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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2016-09-28, Page 22 News Record • Wednesday, September 28, 2016 One woman's reflections on accessibility in Clinton Justine Alkema Clinton News Record After experiencing a seri- ous stroke four years ago and living with a disability ever since, Pam Stevenson has a new outlook on her surroundings. In learning to adjust to a new way of life, she has become keenly aware of something she had previously taken for granted - accessibility. After her stroke, Steven- son started walking with a cane. However she was too unsteady, so she eventually switched to a walker. "It was difficult with a cane, but it's nothing compared to what it's been like for me now;' she commented. Of all the surrounding towns, Stevenson said she finds a number of places in Clinton to be particularly The Clinton library and town hall. inaccessible. Some of that is due to old infrastructure, which she commented is in many ways a huge asset to Justine Alkema Clinton News Record the town. But there are downfalls. Things that may seem insignificant to some are huge obstacles for her to live day-to-day life. "And I have no intention of staying home," she laughed. Stevenson recently attended a Central Huron council meeting, and she asked council when the ele- vator would be fixed in town hall. It has been bro- ken for quite sometime, and it's those kinds of things that make mobility difficult for her. One huge difficultly for Stevenson is heavy doors. She said there are a num- ber of those around. Some- times she can knock on doors, but it's a pain to do all the time, especially if the clerks are busy with cus- tomers. She said some doors have push buttons, but often times they don't work. "I couldn't believe this, but I could not get into Ser- vice Ontario in Clinton. My husband dropped me off to go do something else, and I could not open that door," she said. "I'm pretty inde- pendent, but I'm also a senior citizen. I'm only 66. What it must be like for my neighbours who are over 80 years old." "I think we have a respon- sibility as a community for people to get in and out of stores, though I cannot expect every small business to have a good door. But surely [public buildings] should be accessible to anyone." Stevenson made sure to say that she was not mad. She said she loves to shop in Clinton and to support the small businesses here. Although she lives just outside of Bayfield, she comes to Clinton often, to see her doctor and her grandchildren who live here in town. In her words, her inten- tion is to give people a reminder. A reminder that not everyone is fully capable. "There's a sizable num- ber of us. I wasn't aware until I was in the boat, but I was astounded at the num- ber of people who couldn't open doors." She is also interested in hearing other people's experiences with this issue, and if there is a committee or group she can get involved with that is pro- moting accessibility. Her number is 519 482 7812 if anyone wishes to contact her about the issue. Toaster fire causes downtown building to be evacuated Justine Alkema Clinton News Record This building on Albert Street was evacuated on September 19 due to a fire that started in a toaster. Justine Alkema Clinton News Record All 18 apartments at the building on 177 Albert Street in Clinton were evacuated on the morning of Monday, September 19 due to a fire started by a toaster. The Central Huron Fire Department posted on their Facebook page that morn- ing, "Central Huron fire department is on scene of reports of a fire in an apart- ment on Albert St. They have blocked the road so please keep your distance." Some people were unsure if this was in the same build- ing as or connected to the more serious fire that hap- pened around three weeks ago also in apartment build- ings on Albert Street. However the two are not connected. "It was nothing serious, though it could have been," said Fire Chief Dave Renner. "Everyone got out safely." There was some fire and smoke damage to cup- boards by the toaster, but the only apartment affected was the one where the fire started. clintonnewsrecord.com THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY MONDAY OCTOBER 10 our deadline for the C er 1HUWSDAYObTOBERAT 2ITM*661 6 Office be Closed 11117 iMiJx Albert Ncv Clinton www.clintonnewsrecord.com Clinton News poor d o hnston@postmedia.com you have any questions or concerns,i please give us