Accessible New West

The City of New Westminster takes actions to become more accessible and soon this work will also be guided through our Accessibility Plan.

Recent work includes:

• As part of the Master Transportation Plan, Tactile Walking Surface Indicators (TWSIs) have been installed at all intersections on the Agnes Greenway.
• The City of New Westminster is a leader in building accessible off-leash dog areas.
• Play equipment and rubberized surfaces have been designed for accessibility at the Sixth Street Play Area at Westminster Pier Park.
• The təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre is a multi-year project that is scheduled to open in 2024 and we are working with the Rick Hansen Foundation to ensure it meets their accessibility certification process.
• New Westminster residents can receive a 50% discount on eligible parks and recreation programs and approved household members are granted $1000 non-transferable credits that expire.
• The New Westminster Public Library and the New Westminster Police Department have made important accessibility information available through their websites.

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.