The lack of accessibility to local businesses is a public health and human rights issue that has been ignored for far too long. All Montrealers should have equitable access to services in their own community.

In the context of a complete shutdown of non-essential businesses, the city of Montreal has a unique opportunity to ensure that business owners use this period to make their premises fully accessible to wheelchair users, wherever possible.

If you agree that Montreal businesses should be accessible to all (cafés, dépanneurs, restaurants), tell the city that NOW is the perfect time to act :

• To mandate local business associations to immediately undertake an inventory of their members and to identify businesses that are still not accessible.

• To develop a priority list according to the degree of difficulty in retrofitting-adapting the entrances of local businesses (some might not be adaptable at all whereas others might require a simple ramp).

• To identify clusters of businesses on the same block that can easily be rendered accessible together.

• To assist business owners in processing forms and construction permits via a new streamlined process.

• To ensure that accessibility is an integral part of every urban infrastructure project and, in fact, is viewed as an essential infrastructure project in its own right.

Accessibility is an essential component of a healthy and resilient community. We should all view this shutdown as a chance to rethink our city and to ensure equal access to all Montrealers. If you agree that Montreal businesses should be accessible to all and that NOW is the time for the administration to act, please sign this petition.