CAN Successes 2010 - Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods

Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods was asked, by SPARC BC, on behalf of the the Canadian Centre on Disability Studies (CCDS) to put together a team of people to participate in workshops on a study entitled Livable and Inclusive Communities for Seniors with Disabilities and All Citizens: Model and Tools. CAN was happy to put together a team and in December the team participated in a workshop. We look forward to continuing to work on the CCDS project and offering our experience and knowledge.

The Canadian Centre on Disability Studies (CCDS) has a mandate dedicated to research, education, and information dissemination on disability issues.
CCDS is guided by the philosophies of independent living and community living. The philosophy emphasizes human rights, self-determination, interdependence, equality, a cross-disability focus, and full and valued participation of all citizens in the community. While CCDS is a university affiliated centre they are also committed to fostering a spirit of collaboration among the disability community, government and academia. The overall purpose of the study is to develop a more integrated and holistic planning “framework” to help government and other stakeholders in planning communities that are livable and inclusive, especially for two rapidly growing sectors of our population: people aging into disability and people aging with a disability. Research on aging and disabilities suggests that the two sub-populations face similar quality of life is- sues and that the political, bureaucratic, academic and community level organizations addressing these issues share similar goals and vision of livable and inclusive communities. Despite this common ground, those planning for the two sectors seldom interact around broad initiatives, research agendas, and policy and program development. This often leads to the delivery of public and private services that are often inefficient, ineffective and fragmented. The Canadian Centre on Disability Studies undertook a research study that explores the development of livable and inclusive communities for seniors with disabilities. Funded by the Office for Disability Issues, Human Resource and Skills Development Canada, the purpose of the study is to: learn about how community and government stakeholders plan for the needs of seniors with disabilities, to increase the knowledge of policy makers, service providers and community on the Livable and Inclusive Communities Model and its impact on the lives of seniors with disabilities, and develop a shared community and government planning process (based on the Livable and Inclusive Communities Model) that would result in better activity coordination, decision-making and distribution of resources for seniors with disabilities.

We will be doing updates on this project through our newsletter and on the Success Page of our website.

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CAN Joins Other Organizations to Support Dignity for All Campaign

Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods was asked to join forces with over 430 other organizations across the country to support Dignity for All: The Campaign for a Poverty-Free Canada. After reviewing the Dignity for All website CAN felt that their goals aligned with many of our own, including the right for dignity for all, the promotion of social inclusion and a plan to reduce poverty.

Dignity for All is a multi-year, multi-partner, non-partisan campaign. This campaign’s vision is to make a poverty-free and more socially secure and cohesive Canada a reality by 2020. The conviction behind this campaign is that Canadians must respect and defend the right of every person to dignity and security.
The federal government, with its particular policymaking, legislative, taxation and redistributive powers, has an especially critical role. The Dignity for All Campaign is therefore aimed primarily to achieve federal action.

The campaign has three goals:

1) A comprehensive, integrated federal plan for poverty elimination.

2) A federal Act to eliminate poverty, promote social inclusion and strengthen social security. This Act will ensure an ongoing federal role and responsibility for social development, while demonstrating a lasting federal commitment for leadership and for accountability to citizens for results.

3) Sufficient federal revenue to invest in social security: In order to fulfill its role and responsibility to ensure social security, generally, and to combat poverty, specifically, the federal government must have sufficient revenue, or “fiscal capacity.” The Dignity for All Campaign will promote public understanding of the link between the taxes Canadians pay and the supports and services we benefit from as a result.

For more information visit: www.dignityforall.ca

University of Buffalo contacts us for help with survey

Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods was contacted a Design Research Associate at the Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access at the School of Architecture and Planning at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York. CAN was asked to disseminate a survey on usability problems on public transit buses. CAN was pleasantly surprised to get this request as while we have worked hard to create a solid reputation regarding accessible transportation we didn’t realize that people in Buffalo, New York were aware of us.

The study investigated getting on and off public buses, circulating inside of buses, understanding the communication and information systems of public buses, as well as issues concerning rider safety. The information collected from this study should help identify the aspects of using public buses that merit further detailed experimental research in controlled settings. The survey targets a broad demographic including manufacturers, designers, engineers, researchers and riders (of all abilities). Not only are they interested in learning about the problems faced on public buses, but also in acquiring feedback on participants’ (1) “best practice” experiences with public transportation in cities they have visited and (2) what they envision for the bus of the future.

CAN shared the survey with members and contacts and we were pleased to hear that many of them completed and submitted the survey. We are always pleased to help collect information that can assist in creating more accessible transportation.

To read the Transit Usability Study Results go to:
www.udeworld.com/surveys/transitbusstudy

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CAN Representatives Attend Honouring the Convention - Community Forum

CAN Representatives attended the community forum "Honouring the Convention: A Call to Action in B.C." on December 10, 2010, the International Day of Human Rights. This forum was a great opportunity for members of CAN to learn about how the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities may change communities and government policies. It was also a great opportunity to network with other advocates with the disability community.

Marking an historic moment in our country's history, Canada ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons (CRPD) with Disabilities on March 11, 2010. An international human rights instrument of the United Nations meant to protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities, the document is also an important tool at a local level, relevant to the lives of people with disabilities and their families living in B.C. The declaration deals with issues such as legal capacity, the role of families, living in the community, employment and education.

"The CRPD is a tool that helps communities and governments understand why and how the rights of people with disabilities aren’t being realized. It provides a framework that articulates the conditions needed to make rights a reality"

To get an audio or written transcript of the community forum go to:
www.bcacl.org/disability-supports/whats-new/honouring-convention-community-forum

CAN Attends Celebration of Stephanie Cadieux’s Cabinet Appointment

On Friday December 10th, Sam Sullivan hosted a celebration of Stephanie Cadieux’s cabinet appointment. Stephanie Cadieux, Liberal MLA, is breaking down barriers. The first was in the May 2009 provincial election, when she became the first woman with a significant physical disability elected to the BC Legislature. Then, in November 2010, she was appointed Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development – becoming the first person with a disability in the Provincial Cabinet. Stephanie is also the Government's youngest MLA which makes her our youngest Cabinet Minister.

