Access Awareness in Sidney has been growing every year. The term refers to raising consciousness in all of us to the challenges that can contribute to isolation for members of our community who live with mobility issues, vision impairments, hearing loss, mental health conditions, dementia or other factors that can set people apart from the mainstream.
In Sidney, the movement to make the community more accessible, inclusive and welcoming was initiated many years ago by Jeanette Hughes, a former Town Councillor whose dedication and advocacy to improving the lives of the disabled has left a remarkable legacy.
As a disabled person bound to a wheelchair, Jeanette worked with Town Council to draft a bylaw passed in April 1993 to create Sidney’s first Access Advisory Committee on disability issues. After Jeanette’s death, the Town of Sidney and the Committee continued to grow and evolve into a more encompassing group now known as the Access Awareness in Sidney Committee.
From curb drops, traffic light audio signals, special sign markings for the visually handicapped, automatic doors, hearing loop technology in Council Chambers, ramps and adaptable housing, Sidney’s commitment to accessibility for everyone grows stronger each year. As Access Awareness in Sidney continues to expand, other forms of disability are being addressed, such as creating Sidney as a dementia-friendly place.
The Committee consists of a diverse group of people representing business, municipal government, non-profit sector, service clubs, recreation, health care facilities and members at large. In its mandate to increase awareness, the Committee offers education and resources at the Annual Access Awareness Day held on the first Saturday in June. For the last two years, the event has been held at SHOAL Centre (Beacon Community Services), which has enough space to host a large information fair, a lunch barbecue, speakers (with closed captioning), presentations, demonstrations and the presentation of the Jeanette Hughes Accessibility Award.
The community has been responsive in its support, donating hundreds of dollars in door prizes for the event; local dignitaries take part in a Scooter Rodeo and parade from Sidney All Care, and over 25 business and organizations participate to provide information and resources. If you have not attended this event before, please join us Saturday June 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at SHOAL Centre. Don’t forget to take in the Scooter Rodeo beginning at 10 a.m. at Sidney All Care. For more information call 250-656-5537. We hope to see you there.
