Three larger “Type A” parking spaces are coming to both the King and Mary Street lots in Picton. They will join a handful of new spaces on both the north and south sides of Main Street.

“Type A” spaces are wider and use signage identifying them as “van accessible”. They are for people using larger mobility devices, such as wheelchairs or scooters, who need more space to enter or exit vehicles.

Bloomfield will see three new designated spaces on Main street as well as a new Type A space at the Town Hall parking lot.

Wellington is set to receive three new designated Main Street parking spaces while two new Type A spaces come to Rotary Beach.

They are all much needed improvements.

But the Chair of the local Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC), Irene Harris, says this municipality, much like many others across rural Ontario, is still lacking when it comes to becoming truly barrier free.

At a Council meeting last week, she noted not everyone was able to attend public meetings at Shire Hall.

“This building has a ramp that doesn’t meet code. The elevator is a service elevator that’s not really great for larger wheel chairs. The County is really under pressure to do something but there’s not enough money,” she said.

Ms. Harris also notes accessible parking at some municipal parklands is still non-existent.

She said if the committee’s report, presented at Council in February, had been a report card, the County earned a “C” in 2023.

“They are trying, but, sometimes, it seems like we are nibbling around the edges of a big, serious problem.” 

“We have a lot further to go to make the County completely accessible.”

The County is in the midst of a four-year Accessibility Plan, which assesses barriers to accessibility and inclusiveness and “serves as a strategic action plan to engage Council, staff, and residents in removing these barriers, ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, can fully participate in the community.” It ensures we are meeting the Integrated Accessibility Standards in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and outlines legislative requirements, strategic commitments, and planned capital projects.