September 19th, 2005 Meeting Update
(CAN’s first meeting)
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 [email protected] 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:
[email protected]. 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected]
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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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
([email protected])l or telephone (604-466-8771) prior to our meeting.
Remember together we CAN!