Help support #Access4All!
Many of us don’t realize that people with disabilities still face a huge number of accessibility barriers on a daily basis. You may not think twice about grabbing a coffee or going to the office. But did you know that the most significant barriers that people with any kind of mobility issue face are those in the built environment: schools, retail stores, community centres, etc? Basically the places where we live, work and play.
By “access” we mean that any person with or without a disability – for example someone who uses a mobility device, a new mom with a stroller, or a senior citizen – is able to approach, enter, and make use of a public space without assistance.
To help create awareness about universal access, we’re very excited to share with you a new campaign called #Access4All that highlights the lack of access that people with disabilities have to common public spaces.
#Access4All showcases real people with disabilities and mobility issues, like Maayan Ziv and Paralympic athlete Joel Dembe, enjoying the right to participate in everyday activities like breaking a sweat at the gym, or going on a date at a nice restaurant; things that most people take for granted.
How can you get involved and support #Access4All?
Help us raise awareness about the importance of accessibility by visiting rickhansen.com/access4all to watch our new video and learn more. Then start a conversation with your family, friends, neighbours, and co-workers by sharing the video on your social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (don’t forget to use the hashtag #Access4All).
With your support, we can work together to break down barriers and create a Canada, and a world, that’s accessible to everyone!
Here’s why you should care about accessibility.
More than 3.8 million Canadian adults report having a mobility, hearing, or sight disability, and are limited in their daily activities due to this disability, says Statistics Canada. By 2036, the proportion of people with disabilities could be as high as one in five. That’s a lot of us, including our friends and family members.
When accessibility barriers in the built environment are removed, people of all abilities can live to their full potential, and their entire communities benefit with:
- Increased ability for people with disabilities to contribute;
- Increased workforce participation;
- Improved quality of life, increased independence and self-esteem for the millions of people with disabilities in Canada, and around the world;
- Increased inclusion and acceptance of diversity.
The Rick Hansen Foundation is busy working to remove these barriers in the built environment, first in Canada and then around the world, and we need your help to share the message that accessibility matters.
We want to hear from you! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn and share your thoughts on accessibility with us.
