Background information
Excerpt of Saanich’s November 2023 email to CFB: “In partnership with Translink and BC Transit, This District of Saanich will be hosting a pilot project that seeks input from people experiencing blindness or vision impairment on their use of floating bus stops. The two pilot locations, Gorge at Admirals and Gorge at Colquitz– both on the south side of Gorge Road, have received different intensities of accessible infrastructure to generate feedback on which elements provide the most comfort to users accessing the bus stop across a bike lane…” – Jason Hodgins
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14th November, 2023
Dear Jason Hodgins,
Re: Invitation extended to Members of the Canadian Federation of the Blind (CFB) [regarding wanting input on floating bus stops pilot project, this time in Saanich municipality, Victoria, BC]
I am responding on behalf of the Canadian Federation of the Blind. Your e-mail speaks of viewing two bus stops along Gorge Rd. Somehow there is the implication that these ‘discriminatory’ bus stops have been miraculously turned into a universally designed version of public infrastructure.
It is hard to imagine how these obviously dangerous stops ever hit the engineering drawing board. A vital part of universal design is consistency and these modified stops completely fail such a fundamental requirement. Having to access bus stops by crossing bike lanes is not part of universal design principles. Regardless of the identified barrier, even the approach and tactile transition fails to effectively utilize these principles of inclusion.
Authorities first deny our mere existence, ignore a cease and desist order, then discriminatory public infrastructure is arbitrarily built. Blind victims go unheard. Authoritarian attitudes undermine the court findings to thwart the legal process. For any public body, tasked with ensuring safe access to city transport, that continues to construct unsafe and unnecessary infrastructure demonstrates an appalling display of bullying. To appease a privileged cycling minority while ignoring the court findings of a vulnerable disabled minority demonstrates a callous disregard for the democratic process. The potential for injury to a blind transit user when using such bus stops has risen exponentially. Consequently these stops will become an inaccessible barrier.
Blind citizens are, and always have been, an integral part of society.
The indignity of asking blind victims to normalize discriminatory practices discloses an intentional attack on our right of independence. Your term “comfort” is inappropriate as minimizing the importance of a safe design does a great disservice to blind customers.
Equitable access to an essential public service, such as a bus, for a blind citizen, with or without a guide dog, is a legislated right. Any violation shows a wilful misinterpretation of a human right enactment. There is no evidence that riding a bike constitutes a right. Therefore “the idea of balancing rights” is a red herring. There is nothing essential about a choice.
Publicly employed or contracted engineers should not have to be reminded that they have an obligation to ensure that services are accessible to all.
Throughout Saanich there are bus stops located at the curb, along bike lanes, where buses pull in to pick up and drop off passengers. The transit passengers are able to use the system “barrier free” and the cyclists are able to clearly see the bus and navigate accordingly. Curb-side stops ensure safe access for all transit users. This practical location ensures the inclusion of people with diverse abilities, avoiding undue hardship and dangerous barriers.
Municipalities, transportation companies and others should establish policies based on inclusive design available in the seven principles. Such infrastructure would be consistent and inclusive.
Yours sincerely,
Graeme McCreath, Executive Member of the CFB, Board Member of “Its Your Right” and Saanich resident