Well as much as I like to shop, it has become very apparent that for those with accessibilty needs, it is not as easy as it should be. Many store owners feel that one step may be alright for the frontage of their store. I am here to say no.
Unfortunately as I took my son shopping in his power chair yesterday, there were many stores he was unable to browse thanks to that one large step. Lucky for us we can still leave the chair outside and lift him up to ambulate around the store. But imagine those that can not. How frustrating it must be.
Store owners should take a look at the entrance to their store and ask themselves if they have done all they can for accessiblilty. If they haven't they have just blocked out a nice percentage of shoppers.
Malls tend to be friendly in this area as there are flat floors and elevators, but it is the small malls and individual shops that seem really difficult to navigate. Even some resaurants.
In my opinion stairs in business entrances should not be permissible as they are exclusive unless there is an alternate entry available.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Funding Fun ( Wheelchair accessibility)
Well I don't know about the readers out there but I have to say, finding funding is not and easy task. We recently tried to get funding for a wheelchair accessible van( an expense most provincial programs will not cover) and what a whoop-dee-do.
First off any charitable organization that would be potential help is a great place to start. Only problem is if you are in the middle income bracket good luck(unfortunately that is where the most people have debt and live paycheck to paycheck). The other problem is is that many of these organizations are "last resort" organizations meaning they would like you to try everyone else. This becomes a bit confusing as it is difficult to determine who to start with.
The next problem is most provincial programs only help with items that can be recylcled to someone else. A converted van is not such an item they say. So the frustration levels tend to go up and up.
After many months of searching and looking we came up empty. Local groups, provincial programs and charitable organizations proved to be quite a confusing task. It is hard enough dealing with the purpose for needing a converted van however add to it the extreme frustration of months of looking for help and what a task.
Don't get me wrong. All of these organizations are absolutely wonderful for everything they do but I really feel governments could do a lot more in helping people figure out where to turn. Especially in the middle income bracket. Follow the link to see a list of resources in Western Canada http://www.muscle.ca/fileadmin/Western/Services/Equipment_Funding_Manual-WC-Aug07-2009.pdf
And that's the take for today :)
First off any charitable organization that would be potential help is a great place to start. Only problem is if you are in the middle income bracket good luck(unfortunately that is where the most people have debt and live paycheck to paycheck). The other problem is is that many of these organizations are "last resort" organizations meaning they would like you to try everyone else. This becomes a bit confusing as it is difficult to determine who to start with.
The next problem is most provincial programs only help with items that can be recylcled to someone else. A converted van is not such an item they say. So the frustration levels tend to go up and up.
After many months of searching and looking we came up empty. Local groups, provincial programs and charitable organizations proved to be quite a confusing task. It is hard enough dealing with the purpose for needing a converted van however add to it the extreme frustration of months of looking for help and what a task.
Don't get me wrong. All of these organizations are absolutely wonderful for everything they do but I really feel governments could do a lot more in helping people figure out where to turn. Especially in the middle income bracket. Follow the link to see a list of resources in Western Canada http://www.muscle.ca/fileadmin/Western/Services/Equipment_Funding_Manual-WC-Aug07-2009.pdf
And that's the take for today :)
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Team Work- Oh how I miss you! ( accessibility and accommodation)
Not everything we do in life in regard to accessiblility has to do with the physical aspect of getting there. Caring for the emotional, physical and social aspects for people come from many people who CARE. In everything that I do I am constantly thinking of ways to help others. One commom theme that kept returning to me is TEAM!
Without a team to support an idea, it is very difficult to create change. Without change, we do not evolve. Well you get the idea. In order to help we must all band together for change.
If you think about it, I mean really think about it, how much effect do we have without the support of someone...or everyone.
In all my activities I am constantly creating little "teams" to help out a cause. However this only works in the theory that all team members will follow the plan. Many times we have made a plan to create a state of comfort or ease for my son and it only took one deviant person to derail that plan. Without all the players on board and helping out you end up in chaos.
