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How accessible are the NCC's trails, really? Now there's an app for that
How accessible are the NCC's trails, really? Now there's an app for that

CBC

time20-07-2025

  • General
  • CBC

How accessible are the NCC's trails, really? Now there's an app for that

Social Sharing For people with disabilities, finding a trail that's sufficiently accessible can be a challenge. A new web application from the National Capital Commission (NCC) aims to change that. The idea was the brainchild of the Canadian Disabled Outdoor Society, co-founded by Chelsea Ogilvie and Brie Birdsell. They approached the NCC and then partnered with the agency to develop the Inclusive Trails app. In developing the app, Ogilvie said they wanted to see the reality on the ground for themselves. "We actually went out and did some ground-truthing," she explained, referring to the process of verifying information in person. "We went with mobility devices ... to see how easily we could access those trails." We're trying to get rid of that guesswork and just make it so that folks can confidently go out and know exactly what they're getting into. The Inclusive Trails app tells people how steep and wide a trail is, or if there are any surface hazards such as steps or tree roots that might pose a problem. "It'll tell you the grade, and so you can decide for yourself is this is a manageable slope for you," said Ogilvie, who uses a wheelchair. "We really want to increase the amount of information that's available so folks with disabilities can confidently plan their outings." The app also describes what services are available at the trailhead, such as accessible toilets and parking, as well as any other points of interest such as benches, picnic tables and boardwalks. Ogilvie said she has experienced first-hand the disappointment of arriving at a trail only to find barriers. "That's really what fuelled this project with the NCC," she said. "There are so many times I looked on a … website that said a trail was mostly flat, or even trails that were marked as wheelchair-friendly. I would get there and there would be a six-inch bump up onto a boardwalk, or a bunch of roots and rocks right off the start." WATCH | How the app works: Here's how to use the new NCC tool for accessible hiking trails 4 minutes ago The Inclusive Trails app tells people how steep and wide a trail is, or if there are any surface hazards such as steps or tree roots that might pose a problem. Impediments can be a 'deal-breaker' Those are the kinds of unexpected impediments that can ruin an outing, Oglivie said. "That can be a complete deal-breaker for me," she said. "We're trying to get rid of that guesswork and just make it so that folks can confidently go out and know exactly what they're getting into." The trails chosen for the first iteration of the app are considered low-barrier, Ogilvie said. "Because for a lot of people with disabilities, that's enough. Depending on their equipment, their support, their fitness level, their strength, they can access a whole lot of terrain that falls outside of that universal accessibility." Sometimes, those barriers aren't so obvious. For example, Ogilvie points out that some inclines are barely noticeable on foot. "But if you're trying to move yourself with your arms in a wheelchair, or if you have a walker or balance issues, you're very attuned to even the slightest inclines," she said. The app also provides photographs and 360-degree videos of the trails "so you can really explore that obstacle from every direction and decide if it's something you can and want to tackle," said Ogilvie. Six trails totalling 12 kilometres have been mapped using the new app, including paths in Gatineau Park and Ottawa's Greenbelt. More will be added. For Ogilvie, it's about inclusivity as much as it is about accessibility.

Man falls to his death from hotel's rooftop in Cape Town CBD
Man falls to his death from hotel's rooftop in Cape Town CBD

News24

time09-06-2025

  • News24

Man falls to his death from hotel's rooftop in Cape Town CBD

A man fell to his death from the 28th floor of the Sky Hotel in Cape Town on Monday afternoon. The incident took place near the hotel's Sky-Hi Ride, a rooftop attraction offering panoramic views of the city. Authorities are investigating the circumstances, including reviewing security footage, as the area remains cordoned off. A tragic incident unfolded in Cape Town on Monday afternoon when a man fell to his death from the rooftop of the Sky Hotel in Lower Long Street. The man reportedly fell from the 28th floor where the Sky-Hi Ride - an aerial attraction designed for city views - is situated. According to a first responder, who was stationed nearby at the time, the incident happened just before 16:00. 'I heard the impact. It was a loud bang which closely mimicked a gunshot,' the responder said. Chelsea Ogilvie/News24 A staff member, who asked not to be named, told News24 the man had purchased a ticket for the Sky-Hi Ride and was given a pass to access the area. Another eyewitness stated: 'In the corner of my eye, I saw a big object. I thought it was a bird until he hit the ground.' Police have cordoned off a section of Lower Long Street, just past the Cape Town International Convention Centre heading into the CBD. Investigators are reviewing security footage in and around the hotel, attempting to piece together the circumstances surrounding the man's death. A comment from the police will be added once received.

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