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December 17, 2024
With ongoing input from Edmontonians who are blind or have low vision, Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) has made several enhancements to facilities and vehicles to help improve accessibility, with further improvements planned for 2025.
Following feedback received from Canadian National Institute of the Blind (CNIB)’s Get On Board campaign in 2023, ETS made several upgrades to address CNIB’s recommendations. These upgrades included improving colour contrast by changing the colour of the emergency push strips from yellow to red in newer LRT vehicles, painting the curbs blue at Westmount Transit Centre, and modifying bus signage to only display the route number and destination, ensuring crucial route information is clear at all times.
“Our partnership with CNIB has led us to better understand the experiences of those who are blind, Deafblind or have low vision,” said Carrie Hotton-MacDonald, Branch Manager, Edmonton Transit Service. “There are many more improvements that can be made to help make transit spaces more accessible and inclusive for all. We’re just getting started.”
In 2025, the practice of painting transit centre curbs blue will be expanded across the City. Another key project will be re-tiling benches in downtown LRT stations to improve colour contrast with the floor, improving visibility and reducing tripping hazards.
“People who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision continue to voice that transportation barriers are among the greatest barriers they face,” said Craig Peterson, Executive Director of CNIB Alberta and Northwest Territories. “Without critical accessibility features on transit vehicles and platforms, people with sight loss risk their independence and have limited access to cultural, social, recreational and employment opportunities.”
Respect on the part of transit riders and operators can go a long way when it comes to ensuring people who are blind, Deafblind or have low vision feel more comfortable on transit. Per CNIB’s recommendation, ETS has launched the Rider Respect campaign to raise awareness and help ensure transit is accessible and inclusive for all.
As part of the campaign, riders may see signs in transit spaces with suggestions on how to help all riders feel more welcome. These tips include:
- Show you care and offer your seat to riders who may need it more, and respect priority seating and shared spaces.
- Understand that disabilities are not always obvious. They can be visible, invisible or episodic.
- Recognize and respect everyone’s autonomy. Don’t make assumptions about people’s abilities. Ask before you help someone.
“Everyone just wants to get where they need to go, when they need to go,” said Peterson. “As such, CNIB is thrilled by the accessibility improvements ETS has made in response to rider feedback in Edmonton, which sets an excellent example for cities across Canada. We look forward to continuing to ensure no rider is left behind.”
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