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Saskatchewan group advocates for accessibility, starting in their neighbourhood
🇨🇦 Canada /Culture & Society

Saskatchewan group advocates for accessibility, starting in their neighbourhood

From Global News · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Barrier Free Saskatchewan is advocating for improved sidewalk and road conditions in Regina, citing years of neglect in older neighborhoods.
  • Group members, including those with disabilities, face daily challenges due to uneven surfaces and drainage issues, which they say the city has ignored.
  • The City of Regina states it has an accessibility plan and approved funding for infrastructure improvements in 2026, but the group vows to continue their advocacy until changes are made.

Barrier Free Saskatchewan is demanding action on deteriorating sidewalks and roads in Regina, arguing that the city has overlooked the needs of its older neighborhoods. Group member Rodney Sawa highlighted that concerns about the Demarco and Second Avenue area, including severe cracks and drainage problems, have been raised with the City of Regina for years without resolution.

The city has been ignoring our communities, especially our older neighbourhoods, and they’re spending money on other projects that I feel is not more important.

— Rodney SawaA member of Barrier Free Saskatchewan, explaining the group's frustration with the City of Regina's priorities.

Sawa, who was not always disabled, stated that the city felt inaccessible even before his disability. "The city has been ignoring our communities, especially our older neighbourhoods, and they’re spending money on other projects that I feel is not more important," Sawa said. He has sent emails to the city since 2024, receiving responses that indicated plans for fixes, only for the city to later change its mind.

They’re aware of the issues but the city still isn’t doing anything about it.

— Rodney SawaExpressing continued dissatisfaction with the City of Regina's inaction on accessibility concerns.

Terri Sleeva, another group member with a disability, and her caregiver Evelyn Nsohbono, shared their daily struggles. Nsohbono described the difficulty of navigating uneven sidewalks and cracks with a client. Sleeva questioned the city's priorities, stating, "Why aren’t they prioritizing? Because big money speaks first and people with disabilities, a lot of people live in poverty."

It’s always a difficult thing to wheel someone or even walk as a person who is able to walk because there’s cracks or whatever on the sidewalks.

— Evelyn NsohbonoA caregiver for Terri Sleeva, describing the practical challenges posed by the city's poor sidewalk conditions.

The City of Regina responded that its accessibility plan includes measures for sidewalk and pedestrian infrastructure, with funding approved for 2026 to enhance sidewalks, maintenance, snow removal, and pedestrian ramps. However, Barrier Free Saskatchewan remains unconvinced, vowing to persist until tangible changes are made on their streets.

Why aren’t they prioritizing? Because big money speaks first and people with disabilities, a lot of people live in poverty.

— Terri SleevaA member of Barrier Free Saskatchewan, questioning the city's allocation of resources.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Global News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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