Brandy Stiles illustrates how accessible
city buses are in Prince George, B.C.
A new initiative called Measuring Up The North (MUTN) aims to make northern British Columbia communities more livable for all residents, The Prince George Citizen reports. The project involves 34 communities and seven regional districts to focus on more accessible transportation and housing.
"The entire project is looking at accessibility and inclusion of all disabilities and seniors," said MUTN project director Laurie Ringaert, a universal design consultant and researcher. "Ultimately, it will make better design for all citizens."
For example, power-operated sliding doors that benefit wheelchair users also help others in the community.
"If you're pushing a baby carriage or you're pushing a cart in and out, you don't expect to have stairs at that entrance. And stores wouldn't want it because it would really slow down the number of people going in and out," Ringaert said.
Low-floor buses with ramps provide access for a disabled or elderly person and for anyone who finds it difficult to make it up a high step.
As for housing, unlike office buildings, private homes are not required by code to be accessible, which causes a problem for a rising population of seniors who may have trouble finding accessible and affordable housing.
"We're building houses that people can't get into," Ringaert said. "We're forcing people to move into nursing homes. What we have to look at is making every home to have at least one entrance with a no-step entrance, a wider door and a bathroom on the main floor. Then we can at least go visit each other."
A goal of the MUTN project is to advocate that communities pass bylaws to ensure newly-constructed houses are "visitable," Ringaert said, explaining the high rate of injuries that happen on stairways to both disabled and able-bodied people.
