Accessibility Legislation Engagement Report
Table of Contents 
Minister's Message
Introduction
Accessible Engagement
Learn about Legislation (Plain Language)
Engagement Overview
Participant Snapshot
What we Heard
Highlights
Definition of Disability
Key Areas
Service Animals
Design of Public Spaces
Information and Communication
Public Sector Employment
Public Sector Procurement
Public Transportation
Key Area Priorities
Additional Key Areas
Making Sure the Legislation is Followed
Reviewing and Improving the Legislation
Public Education and Awareness
Summary and Next Steps
Report Accessibility
This report includes:
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- Plain language, including definitions and explanations of words that might not be well-known. Look for yellow text boxes.
- Alternative text for graphics.
- American Sign Language (ASL) translations. Look for this symbol:
If you require this report in an alternative format, please email accessiblesk@gov.sk.ca.
Minister's Message 
As the lead Minister for accessibility legislation in Saskatchewan, I am pleased to provide you with the summary report of the feedback we received during our public engagement held February 4 to March 31, 2021.
Accessibility legislation was a recommendation in Saskatchewan’s Disability Strategy, and I am pleased to be moving forward on this historic work. The Disability Strategy is the government-wide 10-year plan to improve the lives of people with disabilities in Saskatchewan. People with disabilities make up approximately 22 per cent of our population. This legislation will help to reduce and eliminate barriers that people with disabilities experience each and every day, making Saskatchewan a more inclusive province.
This report captures the major themes we heard from more than 1,300 people who participated in our engagement. I would like to thank everyone who took the time to provide their input and ideas. We are committed to the principle “nothing about us, without us,” and we appreciate the many voices of people with disabilities who contributed to our engagement. We also appreciate the perspectives provided by family and support networks of people with disabilities, businesses, municipalities, community organizations and the general public.
We look forward to your continued participation as we develop meaningful legislation that promotes the inclusion of people with disabilities in Saskatchewan. I encourage you to continue to follow accessiblesk.saskatchewan.ca for more information.
Thank you again for helping us make Saskatchewan a more welcoming, innovative and inclusive province.
Lori Carr
Minister of Social Services
Introduction 
This report is a summary of the feedback we received during public engagement on accessibility legislation. This feedback will help guide us as we create this new piece of legislation. Accessibility legislation is a set of laws that will identify, prevent and remove accessibility barriers for people with disabilities. Accessibility barriers are obstacles that make it difficult, sometimes impossible, for people with disabilities to do all the things they want to do in their communities.
Public engagement means asking people what they think about something. During this public engagement, we asked people who live in Saskatchewan about their ideas for accessibility laws.
Feedback is a word we use to describe the ideas and suggestions we hear during public engagement.
The engagement took place between February 4 and March 31, 2021 and included a number of ways for the public to provide feedback. Our engagement website, accessiblesk.saskatchewan.ca, provided opportunities to complete a survey, fill out a discussion guide, ask questions or share a vision for an accessible Saskatchewan. We also offered online discussion forums and provided opportunities for people to call in or send us an email to share feedback.
During the engagement, we asked for feedback on key areas to include in the legislation, how to make sure the legislation is followed, how to make sure the legislation is working and how to educate the public about the legislation. We received a lot of valuable feedback from people with disabilities, businesses, municipalities, members of the public and organizations. We will consider all this feedback to develop accessibility legislation.
Many participants also shared feedback on important topics that are beyond the scope of this legislation. We heard about issues like the extra expenses that people with disabilities face, the need for more funding for programs and services and the need for support to navigate systems and services. We will organize all of this additional feedback and share what we heard with decision-makers across government.
Accessible Engagement 
Before we started our public engagement, we met with a number of disability organizations to ask them how to make sure our engagement was accessible to people with different disabilities.
Based on what we heard, we made our engagement accessible by:
- providing a variety of ways for people to engage, such as a website, phone, mail and email;
- making sure our website worked with screen readers and included alternate text;
- making sure our website was in a readable font with large text;
- making sure our video discussion forums were on an accessible platform; and
- creating different accessible formats of our discussion guide (ASL, plain language, large print and text-only).
