Landmark by Crozier, a Canadian supplier of construction castings and high quality site furnishings, is the proud supplier of Neenah Foundry’s Tactile Walking Surface Indicators (TWSI)’s. We supply Neenah TWSI’s in Eastern Canada, including the provinces of Ontario, Quebec & the Maritimes.
Q:What are Tactile Walking Surface Indicators (TWSI’s)?
A: Tactile Walking Surface Indicators (TWSI’s), are devices with defined sets of embossed patterns that have been agreed upon by International Accessibility Experts, that either provide persons with visual impairments a) warning of a hazard or b) following a direction.
Q:Where did Tactile Walking Surface Indicators Originate?
A: Tactile Walking Surface Indicators were originally developed in Japan in the 1960’s when a member of the Royal Household was visually impaired, and every effort possible was initiated to assist this person’s mobility in the public realm. Since then Japan has spearheaded many initiates for assistive devices, and TWSI’s are still more common than anywhere else in the world.
Cast iron recommended for City of Toronto standard
Results are in after a year-long Pilot Project to determine which four materials of tactile walking surface indicators (TWSI)’s would be recommended as the new City of Toronto standard. And the winner is- cast iron!
In order to comply with the Design of Public Space Standards (Part IV.1 of Ontario Regulation 191/11, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005), which included new legislative requirements to have TWSI’s at the bottom of curb ramps and depressed curbs to provide alerts for those with vision loss, the City of Toronto started a Pilot Project to best decide what standard they should adopt for TWSI’s on their sidewalk surfaces.
10 Reasons to Choose Neenah Foundry TWSI's
Tactile Walking Surface Indicators (TWSI) play a crucial role in better alerting those with visual impairments of upcoming street crossings and potential hazards. With more and more of these textured warning plates popping up across Ontario, it's clear that communities are committed to making their streets safer for people with vision loss.
Pedestrians and motorists will soon see an influx of TWSI’s in the year ahead. Effective January 2016, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) states that TWSI’s, also referred to as Detectable Warning Plates (DWP), will be mandatory on all new and repaired depressed curb sidewalks in Ontario.
Neenah Foundry Tactile Walking Surface Indicators provide alerts for secure crossing
The life of a pedestrian trying to navigate through the city can prove challenging at times. On any given day, a simple walk can include jumping over potholes, dodging construction materials and avoiding cars that seem to come out of nowhere. For a person with vision loss, the list of potential hazards is even longer.
Landmark by Crozier, a Canadian supplier for high end site furnishings and construction castings, recognizes this need for increased safety measures. The Landmark team are actively providing Neenah Foundry’s Tactile Walking Surface Indicators (TWSI’s) to municipalities across Ontario to better alert those with visual impairments of upcoming street crossings. These textured TWSI’s, sometimes referred to as Detectable Warning Plates (DWP’s), have been instrumental in notifying people with vision loss of any upcoming dangers prior to stepping out on the street.
New legislation around TWSI's in effect January 1st, 2016
The deadline is fast approaching on new accessibility standards for public spaces, which includes new laws on tactile walking surface indicators(TWSI). To ensure your company is compliant, Landmark by Crozier, a Canadian supplier for construction castings and high quality site furnishings, is available to provide an understanding of the legislation.
Effective January 2016, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), under Part IV.1 of Reg 191/11 states that TWSI’s (also known as Detectable Warning Plates will be mandatory on all new and repaired depressed curb sidewalks in Ontario.
Click on the TWSI Logo below for full details on the new standard:
How tactile walking surface indicators make streets safer
According to the Canadian National Institute of the Blind (CNIB), half a million Canadians are living with vision loss, with more than 50,000 more losing their sight every year. TWSI's play an instrumental role in improving accessibility.
Tactile Walking Surface Indicators(TWSI) act as a warning device to alert those with visual impairments of upcoming street crossings. As shown above, the plates consist of uniform sized, spaced domes installed on depressed ramps at public sidewalk crossings.
Report details how tactile walking surface indicators make streets safer
According to the Canadian National Institute of the Blind (CNIB), half a million Canadians are living with vision loss, with more than 50,000 more losing their sight every year. TWSI's play an instrumental role in improving accessibility.
Tactile Walking Surface Indicators(TWSI) act as a warning device to alert those with visual impairments of upcoming street crossings. As shown above, the plates consist of uniform sized, spaced domes installed on depressed ramps at public sidewalk crossings.
When a person with vision loss walks down the sidewalk using a long white cane, they will detect the domes on the TWSI before stepping on it. Once detected, they recognize that they’ve reached a transition from sidewalk to road and will adhere to their other training to safely cross the road.
Click on the TWSI logo below for full details!
In the News: Take a seat on the new "GO Transit Bench" now at GO York Concourse!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Commuting through Toronto’s Union Station just got a lot more comfortable, thanks to the opening of the GO York Transit Concourse featuring the stylish and inviting 'GO Transit Bench'.
The 62,000 square foot facility opened to the public April 27th, with a swarm of GO commuters, local residents and media outlets coming by to see the facelift. At 50 per cent larger than the current Bay Concourse, the GO York Concourse includes impressive upgrades to the washrooms, ticket booths and stair enclosures. Seating is another major improvement, with the addition of 61 modern, sleek modular benches to replace the dated lime green seating.
