Did you know…

That being handicapped and having a disability do not mean the same thing?

Obstacles related, not to one’s limited functional capability, but to a non-adapted environment handicap an individual. A disability cannot be altered, but a person’s capabilities can be developed to their maximum potential; such is the role of rehabilitation. What’s more, we can adapt our environment and any services offered (or above all, ensure accessibility to begin with); such is the role of decision-makers, including those at the municipal level.

That 325,000 Montreal area citizens live with some form of disability, representing 19% of the population?

These citizens may have a motor, auditory, visual, intellectual or chemical disability; a disability that affects speech or language; or suffer from mental illness. Certain disabilities occur at birth, while others may occur as a result of disease, an accident or advanced age.

That universal accessibility is the concept whereby barriers or obstacles that may prevent citizens with disabilities from enjoying full participation in community life are removed?

These obstacles can be architectural (e.g. stairs for a person who uses a wheelchair), attitudinal (e.g. prejudice or pity directed toward disabled persons), environmental (e.g. pedestrian areas such as sidewalks, parks, public spaces), communication-related (e.g. lack of documents with large lettering for persons with a visual disability), or systemic (e.g. minimum height requirement to be employed as a firefighter).

That as leisure activity organizers and staff, you can help eliminate these obstacles?

Take the time to fully appreciate and understand the needs of persons with disabilities; help increase awareness among friends and colleagues as to their needs; think about what effect your decisions may have on a large segment of Montreal’s population; and work in concert with organizations that represent disabled persons at all levels.