Current CANBC Projects
Here are the current projects that CANBC is working on.
CAN’s partnership with getmenus.ca
CAN is working in partnership with getmenus.ca to create accessibility reviews of restaurants listed on their web site. CAN is working with them so that people may confirm, via their web site, whether a restaurant is accessible or not, and to which user group they are accessible. We have been gathering information to create a checklist to work from while reviewing the restaurants. The checklist will be completed during the first two weeks of November. We will start reviewing the restaurants during the last two weeks of November. Once a restaurant has been reviewed we will give the owner or manager a copy of the review so that they are aware of how they are accessible and improvements they can make to become even more accessible. For many people who own businesses the lack of knowledge concerning barriers is a hurdle that keeps them from making their businesses more accessible; money is the other main hurdle. We are not able to help with the finances but hopefully we can help people understand what accessibility is and how they can work to create barrier free establishments.
If you experience any barriers while in restaurants please let us know so that we may add it to our checklist. The list that we make will not be rigid or definitive. Our list will change as we receive feedback from people and as we put the checklist to use while reviewing the restaurants. In our reviews we will not have a star rating as some restaurants may be very accessible for someone with a hearing impairment but not for someone with a wheelchair. We will write a brief synopsis about the accessibility and have a symbol to display which user group that particular restaurant is accessible for. Please let us know about any questions, comments, or concerns you have, we can only create a user guide that is relevant and helpful by listening to the users themselves.
CAN and Translink
We are working with Translink to better understand their services and how they are accessible to their customers. Translink’s policy regarding passengers in wheelchairs or scooters, or those with strollers or walkers, are that they are only allowed to load and unload at designated bus stops. Designated bus stops are marked with a handicap decal on the bus stop post. This past month I wrote a report on this accessibility of bus stops in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. We have several bus stops which are not deemed as accessible but which should be; for instance the two bus stops in front of the seniors’ centre are not marked as accessible, and the bus stop at the hospital is not accessible. These bus stops are used on a regular basis by those with mobility aids and should be accessible. If you are interested in receiveing a copy of the report please phone Heather at (604) 466-8771 or e-mail [email protected].
Translink and Coast Mountain Bus has recently told us what the criteria is for deeming a bus stop accessible. We will begin reviewing the bus stops during November and send a report to Translink about bus stops meet their criteria and should be upgraded to accessible. We are also hoping to improve the signage for accessible bus stops. The current decal is hard to see while on a moving vehicle. There have been questions about the new shuttle bus service and accessiblity. People have been put off the buses when they see the three steps at the front of the bus. For your information shuttles bus drivers are instructed to allow people with walkers or strollers to use the loading lift for assistance. This means that if you are not able to walk up the steps you may use the lift located at the back of the bus. As for the accessibly of bus stops with the shuttle buses, these buses will pick-up and drop-off people with mobility devices at any stop as long as there is not an obvious danger or safety issue, they even do request stops of convenience where there is no official stop. We are working to improve communication so that more passengers are aware of the policies of the regular buses and the shuttle buses, and the fact that there are differences between how the two buses are run.
We will continue to work towards getting straight answers from Translink about issues of transportation. Communication is one of the main problems with accessibility. CAN believes that companies are working towards solutions for accessibility but that they don’t always communicate what they have done, or adjustments they are willing to make, to their customers. We will continue to work towards improving communication between companies and clients, particulary Translink.
Narland Properties is renovating Haney Place Mall
Let’s work together to encourage them to create an accessible mall for local consumers:
There has been a lot of talk lately about available shopping in Maple Ridge. Many people who are in favour of Wal-Mart are people who have accessibility considerations. We have a great opportunity to encourage accessible shopping in Maple Ridge by encouraging Narland properties, the new owner of Haney Place Mall, to create an accessible shopping space when they make the improvements.
Currently Narland Properties’ stance is that the bylaws that are in place are good enough. Unfortunately this is only said by someone who does not have a disability and does not experience everyday accessibility problems. We have offered to work with them to ensure that Haney Place Mall is accessible when they renovate but have been turned down.
Please e-mail them at [email protected] to explain to Narland properties that accessibility is a big issue when looking for a place to shop. We would like them to know what a large base of consumers they have available in Maple Ridge who would like to stop outside of Maple Ridge to shop. We would love to shop in our own community but access makes it difficult.
They have mentioned that they are interested in public opinion and I believe that if we let them know that accessibility is important to us, they should be open to working with us to create an accessible mall.
Accessibility
at Maple Ridge’s Art Centre and Theatre (The ACT)
CAN is currently working with management at the Maple Ridge Art Centre and Theatre (The ACT) to fully understand their policies concerning the special needs seating. If you have any questions or comments that would be helpful as we work towards helping them to improve the service we would appreciate you letting us know.
The management at the ACT have been very receptive to our concerns and are working hard to make sure that the ACT is an all-inclusive theatre.