On December 10 disability-related organizations, including Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods, BC Paraplegic Association, Sam Sullivan Disability Foundation, Rick Hansen Institute, Neil Squire Society, CanAssist and others came together to celebrate Cadieux’s achievements at an event at Vancouver’s Pan Pacific Hotel.

Access Transit Users’ Advisory Committee (CAN’s ED) Shares 2009 & 2010 Accomplishments with TransLink Board of Directors

In December Rob Sleath, UAC Chair and Heather McCain, UAC Vice Chair and Executive Director of Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods, presented the TransLink Board of Directors with a report on the Access Transit Users’ Advisory Committee’s 2009 and 2010 accomplishments. Included in the presentation was an overview of the UAC involvement and input on several of TransLink’s major plans and projects such as:

§ Safety programs and systems
§ Station design, upgrades and repairs
§ Bus, SkyTrain, West Coast Express and SeaBus design
§ New Interactive Voice Response (IVR) communication technology for HandyDART
§ On-board audio and visual “next stop” announcements on conventional buses
§ Expert audits of SkyTrain stations
§ Training to new frontline employees
§ Canada Line Station Attendant training programs
§ Rapid transit studies
§ Long-term planning for custom transit

Heather is proud to represent CAN and our members on the Access Transit Users’ Advisory Committee (UAC) and she is proud of the work of the committee. The presentation to the board was a wonderful opportunity to show the effectiveness of the UAC committee. UAC was designed to provide TransLink with independent feedback on all plans, programs and other initiatives that the organization undertakes. For more information on the UAC, please visit the TransLink website (www.translink.ca)

CAN would like to take this opportunity to say thank you and goodbye to Dale Parker who is leaving the TransLink board and his position as Chair.

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CAN Attends Grand Opening of New Inclusive Playground at Kits Beach

Several representatives from CAN were invited by staff at The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation to attend the opening, and celebration, of the city’s largest accessible playground at representatives BEach Park. We were happy to be asked and we enjoyed watching the children of all abilities play together.

The inclusive playground, is a 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games legacy which enables children of all abilities to play side-by-side with their siblings, friends, families and caregivers. Features include wheelchair accessible surfaces, rotation climber and saucer swings.

CAN ED Meets with Network Coordinator for the BC Personal Support Network

Paul Gauthier is the Network Coordinator for the BC Personal Support Network who are building a community of organizations who are working together to improve the delivery of personal supports in our province. Paul asked CAN to help to get the word out about this very important initiative. He also had an on line survey about whether there might be a future for an assistive technology co-operative in British Columbia. CAN was happy to send out a mass email for both their first project, the Equipment and Assistive Technology Initiative (EATI) and the online survey.

The first project is the Equipment and Assistive Technology Initiative (EATI) is a program that provides a source of new funding for assessment, trialing, acquisition and/or training with equipment and assistive devices for BC residents with disabilities and seniors on their journey to reach their employment goals.

To learn more more about the BC Personal Supports Network and EATI visit www.bcpsn.org or call the office at 1-877-333-7554.

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NOVEMBER

Workshop on Resident & Family Involvement at Residential Care Facilities

In November a number of workshops were held throughout Vancouver Coastal Health to engage with residents, family members, advocates and staff to ask: “How can we get greater and more effective involvement of residents and family members in residential care in order to improve the quality of life for residents?”
Representatives of CAN attended the workshops and participated in the lively discussion. This was a very personal conversation for those attending as most currently have loved ones in care, whether it be for a disability or for age related health issues. During the workshops we discussed how residents in long term care facilities and their family members can have more input in how the facilities provide services that enhance quality of life for residents. Discussions included sharing how residents and family members could best provide feedback on day to day operations of the facilities, how people would like facilities managers to inform them about what happens to their suggestions, and talk about how people will know if residents and family members are really being heard.

A number of community groups who champion increased resident and family involvement took part in the sessions and following the workshops a report (www.vch.ca/media/CEReport_ResidentVoice.pdf) was completed and it is available on the VCH website. The report will be submitted to the VCH Complex Residential Care Working Group, a group of administrators from VCH and Providence Health Care that oversee residential care. Also as a result of these workshops the Complex Care Residential Working Group has asked CE (Community Engagement) to develop a guide and toolkit for facilities to support them in gathering and utilizing resident and family voice in the day to day operations of facilities. Once complete this guide and toolkit will be made available to all residential care facilities within VCH. As of August 3rd, 2011 a draft of the toolkit has been made and is being reviewed by community groups who participated in the workshops.

CAN Executive Director Attends Canadian Urban Transit Association Conference

CUTAC Heather McCain, Executive Director of CAN was invited by TransLink to attend the Canadian Urban Transit Association Conference. CAN was happy to have a representative attend the conference as it helped us understand the shape of accessible transportation (both conventional and specialized) across Canada. There were many fascinating sessions to attend. The five sessions that Heather attended were: Marketing and Branding, Small Systems Roundtable – Strengthening Knowledge and Practice, Accessible Transit Roundtable – Strengthening Knowledge and Practice, Social Media Basics – Focusing on Customers, Mobility Management (SI) – Focusing on Customers.

It was great to be a part of collective group of people from across Canada who came together to talk about the pros and cons of their systems and to have open dialogue about what can be done to better improve transportation and access to transportation for everyone.

As a result of Heather’s participation in the sessions, and her open dialogue about the issues facing people with disabilities, she was asked to join CUTA’s Accessible Transit Sub-Committee, a group from across Canada that gets together every two to three months to speak, via webinar, about transit related accessibility. CAN is proud to have been asked to participate in this sub-committee and we look forward to the future webinars.

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CAN ED Attends Canadian Urban Transportation Association Trans-Expo Trade Show

CUTAC In addition to the sessions at the Canadian Urban Transportation Association conference the ED of CAN attended the CUTA tradeshow. CUTA’s tradeshow is the largest annual bus and transit exhibition in North America. More than a thousand people attended the Vancouver Convention Centre for the Trans-Expo 2010.

Heather, along with Wendy St. Marie a fellow member of TransLink’s Access Transit Users’ Advisory Committee, was interviewed by a reporter for The Vancouver Sun on the evolution of the bus and the accessibility features new and promised for someday in the future. To read the article click here

Heather and Wendy were very impressed with the exhibitors and their willingness to let both try the merchandise by boarding the buses. It was heartening to see that the future of transit is very much accessibility focused. Both participants were also very impressed by the eagerness of the vendors to have people with real disabilities (as opposed to able bodied people using mobility devices) test their product and offer feedback. Both women spent an hour with one company that was so eager to take advantage of the knowledge and experience of the women that they took notes on the comments and came up with some impressive questions. It was great to see vendors so invested in increased accessibility; it bodes well for the future.

Community Member Contacts CAN About Dog Park Accessibility

Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods was contacted by a member of the community who had been corresponding with the Project Manager for the Vancouver Parks and Recreation department about making the enclosed dog park just of the west of the Olympic Village as accessible as possible for people with disabilities. The dog park is in a great location, easily accessed by skytrain, bus routes, and the seawall. The park was constructed in 2010 and was initially a gated fenced area with a ground cover of gravel that people with mobility devices could not maneuver over, it also had a gate latch that not everyone could open on their own.

The woman that contacted CAN lives in a nearby condo and uses a PADS service dog who enjoys her playtime. When the woman realized that she was unable to move over the gravel at the dog park she contacted parks and recreation and has been corresponding by e-mail with a staff member. Our contact was concerned that she was unaware of the needs of others who have a different or more severe disability so she decided to contact CAN so that we could help to advocate “to make the park truly accessible for all disabilities”. Our contact was told that improvements were being made to the accessibility of the surface but she was still concerned about matters such as what happens if your dog poops in an area off the main path of travel? She also thought of several feature that would enhance the accessibility of the dog park such as water for drinking/washdown, a bench for grooming/resting, and a bin for garbage/poop.

CAN contacted Craig Langston who is co-chair of the City of Vancouver Access and Inclusion Committee who consults with the Vancouver city council. Craig was glad to be made aware of this situation and he started a dialogue with our contact. As Craig has more knowledge in this area we were glad to let him take this issue from there. We did check in, after a couple of weeks, with our contact to ensure that she felt her concerns were met and addressed, she was satisfied.

CAN welcomes community members contacting us with their concerns. It is important that people feel they have someone to contact when they notice something that needs to be addressed and we are glad to act as that contact. Over the past five years CAN has built up a list of contacts and if we are unable to help we are usually able to direct the person to someone who can assist them. We also follow-up to ensure that our contact was able to help them and if they weren’t able to assist we will offer another possible contact. This follow-up helps to make sure the person who contacted us feels taken care of and it helps us know whether the contact we provided helped which gives us a better understanding of who can help with what issues.

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OCTOBER

CAN’s 2010 Annual General Meeting

On October 27, 2011 Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods held their Annual General Meeting in Maple Ridge. We had an excellent turn-out to the meeting with twice the amount of people as last year and CAN members from several areas across the Lower Mainland.

Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods is growing in membership, area represented, and goals. At our Annual General Meeting we were very proud to celebrate our five year anniversary. Thank you to everyone who has helped CAN achieve its goals over the past five years. We would like to say a special thank you to one person in particular - Doug Cook of DigiCom WebDesign (www.dc-webdesign.com). Doug has been a part of CAN from its inception. His enthusiasm, support, and ideas have been an invaluable help to CAN’s success and growth. His assistance with the website has been vital to Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods and has made our organization accessible to anybody with access to the internet.

During our AGM we welcomed a new board member. Dan Olson has been a supporter of Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods from day one and we are proud to have him join our team. Dan Olson is a 52 year old resident of Maple Ridge. He is married to Joanne, father of two adult children and a grandfather. Dan has a communications and engineering background and since 1999 has operated his own project and promotions company. In addition he works on a part-time basis for Coast Mountain Bus Company. Dan has a long history of community, social and human rights activism. Through his activism he has acquired considerable committee and board experience. Dan is proud to be an inaugural member of Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods (CAN) and is looking forward to increasing his involvement with the organization. Due to his activism, Dan had always considered himself more aware than most people regarding the issues facing people that are mobility impaired. However last year he learned the difference between empathy and reality when he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) and became paralyzed. During early recovery he had to become a resident at GF Strong Rehabilitation Center in order to relearn old skills, develop new ones and start to prepare for a potentially lengthy amount of time in a wheelchair. Dan is now at a time in his recovery when he is no longer wheelchair dependent and currently learning first hand how people with invisible disabilities are marginalized by society. The learning experience continues. Dan’s experiences over the last year have altered him forever – strangely he says “in a very positive way”. As an individual he has had to increase his patience level or be constantly angry – as an activist he is looking forward to tilting at the windmills from a different angle.

At our AGM it was announced that as of 2011 CAN will become a provincial organization with an exciting new provincial project. CAN started as a grassroots organization in the two communities of Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge and five years later it has a provincial scope. Our Adaptive Sports and Recreation Database for B.C. has been such a hit that we want to do the same for other universal access projects throughout the province. CAN has announced that we will create two new databases: Inclusive Playgrounds and Community Gardens. While attending an Inclusive Play seminar the Executive Director of CAN spoke with staff from school districts and Parks and Leisure and they all enthusiastically said that they would love to have access to a site like we are planning because there is a need for information about what is available in the communities and what makes an Inclusive Playground accessible. The people who have managed to create an Inclusive Playground are proud to show off what they worked hard on and they want others to learn from their experience to ensure that people are able to do the best with the resources they have.

We look forward to the year ahead and all the challenges and projects that CAN has planned. Thank you to those who came out to our AGM. As CAN grows we hope to see even more members at the 2011 AGM.

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Provincial Organizations Contact CAN About Possible Partnership and Projects

Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods has been contacted by several provincial organizations that are interested in partnering with CAN and working on projects together. A large part of CAN’s success is owed to partnering with other organizations. It is very important that people working within the disability and accessibility fields work co-operatively. CAN is very proud to have a reputation of inclusion and partnerships.

