HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1989-09-20, Page 7THE HURON EXPOSITOR, SEPTEMBER 20, 1989 - 7A
Physical accessibility crucial to integration
The usually regarded simple task of
crossing the street, was made a bit more
difficult Wednesday for those Seaforth
residents participating in the Huron Coun-
ty Access Awareness Day staged on
Seaforth's Main Street.
Approximately 15 Seaforth residents,
ranging from st;.dent - to reporter - to
Mayor, took part in the day, arranged to
create a greater awareness in the com-
munity of the limitations placed on the
physically challenged by local architecture.
Ontario's Proclamation of the Decade of
Disabled Persons, signed in 1986, em-
phasizes the importance of integration of
disabled persons into community living.
While integration covers a variety of cir-
cumstances and situations, organizers of
the day noted that all are interconnected
to physical accessibility.
To heighten their awareness of physical
accessibility in Seaforth, participants donn-
ed splints, slings and debilitating glasses,
used an assortment of canes, walkers and
wheelchairs, and attempted to complete a
number of tasks assigned thein in the
downtown core.
HERMAN VAN WIEREN, Seaforth's
building inspector, was amazed at the dif-
ficulties he encountered during his trek
around town in a wheelchair.
"I always thought the Town of Seaforth
was really aware of the handicapped," he
said, "but I was done my tasks quite ear-
ly because I couldn't get into. any of the
buildings."
Mr. Van Wieren noted that he en-
countered little difficulty getting into the
post office building, but found that once in-
side simple things like procurring a pen-
sion application, were made difficult
because they were hung above his reach.
He also found it impossible to purchase
stamps from the stamp machine outdoors,
and to mail a letter, because both con-
tainers were again too high.
He added that he was unable to pur-
chase a car for the disabled at McLaughlin
Chev-Olds, both because they were
unavailable there, and because the building
was inaccessible to him.
Mr. Van Wieren said he found some
parts of the sidewalk in town very rough,
and in some spots he became stuck and
was unable to maoueuver himself. Another
thing he noticed was that various ramps
around town, including the one leading to
the town hall, are inaccessible because
they have developed an inch to inch and a
half lip due to the pavement settling. He
has already made the town aware of his
findings.
MAYOR HAZEL HILDEBRAND en-
countered no real mobility problems as a
blind person, but said she did have dif-
ficulties in finding a banking institution
that carried braille VISA applications. She
was unable to investigate the offerings of
the library, since it was closed on
Wednesday.
REEVE BILL BENNETT, assumed the
disabilities of a person with arthritis on
Wednesday, and leg in splint, hands wrap-
ped, and canes strapped to his forearms,
he set out to complete his tasks.
"I found it difficult to get along with this
type of walker," he noted, adding however,
Tule to page 18 •
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SEAFORTH REEVE Bill Bennett, with im-
mobilized legs •and walking aids, tries to
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Mr. Bennett was just one of several peo-
ple in the community who was handicap-
ped for a few hours and given errands to
run in town as part of Access Awareness
Day activities in Seaforth Wednesday.
Corbett photo.
EXPOSITOR EDITOR Heather Robinet
sports half darkened glasses, an arm
sling, and one immobilized leg to simulate
the crippling effects of a stroke, as she
ran errands on Main Street while par-
ticipating in Access Awareness Day. Cor-
bett photo.
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BLIND FOR AN AFTERNOON was Mandl. Phillips who, blindfolded, had to visit a
drug store and do some grocery shopping as part of an Access Awareness Day
exercise in Seaforth Wednesday. The exercise was designed 10 make people, in-
cluding many community. leaders who took part, appreciate the challenges those
with disabilities face. Corbett photo.
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EMPLOYER
HEALTH TAX
In January, 1990, Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)
premiums will be replaced by the new
EMPLOYER HEALTH TAX (EHT).
All employers with permanent establishments in Ontario will
be required to pay this tax through monthly or quarterly
instalments based on total calendar year gross payroll.
THE ONTARIO MINISTRY OF REVENUE
which is responsible for administering this new tax, mailed an
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SURPRISED -BY DIFFICULTY :Seaforth Building 'Inspector Herman Van 'Wielren
Was surprised ^Wednesday by the ,difficulty he encountered moving around Seaforth
In a.;wheelchair. Mr, Van Wieren took part In the Huron County Access Awareness
Day,,,and ,has already ,reported his .findings to the municipal ,office. -fiobinet ,photo.
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