VIA Rail Canada is determined to be “Canada’s most accessible national and inter-city mode of transportation.” The rail company says it is “driven by the mindset that it’s time to create a barrier-free travel experience from reservation to destination.”
Via Rail has tabled its 2022-2025 accessibility plan with the government. The multi-year plan charts the course for a more accessible and inclusive experience for both passengers and employees.
VIA says that 6.2 million Canadians, or about 22% of the population, identify as having a disability – a number that is projected to increase as the population ages.
“VIA Rail is committed to tailoring our services to these changing demographics.” says company CEO Cynthia Garneau. “We understand the importance of listening to our passengers as we work toward offering barrier-free transport, which is why we consulted a wide range of advocacy groups as we developed this plan to make sure we were capturing the needs and expectations of the diverse Canadian population.”
Building on VIA Rail’s universal accessibility policy, this plan is the Corporation’s first ever accessibility plan and aims to make accessibility a key component in every decision-making process. Highlights include:
• The creation of American Sign Language (ASL) and la Langue des Signes Québécoise (LSQ) videos on VIA Rail’s website.
• Ongoing accessibility awareness training for all our employees, from on-train service, to customer care, to office employees and executives.
• Improved equity in recruitment by removing bias in the hiring process and making our accessible hiring policy more visible to job seekers.
• An accessible procurement process to incorporate accessibility early on in decision making before projects are launched.
“VIA Rail teams have been working to improve accessibility for years ahead of this plan,” said Ben Marc Diendéré, Chief Public Affairs and Communications Officer. “Whether it’s the new fleet of trains that will deliver an unparalleled, barrier-free and fully accessible travel experience, on-board announcements, or accessibility improvements to the Ottawa station, we have taken important actions already and will continue to ensure that we work to create an environment in which all people can travel autonomously and confidently.”
In addition to reaching out for feedback on our plan and its projects, VIA Rail has also assembled a Universal Accessibility Advisory Committee comprised of various groups who defend the rights of people with disabilities, which will be instrumental to planning Via Rail’s future accessibility projects.
The 2022-2025 accessibility plan can be viewed at: https://www.viarail.ca/en/plan/accessibility