The Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committee has launched a new program to help North Bay businesses provide better access to people with disabilities.
With guidance from Access to All based out of Sudbury, MAAC is working on getting 12 portable ramps made locally, for distribution to businesses in the community.
In addition to being functional, the ramps raise awareness about the need for accessibility for everyone.
Nora Long is the Chair of the MAAC committee.
“We’ve built one portable, accessible, one step ramp for now, and we have donated it to the New Ontario Brewing Company to help promote accessibility here in North Bay. The owners have been working very hard to make their building accessible,” said Long.
When MAAC explained to co-owner Dan Delorme what it was doing, he jumped on board.
“I think it is a really neat project. It’s a well built removable ramp. We’ve only had it for a few days, but it is out front. It’s everything they described it was going to be. I think it’s going to work well. We’re happy and excited to be part of the project.”
Shirley Craven and her husband recently moved back to North Bay after being gone for eight years.
“A lot of the businesses in Kitchener are set up to be accessible for people. I noticed there are restaurants and places here that I can’t get into because my husband has a walker. More needs to be done to focus on things that need to be fixed. It’s too bad it takes time. I think the ramp is a great idea,” said Craven.
Her husband Robert says a ramp will make getting into places much easier.
“There’s a lot of places I can’t get into because it’s all steps. Trying to pick up my walker and put it down to climb steps is too hard on me. It’s very frustrating. It just drives me up the wall when you can’t get into a place. You just feel useless. These ramps are a good idea. They should help people.”
MAAC has been receiving supplies and donations from businesses around the community to help it reach its target of one dozen ramps.
“We need a little bit more wood to get us through to the full 12 ramps. Right now we need about another five sheets of ¾ inch plywood. If someone has some they want to donate, they can get in contact with me at [email protected] . We’re not charging anybody for this, but donations will be welcome to keep things rolling,” said Long.
The committee has reached out to local high schools to help construct the custom-made ramps.
“We got the one ramp together to get things started. We’re beginning to get some interest from the local high schools, so we’re hoping in September they’re going to help us complete the remaining ramps,” said the MAAC chair.
Shirley Craven says the project will a good learning experience for the students.
“It will make students aware that there are people out there that need that little extra bit of help.”