This newsletter/update is to keep members of CAN, or interested parties, up to date on our monthly meeting, what we discussed, what our plans are for the upcoming month, and any other pertinent information covered during the meeting. We understand that not everyone is able to attend a monthly meeting and hope that this will keep those interested in CAN in the loop. Please let us know if you have any questions or comments concerning our meetings and/or this update. Thank you for you interest. Your ideas, suggestions, and input will help to create positive change in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. Together we CAN!
Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods held their first meeting this past Monday, September 19th. It was a successful meeting that brought about a great exchange of information. We were small in numbers at the meeting, but large in ideas. Those who attended our meeting had varied experiences with accessibility and many different reasons as to why they were drawn to CAN.
One of those present was a senior who experienced barriers after a hip replacement a few years back. This experience truly opened her eyes to accessibility. Her husband relies on a wheelchair to get around and he experiences barriers daily. Both she and her husband are eager to assist CAN by helping others in similar situations. One of the great pieces of information that they shared with us was about a Provincial Fuel Tax Refund Program (details available in the Word of Mouth section). This is a great example of a program available to many people, yet which the majority of eligible people are probably not aware. We hope that by working together we can create awareness about the programs, services, and opportunities available, and help others avoid being told about these services after the fact.
Another person who attended is a a representative from the BC Paraplegic Association (BCPA). The BCPA is an organization that helps people who live with mobility problems (while their name suggests that they help paraplegics only, this is not true, they help anyone with mobility-related diseases). This representative took an active role in our meeting and supplied us with many new resources once she arrived at work the following morning. The support of BCPA will be a great asset to CAN, and we appreciate the information that she supplied for us (look for it in the Word of Mouth section).
It was great to have several different people with different perspectives on barriers within our community. I had previously talked to many interested people on the phone who were unable to attend the meeting. They offered their support, their advice, their suggestions, and their own experiences. I appreciated their comments and we discussed them during the meeting.
One of the biggest barriers we talked about was communication. For example those with handicap decals can park for free in the designated spots at the Ridge Meadows Hospital. This is not a well known fact and it is not communicated clearly for all to know.
There are not always clearly written policies available to the general public. This is often frustrating as we find out about the information after it has become useful to us. Hopefully by sharing information and personal experiences we cut back on not knowing or not being aware of information which might help us save money, find support, and/or help us in our daily lives.
A large part of the meeting was spent in discussing upcoming projects. We talked about what CAN will be doing to help remove barriers; how CAN will help to increase clear and precise communication between companies and consumers; and how we will help to educate about accessibility.
CAN is working together with getmenus.ca to rate the accessibility of participating restaurants listed on their site. This is a great partnership as we are working with a local business which is interested in making people aware of accessibility.
Getmenus.ca is an online guide to finding restaurants, menus, and special offers for restaurants, in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and Mission. The staff at getmenus.ca are enthusiastic in their vision of a site where people can look up menus (which is already available) and read about the accessibility of restaurants. This partnership allows people with mobility impairments to know ahead of time what restaurants are accessible for them. People with mobility impairments often lose the freedom of just going out; there is a lot to consider when one uses a mobility device to get around. getmenus.ca is dedicated to taking the guesswork out of going out for a meal. They hope that by supplying the information on their web site people will be aware ahead of time as to which places would best suit their needs. This is an ongoing partnership. We are currently creating guidelines for accessibility and would appreciate your input as to what makes restaurants accessible to you. Please e-mail us at info@canbc.org or phone Heather at (604) 466-8771.
I have been sharing information with the Richmond Disability Resource Centre. They are working on something similar in Richmond (www.accessrichmond.ca). As they were rating the accessibility of hotels and restaurants they found they were also being asked to perform sensitivity training. Sensitivity and disabilities are two things that do not always go together. I have spoken to many people who are frustrated by the attitude that if a person is in a wheelchair then their IQ drops. I, personally, have a body that doesn’t work well and rely on a wheelchair to get around but my mouth and mind are sharper than ever. Even if a person requires a keyboard to communicate their thoughts, people shouldn’t underestimate their ability to think.
While out in the community people who have never been around those with disabilities are unsure how to act or react to them and often come across as rude or condescending. We understand that it is never easy to gauge how to react to a person but you shouldn’t be gauging your behaviour at all, act as you would even if there were no chair (or disability). This is one small example of something that is taught in sensitivity training. One of the members who attended the meeting suggested that we might want to approach Super Host, which is a program that teaches people about customer service. This is an excellent idea that shows a cooperative partnership between two organizations that would fit nicely together. This is something that we will be considering. Right now we are in the brainstorming stage, and will continue to consider this great idea.
