While 33% of Quebecers aged 15 and over (Institut de la statistique du Québec, EQLAV 2010-2011) report having difficulty carrying out certain daily activities due to a temporary or permanent functional limitation, it seems that the population Quebecois does not yet know the term “universal accessibility”.
A Léger survey1 conducted by the Collectif Accessibilité Universelle (Collectif AU) among the Quebec population this fall reveals that only 10% of Quebecers have heard of universal accessibility in recent months, despite the election campaign. This is a decrease of 5% compared to a similar survey carried out in 2019, proof that the subject is little discussed in the public space. However, 79% of the population recognizes that people with disabilities are excluded from society.
Universal accessibility is not just a research concept. It’s a change of perspective that leads more people to feel a sense of belonging to their society and their city, according to Philippe Archambault and Claudine Auger, at the scientific direction of the Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Metropolitan Montreal (CRIR). .
Municipal officials must take their responsibilities
Changing the public’s perspective towards universal accessibility remains a long-term awareness campaign, and this is why the Collective has chosen to mobilize its entire community by various means. Responsibility for inclusion must also be the responsibility of elected municipal officials. They can set an example and instill guidelines in this area in their public administration.
Municipalities are at the heart of the solution, particularly in terms of mobility, so that people with functional limitations can move around properly and seniors can walk safely on the sidewalks of their city.
According to Vicky Michaud, Executive Director of the Club des personnes handicapped du Lac Saint-Louis and member of the AU Collective, universal accessibility is a way of life. Elected officials must be made aware of the needs of all their citizens so that the management of our city as well as the by-laws finally reflect the reflexes of inclusion.
PHOTO HUGO-SÉBASTIEN AUBERT, PRESS ARCHIVES
“The responsibility for inclusion must also be the responsibility of elected municipal officials,” writes the author.
A concept that remains unknown
In addition, the popularized definition of universal accessibility – that is, to allow access to services and infrastructure equally – remains unknown for the majority of Quebecers: 81% could not identify it.
For the first time, the AU Collective conducted a major awareness campaign. Declarations supporting the importance of universal accessibility have been adopted by the municipal councils of the cities of Montreal, Laval and Longueuil. About forty candidates were met and made aware.
Expectations could not be clearer:
– ensure the implementation of a universal accessibility policy for municipalities;
– appoint a person responsible for universal accessibility in each decision-making body and in the municipal administration;
– better consult people with disabilities, and collect information to promote informed decision-making in terms of universal accessibility.
The AU Collective invites citizens, candidates and elected officials to join their voices to those of the 1000 Quebecers who signed the Declaration for more accessible municipalities and who ask to recognize that citizens with functional limitations still experience many obstacles and that municipalities can improve their quality of life.
Together, let’s put universal accessibility at the heart of the public debate!
1 The web survey, conducted by Léger from 1er to October 3, 2021 with 1004 Quebecers, was developed by Formation AlterGo and funded by Centraide of Greater Montreal in order to measure awareness of universal accessibility among Quebecers.
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