Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå

EDMONTON – The Government of Alberta has released an updated Accessibility Design Guide to highlight accessibility requirements in the provincial building code.

The new publication is an update of the former Barrier-Free Design Guide and provides detailed information and context to help the public and construction industry understand and apply the provincial building code’s accessibility requirements, a release said.

The guide recommends best practices that support more inclusive communities so all Albertans can move safely and efficiently, the release said.

The updated guide contains additions and changes from the previous 2017 version, including:

• limited-mobility stalls in public washrooms for people who may need extra room to move or require assistance (e.g. crutches, walkers, canes, arthritis);
• power doors for all entry and washroom doors;
• safe path of travel from parking areas to the building entrance;
• visual alarms in sleep areas;
• companion seating adjacent to wheelchair seating; and
• curb ramps with tactile surface indicators.

The guide also includes recommendations by the Accessibility Sub-Council of Alberta’s Safety Codes Council that includes groups representing persons with disabilities and building and architecture organizations, the release said.