A simple improvement to accessibility

Too often in Halifax, one step up from the sidewalk to a shop or restaurant creates a much bigger gap in urban accessibility. A new partnership between the office of Halifax Mayor Mike Savage and the Parker Street Skills Development Centre - working with area business improvement commissions - hopes to change that. The Halifax ramp project uses basic materials to build simple improvements to accessibility throughout the urban centre where the issue is most acute.

Working with templates and specifications provided by the non-profit Stop Gap organization (http://stopgapblog.blogspot.ca/), the Parker Street Skills Development Centre constructs simple painted ramps for temporary use as needed. When not in use, the ramps can be easily lifted out and stowed.Businesses that receive a ramp are asked to make a $25 donation to Parker Street to help the program be sustainable over the long term. 

If you are interested in receiving a ramp or want more information, please contact Jessica Bradley at bradlej@halifax.ca. If you are a member of any of the following business commission you can also contact your commission office and they can help: Downtown Halifax, Downtown Dartmouth, Spring Garden, North End, Quinpool.