I implore you to help promote more accessibility! In today’s world where there are more and more of us with mobility limitations, a lot is being done to improve matters but we still have a long way to go! Travelling with a disability is already challenging enough even when all the necessary accommodations are in place. Well-intentioned screw-ups just make things even more frustrating.

Can you spot what is wrong with the picture above? A well placed handicap parking space, you might say! It happens to be in our neighbourhood in front of the Dairy Queen.

Okay! I’ll admit it, I may have a more personal motive here but why go to the trouble of putting the parking spot when there is no place to mount the curb. In fact, in this entire strip mall, there is only a single access for walkers, scooters or wheelchairs and it is at the far end of the parking lot furthest from the road. I have to travel the entire length of the mall (and back) to get my Blizzard! 😮

The truth is that so many of these things are planned and implemented by able-bodied people who have no appreciation for what is needed by the mobility impaired. And even more sadly, nothing is likely to change unless we speak up to the powers that be. They believe that they are doing right by us. I heard on the news recently that with a population of 37 million, Canada has almost 6 million with some form of physical limitation. We have to do better. Below are a couple more examples of boneheadedness:

If we just sit back and say nothing, things will not improve. In my case, I have contacted the local councillor to insist that this be rectified. I highly urge you to do the same every time you come across something that does not function as intended.

Fortunately, there are now organisations that can help you with trip planning and finding accessible venues and trips.