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Home My WebLink AboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1981-11-18, Page 25G ide ..,ja:»ortant for mobility -imp by Elaine Townshend You're new in town. This morning you drove your hus- band to work and kept the car to run errands. There were so many things you wanted to do - visit the kids' school, open a bank account, rent a post office box and shop for drapery material, hardware supplies and groceries. Four hours later you arriv- ed home exhausted and frustrated with only a few groceries to show for your ef- forts. You spent most of the time driving around trying to find buildings you could enter unassisted. The above situation is hypothetical, but it does hap- pen. Becoming accustomed to a new community is dif- ficult for anyone. For mobility -impaired persons, it is even more complicated. Wheelchair-bound and semi - ambulatory individuals must plan ahead. Some places of business can be entered unassisted; others require minimal assistance that most passersby are will- ing to give: such as opening a door; some buildings necessitate travelling with a companion. The same complications arise for disabled people who have lived in certain towns all their lives but wish to shop in neighbouring com- munities. People, who become mobility -impaired through age, illness or acci- dent, suddenly encounter obstacles in their home towns that they didn't notice before - curbs, steps, narrow doorways, heavy doors, high counters and shelves, nar- row aisles and Inaccessible restrooms. Many towns and cities across Canada have produc- ed Access Guides - pocket - sized directories of ac- cessibility that allow han- dicapped citizens to arrange their schedules. Huron Coun- ty may be a pioneer in mak- ing such a tool available to disabled rural residents. Last summer five local students conducted ac- cessibility surveys of public buildings in the towns, The Sing -Out Chorus, under the direction of Eleanor Robinson, sang several selections during a variety night put on by GDCI students last week to raise money for a school Kate Doody played the role of Beatrice (alias -Betty the Loon) hi a scene from Paul Zlndel's play, The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man in the Moon Marigolds, during a variety night put on by GDCI students last week to raise money for a school in Sierre Leone, Africa. (Photo by Joanne Buchanan) in Slerre Leone, Africa where a former (MCI .teacher is working Iwlth CUSO. Several solo numbers were also featured: ( Photo by Joanne Buchanan) LV.1N'S.T.V. Your Headquarters for •TV TOWER INSTALLATIONS, REPAIR & SERVICE •DELHI & CHANNEL MASTER *TOWERS, ANTENNAS & BOOSTERS •SHARP COLOUR TV •OUAZAR COLOUR TV ALVIN'S T.V. 162 MARY ST. GODERICH 524-9089 ROGERS ELECTRONIC SERVICE DIVISION If you're satisfied tell others 1f not, TELL US!!! COLOUR TELEVISION AM/FM STEREO EQUIPMENT AUTO TAPE PLAYERS &BO TERS PARTS IN STOCK FORAKES ALSO AVAILABLE DEALER SERVICING AND PARTS 524-2418 YOu COULD TRIP FLORIDA Open a personal chequing and /or savings account ($100 minimum) at any Victoria and Grey Trust branch and you could win one of four trips.for two to sunny Florida, ar- ranged by i anunount Holidays. For 7 - sun -soaked days and 7 magical nights, you would he our guests at the Holiday Inn at St. Pcte's Beach. Details are at your nearest branch. But hurry! The contest ends November .30, 1981. At Victoria and C:rcv, you'll alwiiys he a winncr'with our convenient locations and hours. VICTORIA. ANGREY * D l RU Since 1844 100 Kingston St,, ,couderitit, Ontario 524-7301 &mhn f A•,Min ik r..v11flg1TFnY r 1 , •pnrAtp'T villages and hamlets of the County. Co-operation from business owners and managers was excellent. The study was made possible under a Summer Canada Grant and was co-sponsored by