There are many ways to derail a team plan such as "doing your own thing," deviating from suggestion, fighting for power and of course, creating a seperate plan appart from the team. Communication is the key to all success. Everyone involved in a team MUST be willing to give,accept and offer opinions, constructive criticism, ideas and thoughts. It is very difficult to find a successful team without these key components.
So many times have I ran into the problem of people thinking they were the "professionals" and did not listen to the team. Cooperation is a hard thing to find but like the diamond in the rough, once in a while you find a great team and that is where you get the success stories. Working together in unison for a common cause can bring great things when done respectfully, honestly and from the heart.
Without a team to support an idea, it is very difficult to create change. Without change, we do not evolve. Well you get the idea. In order to help we must all band together for change.
If you think about it, I mean really think about it, how much effect do we have without the support of someone...or everyone.
In all my activities I am constantly creating little "teams" to help out a cause. However this only works in the theory that all team members will follow the plan. Many times we have made a plan to create a state of comfort or ease for my son and it only took one deviant person to derail that plan. Without all the players on board and helping out you end up in chaos.
There are many ways to derail a team plan such as "doing your own thing," deviating from suggestion, fighting for power and of course, creating a seperate plan appart from the team. Communication is the key to all success. Everyone involved in a team MUST be willing to give,accept and offer opinions, constructive criticism, ideas and thoughts. It is very difficult to find a successful team without these key components.
So many times have I ran into the problem of people thinking they were the "professionals" and did not listen to the team. Cooperation is a hard thing to find but like the diamond in the rough, once in a while you find a great team and that is where you get the success stories. Working together in unison for a common cause can bring great things when done respectfully, honestly and from the heart.
Monday, September 27, 2010
The power of one!( wheelchair accessibility)
Today I was told a story that hit me..This is why I blog..See the message below:
I just recently saw something happen in Regina that made me realize how INaccessible things can be. There was a construction site and they had put the big chain link fences up on the edge of the sidewalk. Well this section of fence had 'feet' to help with their stability that were basically big bars that ran across the sidewalk. This boy was in a wheelchair and trying to navigate his way on the sidewalk and got hung up on these feet, lost his balance, and he fell off the sidewalk and out of his chair. I jumped out of my truck to help him, but he was able to get get back into his chair on his own. The saddest part of all of this was the look of embarrassment that he had on his face. Why should HE be embarrassed?? The people that block off a sidewalk are the ones that should feel shame! People don't think..... :(
It is so true. Some people go through life coasting as fast as humanly possible and do not stop to think of the repercussions it may cause for others. In todays society faster is better. The sooner you can get things done the better off so they say. But who thinks of the consequences down the road...or even right then. accessibility matters to everyone...We all may need to get somewhere and restriction causes frustration.
For example; imagine the last time you were stuck in a traffic jam and had to go around the obstruction...yes it took an extra 10minutes or more out of your day...yes it was extremely frustrating. Now imagine the life of a person with a disability. Everyday they encounter such a road block in plain, everyday life.
The AH HA moment! A traffic jam everyday....we could help change that one roadblock at a time. If one person inspires the next and so on and so forth imagine what the world could look like
THE POWER OF ONE! :)
I just recently saw something happen in Regina that made me realize how INaccessible things can be. There was a construction site and they had put the big chain link fences up on the edge of the sidewalk. Well this section of fence had 'feet' to help with their stability that were basically big bars that ran across the sidewalk. This boy was in a wheelchair and trying to navigate his way on the sidewalk and got hung up on these feet, lost his balance, and he fell off the sidewalk and out of his chair. I jumped out of my truck to help him, but he was able to get get back into his chair on his own. The saddest part of all of this was the look of embarrassment that he had on his face. Why should HE be embarrassed?? The people that block off a sidewalk are the ones that should feel shame! People don't think..... :(
It is so true. Some people go through life coasting as fast as humanly possible and do not stop to think of the repercussions it may cause for others. In todays society faster is better. The sooner you can get things done the better off so they say. But who thinks of the consequences down the road...or even right then. accessibility matters to everyone...We all may need to get somewhere and restriction causes frustration.
