By: Gabriella Rabaa
Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) are used at controlled intersections to help pedestrians who are blind, low vision, or Deafblind safely cross the street. These devices are usually fixed to poles at crosswalks and use audible or haptic cues to tell pedestrians when they have the right of way to enter the crosswalk.
While APS devices are low-cost and easy to install, CNIB hears concerning experiences from our community members about missing, improperly installed, or poorly maintained APS devices, putting them at a greater risk of becoming disoriented or encountering hazards while travelling through their neighbourhoods.
In light of these issues, CNIB launched a new campaign calling on city officials to prioritize the installation, proper implementation, and continued maintenance of APS devices through funding and city infrastructure planning.
We'll be meeting with officials in municipalities across the country to ensure they understand the importance of effective APS devices and commit to deploying them effectively so that all pedestrians have equitable access to travel in their community.
We're also asking for your help! You can join our advocacy efforts by visiting the Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) campaign webpage and filling out the customizable sample letter provided, which will be shared with your local representative.
Through our collective efforts, we can help make our communities safer and more accessible for everyone.