Sarnia seeks public input on its next accessibility plan

Sarnia residents are being asked to weigh in on its 2027–2031 accessibility plan, including transit, public spaces, information and recreation.

The City of Sarnia is asking residents to weigh in on the priorities that will shape its next five-year accessibility plan.

The 2027–2031 plan is intended to guide accessibility work across city departments and services. The city says it reviewed its previous plan and conducted an internal review to identify successes, gaps and areas for improvement before setting six emerging priorities.

Residents are being asked to comment on those priorities and identify areas the plan should expand. The project page gives concrete examples of the work under consideration: screen-reader compatibility and accessible PDF formatting; better bus stops, shelters and specialized-transit booking; tactile walking-surface indicators, curb removals and accessible pathways; and accessible washroom, park and beach improvements.

The six proposed priorities cover customer service; information and communications; transportation; public spaces and infrastructure; recreation facilities and community amenities; and accessibility awareness and organizational accountability.

For customer service, the city points to interpretation and language services for front-line staff and says it wants to keep improving how barriers identified through public feedback are addressed. It also lists accessibility training, annual progress reporting and making accessibility part of planning and decision-making as possible actions.

City staff say a significant part of the engagement will focus on people with lived experience of accessibility needs. The city is also consulting local accessibility advocacy and support organizations.

Residents can complete the online survey on Speak Up Sarnia or pick up a paper copy at the City Hall customer-service desk. Both must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 3.

The city says it will use the feedback to prepare a draft plan for another public review before presenting it to council.