2025 Accessibility Plan Annual Report Released

At today’s Committee of the Whole meeting (March 17, 2026), Council will review an annual report outlining actions taken in 2025 to support the City’s 2024-26 Accessibility Plan. The report highlights progress made in enhancing accessibility and inclusion across City programs, services and spaces.

“This report highlights meaningful progress in removing barriers and improving accessibility across our community,” said Councillor Lynn Hammond, Council Lead for Inclusion. “As we enter the final year of the City’s first multi-year Accessibility Plan, we’re proud of the progress made so far, but we know there is still work to do. We are committed to listening and learning as we continue advancing initiatives that make our city more accessible and inclusive for everyone.”

The Accessibility Plan sets goals and actions to identify, prevent and remove barriers, demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement as best practices, regulations and technology evolve. Since the plan was launched in 2024, 33 actions have been completed, 13 in 2024 and 20 in 2025, with progress continuing on 35 additional action items.

Highlights from the City’s 2025 Accessibility Plan Annual Report include:

Accessible Transportation: Expanded accessible public transportation by adding more wheelchair-accessible Metrobus routes and growing the GoBus fleet.

Mobility and Active Transportation: Expanded the sidewalk snow clearing network to 193 kilometres, upgraded 13 crosswalks to enhance accessibility, grew the shared-use path network to 23 kilometres, and launched new procedures and an awareness campaign to reduce sidewalk barriers from waste bins.

Accessible Facilities and Public Spaces: Opened the accessible and inclusive H.G.R. Mews Community Centre, installed or repaired 15 automated door openers, added an accessible change space with an adult-sized change table at Bannerman Park Pool House, built an accessible washroom at Chafe’s Lane Park, and secured 25 playground communication boards in City parks.

Housing Accessibility: Converted one City-owned housing unit to a wheelchair-accessible unit and introduced new Universal Design resources for planners, builders, and homeowners.

Accessible Information and Communication: Introduced new brand standards to support accessible marketing and communications, launched the Engage St. John’s website with enhanced accessibility features and redesigned Metrobus schedules with larger fonts and clearer maps.

Inclusive City Services: Piloted and evaluated a new Recreation Program Support Services process.

Policy and Workplace Inclusion: Work is underway on a new accessibility accommodation policy and a corporate-wide accessibility and inclusion orientation is being explored.

Inclusive Procurement: Participated in a national project exploring ways to embed accessibility and disability inclusion in procurement processes.

2026 marks the final year of the City’s first Accessibility Plan, and work will begin this year to develop a new multi-year plan that will guide the City’s accessibility efforts starting in 2027.

“We will continue advancing the remaining actions in the current plan while beginning work on the City’s next multi-year Accessibility Plan. I want to thank our Inclusion Advisory Committee for their continued support, time and advice which is grounded in lived experience. The new plan will build on what we’ve learned and will be shaped through public engagement with the community,” added Councillor Hammond.

The City of St. John’s has a strategic direction to be a Connected City, one where people feel connected, have a sense of belonging and are actively engaged in community life. The Accessibility Plan is advancing this direction by improving access to programs, services and public spaces that build safe, healthy and vibrant communities. 

Read 2025 Accessibility Plan Annual Report