We know that there is always room for improvement, and we are committed to learning more about how to make our interactions with the public accessible for everyone.
Learn about Legislation 
When we talk about legislation, we use specific words that some people might not have heard. Here are explanations of some of these words.
Legislation: Legislation means a group or set of laws. Accessibility legislation is a group of laws about making our province more accessible for people with disabilities.
Act: An act is one piece of legislation. It sets the rules for all the laws about a specific topic, in this case accessibility. Saskatchewan’s elected leaders must vote and agree on an act for it to become law.
Regulations and standards: Regulations and standards are rules that go along with an act. For accessibility legislation, these rules will say what people have to do or change to make it easier for people with disabilities to go places and understand information.
Implementation: Implementation means making the changes that the law says people need to make. For example, if there is a law that says sidewalks need to have spots where wheelchairs can go up and down, city or town workers implement the law when they make these changes to their sidewalks.
Enforcement: Enforcement means making sure that people follow the laws. There are different ways to enforce laws like making people pay money if they don’t follow the law or letting someone pay less tax if they do follow the law.
Engagement Overview 
More than 1,300 Saskatchewan residents gave us feedback on accessibility legislation between February 4 and March 31, 2021. Participants shared their personal experiences with disability, provided ideas to make Saskatchewan more inclusive and told us what Saskatchewan’s accessibility legislation should focus on.
When we use the words inclusive or inclusion, we mean including everyone, like people with disabilities, in our communities. 
Members of the public gave us feedback in many ways:
- 4,300 people visited the engagement website, accessiblesk.saskatchewan.ca;
- 1,194 people filled out an online survey;
- more than 100 people attended a video discussion forum;
- 13 people shared a vision for an accessible Saskatchewan;
- 13 people sent in a discussion guide;
- 7 people shared a formal submission;
- 22 people sent emails to the accessiblesk@gov.sk.ca inbox;
- 11 people called the Office of Disability Issues toll-free line.
Feedback came from across the province and from people of different ages and backgrounds. Most participants were people with disabilities or people who had a close connection to a person with a disability. Together, the voices we heard represented many different disabilities and told us about the barriers to accessibility that people in Saskatchewan face every day.
Participant Snapshot 
These charts provide a quick look at who we heard from during the engagement. The numbers and percentages are taken from the surveys that participants completed.
Fig. #1 Where do you live?
Fig. #2 How old are you?
Fig. #3 Who are you?
*1,187 participants, participants could select more than one answer.
Fig. #4 What type of disability do you, or someone you know, experience?
*891 participants, participants could select more than one answer.
Fig. #5 What type of barriers do you, or someone you know, experience?
*886 participants, participants could select more than one answer.
What we Heard 
Highlights
Throughout the engagement process, participants shared their enthusiasm and support for accessibility legislation. Many participants said this legislation will improve the lives of people with disabilities. Several themes became clear from the surveys, forums and written submissions. While there were different views about key areas, timelines and how to make sure the legislation is followed, the following highlights had wide agreement and support.
The highlights and themes we talk about here are the most popular ideas and suggestions that we heard during public engagement. 
Include People with Disabilities
We heard about the importance of the principle “nothing about us without us.” Participants said people with disabilities need to be involved in developing, implementing and reviewing the legislation. Participants also talked about the need for more public engagement, making sure that many different voices are heard and represented in the development of accessibility legislation.
“Involvement of people with disabilities to participate in development of standards and act. They live it, understand it and need a voice.”
- Engagement Participant 
Applies to Everyone
We heard that the legislation needs to consider all types of disabilities, including invisible disabilities. Participants recommended using Universal Design, which is design of places, information and programs that meets accessibility needs for as many people as possible. We heard that Universal Design is good for everyone and helps remove barriers that anyone could experience in their lifetime.
Lead by Example
Participants told us the Government of Saskatchewan should lead by example by showing others how to include people with disabilities and by being the first to implement the legislation. One way to do this is by hiring more people with disabilities. Participants shared the importance of making sure all government offices and Government of Saskatchewan services and programs are accessible. Several participants noted the positive example of having an American Sign Language interpreter at the COVID-19 briefings so information is accessible to the D/deaf and hard of hearing community. We heard government can show further leadership by making sure government documents, forms and websites are accessible.