The following are four organizations that have come to CAN asking that we help to spread the word about their good work while they do the same for us:

BC Rehab Foundation (www.bcrehab.com) is a registered Canadian charity that supports people with physical disabilities with individual and project grants. BC Rehab knows that people with physical disabilities are among our friends, family members, co-workers and respected leaders and they are committed to closing the gaps between people with and without disabilities.

BC Personal Supports Network (www.bcits.org/bcpsn/) launched the BC Personal Supports Network (BCPSN) in the fall of 2009. Their goal is to make it easier for people with disabilities to find the personal supports (or disability supports) they need. BC has a complex array of programs and services for people with disabilities and BCPSN are there to help people navigate through it.

Accessible Wilderness Society (www.awsociety.org) works to create “Barrier Free Wilderness Experiences for Every Body to Enjoy” AWS develops partnerships with organizations, businesses, government agencies and the community. They promote the idea that inclusion is not the exclusive domain of urban centers, that the wilderness is for every body, AWS also consults with various project managers and developers to assist them in using the Universal Design Concept.

SPARC (Social Planning and Research Council) of B.C. (www.sparc.bc.ca)SPARC has been involved with CAN since its inception in 2005. We have worked on several project together, including Access Awareness Day. The Executive Director of Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods is a board member of SPARC BC. The Social Planning and Research Council of B.C. works with communities in building a just and healthy society for all. The definition of “just and healthy” as adopted by the Board of Directors includes four principles: Equity: The recognition that some individuals or groups require more or less than others to flourish, and that some individuals or groups are capable of contributing more to address deficiencies and promote fairness of distribution. Social Inclusion: The recognition that both the rights and the opportunity to participate in and enjoy all aspects of human life enables individuals and communities to celebrate their diversity, and recognize and act on their responsibilities. Security: The recognition that individuals and communities flourish when they have confidence in their surroundings as safe, supportive and stable environments. Adaptability: The recognition that sustainability requires resilience for both individuals and communities, and the ability to respond creatively to change.

CAN Asked to Consider Joining a Possible New Independent Third Party Transportation Organization

CAN’s ED had a conversation with a group that is creating a third party transportation group dedicated to having a well funded sustainable transportation system in the Lower Mainland. CAN was told that several key contacts were being flagged for early input and it was suggested that our opinions and thoughts would be insightful. We were very pleased to be on the list and we scheduled a time to discuss the possibilities of us having a presence in this group.

The group is in the early stages gauging interest in establishing an independent organization to conduct these efforts. They envision a group that advocates in support of a truly sustainable transportation network for the region and works to build public and political support for bold policies and secure funding needed to develop this network. They want to make sure that user groups play a central role in this organization. Based on conversations to date, they are working from the position that TransLink's 2040 Vision for the region provides a useful, broad scope plan, and that the real challenges lie in securing solid, long term funding to realize that plan. They were interested in our views on the value of an independent, third party organization as well as our opinion of TransLink’s 2040 Vision for the region.

We are very pleased to add our thoughts and opinions to the mix. We hope that as they gauge the interest they realize that there is a place for an organization such as they are suggesting. We will keep CAN members up to date on any updates regarding this possible group.

CAN Attends Strategic Planning Meeting for B.C. Disability Games Society

CAN attended the B.C. Disability Games Society Strategic Planning Meeting on October 16. During the meeting the attendees discussed the guiding principles as well as the value and mission statements of BCDGS. Due to some recent changes BCDGS is reviewing the viability of the games and BCDGS’ current structure. During the meeting current challenges were discussed which led to identifying key issues and working to find resolutions to these key issues. The discussion during the meeting also led to an outline of possible solutions and ideas about how these solutions could fit into a larger framework. The meeting was called to a close after creating action steps that BCDGS will follow through on as we work to create a model that is beneficial and sustainable. We will keep CAN members updated on any progress.

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SEPTEMBER

CAN Meets with an Employment Placement Specialist from the OpenDoor Group

CAN was contacted by Doug Seanor, an Employment Placement Specialist from the Open Door Group, who wanted to meet to discuss how the two organizations could help one another. OpenDoor Group is a business-oriented, non-profit organization whose primary goal is to enhance personal growth and economic independence for British Columbians. A big part of what the OpenDoor Group does is support employers to hire persons with disabilities and barriers to employment. They work with employers to identify hiring needs, provide information and support around any necessary accommodations, and put forward qualified candidates based on matching skills and abilities.

CAN was glad to meet Doug and to learn more about OpenDoor Group. CAN believes in the principles of the OpenDoor Group finding a job that fits the particular client and their skills as opposed to other systems that place clients in available positions without regard to whether it is a good fit for both the employee and employer, oftentimes resulting in a bad fit that frustrates both parties. For people with disabilities who are entering or re-entering the workplace it is important to find a position that meets the needs, abilities,and skill of the individual. CAN is glad to be aware of the OpenDoor Group and we are pleased that we have a reputation that prompts people like Doug to seek out a meeting with us.

For more information about the Open Door Group visit their website at: www.opendoorgroup.org

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CAN Meets with the Manager of Projects and Communications from the B.C. Rehab Foundation to Discuss Possible Future Partnerships

CAN was contacted by Pamela MacDonald, Manager of Projects and Communications at The B.C. Rehab Foundation, to discuss how our two organizations could possibly work together. “The B.C. Rehab Foundation is a registered Canadian Charity supporting people with physical disabilities. People with physical disabilities are among our friends, family members, co-workers and respected leaders. At B.C. Rehab we are committed to closing the gaps between people with and without disabilities. We believe it’s ability not disability that counts.”

CAN was pleased to meet with Pam and discuss our two organizations. Our organizations share many of the same goals and guiding principles and we both felt that there are future possibilities for our organizations. CAN’s strength and success is in large part due to the organizations that we work with and we are glad to now add The B.C. Rehab Foundation to that list.

For more information about the B.C. Rehab Foundation visit their new website at: www.bcrehab.com

CAN Asked by B.C. Rehab Foundation to Have a Regular Column in the B.C. Rehab Foundation’s Quarterly Newsletter

After CAN’s meeting with Pamela MacDonald, Manager of Projects and Communications at the B.C. Rehab Foundation, Pam contacted us to ask if CAN could have a column in the B.C. Rehab Foundation Newsletter.

