Quote:
Originally Posted by trueviking
Yeah. Whatever.
An able bodied person should never advocate for accessible design. Really?
How dare anyone say accessibility at the central intersection of the city where 15,000 people spend every day is a problem when some of the century old buildings in one of the neighbouring areas are also inaccessible.... really?
Not sure if you noticed but the civic plebiscite is not about ramps on warehouse buildings. Lack of accessibility in the Exchange does not justify inaccessible design at Portage and Main or make it any less valid to discuss as an issue. Air Canada Park feels unsafe. Does that mean the issue of safety can’t be talked about at Portage and Main?
There are a number of professional accessibility advocates and disabled people who have come forward to be part of the ‘open’ campaign. There were protests 40 years ago about it. The issue has always been there and it was always a critical reason to remove the barriers. The only thing that’s changed is now we are voting on it, so we need to have a public dialogue about the issues.
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I think you're missing my point completely Vike. Of COURSE able bodied people should advocate for accessible design, and many of us DO. Some accessibility advocates are
frustrated because they feel that Portage and Main is a relatively lower priority in terms of accessibility issues, especially in that exact vicinity. They haven't been able to enjoy restaurants within 2 blocks of Portage and Main, or even accept certain jobs in the Exchange because of the inaccessibility issues. The Open side is passionate that it takes those with mobility issues 9 minutes to cross from 201 Portage to BMO? Well, we hope to see the same passion for those who can't enter a building in 90 minutes, because there are no lifts, elevators, or ramps.
Some feel, rightly or wrongly, that the Open Campaign has co-opted accessibility for those with mobility issues as their central theme, but that it's disingenuous. Hopefully this sudden outpouring of support for "accessibility" will continue after the referendum, and we'll continue to see that passion so that people in wheelchairs can actually enjoy EVERY building in the Exchange once they cross the street!