Learning from Others
Many participants said government should learn from other jurisdictions (provinces or countries) that already have accessibility legislation. Participants encouraged government to seek out best practices from places that are leaders in accessibility and to consider research that others have done in the area of accessibility. Participants also talked about the importance of having the same level of accessibility across Canada.
Understandable and Inclusive Language 
We heard that accessibility legislation and the resources that go with it need to be written in a way that is understandable and includes everyone. Participants also said we should explain key concepts in the legislation, such as barriers and accessibility.
Private Sector
Participants told us the legislation needs to apply to the private sector as well as the public sector. We heard that accessibility barriers prevent people with disabilities from visiting private businesses, using private services and applying for jobs in the private sector.
“Without ensuring businesses meet accessibility standards half the picture is missing.”
- Engagement Participant 
Funding
Many participants talked about the need for funding to implement the legislation. For example, this could mean providing grants to make buildings and information more accessible. Participants said government should provide funding for accessibility audits (where people with special training or experience check how accessible something is) and should also provide funding to help business owners make their buildings more accessible.
Rural Accessibility
We heard from many participants that smaller communities are often much less accessible than cities and larger towns in Saskatchewan. Participants said the legislation needs to address accessibility in rural, remote and northern parts of the province.
Indigenous Perspectives
We heard that it is important to consider Indigenous perspectives when developing accessibility legislation and that we should include more Indigenous voices as we move forward.
Administration
Participants shared their ideas for a dedicated office or organization that would be responsible for managing accessibility legislation. A number of participants spoke of an independent office or third party that would listen to complaints and investigate issues and concerns. Some people recommended that an accessibility directorate (a specific government department for accessibility) or disability advocate office (an office that speaks for people with disabilities) do this work. We also heard recommendations that accessibility legislation should be developed and managed by people with disabilities.
Definition of Disability 
During the engagement, we asked for feedback on the definition of disability. When developing Saskatchewan’s Disability Strategy, the Citizen Consultation Team agreed on the following definition that is based on an assessment tool developed by the World Health Organization:
“Disability is a limitation in functioning that is the result of a dynamic interaction between an individual’s health condition(s) and personal and environmental factors.” 
This definition of disability recognizes that the reason a person with a health condition (diagnosis) has difficulty doing something that others can do is not just because of their health condition(s). Instead, the way the person’s health condition interacts with their personal situation and their environment creates a disability. This means that if someone’s personal situation or environment changes, they could experience less disability.
The majority of our survey participants (83 per cent) agreed that this definition of disability reflects or somewhat reflects their experience or the experience of someone they know. However, participants also said the definition should include a wider range of limitations, including invisible disabilities (such as learning disabilities), mental health illnesses, episodic disabilities and food allergies.
Saskatchewan’s Disability Strategy is a 10-year plan that came out in 2015 to improve programs and services for people with disabilities. Developing accessibility legislation is one of the actions that the Disability Strategy said we should do.
The Citizen Consultation Team was a group of people from the disability community that helped to create the Disability Strategy.
Key Areas 
We proposed six key areas for accessibility legislation:
Service Animals – standards for working animals that help people with disabilities.
Design of Public Spaces – standards for common spaces, including outdoor play spaces, trails, parking spaces, sidewalks and ramps.
Information and Communication – standards that make giving and receiving information accessible for people with disabilities.
Public Sector Employment – standards to make sure government hiring and employment are accessible for people with disabilities.
Public Sector Procurement – standards to make sure government considers accessibility when it buys goods and services.
Public Transportation – standards that make provincial and community transit services accessible.
More than 65 per cent of survey participants agreed or strongly agreed that legislation in these key areas will address barriers faced by people with disabilities (Fig. #6).
Fig. #6 
Legislation in the key areas will address the accessibility barriers I, or someone I know, face.
During the engagement, participants gave us feedback about the key areas and made suggestions to expand some of them. Participants also told us which key areas we should work on first and suggested some additional key areas.
