City committee aims to add braille, sign language to improve accessibility

People whose hearing and eyesight are impaired may soon have better access to decisions made at city council.

The human rights committee of council has passed a motion recommending the city expand the inclusive and accessible communication it offers by having all documents posted online in braille and plain language, free of jargon. That would include minutes and agendas for every committee meeting at city hall.

The committee also recommended, during its Monday meeting, that American Sign Language interpretation be provided at all of the city’s service announcements, including emergency advisories, and at city council and all public committee meetings, preferably both live and livestream.

The motion has also asked the city’s executive policy committee to request the civil service produce a report about the expansion of services within four months.

The proposal will ultimately need to be voted on by city council before it is enacted.

Both Coun. Markus Chambers, the human rights committee chairman, and Coun. Sherri Rollins, who sits on the committee, were in meetings and unavailable for comment.

Disability advocates said the new measures are long overdue.

Doug Momotiuk, an executive member of the Manitoba Deaf Association, said he welcomed former mayor Brian Bowman’s news conferences during the pandemic which included an ASL interpreter and they are hoping it can continue not just for announcements, but for city council and committee business.

“During COVID-19, a lot of deaf folks enjoyed being able to watch the mayor and get the crucial information that was necessary,” Momotiuk said through a telephone translation system on Tuesday.

“It is just so integral to have information on everything from council and to make sure it is available … For deaf folks, ASL is our first language. I’m looking forward to this motion being approved by council.

“It makes sense to make it all accessible.”

Vivi Dabee, the CNIB’s program head for advocacy and community outreach, said technology allows people who are visually impaired to access braille devices that connect to their computers, but the city would have to properly format the items on its side.

“It’s great this committee wants council to do this,” Dabee said.

“They would have to make sure everything is tagged correctly, so it just doesn’t say ‘graphic, graphic’. We need things to be more accessible so it is available for everybody. It just encourages participation for all members of the community.”

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca