Category Archives: Accessibility

New Jack Purdie Park Swing

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I posted that I’d have more to say about the Multigenerational Swing Installation Jack Purdie Park.

While the Amherstburg Accessibility Advisory Committee spent about half of the meeting discussing the proposed new LCBO, it took about two minutes for the clerk to provide a background and for the committee chair to note it looks amazing and should be standard.

The clerk advised that for a second time the Town of Amherstburg received funding through the Enabling Accessibility Fund – Youth Innovation Component and they may have to recognize the individual’s support for the community and for being such a forward thinking youth to continue to drive forward the town and its initiatives.

The agenda attachment notes, ‘We are excited to announce the ‘swing along’ installation in Jack Purdie Park, which is already getting lots of use! This multigenerational swing allows children ages 5 and under to sit face-to-face with and in close proximity to a sibling, parent or caregiver. This configuration promotes social, emotional, visual, vestibular, proprioceptive and language skill development and is a great way to teach little ones how to swing.’

My critique? The swing limits use to under age 5. Stats Canada states in 2021 there were 745 children age 0 to 4; so what about the 1670 children ages 5 to 14 who want to swing? The swing is segregated; I question how that promotes social skill development. There is no sidewalk leading up to it. The surface is soft and uneven. There is no shade. And, as mentioned in this post,

‘When adapted or specialized equipment is made available, it is often limited in quantity and engaged with alone, thereby highlighting the functional limitations of that child and further segregating them from their peers.’

canadian public health association accessibility and usability of play spaces march 2019

Evidence-Informed Recommendations for Designing Inclusive Playgrounds to Enable Participation for Children with Disabilities By: Canadian Disability Participation Project, supported by Canadian Tire Jumpstart.

How does this playground compare?

photo 1: isolated new swing

photo 2: no sidewalk to it

photo 3: the rest of the playground in the distance

Accessibility And Usability Of Play Spaces

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Continuing awareness of definitions, the Canadian Public Health Association article, Accessibility and Usability of Play Spaces is another resource that fully explains ‘accessible’ and ‘useable’ playgrounds.

‘When adapted or specialized equipment is made available, it is often limited in quantity and engaged with alone, thereby highlighting the functional limitations of that child and further segregating them from their peers.’

CANADIAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION ACCESSIBILITY AND USABILITY OF PLAY SPACES MARCH 2019

Offensive Terminology

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copy of email sent to members of council and CAO Critchley today:

i was appalled to hear one Amherstburg Accessibility Advisory Committee member use “wheelchair bound” and another use “bound” during the June 22 committee meeting; this language is outdated and offensive.

i was equally shocked to see the term “crazy” used in three images on the town’s facebook page in reference to woofaroo. i’ve attached screenshots for your information.

i’m also including a link to an article, Are You Still Using The Word Crazy in 2022, even though it’s 2023.

i suggest there is a need for more training given the language used by a member of a committee that should be more aware of preferred terminology and the number of times i’ve encountered ableist attitudes.

Interested In Accessibility?

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Watch the Amherstburg Accessibility Advisory Committee in action. Today’s 5 pm meeting agenda has a few items but the meetings seem to take longer than necessary for the same reasons as the council meetings. Can’t people refrain from providing unnecessary speeches, sharing personal anecdotes, and straying off topic?

ORDER OF BUSINESS includes:
2023 Public Consultation Objectives
Multiyear Accessibility Plan
Survey Responses Report – Public Consultation 2022

Site Plan Review – 580 Middle Side Road
580 Middle Sdrd – Site Plan
That the Site Plan for 580 Middle Side Rd. BE ENDORSED by the Amherstburg Accessibility Advisory Committee.

Site Plan Review – 527 Sandwich Street South
01 May 09 2022 Amherstburg SP Metric SP 2.1 Rev
That the Site Plan for 527 Sandwich Street South BE ENDORSED by the Amherstburg Accessibility Advisory Committee.

Watch online.

Amherstburg An Inclusive Community? Says Who?

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I think different people have different definitions of what an ‘inclusive community’ is. How does a crosswalk, sponsored by a family, reinforce what an inclusive community is all about any more than raising a flag? Might these gestures be seen as minimal efforts?

Mayor Prue broke the tie vote in favour of Open Air, despite objections that it created barriers that excluded people with disabilities. Councillor Crain stated yes, he would remove Open Air barriers and then voted in favour of it. How does that make #Amherstburg an inclusive community?

CTV News Windsor reports Amherstburg reveals first-ever rainbow crosswalk representing inclusivity and included the following quotes:

‘WE ARE AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY. GET USED TO IT’

“It helps to reinforce what an inclusive community is all about,” said Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue. “I’m very proud of this town and foresight and the inclusivity that people have shown.”

‘INCLUSIVITY AND ACCEPTANCE’

On Twitter, Amherstburg Coun. Linden Crain also voiced his support for the new crosswalk.

“Amherstburg has taken a colourful step forward towards inclusivity & acceptance. We are thrilled to announce the installation of the town’s first-ever rainbow crosswalk! A huge thank you to the Goggin Family for making this happen. Happy #PrideMonth!”

Strong Leadership Needed

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As published in the RTT in response to May 31 Flag Raising article.

The week that initially was National Access Awareness Week in 1988 became National AccessAbility Week in 2017, not Accessibility as stated in the article.

Deputy Mayor Gibb is quoted as saying, “it is also an opportunity to reflect on ongoing efforts to become a better, more accessible and more inclusive Canada.”

I reflected and concluded that a flag raising might be seen as tokenism. 

The J. S. HELD 2021 facilities condition assessment of the town hall noted, “The building is non AODA compliant” and “the cost to convert the town hall to AODA compliant is $291,117.78.” If, as Deputy Mayor Gibb stated, “we strive to improve our infrastructure and services,” why has an AODA compliant town hall not been a priority? The $165,000 dog park and the $170,000 Libro Trail over expenditure would have paid for an AODA compliant town hall.

Mayor Prue noted the Gordon House was not accessible and campaigned to ensure all town buildings are accessible to facilitate an open and inclusive municipality. Last month, Mayor Prue referenced the AODA and said in this town, we have not brought it into force. Why not?

What about the narrow, uneven sidewalks with trees growing out of them and all kinds of obstacles Deputy Mayor Gibb mentioned during budget deliberations? 

As this week ends it’s ironic that Open Air and its barriers begin, despite any denial. People with disabilities may be excluded, physically and socially, from equally participating in the community, a preventable barrier. While there will be those who claim the 16 weekends of closed streets increase accessibility for people using wheelchairs, such positive attributes overshadow the need to commit to fixing sidewalks for year-round use and eliminating barriers.

Inclusive communities welcome ALL marginalized communities, not just some and only during festivals.

We need strong leaders to commit to the identification, prevention, and removal of barriers. When that is accomplished, and all barriers in Amherstburg are removed then there will be cause for celebration, but not until then. 

An FOI Request For This?!

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Absurd. Why did this information require an FOI request? Especially when two of the three documents are publicly available policies on the town’s website? And other municipalities live stream their workshop meetings?

CAO Critchley advised council members received training in accessibility on November 29, 2022; the Council Workshop Agenda did not mention Accessibility training.

Following this post, What Accessibility Training Did Council Receive? File An FOI Request, I submitted an FOI request and today received full disclosure of the following three documents:

AODA Alliance Call to Email MPs RE Bill C-22 (the Canada Disability Benefit Act)

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The AODA Alliance issues a call to email as many MPs as possible and an example of what to say is included as a starring point to let MPs know why this matters to you:

Please vote to ratify the amendments to Bill C-22 (the Canada Disability Benefit Act) that the Senate passed. Hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities living in poverty need the Bill C-22 to be passed right now. The Senate’s amendments read the post, May 19, 2023 AODA Alliance Update.

Essex MP Chris.Lewis@parl.gc.ca

Tell The Accessibility Advisory Committee To Select Hotel Site Plans For Review

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I’ve suggested that committee members’ contact information be made available to receive input from the public regarding accessibility concerns. Committees may not always be representative of persons with a range of disabilities.

Councillor McArthur is this term’s rep so I’ve emailed him the following and request you send him one at dmcarthur@amherstburg.ca and copy me at theburgwatch@gmail.com.

as council’s new rep to the accessibility advisory committee, you may not be fully aware of the committee’s mandate. as i’ve mentioned before, i was not given the accessibility training materials that members of council received on november 29 but i’ve submitted an FOI request for them.

given the controversy of the proposed hotel, and accessibility/safety concerns affecting persons with disabilities involving the back stairs, i would urge the committee to select the site plans and drawings for the project.

also, as i’ve repeatedly raised the issue about the lack of reports included on the committee’s agenda, you should know that there are several empty links in tomorrow’s meeting agenda. I’ve also mentioned before that verbal reports, instead of attached reports, may pose a barrier. wouldn’t it be ironic if the committee that is supposed to remove barriers creates them?