Accessibility.
If you’re lucky, it’s something you might not have to think about often, if at all. But as Flin Flon’s population changes and ages, accessibility will become more and more important, even to those who don’t have to give it a second thought at the present.
Earlier this month, city council adopted an accessibility plan – something that has been mandated by the Manitoba government. The action items in the plan focus mostly on mobility – accessible washrooms in the community hall, which council committed funding to earlier this year and the installation of automatic doors in city buildings – as well as meeting people where they are in terms of communication.
The plan highlights what the city is doing well in terms of accessibility, and what it can improve upon. It is a step in the right direction, though there is some contention when it comes to funding – the provincial government has mandated the accessibility plan be implemented, but has provided no funding for that implementation. Mayor Cal Huntley noted during the council meeting in which the plan was accepted that council was implementing the plan, but made no commitment to funding for it.
Still, with renovations in store, the money will have to come from somewhere. The city budget only stretches so far, and must cover an array of priorities. Making decisions about where the dollars go can’t be easy, but a plan to make city spaces and services inclusive for all probably isn’t something that should be shunned when it comes to funding.
The provincial government, too, should be putting some dollars behind this initiative, not only because it has mandated municipalities create accessibility plans, but for the general wellbeing of the people it governs.
Beyond the city’s newly formalized commitment to accessibility, it’s something that should be top of mind for all stakeholders in the community.
As Flin Flon’s population ages, mobility will become an issue. Something as simple as a small step up into a building can hinder someone using a walker or a wheelchair.
As we invite more and more people into our community, either to visit or to stay, all of our services – public and private – need to be accessible. Flin Flon’s level of accessibility will be one of the first impressions the city makes. It will benefit the community if it’s a good one.
Flin Flon is inherently not the most accessibility-friendly place. It faces some built-in challenges. The way it is built into and around the rock. The winter weather – even with the best of intentions and hard work, icy sidewalks and obstacles abound. The fact that it was built for a generation of able-bodied people.
Now that the provincial government is pushing for plans to improve and maintain accessibility, it’s time for the province, city, and community stakeholders to work together to make sure it happens.
