By KEVIN BERGER, Local Journalism Initiative
The Martensville Accessibility Advisory Committee (MAAC) is now gathering input on potential barriers to accessibility within the community, such as a lack of parking spots with extra wheelchair space, limited accessible housing or a general lack of awareness about people with “invisible disabilities” like neurological conditions.
On Monday, October 28, the City of Martensville’s Facebook page featured a link to the online version of the Martensville Accessibility Survey, the results of which will help inform policy development and guide future accessibility initiatives.
A link to the survey is also available through the City of Martensville’s website, and paper copies can also be found at City Hall, the Martensville Library, the Martensville Sports Centre and the Martensville Athletic Pavilion.
The city’s website states the survey must be completed by Thursday, November 7.
The reason for the short turnaround is due to the city being required to have an accessibility plan in place by December 3, 2025, as per the Accessible Saskatchewan Act passed by the province roughly two years ago.
City councillors approved the terms of reference for MAAC back in August. Subsequently, a call went out for volunteers to sit on the committee.
After an in-camera session at the October 7 council meeting, the following individuals were appointed to the committee: Steve Smith, Kim Novecosky, Lori Morphy, Sheri-Lynn Turgeon and Christy Zacharias.
At the October 21 council meeting, a motion was passed to appoint Councillor Tracy Cocks to the MAAC, with Councillor Krista McCann serving as an alternate.
The Prairie Spirit School Division also conducted its own public survey on accessibility barriers at local schools this week, though it closes on Friday, October 31.
Like the City of Martensville, the school division is required to develop an accessibility plan before the December 3, 2025 deadline.