Permanent accessibility features don't guarantee accessible spaces. Construction zones, special events, seasonal changes, and careless placement of objects create temporary barriers that may block access as effectively as permanent ones. Managing these temporary barriers—anticipating, preventing, and addressing them—is essential to maintaining accessibility in public spaces that are designed to be accessible.
Construction and Maintenance
>Construction inevitably creates disruption, but it needn't create complete accessibility barriers. When sidewalks close, accessible detours should exist. When buildings undergo renovation, accessible access to remaining functions should be maintained. Regulations typically require these accommodations, but compliance is inconsistent.
>Construction zone accessibility requirements often exist but aren't enforced. Contractors may not know requirements, may not care, or may calculate that non-compliance costs less than compliance. Municipal inspectors may prioritize safety over accessibility in construction zone oversight.
>Even when detours are provided, they may be inadequate. Longer routes impose disproportionate burden on people with mobility limitations. Poorly marked detours may be unfindable. Detour surfaces may not be wheelchair accessible. The existence of a detour doesn't guarantee accessible alternative access.
>Utility work—street cuts, repair projects, emergency fixes—often happens with less planning than major construction. Emergency repairs may block access without advance notice or alternative provision. The urgency of the work doesn't diminish the access barrier it creates.
Special Events
>Festivals, parades, markets, races, and other special events transform public spaces. Streets close, pedestrian routes change, crowds fill areas usually open. Events that don't consider accessibility create barriers for people with disabilities trying to navigate or attend.
>Event accessibility planning should include accessible routes through or around event areas, accessible viewing areas, accessible facilities (washrooms, seating), and accessible information about the event. Many events fall short on some or all of these.
>Street closures for events can block the only accessible routes for surrounding areas. If the only curb cuts are on the closed street, people with mobility disabilities may be effectively trapped. Event planning should identify and preserve or replace accessible routes.
>Permit processes for events could require accessibility plans, but often don't or don't enforce requirements that exist. Municipal attention to event accessibility varies, with some jurisdictions having detailed requirements and others treating accessibility as an afterthought.
Seasonal Barriers
>Winter creates the most significant seasonal barriers in Canada. Snow and ice on sidewalks make wheelchair travel difficult or impossible. Plowed snow blocks curb cuts. Ice forms at transitions between cleared and uncleared areas. Months of limited mobility affect people with disabilities disproportionately.
>Snow removal responsibility varies. Municipalities clear some sidewalks; adjacent property owners clear others. Parking lots and private property may or may not be cleared and may not be cleared to accessibility standards. The patchwork creates unpredictable conditions that complicate travel.
>Enforcement of snow removal requirements proves difficult. Bylaw officers can't monitor every sidewalk. Complaints may not result in timely response. By the time enforcement happens, the immediate barrier may have cleared through warming weather while other barriers persist.
>Other seasonal barriers include fall leaf accumulation on sidewalks, spring flooding and ice dams, and summer construction seasons that create more than usual temporary barriers. Year-round accessibility requires seasonal attention.
Careless Obstruction
>Everyday actions create temporary barriers when people don't think about accessibility. Sandwich boards placed on sidewalks, bicycle parking that blocks curb cuts, vehicles parked across sidewalks, patio seating that narrows pathways—these common occurrences can block access.
>The people creating these barriers typically aren't malicious; they simply don't see the sidewalk through the lens of someone who needs full width and clear passage. Awareness and enforcement can address these barriers, but they recur constantly.
>E-scooters and bicycles parked on sidewalks represent a growing concern. Dockless mobility devices get left wherever users stop, often blocking pathways. Some municipalities require accessible parking practices, but compliance varies.
>Restaurant patios expanded during COVID-19, taking over sidewalk and parking space. Some jurisdictions now allow or encourage this use. When patio expansion narrows pedestrian routes, accessibility may suffer. Balancing economic goals with accessibility requires explicit attention.
Communication About Barriers
>When temporary barriers exist, people with disabilities benefit from knowing about them in advance. Construction schedules, event closures, and other planned disruptions can be communicated if systems exist to do so.
>Accessibility information systems—apps, websites, notification services—could provide real-time information about barrier conditions. Some services exist but coverage is incomplete. Most people with disabilities rely on discovering barriers when they encounter them.
>Reporting mechanisms allow people who encounter barriers to alert authorities. But reports may not result in action, creating frustration that discourages future reporting. Effective reporting systems require responsive follow-through.
Legal Frameworks
>Legal requirements for managing temporary barriers exist but vary in scope and enforcement. Building codes and accessibility standards may address construction accessibility. Municipal bylaws govern sidewalk obstruction and snow removal. Human rights legislation provides general prohibition on discrimination that includes creating inaccessible conditions.
>Enforcement is the weak link. Requirements without enforcement accomplish little. Resources for proactive enforcement are limited; complaint-based enforcement requires people to report violations and await response.
>Liability for temporary barriers may create incentive for prevention. If property owners face responsibility for injuries or exclusion caused by barriers they create or allow, they may pay more attention to preventing them. But liability doctrines vary and enforcement through litigation is burdensome.
Prevention and Response
>Preventing temporary barriers is more effective than responding to them. Requirements built into construction permits, event approvals, and business licensing can establish expectations before barriers are created.
>Training for construction managers, event organizers, business owners, and municipal staff can build awareness of accessibility considerations and how to maintain access during temporary disruptions.
>Monitoring and rapid response systems can address barriers quickly when they occur. Accessibility patrols, responsive complaint handling, and authority to require immediate correction can minimize the duration of temporary barriers.
Questions for Reflection
>Should construction permits require deposits or bonds for accessibility compliance, returned only if accessible alternatives are maintained throughout the project?
>How can municipalities balance business interests in sidewalk use (patios, signage, displays) with maintaining accessible pathways?
>What level of snow removal should be required, and how should requirements be enforced to ensure accessible winter mobility?