For example; imagine the last time you were stuck in a traffic jam and had to go around the obstruction...yes it took an extra 10minutes or more out of your day...yes it was extremely frustrating. Now imagine the life of a person with a disability. Everyday they encounter such a road block in plain, everyday life.
The AH HA moment! A traffic jam everyday....we could help change that one roadblock at a time. If one person inspires the next and so on and so forth imagine what the world could look like
THE POWER OF ONE! :)
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Miette Hot Springs and Accessibility get a thumbs up!
Today we came upon the best inspiration for this post. Miette Hot Springs in Jasper National Park boasts the beginning of 2 wheelchair accessible trails. They are posted below..
This is the Upper Trail
This is the lower trail
We were able to go about 10 minutes on the upper trail that leads to Sulphur ridge and then becomes quite rocky. On the Lower Trail which takes you to the old Hot Springs location and along a very nice river we were able to travel 40 minutes one way with the power chair before tha trail became a true hiking trail. It was AWESOME!
My son absolutely loved the smooth lower trail and the access to all the beauty that everyone else can enjoy in the Rockies. Even the hotsprings themselves are accessible.
It was a spectacular adventure. Jasper boasts many accessible trails which makes this area absolutely fantastic when travelling with a wheelchair. However the slopes can prove a bit difficult for any challenges that cause weakness so I would caution you to be sure to have a plan (or a chair) if you have trouble with slops.
Miette Hotsprings gets a thumbs
Friday, September 24, 2010
It is so incredible to see when someone lends a helping hand. A lady struggling to put groceries in the car, a dropped item a passer by picks up and makes the effort to give back, a friendly hello to a sad face. These are all the great things one hopes to expect. But in reality I am betting statistics would show something much more grim.
In the accessible world people take for granted the struggles just to get to the front door of a building, just to park in a space wide enough to lower a ramp. It is amazing to me that there are still people out there that believe a child should not be accommodated.
What do you think when you think of accessiblilty? People in wheelchairs? People with physical and mental challenges? The fact is is that there are several disabilities and disorders that don't involve the use of a wheelchair. To the naked eye you may not realize that walking to a front door can be entirely all to exhausting when having to do it from the far end of a parking lot.
Just is the case when we pulled into a Walmart Parking Lot 2 years back. My son could walk but got exhausted very quickly. An employee with a cane ambled up to us in the parking stall labelled "handicap parking" and began lecturing me on the use of the spot. She simply stated we should not be there because we are taking spots away from more deserving and needing people.
I answered calmly and clloectively with an "excuse me but you can not judge a book by the cover" and we carried on. The lady was disgusted but left us alone. My son was able to get into the mall and out without incident. Again, he has a muscle wasting disease. To many he seems able to do what everyone else does.
Moral of this entry....DO NOT JUDGE A BOOK BY IT'S Cover!
In the accessible world people take for granted the struggles just to get to the front door of a building, just to park in a space wide enough to lower a ramp. It is amazing to me that there are still people out there that believe a child should not be accommodated.
What do you think when you think of accessiblilty? People in wheelchairs? People with physical and mental challenges? The fact is is that there are several disabilities and disorders that don't involve the use of a wheelchair. To the naked eye you may not realize that walking to a front door can be entirely all to exhausting when having to do it from the far end of a parking lot.
Just is the case when we pulled into a Walmart Parking Lot 2 years back. My son could walk but got exhausted very quickly. An employee with a cane ambled up to us in the parking stall labelled "handicap parking" and began lecturing me on the use of the spot. She simply stated we should not be there because we are taking spots away from more deserving and needing people.
I answered calmly and clloectively with an "excuse me but you can not judge a book by the cover" and we carried on. The lady was disgusted but left us alone. My son was able to get into the mall and out without incident. Again, he has a muscle wasting disease. To many he seems able to do what everyone else does.
Moral of this entry....DO NOT JUDGE A BOOK BY IT'S Cover!
