Accessibility and the Man in Motion Tour
Thursday, October 20, 2011
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In June Kingston put out a call for nominations for a medal-bearer to participate in the Rick Hansen Relay that is currently crossing Canada and will be stopping here on October 30th. At least 2, if not more, nominations were sent in for me. I have since heard that a nomination was sent in for another person who has a disability as well.
About a week ago an announcement came out from the city to say that the medal bearer will be a former principal from the Limestone District School Board. He does not have a disability.
This floored me because Rick Hansen uses a wheelchair and, 25 years ago, he wheeled 40,000 kms. in countries all over the world to raise awareness about improving accessibility for the disabled, to show that people with disabilities are quite ABLE, and to highlight the importance of inclusion among other things. He also raised funds and the fund-raising continues to this day.
The irony of an able-bodied person representing Kingston was not missed by just me. Other people started asking questions as well. This led me to re-read the call for nominations from the city, and then follow the link that led to the Rick Hansen web site. Sure enough, in reading the Terms and Conditions of the Rick Hansen Event, I discovered it was their relay organizers that set the criteria for selecting a medal-bearer.
Here is an excerpt of what was said (Source: http://www.rickhansenrelay.com/en/resources/media-centre/launch-release.aspx)
Sadly, this is happening to all but the disabled. We're still locked into rules, waiting for barriers to come down, very little ability to work or do volunteer work, and far too much social isolation. I'm sorry that yet another good non-profit charitable organization has chosen to put aside the needs of the disabled and instead chosen to favour a vision that will benefit the majority instead.
Below is a copy of what was published in the Kingston Whig Standard on Monday, Oct. 17, 2011. The title they added was, Sadly, needs of disabled again put aside.
Please Read my Other Blogs:
Transit: http://wheelchairdemon-transit.blogspot.com
Health: http://wheelchairdemon-health.blogspot.com
About a week ago an announcement came out from the city to say that the medal bearer will be a former principal from the Limestone District School Board. He does not have a disability.
This floored me because Rick Hansen uses a wheelchair and, 25 years ago, he wheeled 40,000 kms. in countries all over the world to raise awareness about improving accessibility for the disabled, to show that people with disabilities are quite ABLE, and to highlight the importance of inclusion among other things. He also raised funds and the fund-raising continues to this day.
The irony of an able-bodied person representing Kingston was not missed by just me. Other people started asking questions as well. This led me to re-read the call for nominations from the city, and then follow the link that led to the Rick Hansen web site. Sure enough, in reading the Terms and Conditions of the Rick Hansen Event, I discovered it was their relay organizers that set the criteria for selecting a medal-bearer.
Here is an excerpt of what was said (Source: http://www.rickhansenrelay.com/en/resources/media-centre/launch-release.aspx)
To find and recognize these participants, the Rick Hansen Foundation launched today an online public contest at www.RickHansenRelay.com, inviting Canadians who have made a difference to enter to win a spot to participate in the Relay as a Medal-Bearer. To encapsulate the country's multi-faceted population, contest criteria will be broad and is open to: individuals who are creating a more accessible and inclusive world, leading and encouraging others to live a healthy and active lifestyle, or persons who are contributing to the protection and sustainability of the environment.By the looks of things, Kingston was technically correct in how they selected the medal-bearer to represent the city. The able-bodied organizers of the Rick Hansen event have evidently dropped the focus on accessibility for the disabled off to the wayside, and replaced it with another twist on the word accessibility; one of creating a more healthy, sustainable, and inclusive world.
AND
About the Rick Hansen Foundation:
The Rick Hansen Foundation is a registered charitable organization that provides leadership to accelerate progress toward a more healthy, sustainable and inclusive world. The Foundation achieves its goals by connecting the people and resources that make innovation possible.
Sadly, this is happening to all but the disabled. We're still locked into rules, waiting for barriers to come down, very little ability to work or do volunteer work, and far too much social isolation. I'm sorry that yet another good non-profit charitable organization has chosen to put aside the needs of the disabled and instead chosen to favour a vision that will benefit the majority instead.
Below is a copy of what was published in the Kingston Whig Standard on Monday, Oct. 17, 2011. The title they added was, Sadly, needs of disabled again put aside.
Please Read my Other Blogs:
Transit: http://wheelchairdemon-transit.blogspot.com
Health: http://wheelchairdemon-health.blogspot.com
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