WEYBURN – In an effort to become a more inclusive and accessible community, the City of Weyburn is developing its first Accessibility Plan.
A public survey launching on April 14 will help shape the plan, gathering input from residents, businesses and community organizations on where improvements are needed to make the city more accessible for all.
“The City of Weyburn has made strides in improving accessibility across many of our public spaces, but we recognize that there’s always room to do better,” said Abby Kradovill, the city’s safety coordinator.
She said that some facilities already have accessible entrances, washrooms, and designated parking, and recent infrastructure projects have incorporated inclusive design.
“However, we also know that accessibility is not one-size-fits-all, and that lived experiences may vary,” said Kradovill. “That’s why this Accessibility Plan and the community survey are so important—they’ll help us identify where gaps still exist and how we can continue to remove barriers.”
The push for the plan comes from the Accessible Saskatchewan Act, passed in May 2023, which requires all public sector bodies to develop accessibility plans by December 2025.
“The City of Weyburn is on track to meet the provincial deadline of December 2025 to have a formal Accessibility Plan in place, as required under the Accessible Saskatchewan Act,” said Kradovill. “We’ve outlined a clear roadmap to get there.”
The Act is designed to remove and prevent barriers, ensuring all people can fully participate in daily activities, work, and play, said Paige Tenbult, the city’s communications coordinator, in a media release.
Like many municipalities, Weyburn is in the early stages of crafting its plan.
“We’re confident that the work we’re doing now—with community consultation and cross-department collaboration—will position us well to meet the requirements,” said Kradovill. “That said, yes, there is still meaningful work to be done, especially around formalizing processes, policies, and accessibility standards across all city services and facilities. This plan will lay the foundation for long-term, sustained progress.”
The Accessibility Plan will focus on compliance with provincial law, equal participation, and fostering a community culture rooted in respect and diversity.
“We’re currently in the initial planning and consultation phase, which includes working closely with people with disabilities, community groups, and stakeholders to identify existing barriers,” said Kradovill. “From there, we’ll move into drafting the plan this spring and summer and then open it up for public feedback in the fall. Our goal is to finalize and begin implementing the plan by the end of 2025.”
