As part of a pilot project hoping to improve service for transit users who are blind, Deafblind or have low vision, 89 tactile and high contrast signs are now in place on Route 90.
The signs, which are in the Bridgeland/University of Calgary area, provide key information like route details, stop ID and Calgary Transit’s TeleRide phone number, 403-974-4000, using raised text and braille.
In a statement, Sharon Fleming, Director of Calgary Transit, said she wants all riders to be able to use transit independently and confidently.
“Our tactile sign pilot on Route 90 is a small but important step in making the system more accessible for more Calgarians,” she said in a statement.
CNIB, an organization dedicated to improving accessibility for people who are blind, was involved in the sign’s design. More engagement with CNIB, along with public feedback captured through a questionnaire will help inform potential future tactile sign rollout on all Calgary bus routes, according to a City of Calgary-issued media release.
Taylor Bauer, a CNIB Advocacy Lead, said that accessible transit means more than just getting from one place to another.
“It’s about ensuring safety, independence and with confidence for all travelers,” she said in a statement.
“These tactile, high-contrast bus stop signs along Route 90 are an encouraging step toward ensuring people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision can get where they need to go, when they need to go. CNIB appreciates the work Calgary Transit has put into this pilot initiative and looks forward to continuing to work together to ensure transit is accessible and inclusive for all.”
In addition to tactile bus stop signs, Calgary Transit has begun improving accessibility in and around CTrain stations, according to the release.
