HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1977-04-13, Page 1414—THE BRUSSELS POST, APRIL 13, 1977
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What you, hear may change your life!
ALPHA MEMBERS & GUESTS—At a recent Alpha Huron m eeting
these people marked the group's anniversary. Back row, left: Mrs.
Reg. Bell, Goderich; Susan Bell, Toronto; Bert Sootheran, Clinton,
Vice-President; Edythe Warwick, Morris Township; Sharon
Warwick, Morris Township; Alma Watson, Brussels; Shirley
Whitehead, Clinton. Second row, left: Elaine Townshend,
President, Clinton; Dorothy Zeal, Clinton, Mary Rowell, Goderich;
Bessie Townshend, Goderich Township; Pat Watson, Brussels;
Phyllis Cox, Goderich Township, Secretary-Treasurer. Front row, I
to r. : Edward Zeal, Clinton; Bill Townshend, Goderich Township;
Dave Simmons, London. (Photo by E. Townshend)
a
ALPHA Huron marks anniversary a
(By Elaine Townshend)
In March, Alpha marked its
first year in Huron. County.
Twelve months ago a nucleus
group, of both handicapped and
non-handicapped persons, was
formed in the Clinton, Goderich
and Bayfield area. Gradually the
membership 'spread to Brussels,
Wingham and Exeter.
The members believed the
public should be made aware of
the problems faced by physically
disabled persons and of the right
and the desire of the handicapped
to function as independently as
possible. They also felt it was the
responsibility of the handicapped
to make the problems known and
to help resolve them.
Alpha's initial concern was
accessibility. As members of the
public, the disabled have the
right to be able to use facilities
that are called "pUblic facilities".
Unfortunately, physical barriers
bar many of them. The physical
barriers are simple things that
many people take for granted,
such as sidewalk curbs, narrow
doorways and steps into public
buildings, including stores,
banks, post offices, libraries,
churches, schools, doctors and
dentists' offices and public
washrooms.
Brief
Alpha presented a brief to the
Goderich Town Council and sent
letters to all the other councils in
the county urging them to
consider the needs of the
physically handicapped in their
future planning,
For example, when a new
sidewalk is constructed or a
damaged one is repaired, curb
cuts can be installed. These are
sections of the sidewalk that slope
gradually from the sidewalk to the
street level, They allow persons in
wheelchairs to cross streets
independently, and they cost less
than the conventional curbs
because le-ss concrete is needed.
Similarly, new or renovated
buidings can be made accessible
to wheelchairs via portable or
permanent ramps. Although only
two councils acknowledged
Alpha's letter, a few curb cuts
have appeared around the
county.
Three points are
important. First, curb cuts and
ramps incur little or no extra cost
when they are included in the
original plans for construction or
renovation.
Secondly, they can be used by
all members of the public,
including senior citizens, people
using walkers, canes, crutches
and braces, patients of heart
illness, arthritis or emphysema,
pregnant women, mothers
pushing baby buggies and women
pulling shopping carts.
Practical
Thirdly, they provide practical
solutions to what can be
embarrassing situations. For
instance, Alpha learned of a new
Senior Citizens' Residence that
has an empty second storey and a
waiting list of applicants. The two
floors are connected by a
stairway, that many seniors can't
climb. An elevator or chair lift
would make the vacant rooms
accessible,
Alpha's most successful project
thus far involved the arena boards
that had to build or renovate, A
list of recommendations
pertaining to the accommodation
of wheelchair spectators was
circulated to eighteen centres hi
Huron and neighbouring
counties. The response was
excellent with 80% of the
cotritnittees Contacting Alpha
personally or through their
architects or contractors. Most of
the local arenas will be accessible
to the handicapped.
Elevator
The Brussels arena board
discovered a lack of awareness in
an unexpected place . They
wanted to install an elevator for
the use of the handicapped, but
they feared it would be too costly.
Through a resource , person in
London, Alpha learned a 100%
grant is available from the
Ministry of Culture and
Recreation for items that exceed
the Ontario Building. Code, such
as ' an elevator for the
handicapped in an arena.
The Brussels committee then
contacted their local Culture and
Recreation office in Hanover,
which had no knowledge of such a
grant. After a few more phone
calls, they reached Queen's Park
and were told, "Oh 'yes, there's
lots of money available for grants
ke that, but you know, y ou're
only the second arena board in
the province to apply for it."
A building grant for Culture
and Recreation that few people
know about and a half empty
Senior Citizens' Residence
reiterated Alpha's contention
that awareness must be
promoted.. During the past 12
months, the group has gained
verbal and financial support frOo
several clubs and organizations.
Alph's ultimate goal is the
integration of the disabled inl
society, and the accessibility of
public facilities is only one step
needed to reach this goal,
Architectural, legislative and
social changes are necessary,
This is a long-range pin
requiring the co-operation of IA
ped
ha
citizens.
ndicapped non-handicap. non-handi
Within Alpha, meanwhile, al
example is set of 110
handicapped and non-handicap.,
ped persons can work togerk
sharingeqauca
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