The Gravenhurst Accessibility Advisory Committee was approved to host a community event to encourage public awareness about disability restrictions, in the October 15, 2024, Council meeting.
Staff advised that the event will be hosted in 2025 for advocacy and education objectives “to promote benefits and gains of access in the community.”
Staff said they will work with the Committee “to encourage the public to see what it’s like to live with a disability.”
Councillor, Penny Varney, said the Committee recently had a workshop that was an “eye opener” regarding accessibility needs in areas such as public washrooms, transportation, crosswalks and sports.
She said, “We want to have an inclusive community where all are respected, valued and thrive.”
She added that the workshop included being blindfolded and using wheelchairs.
She also advised that they will be working with the Arts and Culture Department to host the upcoming event that will be created in a way to allow the public to experience what it’s like being disabled.
Councillor, Sandy Cairns, said that public awareness is the goal of municipalities across the province.
She added that the workshop also included experiences such as using glasses that created shadows to impair visibility while out in the community and oven mitts to try and open doors.
She expressed appreciation to the Committee. And she indicated that the goal is to be educational and inclusive to those with disabilities, who will also have a chance to ask questions and share their experiences and needs in the upcoming event.
She said, “It will help the Town become more accessible.”
Councillor, Randy Jorgensen, indicated that budget is an issue, and inquired about how quickly they can develop the program and budget for it.
CAO, Scott Lucas, advised that the first step will be to focus on logistics, then to determine the size of the even, which will help them create a budget.
He added, “It’s more about the workload than financial implications. We will work quick so we can determine a budget.”