CAN success stories:
CAN’s second meeting:
Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods held their second meeting this past Monday, October 17th. Our attendance doubled from our first meeting. We had an interesting group of people who came to our meeting for a variety of reasons. It was quite nice to have such a diverse group of people who want to work towards creating barrier-free communities.
The information, suggestions, and work that will come from this meeting will help create positive change in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. For more information about what was discussed during the meeting go to the “Monthly Update” section on this site.
Our next meeting will be November 21st, from 6:30 – 8:30 PM. The meetings are held the Third Monday of the month at the Maple Ridge Library, in the Fraser Room. For more information contact Heather at (604) 466-8771 or e-mail us at [email protected]
Funding for the Power Soccer Team
CAN has found funding for the Ridge Meadows Power Soccer team (soccer played by people in power wheelchairs). The Ridge team will be joining the Greater Vancouver Electric Wheelchair Sports Society (GVEWSS) which already has three power soccer teams. In addition to funding the GVEWSS will be setting up monthly games for the four teams. The GVEWSS is working towards creating a tournament in Vancouver and currently participates in a yearly tournament in Penticton.
The Ridge team held their first practice which was a success. We look forward to practicing again (once the strike is over) at Alexander Robinson Elementary School every Wednesday from 6 – 7:30 PM. The Ridge team looks forward to being part of the GVEWSS league and playing games and participating in tournaments. We encourage community members to volunteer with our team or to come out to watch a game. The game schedule will be posted sometime next month. To see photographs of our team’s first practice go the Adaptive Sports section on our site.
Thank you to Vernon and Thompson Law Group for demonstrating that businesses in Maple Ridge care about community members, and for creating a safer route on their sidewalk for those with mobility aids. They listened to our concerns and immediately responded with action. It had been brought to my attention that a bush on the property of Vernon and Thompson Law Group (located at 223rd Street and 119th Avenue) had grown over the sidewalk which, in combination with a street parking sign, made it impossible for people with wheelchairs or scooters to stay on the sidewalk. Those with mobility devices would approach the sign and bush and not be able to squeeze in between, which would force them to turn around and go back a block to the nearest curb cut to either cross to the others side of the street or travel on the street.
This is an excellent example of able-bodied people, and business members of the community, who are more than willing to improve accessibility if they are aware of the barrier. Thank you Vernon and Thompson for your quick action and for taking into consideration all community members.