Service Animals 
We heard that animals provide services and supports to people with disabilities in different ways. These animals are often divided into two broad categories:
- service animals that are trained to perform specific jobs like guiding their owners, knowing when their owner is having an anxiety attack or knowing when their owner’s diabetes isn’t under control; and,
- support animals that aren’t trained to perform specific tasks but provide a therapy service to their owners, helping them to manage symptoms of disabilities so they can participate in daily life.
Participants told us that legislation for service animals should:
- define the different types of service animals;
- require public education about the use of service animals;
- consider the pros and cons of having a system to register service animals and trainers;
- prevent fraud related to service animals (people pretending a pet is a service animal); and,
- support the rights of owners to have their service animals with them in all public spaces.
Participants also told us how other provinces have created laws about service animals and said they want to see standards that are the same across the country.
“Disciplinary measures for people faking service dogs, with consequences to businesses for refusing access/services to a service dog team.”
- Engagement Participant 
Design of Public Spaces 
We heard that public spaces need to be accessible to everyone. Participants said that barriers prevent people from accessing the services they need, taking part in everyday activities and enjoying their communities. Participants talked about many barriers to accessing public spaces, including inaccessible sidewalks and curb cuts, ramps, entrances, pedestrian signals and bathrooms. We also heard about the need for timely snow removal on sidewalks, ramps and entrances to allow access to public spaces in the winter.
Many participants shared their frustration with inaccessible parking. These participants asked for:
- more accessible parking spaces;
- better signs for accessible parking spaces; and,
- accessibility around the parking spaces.
We heard that it is very important for parks and recreation spaces to be accessible to everyone. Participants said playgrounds, trails, paths, sporting venues, recreation facilities and local, regional and provincial parks need to be accessible so everyone can enjoy them.
“Realize that people with disabilities have families too. Promote making accessible places more family friendly. Some examples are movie theatres, concerts, sporting venues, parks with seating for an individual using a wheelchair and their family - not just one person.”
- Engagement Participant 
A number of participants talked about the need to review existing building codes. These participants said current standards for building interiors do not go far enough to make buildings accessible for people with disabilities. Participants were also concerned that grandfathering and undue hardship rules in current standards mean that many existing buildings will not be retrofitted for accessibility.
Grandfathering means that a law might not apply to something that was already there when the law was passed. For example, an older building might not need to add an elevator, but a new building would.
Undue hardship means that a law might not apply if the cost is too high. For example, a small business might not be able to afford to create a website that follows accessibility guidelines.
Retrofitting means adding new features to an older building. 
Information and Communication 
We heard that communication is a human right, and that accessibility legislation should provide access to accommodations that allow everyone to communicate. Many participants said the cost of accommodations and assistive technologies is a barrier for people with disabilities. We heard that accommodations – such as people with the skills to support an individual in communication, different formats or technology such as video-relay services – should be readily available and affordable.
An accommodation means a special arrangement (for example, providing information in a different way, using assistive technology or changing a space) that allows a person with a disability to get information or participate in daily life.
Assistive technology is a piece of equipment, a program or a system that helps a person with a disability do something or get somewhere. 
We also heard that information, especially information about public services, needs to be accessible to everyone. Many participants shared ideas about how information could be more accessible, including:
- following web accessibility guidelines (steps to make websites accessible);
- using plain language; and,
- providing information in different formats (for example, braille, ASL, large print, audio and pictures).
The use of technology came up often in the feedback on information and communication. A number of participants talked about the need for reliable, high-speed internet. Others talked about how technology used during the pandemic has improved information, communication and customer service for some people with disabilities. Still others said sometimes technology can create more barriers for people with disabilities, and we need to be careful about making sure that new technology is accessible.
We also heard from participants about the value of customer service standards for people with disabilities. Many participants said people who provide services to the public, including private businesses, need to learn more about disability and how to provide accessible services in a way that is respectful. We heard customer service standards should be for people with all types of disability, including physical disabilities, cognitive disabilities and invisible disabilities.
Public Sector Employment 
We heard that accessibility in employment means employers provide accommodations in the hiring process and throughout employment. Examples of accommodations included assistive technology, accessible work spaces, the option to work from home and flexible or part-time hours.