How accessible is this world really?
From schools to workplaces, recreation to the great outdoors we have all heard the word "accessiblity." It is my experience that unless you have rolled a day in a wheelchair, you really have no idea just how unaccessible the world still is.
I decided to blog about the experience my family encounters to bring more awareness to the trials and tribulations, and of course bouquets, that occur for both the caregiver and the amazing little guy who endures all this.
I am speaking of my son who has a muscle wasting disorder called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. This disorder is devastating enough without the trials he has endured in his 12 years thus far.
I am my sons greatest advocate but if you think making arrangements and getting all the little details in order is an easy task, think again. He is now in Grade 7 and since kindergarten ( when we first heard of his diagnosis) we have had to FIGHT for accessibility just to help use everyday necessities such as power buttons for doors, ramps, accessible playgrounds, accessible pick up spots and of course access to stores and restaurants.
Here's the trick. My son did not need a wheelchair until this year. Don't get me wrong, he still had an extreme amount of accessibility issues due to weakness. We gained a lot of muscle trying to carry him up stairs. I had many sleepless nights and worried days wondering if someone would notice if he couldn't get a door open and he was stuck outside after recess due to a rediculous rule that he could not use the one door that had the access button because it was not on the side where the students came in.
I've had to fight for real access to the playground instead of the severe slope they tried to have him climb. Because my son looked completely normal in mobility when walking(not running, jumping or climbing) it was easy for people to forget his struggles and he would be encouraged to push himself. With DMD tearing and pulling muscles is a bad idea and strength training can cause more harm than good, a fact many people have a VERY hard time understanding.
I remember as a child myself hearing about accessibility and people trying to fight for their rights to be accommodated. That was well over 25 years ago. How far have we really come. It is true many people do their best to make the world accessible but we have a LONG way to go.
Now we are moving forward and I hope to blog the trials and tribulations we face daily to help others understand the small and large things that affect people with challenges ongoing. The astronomical blunders, the discourteous attitudes and the general anxiety it causes those of us who experience these challenges everyday. With any luck I will have lots of good things,helpful people and overall happy events as well.
I decided to blog about the experience my family encounters to bring more awareness to the trials and tribulations, and of course bouquets, that occur for both the caregiver and the amazing little guy who endures all this.
I am speaking of my son who has a muscle wasting disorder called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. This disorder is devastating enough without the trials he has endured in his 12 years thus far.
I am my sons greatest advocate but if you think making arrangements and getting all the little details in order is an easy task, think again. He is now in Grade 7 and since kindergarten ( when we first heard of his diagnosis) we have had to FIGHT for accessibility just to help use everyday necessities such as power buttons for doors, ramps, accessible playgrounds, accessible pick up spots and of course access to stores and restaurants.
Here's the trick. My son did not need a wheelchair until this year. Don't get me wrong, he still had an extreme amount of accessibility issues due to weakness. We gained a lot of muscle trying to carry him up stairs. I had many sleepless nights and worried days wondering if someone would notice if he couldn't get a door open and he was stuck outside after recess due to a rediculous rule that he could not use the one door that had the access button because it was not on the side where the students came in.
I've had to fight for real access to the playground instead of the severe slope they tried to have him climb. Because my son looked completely normal in mobility when walking(not running, jumping or climbing) it was easy for people to forget his struggles and he would be encouraged to push himself. With DMD tearing and pulling muscles is a bad idea and strength training can cause more harm than good, a fact many people have a VERY hard time understanding.
I remember as a child myself hearing about accessibility and people trying to fight for their rights to be accommodated. That was well over 25 years ago. How far have we really come. It is true many people do their best to make the world accessible but we have a LONG way to go.
Now we are moving forward and I hope to blog the trials and tribulations we face daily to help others understand the small and large things that affect people with challenges ongoing. The astronomical blunders, the discourteous attitudes and the general anxiety it causes those of us who experience these challenges everyday. With any luck I will have lots of good things,helpful people and overall happy events as well.
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