Why accessibility legislation?

Man with vision loss uses a white cane while walking in the park

According to Statistics Canada’s 2017 Canadian Survey on Disability, almost a quarter of Saskatchewan people 15 years of age and older have a disability. The number of people with disabilities in Saskatchewan increases every year. This is partly because of Saskatchewan’s aging population. Many residents are likely to experience some type of disability over their lifetime.

 

People with disabilities face barriers to full access and participation in Saskatchewan communities. Accessibility barriers are obstacles that make it difficult, sometimes impossible, for people with disabilities to participate in activities that many of us take for granted - activities such as shopping, working, enjoying public spaces, and using public transit.

 

It is important for our province to be accessible and inclusive so people with disabilities, who are our family members, friends, neighbours, and co-workers, have the same opportunities as everyone else to participate and contribute in their communities.

 

Teenage boy speaking in sign language

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Accessible Canada Act promote equality and inclusion of Saskatchewan citizens, including people with disabilities. Saskatchewan’s accessibility legislation supports these existing laws and will provide practical standards to achieve a consistent level of access to places, information, and services in all our communities.  

 

In Saskatchewan, The Construction Codes Act (CCA) and its regulations ensure the inside of buildings meet a standard of accessibility. However, Saskatchewan does not currently have standards to ensure accessibility in other areas. While the CCA will continue to oversee the accessibility of building interiors, the new legislation, if passed, will cover accessibility in outside built spaces (such as parks, crosswalks, and parkades) and a number of other key areas.

 

The key areas in The Accessible Saskatchewan Act are:

 

  • the built environment;
  • information and communications;
  • employment;
  • transportation;
  • service animals;
  • procurement;
  • service delivery; and
  • any other prescribed activities or undertakings.

  

The Accessible Saskatchewan Act came into force on December 3, 2023. 

 

Group of siblings walking to school in the winter. Older sister pushes younger sister in wheelchair.

The government will use a collaborative approach to develop regulations under the act. These regulations will include standards for accessibility in each of the key areas. Standards are required actions to bring Saskatchewan communities up to a consistent level of accessibility. Standards may apply to government, businesses, organizations, individuals, and municipalities.

 

Developing the regulations will take several years and involve discussions and input from people with disabilities, businesses, organizations, and government ministries.