Issue 65 | March 2026

This newsletter is available in alternate formats on request.

Creating Accessible Outdoor Spaces

The Manitoba government is developing a draft of the Accessible Outdoor Spaces Standard Regulation and wants your input. This regulation aims to create accessible, barrier-free, and inclusive outdoor spaces across the province.

Using the principles of universal accessibility, the standard will outline how to identify, prevent, and remove barriers in outdoor environments. It will set minimum technical requirements to guide the design and construction of new outdoor spaces, as well as modifications to existing ones.

The intention is not to limit creativity in planning, designing, or maintaining public infrastructure. Instead, the goal is to ensure that accessibility remains a central priority throughout these processes

The Accessible Outdoor Spaces Standard would address the following areas, but is not limited to:

• Paths of Travel, including Pedestrian Crossings and Recreational Trails

• Play Areas, Sports Facilities, Boat Launches, Docks and Beach Routes

• Outdoor Seating, Service Counters, Permanent Washrooms and Parking/Loading Areas

Take the Survey

Whether it's creating safer streetscapes, re-imagining bike lanes, or taking a wider approach to designing communities for people of all ages and abilities, let's collaborate to ensure our outdoor spaces are accessible for everyone. Take this survey to share your feedback on the current state of Accessible Outdoor Spaces.

Survey Closes: April 23, 2026

Additional Ways to Share Your Experiences

If you need assistance taking the survey or would prefer to provide your comments and feedback by speaking directly with someone, please contact the Manitoba Accessibility Office at (204) 945-7613 or by email at MAO@gov.mb.ca.

The 2026/27 Manitoba Accessibility Fund Intake Period is Now Closed

Thank you to all organizations that submitted applications to the Manitoba Accessibility Fund. The 2026/27 intake period is now closed, and all submissions are currently under review.

Over the coming weeks, the selection committee will conduct a thorough and impartial assessment of all eligible applications in accordance with the program's established criteria. Once this process is complete, all applicants will receive official written notification regarding the outcome of their submission, whether approved or not.

We sincerely appreciate your continued efforts and commitment to advancing accessibility and removing barriers in alignment with the objectives set out under The Accessibility for Manitobans Act.

For additional information about the Manitoba Accessibility Fund, please visit AccessibilityMB.ca or contact MAF@gov.mb.ca.

Spotlight on an Accessibility Project in our Community

Featured Project - Prairie Fire Press, Inc.

Prairie Fire's website is a central access point for readers, writers, educators and students. It features new writing, book reviews, news and highlights, information about submissions and contests, workshops, a student practicum program, a junior editor internship, and educational resources, as well as a substantial archive of past content. Ensuring that information is accessible is essential to the mandate of equitable participation in literary culture.

With support from the Manitoba Accessibility Fund, Prairie Fire completed a comprehensive accessibility-focused redevelopment of their website. While the previous website met WCAG Level A standards, it did not meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA requirements. Prairie Fire identified the need to address barriers in information and communication access.

Prairie Fire worked closely with Tetro Design to identify, prevent and remove accessibility barriers. Because of their deep familiarity with the website's structure and back-end systems, Tetro Design was well positioned to implement meaningful, sustainable improvements.

Completed upgrades included fixes to font sizing and colour contrast, improved focus states and labeling, corrected alt text, and the resolution of additional accessibility errors and omissions. Changes reduced barriers for users with disabilities and improved usability for all visitors accessing information about opportunities, events, workshops, contests and Canadian literary writing.

Beyond the technical upgrades, Prairie Fire has shared what they learned about web accessibility and The Accessibility for Manitobans Act with other arts organizations housed in the Artspace building. We spoke directly with peer organizations and forwarded information about the Manitoba Accessibility Fund and upcoming standards to Artspace administration, who then amplified it through their weekly digital newsletter.

Prairie Fire is committed to fostering an environment that treats individuals with respect and dignity and encourages full participation. Providing barrier-free information and communication is a key part of that commitment, and this project represents an important step toward ongoing accessibility and inclusion.

~ Article provided by Prairie Fire Press, Inc.

Maintaining Existing Accessibility Features

Did you know Manitoba's Accessible Customer Service Standard Regulation requires organizations in the province to maintain their existing accessibility features?

This means aspects of the built environment that are designed to facilitate barrier free access must be available for use as intended. It includes the maintenance of existing features like elevators, escalators and power doors, as well as clearing snow and keeping aisles and entryways free of clutter so that persons with wheelchairs, scooters or walkers have access to the facility.

Notice of Disruption

Under section 9 of the Accessible Customer Service Standard Regulation, a notice must be provided when an existing accessibility feature is temporarily unavailable.

This means if there is a disruption to an existing accessibility feature, notice must be provided on-site as well as on the organization's website, if they have one, or be given by other reasonable means. Notice must include:

1. The reasons why the accessibility feature is unavailable.

2. The anticipated time frame for repair or maintenance.

3. Details of alternate ways to access the organization's goods and services.

Remember: The Accessibility for Manitobans Act and the Accessible Customer Service Standard Regulation do not set requirements for the construction or addition of new accessibility features in the indoor built environment; these requirements fall under the Manitoba Building Code.

Funding Announcement

Federal government announces new support for women entrepreneurs with disabilities

The Government of Canada is investing nearly $800,000 in a new program to support entrepreneurship for women with disabilities across Canada.

Upcoming Learning Opportunities

The Manitoba Accessibility Office is planning a series of webinar learning opportunities. Attend and learn more about a wide variety of topics relating to accessibility, The Accessibility for Manitobans Act and standards.

Upcoming Webinars:

• March 24, 2026: Navigating Accessible Employment: Responsibilities, Strategies and Tools

  • Register to Attend

    
    

• May 19, 2026: Creating Accessible Documents

  • Register to Attend

    
    

    
    

• September 22, 2026: Understanding Service Animals Accessibility in Manitoba

  • Register to Attend

    
    

• November 17, 2026: Driving Inclusion: Understanding Manitoba's Accessible Transportation Standard Regulation

  • Register to Attend

Webinars will be hosted virtually on Zoom from 1 to 2 p.m. and will feature accessibility measures such as American Sign Language interpretation (ASL) and live closed captioning.

Visit AccessibilityMB.ca to learn more about these webinars or to register to attend.

Upcoming Awareness Dates

• International Wheelchair Day (March 1)

• World Downs Syndrome Day (March 21)