Find ramps near you

A number of businesses throughout Halifax and Dartmouth have taken advantage of the ramp project and some already had portable ramps. Here's a handy list we hope will grow over time:

1. Fireworks – 1569 Barrington St. 902-420-1735 http://www.fireworksgallery.com/
2. The Loop – 1547 Barrington St. 902-429-5667 http://www.theloophalifax.ca/
3. Halifax Dance – 1505 Barrington St. 902-422-2006 http://www.hfxdance.ca/
4. Petite Urban Pooch – 2863 Isleville St. 902-237-1772 http://petiteurbanpooch.ca/
5. Down Home Dog – 2310 Gottingen St. 902-422-9364 http://www.downhomedog.com/
6. Bellissimo – 2743 Agricola St. 902-423-6014 http://www.bellissimoliving.com/
7. Starboard Wealth  Planners – 2371 Agricola St. 902-420-8375 http://www.starboardwealth.ca/
8. Alteregos – 2193 Gottingen St. 902-431-3170 https://www.facebook.com/Alteregos-Cafe-Catering-130107433690147/
9. Bib n’ Tucker – 6423 Quinpool Rd. 902-423-6474 http://www.bibntucker.ca/
10. Hali Deli – 2389 Agricola St. 902-406-2500 http://halideli.com/
11. Dawn Baker Rejuvenation and the Artist Quarter – 2594 Agricola St. 902-449-4923 http://dbrejuvenation.com/
12. Atlantic Developments – 2114 Gottingen St. 902-404-3332 http://atlanticdev.ca/
13. The Old Apothecary - 1549 Barrington St. 902-423-1500 http://www.theoldapothecary.com/
14. Whiskeys – 27 Portland St. 902-469-7743
15. Lasting Impressions – 116 Portland St. 902-431-4438 https://www.facebook.com/LastingImpressionsbg/
16. May Garden – 136 Portland St. 902-469-2226 http://maygarden.ca/ 
17. Hiltz Shoe Repair – 139 Portland St. 902-466-2242

Portable ramps a win for accessibility advocates

http://globalnews.ca/news/1988532/portable-ramps-a-win-for-accessibility-advocates/

Nice coverage by Global News of the Halifax community ramp rollout. Thank you to Fireworks Gallery, The Loop, and the new Old Apothecary Bakery for making their businesses more accessible. And, a hout-out to Argyle Fine Art on Barrington who had already invested in a portable ramp.

A simple improvement to accessibility

Too often in Halifax, one step up from the sidewalk to a shop or restaurant creates a much bigger gap in urban accessibility. A new partnership between the office of Halifax Mayor Mike Savage and the Parker Street Skills Development Centre - working with area business improvement commissions - hopes to change that. The Halifax ramp project uses basic materials to build simple improvements to accessibility throughout the urban centre where the issue is most acute.

Working with templates and specifications provided by the non-profit Stop Gap organization (http://stopgapblog.blogspot.ca/), the Parker Street Skills Development Centre constructs simple painted ramps for temporary use as needed. When not in use, the ramps can be easily lifted out and stowed.Businesses that receive a ramp are asked to make a $25 donation to Parker Street to help the program be sustainable over the long term. 

If you are interested in receiving a ramp or want more information, please contact Jessica Bradley at bradlej@halifax.ca. If you are a member of any of the following business commission you can also contact your commission office and they can help: Downtown Halifax, Downtown Dartmouth, Spring Garden, North End, Quinpool.

Questions and Answers

What is the StopGap project?
The StopGap community ramp project began in Toronto in an effort to make businesses and public spaces more accessible. Since launching in 2011, StopGap has partnered with local groups to bring their concept to over 100 communities across the country. Through community organizations, material donations and volunteer support, the StopGap project invites businesses with single stepped storefronts to have a custom-built ramp made for them at to no cost. The brightly colored ramps are portable and designed to be brought in and out of businesses for customers use. While the ramps are not intended to be a permanent solution to accessibility design concerns, they open the door for important discussions on accessibility and help get more people in the doors of local businesses. For more information on the StopGap project, visit http://stopgapblog.blogspot.ca/

The Halifax Community Ramp Project
In December 2014, the Mayor’s Office partnered with Parker Street’s Skills Development Centre and StopGap to build ramps for businesses within the municipality. The ramps are built by participants in Parker programs. The Halifax Community Ramp Project offers custom built ramps to businesses free of charge. While the ramps are free, businesses that receive a ramp are invited to provide a $25 voluntary donation to the Parker Street to ensure the continuation of the project.

Who can qualify to receive a ramp?
While we are working closely with the business improvement commissions in the urban core of Halifax and Dartmouth where the need is most acute, any business within the municipaliy is eligible to receive a ramp, provided they meet the following criteria:

• The building entrance must be single step only. The step must be between 3 and 9 inches in in height.
• Depending on the height of the step, sidewalks must meet minimum width standards in order to accommodate a ramp.  

Why don’t you make ramps for two or more steps up?

The ramps are intended for businesses that abut the sidewalk, a common feature in the older parts of Halifax. To meet building requirements for ramp inclines, the ramps cannot rise too steeply or run so far into the sidewalk that they become a barrier or are too large to be readily moved. Because of this, the ramps are restricted to single steps up, with a rise of 3 to 9 inches.

What do the ramps look like?
The ramps are bright and colourful, and are designed to catch the eye and get people talking about accessibility in our municipality. Because every storefront is unique, each ramp is custom built. The ramps are not designed to be permanent structures; they are light enough to be easily moved in and out as they are needed. Businesses with ramps are encouraged to display a sign in their storefront indicating a ramp is available for those who might need it.

How much do the ramps cost?
The ramps are provided free of charge. However, to ensure that worthwhile projects like this are sustainable over the long term, businesses that receive a ramp are invited to provide a $25 voluntary donation to Parker Street. All donations are tax-deductible.



How do I let my customers know my store has a ramp?
It's simple. We will provide you with a decal for your window to let your customers know. Use a marker to write a store contact in the blank space so your customer can request the ramp.

 

Who funds the project?
Parker Street is a not-for-profit organization that depends on donations and financial contributions. The Mayor’s Office and community members have made donations, both monetary and in-kind, to help fund this project.

Does the Halifax Community Ramp Project build ramps for private homes?At this time, the project is able to provide ramps for businesses only.

Who should I contact if I’d like to receive a ramp?
If you would like to receive a ramp, please contact your local Business Improvement District (BID). Please include the step height and sidewalk width measurements along with your request. If you are a business owner and not a member of a BID, you can contact Jessica Bradley in the Mayor's office at bradlej@halifax.ca .