Making Kingston a Place for Everyone

Kingston has been making strides in becoming more accessible. But there is still a long way to go.

A Councillor's Perspective

A city councillor, who has a child with a disability, understands these challenges firsthand. They know what it's like to face barriers that many people don't even notice.

Progress Made

When this councillor joined the city council in 2022, things started to change:

• The city worked with the Inclusive Play Project to build a new playground.
• They checked all playgrounds for accessibility and plan to upgrade them.
• They funded a new role just for accessibility.

Ongoing Challenges

But there are still problems:

• The Accessible Taxi Program had issues.
• Many buildings weren't made with accessibility in mind.
• The rules for accessibility in Ontario aren't always followed.

The Vision for the Future

The councillor wants the city to look at all its services. They want to make sure everything works together. The goal is to reduce barriers, not create new ones.

They hope Kingston can become a leader in accessibility, just like it is in climate action.

The Ultimate Goal

The vision is clear:

• A city where everyone can live independently.
• A city where inclusion is not just talked about but lived every day.
• A city where everyone truly belongs.