Toronto considering accessibility access protection zones around construction sites 

Michael Lewis

Special to Ontario Construction News

Corina McCoy, who says she has a newly acquired disability, is asking Toronto to establish Accessibility Access Protection Zones around construction sites similar to Tree Protection Zones to clear a path for those with disabilities trying to navigate the city’s plentiful construction areas.

“I have quickly become aware that construction projects limit my access to the city as well as creating unsafe situations for me as I move throughout it. In trying to figure out what to do to change this situation I came across the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee,” she writes in a letter proposing creation of an Accessibility Access Protection Zone policy. 

McCoy’s letter was received by the committee at its Sept. 6 meeting and deferred for consideration until its Oct. 17 session. 

“Not seeing much substance in the way of policy and becoming frustrated as I wheeled through an obstructed sidewalk on a Toronto project I looked to my right and saw some trees in a Tree Protection Zone which is a well-known City of Toronto construction related policy that has guidelines, a reporting and investigation method and a penalty if broken. 

“It also applies to government commercial and residential construction projects. That’s when it hit me, we should have Accessibility Access Protection zones in construction sites as well. Similar to the trees an Accessibility Access Protection Zone policy would be real policy with reporting procedures, investigation processes and fines for bad actors.” 

Toronto’s Infrastructure and Environment Committee in 2023 adopted a motion asking Transportation Services to work with construction companies to ensure each site is safe for all pedestrians, including mobility device users and people with invisible disabilities. The motion acknowledged that people with disabilities are disproportionately impacted by construction along the public right of way.

The city added that uneven sidewalks, temporary boards and mazes forcing pedestrians onto street level are not acceptable.

Measures to improve accessibility around construction sites could require notification and signage, on which both the 311-phone number and construction zone phone number are listed, along with planned accommodations for safe, accessible, and clearly marked pedestrian routes.

The infrastructure committee motion, subject to city council approval, would require suspensions from bidding on future city projects for contractors with poor accessibility practices. 

Anthony Frisina with the Ontario Disability Coalition, who uses a wheelchair, told the committee that technology is key to help all pedestrians make their way around construction work zones.

“Whether it’s getting that knowledge ahead of time through the 311 app or other construction apps that are currently in development, having access to 24 /7 support through EMS, through police services, through fire services that is necessary. Being around a construction zone is unsafe for a lot of people,” said Frisina. “If we have everything in place in advance, we’ll be able to plan accordingly.”

And he said signage must also be accessible to everyone.

“We need accessibility in place for hidden disabilities. We need blind or low vision or hearing disability accessibility in place. We also need accessibility in place for the common individual who just wants plain text on our signage, the color contrast on the signage. We want it in a way that ensures the safety of people with disabilities, [and] the safety of everybody.”

The city says it is working on education and outreach with stakeholders, including utility companies, developers, city contractors, and transit agencies including the TTC and light rapid transit builder Metrolinx.

Barbara Gray, Toronto’s general manager of Transportation Services, has proposed a tracking of complaints over accessibility around construction sites, enhanced requirements in the tendering process as well as a development of case studies highlighting best practices. Gray suggests development of a checklist outlining barriers for a range of disabilities as well as establishment of dedicated enforcement staff and third-party site audits as a condition of permits.

McCoy said, however, that Toronto’s efforts to improve accessibility around construction sites lack timeframes, goals, or stated desired outcomes. “There are no paths to change, processes, guidelines, or implementation plans. There is nothing for non-city projects.” 

Jamaal Myers, councillor for Scarborough North and chair of the accessibility committee, suggested an “exploratory request” toward creation of an Accessibility Access Protection Zone policy. He said such a policy could include measures governing planned and unplanned blockage of sidewalks, pathways and road crossing that consider the length of the construction projects.

He said the policy would encompass residential, commercial and government projects with recommendations and regulations for implementation, as well as penalties for non-compliance.