An accessibility update from Saugeen Shores staff to council highlights some improvements made in the past year.
The upgrades improve the way people with disabilities get around town and enable them use local amenities more easily.
Staff say in a report, a multi-year accessibility plan that goes until 2028 was implemented and approved this past year. Its goal is to identify, prevent and remove barriers to improve accessibility.
They say both accessibility policies for the Town were updated.
According to staff, downtown accessibility inspections were completed in Port Elgin and Southampton.
The Town launched its Accessible Beach Wheelchair Program. As of summer 2024, Water Wheels floating wheelchairs are now available at select beaches. Water wheels are a floating three-wheeled beach buggy chair that can be used by adults and children. They’re free to use and can be booked through the Town’s website for by using the QR code available at the two rental locations. One is located at 1 Beach Road in Southampton (Gerry’s Fries area) and the other is at the Port Elgin Harbour office. The beach also has wheelchair access beach mats (Mobi-Mats) at both locations.
Meanwhile, staff say the Chantry Senior’s Centre got a new ramp and new accessible doors, the Southampton branch of the Bruce County Public Library has a new accessible entrance and there are new door openers at the Port Elgin branch of the library.
Town staff say elevator improvements were made at the Southampton old town hall.
Improvements were made to about 150 metres of sidewalk and tactile plates for pedestrians were installed at three high-volume intersections.
The Town also has an accessibility committee made up of seven members of the public, one council representative, and one staff resource.