Ottawa is getting ready to welcome the world, and one of its oldest neighbourhoods is making sure it can roll out the welcome mat, literally.
With the 2026 World Wheelchair Basketball Championships bringing hundreds of wheelchair users to the city this month, the Glebe is undergoing a round of accessibility upgrades aimed at making its streets, shops, and sidewalks easier to navigate for visitors using mobility devices.
Why the Glebe, and why now
The Glebe is one of Ottawa's most beloved neighbourhoods, known for its heritage homes, independent shops along Bank Street, and easy access to the Rideau Canal. But like a lot of older Ottawa communities, it was built long before accessibility was a design priority. Narrow sidewalks, uneven curbs, and storefronts with steps rather than ramps have long been pain points for residents and visitors who use wheelchairs.
With the world championships drawing elite wheelchair athletes and fans from across the globe to Ottawa, local business owners and community groups are treating the tournament as a moment to take stock of how accessible the neighbourhood actually is, and to fix what they can before the crowds arrive.
What's changing
Upgrades reportedly on the table include improved curb cuts, smoother transitions at building entrances, and ramps for storefronts that previously required stepping up to get inside. The goal is straightforward: give wheelchair users the same easy access to Bank Street's cafes, boutiques, and restaurants that other pedestrians take for granted.
It's a small-scale version of a challenge cities face whenever they host a major accessible sporting event. The championship itself is a showcase for elite athletes, but it also puts a magnifying glass on the everyday infrastructure of the host city, sidewalks, doorways, transit stops, and whether someone using a wheelchair can actually get from point A to point B without hitting a barrier.
An Ottawa moment with staying power
For Ottawa, this isn't just about looking good for a few weeks of international competition. Accessibility advocates have long pushed for permanent improvements in older neighbourhoods like the Glebe, and hosting the championships gives that push some real momentum. Upgrades made for visiting athletes and fans don't disappear once the tournament wraps up, they become part of the neighbourhood for residents who use wheelchairs or mobility devices year-round.
The Glebe's businesses also stand to benefit. A more accessible strip of Bank Street means more customers can actually get through the door, whether they're in town for the championships or they're Ottawa locals doing their regular shopping and dining.
What to expect if you're heading to the Glebe this month
If you're visiting the neighbourhood during the championships, expect to see some construction and retrofitting activity as businesses and the city work through the upgrades. It's a reminder that accessibility isn't a single fix, it's an ongoing process, and one that Ottawa's hosting duties this year are helping to speed along.
Source: Ottawa Citizen
