The town of Clinton marked National Accessibility Week in a unique way.
Central Huron Community Improvement Coordinator Angela Smith has been busy for the last month or so in providing ramps for stores that have a step into the shops, and a number of other things to help people with mobility challenges. But on the evening of May 30, she invited people to come out and try wheel chairs, crutches and assorted graces she had assembled to get a better understanding of what some people deal with every day. One of those people was Central Huron Councillor Alison Lobb, who is on a waiting list to have hip replaced in about six months.
“So as a result I have huge mobility issues and I did not understand what it was like or what you had to cope with. Mine is hopefully temporary and I consider myself very lucky with that," Lobb shared.
Lobb says there are probably thousands of people like her who are learning about this for the first time because they have to and it's a real eye opener. Lobb also says it's amazing how much some of the little things that have been added around town have made a difference.
Central Huron Mayor Jim Ginn chose to try a wheel chair for the first time in his life.
“It's certainly harder than you would think it is. They don't roll as good as a bicyle and up hill, you know, you really can't do very much of an incline at all. That really surprised me. Just a different perspective and just the awareness of what a difference little things can make," Ginn said.
Both Lobb and Ginn talked about the challenges they faced that don't even occur to most people, but some people face every day.
Lobb says things like the ramps for stores and a button to open the doors made a huge difference. She says there was several other, seemingly insignificant things, that make a huge difference for anyone with mobility issues. Mayor Ginn says his experience really made him aware of some of the little things that most of us don't have to deal with but can be a real barrier for someone who does.
Alison Lobb - Central Huron Councillor (Photo by Bob Montgomery)
Jim Ginn - Central Huron Mayor (Photo by Bob Montgomery)