Residents living with disabilities share accessibility concerns during Sask. Accessibility Challenge | 24CA News
Karthik Babumenon was born with diplegic cerebral palsy, a situation that impacts muscle management and coordination principally within the legs.
He makes use of a walker and a scooter to get round Saskatoon. It turns into difficult within the winter.
“It was very difficult for me to get from point A to point B. Multiply it with a lot of snow,” he defined. “There are instances where I got stuck in the snow and my friends had to come and help me out.”
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Babumenon stated snow elimination efforts within the metropolis are sufficient for most individuals to get by, however for these with mobility points have additional hurdles to leap over.
“I’ve had instances where I was not able to get out of my apartment,” he stated. “They didn’t remove the snow for around four days. And so I couldn’t get out of the apartment to do something like basic grocery stuff,” he added.
The same sentiment was expressed by Paul Gustafson, who’s been utilizing a wheelchair for almost 40 years on account of a spinal twine harm from a automobile collision.
“The biggest thing right now that comes to mind is the weather and the snow removal. And making sure that the snow is cleared and paths of travel are safe for people,” he advised Global News.
“But for mobility issues, it becomes really challenging,” he added.
Delynne Bortis works with Spinal Cord Injury Saskatchewan Inc. She has religion in Saskatoon for turning into extra accessible, however stated extra must be achieved.
“Saskatoon is trying. I mean, they’ve got different committees with the city and they’re trying. But yeah, we’ve got a long way to go,” she stated.
Bortis coordinated the ‘SCI Sask Accessibility Challenge’ on Saturday. It’s an occasion to construct consciousness, understanding, and schooling for these with out disabilities to place themselves of their footwear.
Attendees have been capable of take part in actions and simulations that will restrict their skills to carry out duties that Bortis stated they could not have thought of.
These actions included finishing puzzles, portray, selecting up objects, and maneuvering impediment programs.
Attendee tries to seize cups from excessive shelf utilizing an ‘adapted device’.
Kabi Moulitharan / Global News
The occasion additionally shared modifications to enhance accessibility for folk dwelling with disabilities.
“We have some adapted devices that they can use that we have there so that we can show them the difference between making things easier and how people have come up with all these different adaptations to make their world easier,” Bortis stated.
They wished the occasion to be enjoyable and light-hearted, however Gustafson is hoping folks left with a message.
“I think being aware and having a sense of understanding and perhaps kindness and compassion towards what it’s like to move around with a mobility impairment. So everything from clearing snow to perhaps holding a door open,” he defined.
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
