The City of Sarnia has released a report outlining its ongoing efforts to improve accessibility for residents who are blind or have low vision.
The report, prepared for City Council by the Engineering and Operations Department, responds to a motion from March 2025 requesting a review of signage, snow removal, and mapping for vulnerable road users.
City staff determined that installing additional “Blind Person Area” advisory signage is not recommended. Officials noted that such signage has limited impact on driver behaviour, can create a false sense of security for pedestrians, and poses challenges in maintaining relevance as neighbourhoods change. Signs will continue to be used only near high-traffic areas such as schools, parks, and seniors’ facilities.
Snow removal practices remain guided by the City’s existing by-law, which ensures sidewalks along major walking and transit routes are cleared within 48 hours after eight centimetres of snowfall. While some accessibility concerns were raised around snow buildup near accessible parking spaces, staff have been advised and additional training will take place before the winter season. Expanding sidewalk plowing to all routes used by residents with disabilities was deemed cost-prohibitive at this time.
In a move to enhance accessibility planning, the City has developed a new online mapping tool through its GeoHub portal. The map identifies sidewalks with barrier curbs and highlights intersections that meet accessibility standards. Since 2019, the City has upgraded 53 intersections with AODA-compliant ramps and added accessible pedestrian crossing features at 19 more.
The report concludes with input from the Accessibility Advisory Committee, which supports maintaining advisory signage in select areas and emphasizes the importance of clear access to parking and sidewalks during winter maintenance.
