An new online tool is making it easier for people with disabilities to find accessible places.
The myCommunity BC map was launched at findsupportbc.com around a year ago with around 400 places tagged across the province, and now, there are nearly 1,000. For example, click on the pin for ChilliwackB次元官网网址檚 Cottonwood Four Cinemas and youB次元官网网址檒l see it checking boxes for B次元官网网址榓ccessibilityB次元官网网址� and B次元官网网址榳elcoming diversityB次元官网网址� while also earning little green icons for B次元官网网址榝un and lively spotB次元官网网址� and B次元官网网址榓 spot to meet new people.B次元官网网址�
Visitors can click the B次元官网网址榓dd a placeB次元官网网址� button on the top right to do just that, giving Esther King and others a better sense of what awaits them when they leave the controlled environment of their own home.
King has a 17-year-old daughter, named Joudelie, who needs significant help wherever she goes. She has taken Joudelie to places that have B次元官网网址榓ccessible washroomsB次元官网网址� according to the letter of the law, but in reality the bathroom stall isnB次元官网网址檛 wide enough for a bigger wheelchair, or the grab bars are in the wrong place.
B次元官网网址淪omeone needs a toilet when theyB次元官网网址檙e out and they canB次元官网网址檛 get into the bathroom, thatB次元官网网址檚 a pretty big problem,B次元官网网址� King said. B次元官网网址淲hen youB次元官网网址檝e got to go, youB次元官网网址檝e got to go, and what are you going to do? I have to lift Joudelie to help her transfer onto the toilet, and if IB次元官网网址檓 tired or my back is sore on a particular day and IB次元官网网址檓 not confident there will be enough space to do that, we just donB次元官网网址檛 go. She ends up not participating in things in the community that she has every right to participate in.B次元官网网址�
When submitting a location to the map, there is a spot for users to type their thoughts on what was or wasnB次元官网网址檛 good about it. King said having reports B次元官网网址榝rom the fieldB次元官网网址� makes her more confident going to a particular venue, and that could be beneficial for businesses who pay attention.
B次元官网网址淲hen I have a really good experience I tell businesses and thank them for it,B次元官网网址� King said. B次元官网网址淭his map can be a big part of sharing that, and what IB次元官网网址檇 eventually like to see is stickers on the windows of businesses that are truly accessible.B次元官网网址�
Phillip Retief is a student at the University of the Fraser Valley and said the tool is great because it allows people with disabilities to gain independence.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 terrible when you get to a place you were excited to go to, but you get there and realize itB次元官网网址檚 not accessible,B次元官网网址� said Retief, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair to get around. B次元官网网址淵ou really want to be a part of something, but you canB次元官网网址檛.B次元官网网址�
Retief remembers a trip to play mini-golf at Castle Fun Park in Abbotsford.
B次元官网网址淲hen you go onto the pitch, there is a step going down, and I canB次元官网网址檛 do that with my wheelchair,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 need someone to pick me up and bring me down. It is sad when friends are down there enjoying mini-golfing and there is no access for me to join them. It feels uncomfortable and unfair, and itB次元官网网址檚 awkward because everyone knows youB次元官网网址檙e the one person who canB次元官网网址檛 do what theyB次元官网网址檙e doing.B次元官网网址�
The myCommunity BC map is based on the BC Community Asset mapping network, and icons come from Green Map, an international non-profit actively mapping assets in 65 countries around the world. More help comes from the Family Support Institute and Community Living BC.
Retief said it has the potential to make discussion about accessibility B次元官网网址渇un and engaging,B次元官网网址� and maybe create real progress.
B次元官网网址淎ccessibility is a work in the progress. People need feedback to learn and grow and better the services that they make available,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚t opens up communication and awareness and opens up the conversation about inclusiveness.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淲ith this map, it will just be nice to be confident knowing that if someone says a place accessible, it truly is.B次元官网网址�
eric.welsh@theprogress.com
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