City invests close to $300 000 in universal accessibility

“Montréal becomes a model city for universal accessibility to recreational activities.”
Montréal Mayor, Gérald Tremblay

Montréal, May 1, 2005 – The City of Montréal will invest $300,000 in an accompaniment project for recreational activities to enable as many children and adults with physical limitations as possible to enjoy their neighbourhood sports and leisure programs, Mayor Gérald Tremblay announced today at a press event at the Claude-Robillard sports complex.

While attending the Défi sportif des athlètes handicapés, Mayor Tremblay also took the opportunity to announce that the City is awarding $182,000 to five organizations that work with the handicapped and are deeply involved in Montréal universal accessibility issues.

“We are at the very heart of the universal accessibility issue which is to enable all Montrealers to receive the same quality of services. Our commitment to universal accessibility responds to the needs of those with limitations, but also to those of the elderly, anyone with reduced mobility and families with small children”, said Mayor Tremblay.

“Once more, we are recognizing the important role that active organizations play and the important role that they will play in making Montréal a model City for universal accessibility”, added Mr. Cosmo Maciocia, member of the executive committee responsible for housing, social development and income security.

An issue of fairness

The municipal recreation accompaniment project aims to support and encourage boroughs in welcoming to their recreational activities all those with physical or intellectual limitations, thanks to a companion that is capable of responding to their needs.

In 2004, more than 700 children enjoyed a gratifying and enriching summer when they were integrated into day camps through an agreement between the City of Montréal, the Quebec government and the boroughs. In 2005, the City is expanding the existing provincial program by increasing the number of children and accompaniment hours.

“The integration experience is invaluable for children participating for the first time in neighbourhood day camps. They can live out their dreams and enjoy the same activities as their young neighbours and at times, their classmates. As for their companions, they too will have an extraordinary experience by using their training companions, they too will have an extraordinary experience by using their training and knowledge about different kinds of limitations, being excellent communicators and showing tenderness and respect for their young charges” explained Sylvain Gamache, President of AlterGo.

Associations are major partners

Mayor Tremblay also announced funding of $182,000 to five organizations:
Ex Aequo ($33,350), AlterGo ($50,000), Le Regroupement des organismes de promotion du Montréal métropolitain ($36,150), le Comité régional des associations pour la déficience intellectuelle ($26,000) and the Société Logique ($36,500) to carry out 15 universal accessibility projects.

Several of these projects will enable the associative community to collaborate on various levels with the central authorities and boroughs to follow-up on issues like the Urban Plan, employment equality and transportation policy.

These organizations represent more than 130 groups. As leading partners, these associations have worked with the City of Montréal on many projects, among them the start-up of the accessibility program for municipal buildings, a project in which the City of Montréal will invest $4 million by 2007.