The Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission (SHRC) is calling attention to concerns with accessible public transportation as part of the 2012 International Day for People with Disabilities. The United Nations has declared the theme for this day as, “removing barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society for all.”

In preparation for the December 3 event at the Core Ritchie Community Centre in Regina, a community committee and the SHRC held a series of coffee houses during the month of October. The SHRC gathered stories from people with disabilities in Regina who rely on regular transit, taxi service, and paratransit transportation.

“People relayed highly personal accounts about how transportation inaccessibility, capacity, and timeliness issues create real and significant barriers for people with disabilities. To go to work, to be social, and to engage in all of the opportunities in our community requires ready access to public transportation,” said David Arnot, Chief Commissioner for the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission.

The SHRC has achieved successful resolution to concerns about accessible transportation including the elimination of higher fares for accessible taxi service in the City of Saskatoon last year. This systemic advocacy represents a new approach to achieving mutual benefit for groups of people through mediation, cooperation and, if necessary, litigation.

“The SHRC is committed to working with stakeholder groups to resolve systemic barriers to accessible transportation for persons with disabilities in Saskatchewan,” said Arnot.

For more information, contact:

Darrell Seib
Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission, Saskatoon
(306) 933-5952
[email protected]