On this International Day of Disabled Persons, the City of Montreal unveils its new Municipal Universal Accessibility Plan 2024-2030. This is an important milestone in making Montreal an accessible city, where everyone can carry out their daily activities without obstacles.
The plan is the result of the work of the Chantier en accessibilité universelle (Chantier AU), which began in 2020, a series of citizen workshops, and an unprecedented mobilization of all City departments, boroughs and offices. It proposes a transformation of the municipal apparatus articulated around concrete actions, such as:
- Increasing the proportion of people with functional limitations who hold positions with the city;
- Revising regulations governing sidewalk cafés and improving the universal accessibility performance of pedestrianization projects;
- Proactively develop drop-off points and parking spaces for people with disabilities close to popular areas;
- Integrate universal accessibility pilot projects into some of our cultural centres.
The Municipal Universal Accessibility Plan also brings changes to the city's governance structure. The fight against ableism will now be included in the mandate of the Office of the Commissioner to Combat Racism and Systemic Discrimination. This change is in response to the first recommendation of Chantier AU 2020-2024, which is to have solid, decision-making and concerted governance for accessibility within the city.
“Today, we are taking an important step towards our goal of making Montreal a city that integrates universal accessibility into every stage of its decisions and the implementation of its activities. Our Municipal Universal Accessibility Plan is the fruit of a major team effort involving the municipal organization, the community and research community, and the people of Montreal. I would like to underline this tremendous spirit of collaboration and thank everyone who has been involved in this project since the launch of the Chantier in 2020,” declared Montréal Mayor Valérie Plante.
“The Municipal Universal Accessibility Plan will serve as a real lever for continuing to implement all the recommendations emanating from Chantier 2020-2024. In presenting this plan, we are reiterating that the City of Montreal has made the development of universal accessibility a priority. That we are taking concrete steps to ensure that all Montrealers can live, visit and get around in our city, without constraints. Universal accessibility is not just something to be sought whenever possible. It's a right that must be recognized, understood and applied,” points out Josefina Blanco, who is responsible for diversity, social inclusion, universal accessibility, the status of women, youth and seniors on the executive committee.
To consult the Municipal Universal Accessibility Plan 2024-2030, click here.
SOURCE Ville de Montréal - Office of the Mayor and Executive Committee