We also discussed Translink and how we would like to work with them to ensure that the transit system is accessible to all. Translink is creating a new bus loop downtown. They recently held an open meeting for those interested in finding out more about this planned bus loop. One of the comments made at this meeting was that they hoped to create a streetscape (this includes pavement or surface, and curb cuts) consistent with the rest of downtown Maple Ridge. While we appreciate this thought we are concerned with what the surface will be. We hope to work in the future with council and Smart Growth to create bylaws concerning the surface of our sidewalks as these surfaces are sometimes uneven and hard for people to use (for examples of accessible and inaccessible sidewalks go to the Universal Design section). While we do not yet have these bylaws in place we hope that Translink will listen to our concerns and create a bus loop that does not jar or create difficulties for those who use wheels (wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, strollers etc.). While we understand that the use of smaller bricks, or uneven bricks, is to create an aesthetically pleasing sidewalk we would rather be able to use the street with comfort and ease than have it look decorative. The two ideas, an attractive streetscape and barrier free surfaces, are not mutually exclusive, and we believe that the bus loop can be attractive and comfortable for those with mobility aids. We hope that Translink listens to our concerns on this issue and works to create a bus loop usable for all.
Another concern with the new bus loop are the shelters. We want to make sure that we have shelters that protect us from the elements and are available to use for all people, whether they sit on the bench or on their mobility device.
Translink held an open house because they are committed to listening to their customers. Please let them know what you think by e-mailing them at the address they supplied at the open house: shirley_samujh@translink.bc.ca. We would like to make sure that they receive our recommendations and advice before the project is completed.
It is frustrating for all (the company and the consumer) when information is given after completion. Please help them in creating a safe, usable, and accessible bus loop by sharing your opinions with them now. We at CAN are also interested in knowing your opinions. Please let us know by e-mailing us at info@canbc.org or phoning Heather at (604) 466-8771.
We have been apprised of other issues concerning Translink and accessibility in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. One of the main concerns is that those with mobility devices are only allowed to get on a bus, or get off, at designated bus stops. There are many people who live within an area that has very few, if any, of these designated stops. These stops are designated by a handicap emblem on the bus stop sign. We will be working with Translink, and the Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Municipal Advisory Committee on Accessibility Issues (MACAI) to find out how we can improve this situation. Please let us know about your own experiences so that we can offer Translink as many people’s perspectives as possible. Thank you.
We realize that there are many issues regarding transportation and accessibility. We will address this issues and concerns as they arise. By working together under the umbrella of CAN we show these companies that we are not an isolated voice but many raised together to help create a barrier free community. If you have any concerns that you feel need to be addressed please let us know about them so that we may help you address them.
We also discussed Narland Properties, who recently bought Haney Place Mall. Narland Properties are planning to renovate and need to hear from us about what changes should take place to create a barrier free environment. Many community members speak of their wish to shop within their own community but are unable to do so because of accessibility issues. If we work with Narland Properties as they renovate we will help to create a shopping mall which would help us support local businesses. Please let them know that accessibility issues are a concern and that current bylaws do not address many of our needs. CAN is willing to work with them to go over their plans and offer suggestions. Please let them know that you feel this is needed by e-mailing them at comments@narland.com
There was a lot of talk about existing standards concerning barrier free designs. The existing standards are lacking and exist more for the larger businesses (hospitals, schools, theatres, etc.). We hope that by working with council to create local bylaws we will create a more inclusive community. This will be an ongoing project that will require the feedback of those who experience barriers. What are your barriers? How can these barriers be removed? Please let us know by e-mailing us at info@canbc.org or phoning (604) 466-8771.
We spoke about many subjects and projects during our meeting. Several projects are in the works and we hope to count them as successes by our next meeting. The meeting was a success in itself as it was a group of people who came together to share their experiences and perspectives in the hopes of creating a better community for all. If you are able to attend our next meeting we would appreciate your attendance. If you are unable to attend the meeting but would like to share some ideas, comments, or questions please e-mail us at info@canbc.org or phone Heather at (604) 466-8771. Your suggestions will be passed along.
A newsletter, such as this, will follow each meeting to keep you up to date. If you are interested in receiving a copy of this newsletter by e-mail or through regular post please let us know.
I thank those who attended our meeting, and those who were unable to attend but offered their support and ideas by phone or e-mail.
I hope to see you next month on October 17th at the Fraser Room in the Maple Ridge Library from 6:30 - 8:30 PM, or hear from you by e-mail (info@canbc.org)l or telephone (604-466-8771) prior to our meeting.
Remember together we CAN!
