City of Montreal asks for citizens' help in developing universal accessibility plan

In a bid to make the city easier to navigate for people with disabilities, City of Montreal officials will be hosting a public consultation over the next two months to give citizens the chance to contribute.

"We want to hear from you about our future action plan for universal accessibility, currently being developed by our municipal services," says Coun. Rosannie Filato in a city-issued press release, Thursday.

"Our priority is the full participation of all Montrealers in the life of our city," added Filato, who serves as the executive committee member responsible for social and community development.

The public consultation will take place between Oct. 15 and Nov. 30. There will be an online surveyand citizens will be able to send emailed suggestions. Information on how to participatewill be available on the city's website.

Participants with limited vision will have access to voice-activated software and other services.

Six scheduled meetings will be held in various boroughs ranging from Saint-Laurent to Ville-Marie throughout November. Those meetings will have sign language interpretation.

The meetings will be in French, but the city says a bilingual facilitator will be on hand to ensure English speakers can participate in developing a renewed plan.

Accessibility advocates have long been critical about Montreal's infrastructure and transit.

Montrealhas access ramps on only 40 per cent of its municipal buildings.Of Montreal's 68 Metro stations, 13 are equipped with elevators. The transit service has set goal of making 32 stations accessible to people with various disabilities by 2022.

Montreal's new planserves as a sequel to the city's 2015-2018 plan which was launched by former Mayor Denis Coderre.

With files from Radio-Canada