Answering the Call to Get Involved

When creating the Access Guide Canada (AGC) component of the Abilities website, we knew that in order to make it the best it could be, we would need the help of many individuals and groups. We asked you, our readers and members of the disability community, to get involved. We are thrilled to announce that you did!

We’ve heard from people across Canada who want to share their experiences so that others can see how AGC helps communities welcome visitors with disabilities.

NORTHERN EXPOSURE

The Yukon Council on Disability (YCOD) knew making people with disabilities feel welcome in the far north would be a challenge. In an accessibility survey report, it was noted that “Public perception of the Yukon as a ‘remote’ or ‘rugged’ destination

may lead to concerns among tourists with disabilities regarding the level of access to even basic services in the Territory” (YCOD Accessibility Survey Final Report June, 2005).

The council approached their Community Development Fund for a small grant to do an accessibility scan of Whitehorse. They used the AGC assessment forms as the tool to access the facilities, then added their listings to the AGC website to promote

the accessibility of those businesses.

The Whitehorse pilot project was so successful that it was expanded to include 14 communities in the Yukon. “The response to the survey among Yukon businesses, attractions and services was overwhelmingly positive,” says the report.

“Businesses recognized that the survey provided a cost-free form of advertising and promotion to a unique segment of their market that is seldom targeted.”

"ROCK" STARS

Lanie Woodfine from the St. John’s office of the Canadian Paraplegic Association Newfoundland and Labrador Inc. wanted to promote the accessibility of her community. “Newfoundland is known as The Rock to its friends. It’s traditionally

known as a very hospitable place and, indeed, it is interested in increasing its warm welcome to all, including people with disabilities.”

When Woodfine heard about AGC from a colleague, she saw it as a perfect opportunity for Jonathan Seaward, a young person with a disability who was on an eight-week work placement at her office. She gave us a call to find out how she could get Seaward involved and was pleased with how easy it was. Using our Volunteer Kit as a guide, she downloaded the accessibility assessment forms and they were ready to get started.

Woodfine says, “This task allows Jonathan to take his work outside the office and go into the community, giving him an opportunity to develop his interpersonal skills. Jonathan loves doing the assessments and while collecting the information, which will be used by people with disabilities, he is helping businesses become more aware of the issue of access.”

SPREADING THE WORD

AGC has also worked with organizations whose main focus is accessibility. Les Kelly, coordinator at Education for Quality Accessibility (EQA), saw the potential of AGC to enhance the work already being done by EQA to promote accessibility in

Brockville, Ontario. “The whole concept of AGC seemed great to us,” says Kelly. “We have a small local website and feel that the exposure we get outside of Brockville is limited. It seemed to be a perfect partnership to get involved on a national project

to bring more attention to the information we have available.” He is pleased that AGC recognizes EQA as the creators of the content and directs traffic to EQA’s website. “We have put a good deal of effort into creating our website and working with AGC provides a great opportunity to increase our traffic while contributing to a national accessibility project.”

This past summer, EQA received funding for a seven-week work placement through the provincial Summer Experience Program and AGC was a good match. Kelly says, “The funding provided an opportunity for a local student to have a job. Community members as well as tourists will benefit by having accessibility information more readily available.”

The organizations featured in this article are great examples of how minimal resources can be maximized to create a large benefit to people with disabilities. AGC fits very well with organizations regardless of their mandate or location.

Hats off to these and all the other organizations and individuals who have helped make AGC a rich, growing resource. We invite you to find out how AGC can be used in your community. Visit www.abilities.ca/agc or send an e-mail to

[email protected].

We acknowledge the generous support of our founding corporate sponsor, the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.