Many participants told us this key area should be expanded to include private sector employment. We heard employment standards are needed in both public organizations and private businesses to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Participants also said employers need to learn more about:
- the benefits of hiring people with disabilities;
- the responsibility they have to accommodate people with disabilities; and,
- how to make their workplace welcoming for people with disabilities and how to prevent discrimination (people being treated unfairly).
We also heard about ways government could encourage employers to hire people with disabilities. Ideas included grants, funding for supports and accommodations, wage subsidies (providing part of an employee’s pay) and telling the public about employers that are leaders in hiring people with disabilities.
Public Sector Procurement 
Participants told us this key area, which will require government to consider accessibility when it buys goods and services, should be included in the legislation. Some participants suggested government should consider not only whether a good or service is accessible, but also whether the company it buys the good or service from has accessible practices.
Goods are things that you can buy, such as buses and equipment for hospitals.
Services include things like transportation and public programs (for example, children’s programs at the local library or the recycling program in a community). 
Public Transportation 
Many participants talked about the importance of public transportation in making Saskatchewan more accessible. Participants said the legislation should cover:
- affordable, reliable and accessible transportation from community to community, especially in remote areas;
- affordable, reliable and accessible public transportation in smaller communities to match what is available in cities;
- private sector transportation (for example, taxis and ride-sharing services);
- year-round maintenance of bus stops to make sure they are always accessible; and,
- more bus routes, buses running more often and more specialty transportation like paratransit services.
We heard that transportation barriers affect participants
by limiting access to:
- healthcare;
- family and friends;
- entertainment;
- shopping; and,
- many other aspects of daily life.
“It all starts with transportation, if people can get to where they need to go, they can participate in education, employment and be visible in the community. Transportation is the foundation for inclusion, and all levels of government need to support municipalities to insure an inclusive, accessible transportation network.”
- Engagement Participant 
Key Area Priorities 
We asked participants to rate the key areas by priority and level of impact. Design of public spaces was the area that was rated the highest priority, as shown in Fig. #7.
Fig. #7 Which key area should government focus on first?
Design of Public Spaces was the area that most participants said government should focus on first, followed by Information and Communication. However, a number of participants told us the areas shouldn’t be ranked by order of importance because legislation in all of the areas is needed as soon as possible. Participants also recognized that an area that is important to them might be less important to another participant, which made it difficult to answer this question. We also heard that the areas are connected to each other, and that government needs to consider each area in relation to the others as we develop legislation.
Additional Key Areas 
We asked participants to tell us if there are more key areas that should be included in accessibility legislation. Three answers came up often: education, healthcare and housing.
Education
Many participants told us students with disabilities don’t have the same access to education as other students. We heard accessible education includes:
- access to books and learning materials in alternate formats;
- instruction in ASL;
- access to adaptive technology;
- instruction based on assessments of a student’s needs;
- physical access to buildings and playgrounds; and,
- being able to participate in extra-curricular activities.
Participants also said the Saskatchewan education system needs to provide a learning environment that includes all students and is consistent across school divisions.
Healthcare
Participants told us Saskatchewan needs equal access to healthcare for people with disabilities. We heard about physical barriers to medical facilities and offices and the need for lifts to move someone from a wheelchair to an examination table. We heard about barriers to healthcare because of location (healthcare services offered only in larger centres). Participants also told us they need consistent access to medical equipment and assistive devices (for example, wheelchairs, hearing aides and prosthetics).
Some participants said virtual appointments introduced because of COVID-19 have provided better access to healthcare for people with disabilities and should be continued.
Housing
Many participants told us people with disabilities need high quality accessible housing. We heard suggestions that a certain number of accessible suites should be built in all new buildings and in renovations of apartment and condo buildings (both public and private). Participants also said they need to be able to modify their residences to make them accessible and install secondary suites to support independent living for family members with disabilities.
Making Sure the Legislation is Followed 
Fig. #8 How should government make sure that organizations and businesses follow the legislation? Select all that apply.
“Strong education and fair enforcement.”
- Engagement Participant 
Survey participants chose training and inspections as the top ways to make sure accessibility legislation is followed (Fig. #8). We heard that clear communication and education will be key to implementing the legislation so people and organizations know what they have to do to follow the legislation. Participants said government should:
- allow time for businesses and organizations to learn and prepare;
- use a staged approach, with a shorter timeline for changes that don’t take a lot of time and money and a longer timeline for changes that do; and,
- provide easy to understand training resources.
