Through working as a team, members of the Quesnel Self-Advocates Group are helping to make their community more accessible.
The Quesnel Self-Advocates Group has big plans. Last year, they held a well-attended feedback session on provincial accessibility standards. Now they are planning an Amazing Race to Inclusion for the first Saturday of June.
Following the popular TV show idea, it will have teams of three or four people getting to experience using a wheelchair, being blindfolded, or using non-speaking alternative ways to communicate. It may include immersive experiences in taking transit, trying to navigate buildings, or trying to shop for specific items.
It will be an eye opener, says group supporter Lana Johnson, who says they hope to invite City of Quesnel staff, members of the accessibility advisory committee, Northern Health and school district staff.
While still planning at the time of writing, they were thinking big. That’s about right for a group that likes to call themselves the Immortal Warriors. They took on that name, they say, because they feel stronger together.
Group President Scott Jonasson says what he likes about the group is “working as a team.” Scott recently attended the City of Quesnel Accessibility Committee meeting to help share findings from their accessibility feedback session held last July.
About 50 people attended the July feedback session and generated 11 pages of feedback for the government. Topics included buildings with inaccessible stairways and doorways, problems with transit when ramps don’t work, and challenges with bagging your own groceries.
The group also heard about lack of doctors and provided feedback on barriers to inclusive employment including transportation, long work shifts and unequal pay.
Individual group members have also been making a difference. Melanie Murray, group Vice President was a panel speaker for a Family Leadership Series and spoke on the rights of people with disabilities to have relationships and to marry and live together without losing supports.
“I think that the group has the potential to grow more,” says Melanie, “and I hope that this will result in quicker improvements and awareness in the local community for accessibility rights and infrastructure.”
With more than 25 regular attendees, and ambitious plans, the group is well on its way to helping change their community for the better.