Pam explained “that it could be a way to build the relationship between B.C. Rehab and CAN, as well as an opportunity for us to highlight the good work of CAN.” Pam suggested that a column focusing on access and Universal Design issues would be a great way to educate the readers of their newsletter. CAN is very pleased to be asked and we look forward to working with the B.C. Rehab Foundation to create a column that works within their newsletter. The B.C. Rehab Foundation is currently working on a new design for their quarterly newsletter and we look forward to having a place in their upgraded newsletter.

CAN Representative Attends AGM for B.C. Disability Games Society

CAN is a Partner Member of B.C. Disability Games Society and in this capacity we attended the September 24th Annual General Meeting.

www.bcdisabilitygames.org During the AGM the attendees reviewed the remarks of Chair Madeleine Anderson, which included her sincere thanks to the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers and members for their work this year. We then heard from Alexandre Aragón, Vice Chair of Finance who spoke to the March 31, 2010 Audited Financial Statements included in the AGM Proceedings Package. We then reviewed the remarks of the Executive Director, Jane Samletzki. Once all the reports were read Jane encouraged the members to attend the Strategic Planning Meeting on October 16, 2010. This meeting is very important to the organization and Jane encouraged organizations to prepare in advance and bring their key points for discussion. Jane then introduced Reed Morrison, who is the facilitator for the Strategic Planning Meeting and who attended the AGM as a guest in order to meet board members and member sport organization representatives.

For information about B.C. Disability Games Society visit their website at: www.bcdisabilitygames.org

CAN Participates in Access Assessment of Edmonds Town Centre

The City of Burnaby received a grant from the Union of B.C. Municipalities to conduct an accessibility assessment of key pedestrian routes in the Edmonds Town Centre. Since May, city staff have been working with a group of residents from Edmonds as well as members of the Voices of Burnaby Seniors Task Force and the Access Advisory Committee to determine which routes to assess and the features to be assessed.

In September they held two community assessment days where four teams comprised of two or three residents with disabilities and/or seniors and two City staff (one of whom is in a senior position) assessed different routes in the Edmonds area. They assessed the accessibility of sidewalks, curb ramps, crosswalks, etc. CAN had a participant at both community assessments. The representative of CAN was very impressed by the enthusiasm of the city staff in learning, directly from people with disabilities and seniors, what was important to ensure accessibility for all user groups. CAN was very pleased to offer our input to a group that is obviously dedicated to making the most of this grant. We look forward to touring Edmonds Town Centre when the improvements have been incorporated.

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AUGUST

CAN Participates in A Higher Level of Inclusive Play Seminar

CAN was invited to participate in A Higher Level of Inclusive Play Seminar by Habitat Systems Inc., a distributor of commercial grade park, playground and landscape solutions. As CAN often gets e-mails from organizations, parent advisory committees, and individuals asking about inclusive playgrounds we were glad to have this opportunity to network with others interested in ensuring accessibility for children at playgrounds and to learn more about one of the distributors. The seminar included tips and strategies on how to make changes in play spaces, and how to make playgrounds engaging, challenging and therapeutic for children of all abilities. The keynote speaker was John McConkey who has more than 15 years of experience in the healthcare field and offers a unique perspective on heath, fitness, and children's play.

During the seminar, Heather McCain, CAN’s ED, completed a test regarding the information at the seminar and based on her answers she will receive a course completion certificate.

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JULY

CAN Becomes Involved with Civil Rights Now!

In July CAN attended a meeting by Civil Rights Now! a non-partisan, all volunteer, not-for-profit society which advocates for public policy changes which will provide Canadians with disabilities equal access to the equality provisions of our Charter.

CAN has become involved with Civil Rights Now! and will help to organize meetings outside of Vancouver to ensure that people throughout the Lower Mainland hear about this organization and its goal.

For more information about Civil Rights Now! visit their website at: www.civilrightsnow.ca

CAN Participates in Expert Audit of Burrard Skytrain Station for TransLink

CAN ED is Vice-Chair of TransLink’s Access Transit Users’ Advisory Committee. Last year we participated in a focus group providing input on new wayfinding in the transit system. At that time TransLink had envisioned that two stations would be fully fitted with a complete set of new wayfinding materials, but a number of factors have brought about a different implementation plan. Instead, a small number of these new elements – station identification markers, maps, and some in-station signage – were installed at some downtown SkyTrain stations before the Olympics. This July TransLink wanted to gather feedback about the design and placement of these elements from the perspective of transit users with partial sight or with mobility impairments.

CAN ED, Heather McCain, participated in the expert audits which involved a station walk-through and focussed discussion about specific wayfinding elements. The audit was carried out at Burrard SkyTrain station. We were glad to be able to offer our perspective about the wayfinding. Our input included comments about location, height, font type and size, and visibility. We also raised concerns about placement being affected by objects such as newspaper boxes which blocked access to several maps for people with disabilities. We thank TransLink for listening to our comments and we will continue to monitor the progress of the new wayfinding.

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JUNE

CAN Participates in the Sports Exhibition and Recreation Resource Fair at GF Strong

On June 3, 2010, CAN had a display table at the Spring Sports Exhibition and Recreation Resource Fair at GF Strong. It was a great opportunity to meet new people and to reconnect with others with which we’ve known for a while. This was also a great opportunity to let other organizations know about CAN and our Adaptive Sports and Recreation Page and to learn about organizations not yet listed on our site.

CAN Visits the Port Coquitlam Bus Depot for Access Awareness Day

For the second year in a row, Heather McCain was invited to have a table at the Port Coquitlam bus depot on Access Awareness Day to speak to the drivers about accessible transit. Heather was there for several hours and spoke to many interested drivers. The drivers had questions about how best to approach certain circumstances they have experienced while driving. Drivers also spoke about some of their own frustrations. CAN believes that open communication between the operators and the passengers is vital to an accessible system and we were glad to be asked back. We were even happier when some of the drivers told us that they looked forward to seeing us again next Access Awareness Day.

