Building hailed as a model of accessibility (5 photos)

A grass-roots organization has recognized the new PUC headquarters as a shining example of what can be built to improve accessibility for people with disabilities in Sault Ste. Marie.

The Accessibility Advisory Committee presented PUC with the inaugural Catherine Meincke Memorial Award for Exceptional Accessibility during a ceremony Friday at the Second Line location.

Ann Marie McPhee, the chair of the site plan committee, said the group was able to tour the entire facility and they were impressed with the lengths the utility went to in making the building accessible for people of all abilities.

“If someone (with a disability) comes along with the right skills they could still work in the building. That isn’t available in many buildings these days without big changes being made,” said McPhee.

The award was named after Catherine Meincke, who was a member of the Accessibility Advisory Committee prior to her death in 2011.

Architect Gord Mezzomo was on-hand for the presentation for the award.

He said that the building exceeds Ontario building codes and includes items such as flashing fire alarms for the hearing-impaired and extra-wide ramps, doors and aisles to accommodate motorized wheelchairs.

“As an architect we design this stuff every day. It’s very rare that someone recognizes that you went that little bit extra to look after the people who are physically challenged, said Mezzomo.

The lobby area where customers pay bills was also designed to accommodate wheelchairs.

“They have a barrier-free environment should they want to come in and set up accounts or other issues they want to address in a way that is safe and with adequate room. It’s something we’re very proud of,” said Randy Johnson, manager of marketing and customer communications for PUC.

The building was designed to not only service the needs of customers who may be disabled - the offices themselves were designed to accomodate any staff who may need extra accessibility.

“They did everything right,” said McPhee.

Although work had been done at the previous PUC locations to retrofit the existing buildings with ramps and elevator lifts, the new building takes those improvements to a new level.

With Ontario building codes set to change accessibility standards in January, the old buildings would have had to be retrofitted  with items such as the visual fire alarms had it been renovated in the future. The new building is one step ahead of those changes.

McPhee said the importance to people with disabilities can’t be overstated.

“It means people aren’t just locking them in their rooms to watch TV and do nothing. They can get out in the community and that’s important.”