We also heard enforcement will be important for the success of the legislation. Many participants said inspections will be needed to make sure changes are being made and the changes are done in the right way. We heard accessibility can’t just be a check box for businesses and organizations; it needs to actually make a difference for people with disabilities.
Some participants want to see fines for businesses and organizations that don’t follow the legislation, while others said incentives are more effective and will encourage businesses and organizations to support the legislation.
Some of the ideas shared were:
- funding to help organizations and businesses make the changes needed to follow the legislation;
- tax incentives for communities, businesses or individuals that show they are following the legislation; and,
- awards or honours for businesses and organizations that do a great job of showing others how to make things accessible for people with disabilities.
Many participants also said a regulatory body should be created to conduct audits or inspections and enforce the new legislation. We also heard audits and inspections should be done by people with disabilities who understand accessibility.
A regulatory body is a group or organization that has the job of making sure rules are followed. 
Reviewing and Improving the Legislation 
Fig. #9 After the legislation is in place, how should government review it to determine if it needs to be changed or improved? Select all that apply.
Many participants said the legislation will need to be reviewed, evaluated and reported on to make sure it is working. We heard people with disabilities need to be included and engaged in the review process. We also heard about the need for clear timelines and processes.
Survey participants told us the most important way to make sure the legislation is working is to provide a way for people to report issues or problems. Participants said the complaint process must be easy to understand and should keep names of people who complain private so that no one is punished for pointing out situations where the legislation is not being followed.
Public Education and Awareness 
Fig. #10 What are the best ways to provide information about accessibility legislation to people in Saskatchewan? Select your top three choices.
“We need to educate people on WHY it matters. Open eyes of those who don’t interact with people that have disabilities. Highlight stories that showcase how positive accessibility has impacted someone’s life.”
- Engagement Participant 
We heard many participants say that one of the most important things that will help people with disabilities to be included in Saskatchewan communities is more public awareness. Participants said people need to learn about different types of disability and have the chance to see the world through the eyes of people with disabilities. We heard more education will keep people from being treated unfairly and will support true accessibility and inclusion. More education is required around things like invisible disabilities, workplace rights and the unfair treatment that people with disabilities face every day.
Participants also said the public will need to learn about the new legislation. We heard a lot of ideas about how we can teach people about accessibility legislation, including:
- big education campaigns using different ways to communicate (such as TV, radio, social media, letters and emails);
- including stakeholders in developing training materials;
- adding learning about disabilities to school curriculums;
- helping people with disabilities know and understand their rights;
- training resources for organizations that talk about the benefits of inclusion; and,
- asking people with disabilities to share their personal stories.
Summary and Next Steps 
Thank you to everyone who participated in the engagement for sharing your ideas and life experiences with us. Many of you took the time to provide ideas, explanations and thoughtful suggestions in your comments. The quotes included in this report are just a sample of these comments.
While we couldn’t include all the detailed feedback we received in this report, we will be reviewing everything we heard as we work with people with disabilities, community partners and government representatives to develop accessibility legislation. Your feedback will help us make decisions about the key areas of the legislation and identify ways to prevent and remove accessibility barriers and make Saskatchewan a more inclusive province. As we move forward, we are committed to balancing the wide range of perspectives we heard and taking considered and thoughtful steps to ensure that the legislation meets the needs of all Saskatchewan residents.
Our next step is to draft the act, which is the foundation of the legislation and will set out the process for adopting accessibility standards and regulations, time frames for implementation and enforcement measures. Once the act is drafted, it will be introduced in the legislature and go through three readings before being approved and passed into law.
While we are working on the act, we will also prepare to create regulations. We will start forming working groups for some of the key areas under the act. The working groups will be made up of people with disabilities, community stakeholders, businesses and government representatives. The role of the working groups will be to gather information about accessibility in the key areas (including all the feedback received during public engagement) and propose standards to be included in the regulations.
If you want to stay up to date on accessibility legislation for Saskatchewan, visit accessiblesk.saskatchewan.ca and sign up for an account.
