the new standards are a positive development, they represent an ongoing effort. “I’ve never yet talked to one that says the standards are good enough,” he remarked, reinforcing the necessity for continuous improvements in accessibility for all Albertans.
Source: Report by Jack Farrell for The Canadian Press