The Huron County Day Centre for the Homebound in Clinton and, he Awareness League of Physically Han- dicapped Adults (Alpha Huron). The purpose of the survey was not to rate or criticize establishments but rather to describe each building ac- cording to internati ally recognized accessility standards used in oth r Ac- cess Guides. For example, the Guide lists parking facilities, number of, steps, width of doorways, weight and type of doors,bwidth of aisles, height of counters and shelves and accessibility of public washrooms. Having this information allows disabled residents and visitors to plan their daily routines. The grant covered only the expense of gathering the material. The reports have been compiled and are now waiting to be printed in booklet form. Total cost of printing 1,000 copies is ap- proximately $3,000. Rosemary Armstrong, Co- ordinator of the Huron Day Centre for the Homebound in Clinton, announced plans to apply for a Wintario grant which will cover 80 percent of printing and distributing costs. The municipalities will be asked to share the re- maining 20 percent. The Guide will be completed by December 31, 1981. Copies of the Access Guide will be available in municipalities at Municipal Offices, Information Cen- tres, Libraries, Canada Employment Centres, tourist booths, hospitals, doctors' offices, Day Centres for the homebound in Clin- ton and Wingham and other strategic points. Huron County Access Guides will also be placed at border points to assist handicapped travellers passing through the area. Related govern- ment ministries and several towns and cities outside the County have expressed in- terest in receiving the Guide. The ppblic is becoming more aware of architectural barriers that impede disabl- ed residents, and more public buildings are gradual- ly becoming accessible. Pro- visions will be made to up- date the Access Guide every two orthree years. Business owners and managers will be encouraged to phone the GODERICH SIGNAL9STAR, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18,1 ired Day Centre for the Home- bound in Clinton at 482-7943 to report any pertinent changes in the accessibility of their premises. . It is important that disabl- ed residents be aware of what is available in their communities now. An Ac- cess Guide could become an invaluable tool for mobility - impaired citizens of Huron County. L K •RINGS *NECKLACES *BRACELETS *BEADS carts gem.3 Sl ST. DAVID, GODERICH 524.0971 1—PAGE 9A MOTORCYCLES ® SNOWMOBILES see�scJ . Western Ontario's friendliest and most complete motorcycle and snowmobile facilities. - 0,111 Ong l a Cuff' VARNA, ONT. (2 miles south of Varna on Stanley Slderoad NO. 10) 10262 3316 NOVEMBER Wed. I Thurs. Fri. ( Sat. 18thI 19th 20th I 21st 10-5 PM 110-e PM 110-8 PMI 10-5 PM I Capture a Memory 8x10 Colour POrtrait Only 88 One special per family. No additional charge for groups. Additional portraits and special effect portraiture. If available. may be pur- chased with no obligation. Poses our selection. Minors must be accompanied by a parent. Satisfaction guaranteed or money refunded. THE MET SUNCOAST SHOPPING CENTRE 397 EIAYFIELD ROAD GODERICH • DRESSES •PANTS • BLOUSES •SWEATERS JEANS by Peso *SCRATCH i� •PENTIMENTO •ANGLE WINGS •REBEL BLOUSES Reg.to'2998$ by Sweet Baby Jane 1 7 98 ■ CORD KNICKERS1 98 RKg.'29.98.. 1 9 ■ KNIT D R ESS ES$'998 Reg. '69.98 e CORD ,, SKIRTS $Reg '29 98 1698 • DRESSES • ., $1998 RPg 39 98 . HOURS: DAILY 10 a.m to 9 p.m. SATURDAY 9 a m to fi p m. SUNCOAST MALL, GODERICH 524-9311- A LSO 24-9311- ALSO STORES IN SIMCOE, TILLSONBUOG. WOODSTOCK, ST. THOMAS OPEN THE DOOR TO SAVINGS AT SUSAN'S NOW IN SUNCOAST MALL O U R BRIDAL SALON Off Wedding Gowns Bridesmaid and Mother of the bride gowns And accessories YOU COULD WIN A WEDDING GOWN VALUED UP TO '180.00 NO PURCHASE NECESSARY