Although pop-up patios have been a popular pandemic choice for Calgarians, there are concerns the barricades are creating barriers for those with vision loss or who use a mobility device. An urgent notice of motion from Ward 7 councillor Druh Farrell asked for accessibility improvements around the pop-up patios and the adjacent sidewalk detours. […]

Americas, Built Environment, News, June 21 2021 Accessibility Standards Canada is proud to release its second annual report, which recounts a year that saw real progress in advancing their mandate. The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, tabled the report in Parliament on June 18, 2021. The annual report provides a […]

Students from South Shore Elementary School in Regina Beach have launched a one-kilometre walk around their school to raise money for local refugees. The students are in grades 7 and 8 and came up with six different posters along the walking route to illustrate what it is like to be a refugee. Read more: […]

Free menstrual products will be available in female and all-gender washrooms in all schools within the Thames Valley District School Board starting in September 2021. “Thames Valley is expanding its menstrual equity initiative to provide free period products in all elementary schools beginning next fall,” said student trustee Tasnia Rahman in a YouTube video […]

A fatal collision involving two commercial vehicles on Highway 97C — the Okanagan Connector — has shut down the westbound lanes of the highway. The crash happened near the Loon Lake exit outside of Merritt on Wednesday night at around 9 p.m. As of Thursday morning, the westbound lanes remained closed as both vehicles […]

Vernon, B.C. city councillors voted to reduce the hours of its three downtown public toilets this week after city staff reported repeated vandalism. In one particularly damaging incident, a fire was started in one of the bathrooms in early June. The blaze caused damages that will cost around $25,000 to fix and put the […]

As COVID-19 restrictions begin to loosen up and the weather continues to get warmer, Winnipeg is set to start reopening outdoor pools next week. The first pools to reopen willl include Kildonan Park Outdoor Pool, Transcona Aquatic Park, St. Vital Outdoor Pool and Westdale Outdoor Pool June 25, the city said Wednesday, followed by […]

Asia-Pacific, Built Environment, News, June 16 2021 KAZAKHSTAN: According to the Ministry of Healthcare, there are about 705,000 people with special needs including 94,000 children in Kazakhstan. Some 37 centers for adults and 23 for children with disabilities operate nationwide. Overall, more than 500 medical organizations provide inclusive health services. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke about […]

The idea of eliminating blind bidding from residential real estate transactions is gaining steam among those looking for a quick way to squirt some cold water onto Canada’s sizzling hot housing market. In B.C., for example, the provincial government is reviewing blind bidding as part of a broader effort to strengthen protections for homebuyers. […]

Changes are being made to wildlife regulations in Saskatchewan, giving better access to hunters dealing with mobility impairments using a motorized wheelchair, in an announcement made by the province Monday. In 2020, Saskatchewan allowed the use of motorized mobility equipment for hunters with disabilities, but required a permit. Read more: ‘Choked me up’: motorized […]