Accessibility Fest-For-All evolves into a community event, advocates for accessibility, inclusivity
Accessibility Fest-For-All evolves into a community event
by Essex Free Press Staff
What started out as a simple informative event three-years ago has grown into an event that not only celebrates inclusion and accessibility, but has become something in which the community can be involved.
Last Friday, over 50 vendors – comprised of local businesses and organizations each dedicated to supporting individuals with specific needs – lined the walking path at Cottam Ridgeview Park as the County of Essex Accessibility Advisory Committee hosted its third annual Outdoor Accessibility Fest-For-All.
"When I presented information about this event to County Council a few months back, I guaranteed perfect weather, and we got it," County of Essex Accessibility Advisory Committee Chairperson, Dennis Sanson, said while welcoming visitors to the event.
The idea was to provide an interactive event where attendees and visitors could interact and learn about services and programs available locally.
In its first year, there were around 34 vendors at the event. This year, the demand surpassed the ability to accommodate everyone who wanted to get involved. In total, the event was able to allow over 50 vendors to set up booths. The representatives of these various organizations and businesses that offer services or programs that benefit people with a variety of disabilities were able to interact not only with one another, but with anyone from the public who stopped in to learn about what's available to them in their own community.
Sanson was thrilled with the turnout of this year's event, noting he was extremely pleased to be able to interact with each of the vendors and learn more about the programs and services they offer.
This year's event partly focused on great interaction, which allowed people to play basketball and try rowing. They were also able to connect with therapy dogs and ponies onsite.
While Sanson was incredibly proud of everything the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee accomplished this past four-year term, he is looking forward to the next term in hopes it will be filled with individuals passionate about improving the lives of those with disabilities and ensuring the community is one that is inclusive and accessible. He hopes the next term will also carry this event forward and continue to help it grow and evolve as needs demand.
During the first-year of the four-year term, which runs parallel to the Term of Council, Sanson said this committee wanted to do more to reach out to the community. And, they were able to accomplish that through organizing the Outdoor Accessibility Fest-For-All.
He noted the committee is comprised of individuals with various backgrounds, all of whom collaborate well when planning and organizing events or reviewing plans or facilities to ensure accessibility is at the forefront.
He noted that everyone wants to do the right thing when it comes to being accessible, but perhaps they don't know how to do that, or may need some education to guide them.
He added that this committee has been really good about setting goals and what they would like to accomplish through being part of the committee to make accessibility more accessible.
Thanks to the hard work of a great crew, the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee has been able to accomplish a lot over the last four-years. He noted it is not known particularly what the next four-years of looking after accessibility will look like, because it is dynamic and always changing.
Sanson noted the committee is there to guide policies and designs, and also provide community outreach to ensure everyone keeps accessibility and inclusivity top of mind.
Given how busy the world is and how different and interesting it has become, he hopes everyone gives some thought to those less able.
Member of the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee, Sherri Currie, was also really happy with how the event turned out. She said it's a great opportunity for the community to connect and learn, especially as it is a free event.
She noted accessibility and inclusion are not going anywhere, which is why the Accessibility Advisory Committee is so important.
Members of New Day – a self-advocacy group of Community Living Essex County members – were onsite for the event. They were happy to connect with event visitors, sharing details of all of the great things they are up to and promoting. For instance, they noted they advocate for more funding through ODSP, accessibility, and inclusion in the community and workforce.
Recently, members of New Day presented recognition awards to those in the community exemplifying accessibility and inclusivity. This group gets together about once a month to discuss disability issues. They are looking forward to attending the Ruthven Apple Fest later this month, and hope many will stop by their booth there and connect with them.
Community Living Essex County, which provides support to over 750 individuals with an intellectual disability and their family members, was also onsite. Its representative noted it was great to be present and promote inclusivity and accessibility needs within the community.
Living in Friendship and Equality (LIFE), which is based in Essex, was also onsite. It is an adult respite education program. Co-owner LA Shepley was pleased to be in attendance and was happy to be part of the event that was in part educating people on accessibility and inclusion. She said it's great for everyone to be onsite to learn what's available in their own community that can assist them or benefit them in their everyday life.