A writer for the The Coast Mountain Bus Company Employee Portal, a newsletter that is given to all transit operators, came to the Access Awareness Day table at Port Coquitlam and interviewed CAN’s ED Heather Mccain. The article touches upon some of the barriers to accessibility in the transit system, how operators can help, impending accessibility changes, and what the operators can do when mobility devices exceed appropriate size.

Click here to see the Coast Mountain Bus Company Employee Portal article about CAN’s Access Awareness Day Visit to the Port Coquitlam Bus Depot

CAN’s Executive Director Wins City of Vancouver Access and Inclusion Award

Heather McCain, CAN’s ED was nominated by representatives of SPARC B.C. and B.C. Disability Games Society and the Chair of CAN’s Board of Directors for the 2010 Vancouver Access and Inclusion Award. Heather was very pleased and humbled to learn that she had been chosen as the recipient. This is the second year of the award and the second year in which Heather has been nominated. In 2009 Heather was nominated by representatives of Legacies 2010 and TransLink.

On June 8, 2010 Heather and those who nominated her attended the Access and Inclusion Awards Ceremony at Vancouver City Hall where Heather received two beautiful plaques. Here is an excerpt of Gregor Robertson’s speech regarding the award and Heather:

“The City of Vancouver believes that diversity and inclusion is a source of strength, vitality and prosperity. On January 18, 2007, Vancouver City Council established an annual Accessibility Award to recognize individuals and organizations that have demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to enhance accessibility, inclusion, universality, and the elimination of any barriers that may impede full participation of persons with any type of disability in community life. The City recognizes that improvements in accessibility and inclusion benefit all community members.

The jury selected the recipients based on the criteria of Achievement, scope and impact of the activity, and the method through which the activities were performed, including originality and effort in terms of personal time and other resources. The nominations received in both categories were excellent. After deliberations, jury made their recommendations which were endorsed by City Council.

Heather McCain has contributed her wealth of knowledge, experience, professionalism and candour to make Metro Vancouver a more accessible and inclusive place to live work and play for persons with disabilities. Heather is executive director of Citizen’s Accessible Neighbourhoods (CAN), which she helped to establish in 2005. CAN B.C.’s mandate is to support full inclusion within communities, including sport and recreational programs for those with a disability, improve access to information for those living with a disability or those who support someone with a disability, and work towards creating barrier free communities through the education, implementation and promotion of Universal Design. The three main focus of CAN are Adaptive Sports, Accessible information, and Universal Access and barrier free Design.

As an executive Director of CAN, and through her other volunteer work on committees and boards, Heather McCain has been an exemplary role model for the community of persons with disabilities. Despite her young age, Heather demonstrates outstanding maturity, tact and skills in attaining the goals of her organization, Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods. Heather single-handedly recognized the need for a centralized resource organization to assist people with disabilities have access to their community and to have equal opportunity for inclusion. Heather has also been drawn into the world of adaptive sports, and she won a gold medal in Boccia in 2005 B.C. Disability Games in Nanaimo, and later served on the Disability Sports Board of Directors.

Heather demonstrates steadfast commitment and leadership to improve access and inclusion for the entire community of persons with disabilities, and is a worthy recipient for the 2010 Access & Inclusion Awards.

Heather is honoured to be among such an amazing group of nominees and she truly appreciates the kind words and encouragement of those who nominated her, all of whom she respects and enjoys working alongside.


Heather McCain, CAN’s ED, Receiving the Vancouver Access and Inclusion Award Plaque from Mayor Gregor Robertson	For more information about the Access and Inclusion Award visit their website at: vancouver.ca

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MAY

CAN Representative Attends the TransLink AGM

The 2010 TransLink AGM was held on the newest Seabus The Pacific Breeze. During the AGM the Seabus traveled around the Burrard Inlet made for an impressive setting (this probably had a lot to do with the increase in attendance). John Furlong was the guest speaker.

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APRIL

CAN Participates in ConnecTra Abilities Expo with a Display Table

The ConnecTra Abilities Expo was held on April 21, 2010 at the Roundhouse Community Centre in Vancouver. The Abilities Expo brought people together for an afternoon of presentations and networking. “Overall, the event focused on people with disabilities that were leading successful, fulfilling lives”, said organizer Steve Street. “We had more than 110 persons with disabilities attending – we stopped counting at 113. On top of that, there were 27 service providers, all with display tables specifically for persons with disabilities, and various presenters. It was ConnecTra’s third and biggest expo, and we hope to continue these.”

Presentations and demonstrations focused on practical solutions to everyday access needs, promoting assistive devices, grants and employment opportunities. Experts were on hand to talk about accessories, advocacy, assistive devices, children’s needs, clothing, equipment, employment, housing, leisure, recreation, rehab services, sport, technology, training, transit, theatre and more. In addition there were movies, live music, a display by wheelchair dancers and the work of artists with disabilities.

CAN had a display at a table shared with the B.C. Disability Games Society. CAN had several representatives present which was needed due to the volume of interested attendees. CAN enjoyed the opportunity to promote our organization and the Adaptive Sports and Recreation Page. We also enjoyed talking to people from all areas of the disability community. Events like this help to raise the profile of CAN while educating us about what is available for people with disabilities.

For more information about the ConnecTra Society visit their website at: www.connectra.org

CAN Supports TETRA at Abilities Expo

During the ConnecTra Abilities Expo CAN’s ED did a presentation with a volunteer from Tetra to explain the importance of Tetra and how it can enhance the lives of people with disabilities. Tetra is a unique organization that creates custom devices for people with disabilities. Oftentimes those with disabilities have an issue that is not addressed by any product in the market and so Tetra fills that gap by pairing their volunteers with the project to help create an assistive device that meets the needs of the person with a disability. Tetra has transformed the lives of hundreds of people, including CAN’s ED, Heather McCain (who appears on the main page of the Tetra website with the volunteers that helped her).

At the ConnecTra Expo Heather explained how Tetra can help those with particular needs not met by market products and demonstrated one of her assistive devices.

