SASKATOON CITY TRANSIT IMPROVES WHEELCHAIR SERVICE

Released on July 13, 1999

City bus drivers have begun assisting bus passengers who use

wheelchairs and scooters into their seats following a Saskatchewan

Human Rights Commission negotiated settlement between the City of

Saskatoon and Terrence Miller.



Miller is a wheelchair user and is able to independently board and

disembark from low-floor buses. He alleged the city discriminated

against him by requiring that he secure himself into space reserved

for wheelchair users on one of the new low-rider buses when he

boarded. Miller is not able to secure himself, due to his disability,

and the transit driver refused to assist him after he boarded.



"This case highlights the duty of service providers to make reasonable

efforts to accommodate customers with physical disabilities," said

Donna Scott, Chief Commissioner/Director of the Saskatchewan Human

Rights Commission.



The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code prohibits discrimination on the

basis of disability in the provision of public service.



Under terms of the agreement, Miller received $2,750 in humiliation

damages. After he was refused assistance, Miller was forced to leave

the bus and wheel to his home through inclement weather.



As part of the settlement, the City of Saskatoon has adopted a

policy directing its transit operators to assist in fastening and

releasing restraints for passengers using wheelchairs/scooters

who are able to independently board and disembark from low-floor

buses and appropriately position the wheelchair or scooter.



As a result of the new policy, a refresher training course is

being provided to operators and a new restraint system installed

on the 1995 model buses.



"The city transit department was very co-operative in dealing

with this complaint," Scott said. "It has taken positive steps

to prevent discrimination against transit riders with

disabilities."



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For more information, contact:



Donna Scott

Chief Commissioner/Director

Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission

Saskatoon

Phone: (306) 933-5952