Addressing The Unique Needs Of Your Disabled Customers
By Robert Hunn, Chairperson of the Markham Accessibility Advisory Committee
When asked what physical barriers prevent persons with mobility disabilities from accessing their premises, many business owners would likely think of items such as steps or raised door sills, narrow passageways and, where applicable, small change rooms and washrooms. However, a major factor which dictates where someone who uses a wheelchair or scooter will spend his/her money happens even before they enter your premises: the provision of accessible parking and curb cuts.
What do we mean by “accessible” parking? Simply put, persons who use wheelchairs and scooters (and, to a lesser degree, walkers) need extra room in which to enter and exit automobiles. This space requirement is especially necessary for persons who arrive in vans equipped with side-loading lifts.
The Town of Markham’s Zoning Bylaw 28-97 (Section 3-6) states that while standard parking spaces are at least 2.75 metres (9 ft.) wide, the signed, accessible spaces must be at least 3.90 metres (12.8 ft.) wide. All parking spaces must be at least 5.80 metres (19 ft.) in length. Not only must accessible parking stalls be of sufficient width, but they should also be on level ground and, wherever possible, located near the main, accessible entrance of the building. The Zoning Bylaw also stipulates the total number of parking spaces required for particular types and sizes of developments, with the number of accessible parking spaces based upon this total.
As an added safety feature, all curb cuts should be equipped with detectable warning surfaces (tactile strips) to alert persons with visual disabilities (who either have low vision or use canes), that a change in elevation is imminent.
From the viewpoint of a wheelchair user, it appears that many well-meaning able-bodied individuals have difficulty in applying common sense to a number of parking situations. For example, I have seen curb cuts directly in front of accessible parking spaces. This means that, when the space is occupied, no one can use the curb cut. Also, not all curb cuts are created equal – and neither are all mobility devices and their users. Some manual wheelchairs have small front casters, making it difficult to surmount a curb cut of more than about 2.5 cm (l inch).
The freezing and thawing cycle of our Canadian climate is an additional factor that causes differential movement in sections of sidewalks and curb cuts, posing another obstacle for the safe approach of customers to your premises. It’s important to maintain your handicapped parking spaces and the curbs, sidewalks and entrances to your premises.
For more information on the Markham Accessibility Advisory Committee, please see the Town of Markham website at http://www.markham.ca/markham/channels/council/committees/macoa.htm
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