If you know of someone who is in need of a custom made assistive device direct them to the amazing volunteers at Tetra. For more information about Tetra or to search their database of assistive devices visit their website at: www.tetrasociety.org

CAN Participates in Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadow’s Life After School Transition Fair

On March 30th, 2010 CAN participated in The Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadow’s Life After School Transition Fair which is held for high school students/families and recent graduates who have extra support needs. The purpose of the fair is to educate young people about community resources that will help them make a successful transition from high school into the adult world. This is CAN’s third year at this event and we are always pleased to be a part of it.

CAN had a display table with the ED and two board members present. We were glad to have this opportunity to promote our organization and the Adaptive Sports and Recreation Page. We enjoyed talking to people who were new to the Transition Fair as well as returning students and parents who have previously used our services.

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MARCH TO APRIL

CAN Tours Schools in Vancouver and Maple Ridge with Paralympic Torch

Throughout March and into April, Heather McCain, CAN’s ED, toured schools in Vancouver and Maple Ridge to display the Paralympic Torch and to speak about Adaptive Sports. The reception to the Paralympics and the torch itself has been amazing and CAN was proud to bring the torch to students who may not have been able to get out to see the relay themselves. The children at both elementary schools were eager and excited to be able to hold the torch and to have photos taken individually or as a class.

CAN Tours Extended Care Facility in Vancouver with Paralympic Torch

On March 19 Heather McCain, CAN’s ED, toured the Bamfield Pavilion, an extended care residence location at the Vancouver Hospital site. CAN was proud to take the torch to people who had not been able to get out to see the relay themselves. Watching the reaction of people as they held the torch has been an experience that we shall not forget.

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MARCH

CAN Delivers a Disability Awareness Seminar for The Arbutus Club

The Arbutus Club was interested in delivering a Disability Awareness Seminar for their staff and they were directed to our website to look at the Disability Awareness Videos. On the strength of our videos they contacted us and asked that we do a seminar at a staff meeting in March.

The Arbutus Club “has been a landmark in Vancouver's landscape for many decades. We have been providing uncompromised services to our Members since 1964, which has earned us the reputation as one of Canada's Premiere private Clubs. Our history is one of constant innovation. Our facilities and services have grown with times; we started humbly as a single arena and today The Arbutus Club is a modern recreation complex. We will continue innovating and remain as a leader in our industry.”

CAN delivered the seminar to ten staff members from multiple departments. We had been asked to provide information on how best to interact with people with disabilities in general, and for people with 10 disabilities in particular (Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Alzheimer’s Disease, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy (CP) , Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Developmental Disabilities, Down Syndrome , Epilepsy, Spina Bifida).

The seminar went very well and the feedback was positive. If you are interested in a Disability Awareness Seminar for your staff or volunteers, please contact us at info@canbc.org or 604.437.7331.

For more information about our Disability Awareness Seminars please view our videos at www.canbc.org/disability_awareness_training_videos.htm

CAN Creates a Guidebook for the Front Line Staff of The Arbutus Club

In addition to delivering a Disability Awareness Seminar at The Arbutus Club we prepared a guide book for front line staff on the proper terminology and on how to interact with people of multiple disabilities. The information is available for all staff and follows along the lines of our Disability Awareness Videos, available at http://www.canbc.org/disability_awareness_training_videos.htm

The information that we supply to business, organizations, or individuals interested in Disability Awareness touches on the information found in our videos but is fit to specifically meet the needs of the each individual client.

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CAN Has a Presence at the West Vancouver Paralympic Celebration Display

From March 1st to March 12th the West Vancouver Community Centre held the “Preceding Paralmypic Celebration: Paralympics in the Atrium”. The event was a display about adaptive sports, including adaptive sport equipment such as a Sit-Ski, Sledge Hockey sled, and the Trail Runner. The display also gave school groups and the general public the chance to meet local athletes with a disability and listen to their stories.

CAN had a display for our Adaptive Sports Page. We had a sign-up sheet for people interested in more information and we were very pleasantly surprised by the interest our display received. In addition to the amount of people who signed up for more information about CAN and our adaptive sports page, we have had organizations contact us to be added to the Adaptive Sports Page.

The display was such a success that it was extended two weeks to run during the Paralympics as well as preceding them.

CAN would like to thank Kelly Diamond, the Access Coordinator of the West Vancouver Community Centre, whose dedication, hard work, and Paralympic spirit was the catalyst for this display. Kelly did a great job of bringing adaptive sport organizations together, along with athletes, school groups, and the general public. Her hard work was obvious and the event was a huge success.

CAN would also like to thank the volunteers who had a steep learning curve of learning about adaptive sports and the equipment and then communicating their recent education to the general public and school children. The volunteers did an amazing job and their genuine enthusiasm was a huge part of the ground swell of excitement that preceded the Paralympics.

CAN’s Executive Director Delivers Athlete Talks at West Vancouver Paralympic Celebration

In addition to the display that CAN had at the West Vancouver Paralympic Celebration Heather McCain, CAN’s ED, gave several talks to groups of schoolchildren as well as the general public.

The interest in adaptive sports and the questions from the audiences were great and the enthusiasm in West Vancouver for the 2010 Paralmypics was palpable. CAN was very pleased to have had a part in West Vancouver’s Celebration and we commend West Vancouver for having held the celebration.

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Executive Director of CAN Nominated to be a Paralympic Torch Bearer for Work with Adaptive Sports

The B.C. Disability Games Society nominated Heather McCain, CAN’s Executive Director, to be a Torch Bearer in the 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay for her work with adaptive sports. Heather, working as ED for CAN, has worked to promote adaptive sports and to ensure anyone with a disability is aware of the available options. Heather is very touched to have been chosen by the B.C. Disability Game Society of which CAN is a proud Partner Member.

Heather took part in the 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay on Thursday, March 11. CAN, in partnership with B.C. Disability Games Society, bought the Paralympic Torch that Heather used in the relay and both organizations will use it at promotional events.

CAN Executive Director Participates in the 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay

Heather McCain, CAN’s ED, took part in the 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay on Thursday, March 11, 2010. CAN, in partnership with B.C. Disability Games Society, bought the Paralympic Torch that Heather used in the relay and both organizations will use it at promotional events.

