The Goderich Signal-Star, 1977-04-14, Page 30Yt
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PAGE 14—GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY, APRIL 1977
ALPHA celebrates one full year of operation in Huron
By Elaine Townshend
In March, Action League
for Physically Handicapped
Adults (ALPHA) marked its
first year in Huron County.
Twelve months ago the
nucleus group, consisting 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 func-
tion 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." Unfor-
tunately, physical barriers
bar many of them. The
physical barriers are simple
things that many people take
forgranted, such as sidewalk
curbs, narrow doorways and
steps into public buildings,
including stores, banks, post
offjces, libraries, churches,
schools, doctors and dentists'
offices and public
washrooms.
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
less concrete is•needed.
Similarily, new or
renovated buildings can be
made accessible to
wheelchairs via portable or
permanent ramps. Although
only two councils
acknowledged Alpha's letter,
a few curb cuts have ap-
peared 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 ,zon-
struction 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
Friendly exchange
Liz McGhee and Kim Vanstone help Margaret Dasher go to supper at the Maitland Manor
Nursing Home where the elderly woman is a resident. The two young ladies are members
of the anadian Girls in Training Grannies Program and take time out whenever possible
to go a d visit the senior citizens in the facility. (staff photo)
BUY SEiI•RENTHIRE.
!I;ii%1/L�LC.
women, mothers pushing
baby buggies and women
pulling shopping carts.
Thirdly, they provide
practical solutions to what
can be embarraksing
situations. For instance,
Alpha learned of a new Senior
Citizens' Residence that has
am 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 vaeant rooms ac-
cessible.
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 18 centres in
Huron and neighbouring
counties. The response was
excellent with 80 per cent of
the committees contacting
Alpha personally or through
their architects or con-
tractors. Thus most of the
local arenas will be ac-
cessible to the handicapped.
The Brussels arena board
discovered a lack of
awareness in an unexpected
place. They wanted to install
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
per cent 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
District Annual
set for Clinton
An Executive rneeting of dinner tickets.
West Huron District of the The nominating committee
Women's Institute was held in will include the presidents of
the Institute Hall in Belgrave the three districts. Auditors
on Monday, April 4. are Mrs. Donald Riehl and
..Mrs. Ivan Whiteman Mrs. Horton Talmay.
presided and Mrs. Richard The Huron Cou.nty
Buchanan was sepretary- Historical Society meeting
treasurer. will be held in Clinton Council
The secretary's report was Chambers Tuesday, April 19.
read and approved. The London Area Curators'
meeting will be held in St.
The District Annual will be George's Parish Hall the
held in Wesley Willis United second Tuesday in August.
Church, Clinton, May 30 and All the curators of the
the special speaker will be districts and branches are
Mrs. Glazrieg of Neustedt. invited to attend and district
The president and books will be on display.
secretary of Huron South and There were eleven curators
East also the London area present who commented on
president will be invited to work done in 1976.They also
attend from" Ingersoll as will exchanged idea and
the Provincial Board problems. .. .
Member Mrs. Wm. Porter of The London area Con-
Goderich Township. They will vention will be held at
be given complimentary Vanastra in September '
a
ANNUAL SPRING
REFUSE COLLECTION
PICK-UP
A refuse pick-up will be held duriong the week of April
25th to April 29th inclusive. Please co-ordinate your
refuse material with regular garbage day in your area.
Do not place material on boulevard in advance of
garbage day.
Works & Engineering Dept.
Town of Goderich
Education Week in Ontario isApril7-23.
Here's how
you can
find out more
about your
child's school.
Now is a good time for you to become personally
acquainted with your local school.
During Education Week, stop in for a visit and
discover what your children are learning. Get to
know the principal and teacher. Find out more
about the activities.
While you're there, ask about the new "community
school" concept which invites participation by
parents in making the local school something of a
community centre for neighbourhood activities and
programs. "Community school" is an idea developed
by your Ontario Ministry of Education and is a
partnership of school and community -people
working together for everybody's sake.
If you would like a free copy of our book about
rc
community schools, "Open Doors: A Community
School Handbook"—in English or French—
write to:
Curriculum Branch
Ministry of Educafion
Mowat Block
Queen's Park
Toronto, Ontario M7A 1 L2
Thomas Wells,
Minister,of
EducatiOti
William Davis,
Premier
Province Of Ontario.
•
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 like that,
but you know, you'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 reiterates Alpha's
contention that awareness
must be promoted. During
the past 1'' months, the group
.has gained verbal and
financial support from
several clubs and
organizations.
Alpha's ultimate goal is the
integration of the disabled `
into society,. and the ac-
cessibility of public facilities
is only one step needed to
reach this goal.
Architectural, legislative
and social changes are'
necessary. This is a
long'range plan requiring the
co-operation of both han-
dicapped and non -
handicapped citizens.
Within Alpha, meanwhile,
an example is set of how
handicapped and non -
handicapped persons can
work together sharing action
and responsibility on an equal
basis.
Flowers for All Occasions 8 Distinctive Gifts
Weddings
Funerals
Fresh cut
lowers
Dried Flowers
Plants
THE
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