Access & Inclusion
Wheelability Assessment Project
In March 2009, the City of New Westminster received a Built Environment and Active Transportation Grant of $25,000 to implement the Wheelability Assessment Project to improve mobility and transportation options for people reliant on mobility aids.
Project Objectives:
- assessing the wheelability of the Uptown and Downtown neighbourhoods
- involving mobility aid users, City staff and Councillors to facilitate
- educational opportunities and knowledge exchange
- preparing maps, identifying gradients, surface treatments, accessibility
- infrastructure and pedestrian conveniences
- sharing assessment day results with relevant City departments.
The project working group was comprised over 30 mobility aid users and their companions, who were involved in a 2-day assessment process. Additionally, 121 mobility aid users completed a survey that included questions about mobility, challenges, and the two neighbourhoods in question.
The project has generated interest in both local and national media. Both the Gerontology Research Centre at Simon Fraser University and the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the University of British Columbia have expressed interest in the project. The latter is now considering New Westminster as a site for conducting research dedicated to the improvement of wheeled mobility for older Canadians.