Representatives of CAN Participates in Focus Group about Interactions Between Police and People with Physical Disabilities

CAN took part in a focus group with a team of researchers from BCIT and the Justice Institute of B.C. who are working on a project sponsored by the Disability Health Research Network. The project aims to identify key issues around interactions between police and people with physical disabilities, with the goal of developing educational tools that will further positive relationships between these two groups.

Separate focus groups were held with representatives from groups representing people with physical disabilities, including CAN, and police officers to get a better understanding of some of the issues both groups face interacting with each other. They will then use the information to form a plan to address these issues and work to ensure further work is done in this area.

The main issue that was discussed was the experience of a person with a physical disability being mistaken as being intoxicated. The discussion was about if the experience had happened to those in the room, or to those that those in the room knew, and how the experience was handled. The dialogue was very good and those who attended were able to offer a unique perspective as individuals who have been in that experience or who heard of another who had been in that situation. It is unfortunate that these situations happen but those in the room were very good about understanding that oftentimes the police do not have the proper training regarding people with disabilities and also that the police do not always have the time in a situation to properly assess each individual. It is a situation that should not occur but those in the room worked positively towards a way to educate police as well as to educate people with disabilities that might be mistaken for being intoxicated as to how they can prepare for the situation or create something, such as a card, that explains their disability, in case the unfortunate situation occurs. It is the responsibility of both the police and people with disabilities to work to lessening these occurrences and we are glad that there are groups working together to find a solution.

CAN Given Tickets to Paralympic Events by the City of Vancouver in Recognition of our Community Involvement

CAN was very proud, and pleased, to be given tickets to Sledge Hockey and Curling for the Paralympics for our work in the City of Vancouver.

The tickets were enthusiastically scooped up by two people from CAN’s Board of Directors, several of CAN’s founding members, and by members of CAN’s Partner organization, BC Disability Games Society.

All the games were great and CAN was pleased to be recognized with such a great gift.

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FEBRUARY TO MARCH

CAN Assesses the Accessibility of VANOC Venues for the 2010 Olympics/Paralympics

CAN was part of a group brought together by Legacies 2010 to assess the accessibility of four Olympic/Paralympic venues for VANOC. There has been a group of people working for years to ensure the accessibility of the venues for 2010 Olympics/Paralympics and we were asked to attend four tours to offer our insight, suggestions, and comments. The four venues were: Richmond Oval, B.C. Place Stadium, Cypress Mountain, and the UBC Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Arena.

CAN was very impressed by the hard work already done that has ensured accessibility for all athletes, performers, visitors, spectators, volunteers, and staff at the 2010 Olympics/Paralympics.

CAN was particularly impressed by three accessibility features:
1) The UBC Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Arena’s excellent seating available for people with disabilities. The views are completely unobstructed and the seats are some of the best in the arena.
2) B.C. Place Stadium’s installation of new permanent accessible seating as well as temporary seating that can be stored and used again at a later date if needed.
3) The most impressive accessibility feature was at Cypress Mountain where they have a trailer attached to a ski-do so that spectators with mobility devices can be taken to seating for sports that require the spectator to travel through snow. Vancouver 2010 is the first time ever that spectators with mobility devices have been able to access this type of seating. CAN was very impressed by the thought, effort, and final solution. We were proud to be able to test the vehicle. The trailer has a ramp at the rear in which a person with a wheelchair can use to enter the trailer. The wheelchair is then strapped down and the ride begins. It was an impressively smooth ride considering the terrain.

While there were some small accessibility issues that would not be solved in time for the games overall the accessibility of the venues was very well done and that is thanks to the many people who have ensured that the 2010 Olympics/Paralympics considered accessibility and created solutions.

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JANUARY 2010

CAN’s Adaptive Sports and Recreation Page for B.C. Is Now Online

CAN is very excited to announce that as of January 14, 2010, our Adaptive Sports and Recreation Page is online.

CAN’s Adaptive Sports and Recreation Page is a one stop site for people interested in learning about adaptive sports and recreation programs and the organizations that run the programs. The listing are organized by three categories: Name, Location, and Type of Sport or Recreation. We also have a category for Other Relevant Organizations such as Tetra which can help to create adaptive sport equipment or B.C. Disability Games Society which provides a provincial competition every two years.

We currently have over 100 listings for more than 60 sports across 73 communities in B.C.

We continue to have interest from organizations keen to be listed on our site and we look forward to the continued effort in making this as complete a list as possible. If you know of any sport or recreation program not currently on our site please let us know so that we can add it to the list by contacting us at info@canbc.or or 604.437.7331

CAN Participates in Women in Sport Leadership Follow-up Session

In 2009 CAN ED, Heather McCain, attended the ProMOTION Plus’ Women in Sport Leadership Conference as a participant and speaker. It was a two day event with 99 women that brought together “a unique and unprecedented assembly of women in sport administration and sport management”. ProMOTION Plus, a British Columbia organization for girls and women in physical activity and sport, explains that the “Women in Sport Leadership initiative was undertaken to support B.C. women working in the sport sector. ProMOTION Plus believes that forums such as these engage participants, provide opportunities to share strategies and ideas, and foster a supportive network for women leaders, resulting in a stronger B.C. sport system. The women leaders invited to participate in this event who have collectively impacted hundreds of organizations and hundreds of thousands of individuals, came from twenty-seven communities and reflected the diversity that exists within the sport sector.“

Shauna Grinke from Insights Vancouver facilitated. Every participant completed the Insights Preference Evaluator prior to the conference which created an Insights Discovery profile for the participants to use during the conference. Insights Vancouver works in partnership with some of the most successful companies in the world, providing them with tailored learning and development solutions to help them achieve transformation at the individual, team and organizational level.

In January 2010 Heather McCain participated in a ProMOTION Plus Women in Leadership Follow-Up Session with Shauna Grinke as the facilitator. This event was a great networking event for CAN. This event was also a great reminder as to why CAN is so involved in, and dedicated, to the world of sport. The women in this group are amazing and Heather is humbled to part of the group.

For more information about ProMOTION Plus visit their website at: www.promotionplus.org

For more information about Insights Vancouver visit their website at: www.insightsvancouver.com

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Dizabled cartoon

Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods

C.A.N. Successes Archive 2010

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