There are about 15 patios set up in downtown Greater Sudbury for the summer.

While they're a welcome sight for those looking for a sun-drenched cocktail or dinner al fresco, they can be anxiety-provoking for people with disabilities.

The city's accessiblity panel is paying attention. Last week, members of the panel, along with two city councillors and two city staffers, paid a visit to all of the seasonal structures.

The group was checking for any issues with structure or patio space that could cause problems for someone with a disability.

Charles Tossell is a member of the panel and was part of the group. He has a brain injury and has accessibility needs.

He said there has to be a walkway large enough for those navigating past the patios.

"I believe we need a clear path, like a proper path along the wall of the restaurant with nothing in the way, not even signage or business signs."

"So that those with vision issues could actually feel for themselves — with a stick — along the edge of a building structure. They know they're safe by doing that," Tossell said.

The accessibility requirement for the width of a walkway is 1.5 metres around each patio. If the restaurant door opens out on to the street that distance is 1.5 metres from the edge of the open door.

"The only thing I would tell them is not to have a table along the walls, so that those with vision issues can clearly know where they're going."

Because the group visited the patios during the day, Tossell said it was hard to imagine what each one would be like during a busy weekend. 

"I really wish we had done it on a Friday night or Saturday night to really observe how busy it can be," Tossell said.

"I'm waiting for that right time on a Friday night or Saturday night when it's nice and sunny, and you'll really see how jam packed and busy it'll be. It'll cause barriers for those with disabilities when they're trying to access the proper sidewalk," he added.

Travis Morgan was also a part of the Accessibility Panel that checked out the patios downtown. He is deaf, but said as a member of the diverse panel they try to be mindful of as many disabilities as possible.

"Not all disabilities are affected by building design," he said, adding that when he or other members notice barriers they pass that on to city staff "and it's up to them to decide if that's a barrier that falls under their jurisdiction."

Morgan said when he goes to a restaurant he points to the menu for what he wants, but admits that's not always possible when the menus are on the wall.

"Pen and paper usually work best in those cases, or cell phones," he said.

Morgan said he is appreciative of the efforts to make downtown more accessible-friendly, particularly from those who joined the panel members on their recent visits to the patios.

"The efforts not only benefit those with disabilities but for everyone who uses the downtown."

"The goal of the tour was to look for areas of improvement that could help make these patios and the areas around these patios more accessible to all residents in the community," said Joe Rocca, Greater Sudbury's acting director of Infrastructure Capital Planning.

Following the assessment each establishment was provided with recommendations to improve accessibility.

"The businesses were very apologetic," Rocca said.

"Every circumstance we found was unintentional, but nonetheless they're moving ahead with making the adjustments as per the required dimensions."

If the accessibility requirements aren't made, Sudbury's Bylaw Services will be called in.

Rocca also said now that city staff have worked with the accessibility panel members and understand what the various needs are, they're going to create a checklist for future years.

"Along with a set of resources for the patio operators to reference when they are setting up these patios," he said. 

"They all mean well, I just think they need a little more guidance on what are better practices to make their patios and the area around the patios as accessible as possible."

Angela Gemmill is a CBC journalist who has covered news in Sudbury, Ont., for 16 years. Connect with her on Twitter @AngelaGemmill. Send story ideas to angela.gemmill@cbc.ca

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