Dear Sir:
Regarding the city's decision to only host events at wheelchair-friendly locations.
Thank you councillor Carol Leclerc for raising this issue.
As a former community service worker of ten years I was and am still shocked at how many businesses are not wheelchair accessible in Terrace.
On a regular day - in the spring or summer it is challenging enough to assist a client in and out of some businesses here never mind in the winter! In some places even the aisles are not even wheelchair friendly.
I hope the attention you are giving to this subject sends a message to more businesses here that people with disabilities are missing opportunities as are the business owners in having them as customers!
I have to say that the Tim Hortons in Terrace is somewhere I have taken clients to for years and have always been impressed at the staff who hurry to the door when they see someone who needs assistance.
Sidewalks and walkways should be shoveled clearly and salted/sanded......have you ever tried to push a wheelchair through the snow?
There are many elderly people out and about also who could be seriously injured if they fell. Many probably don't venture out due to the hazardous walk ways. All business owners should keep consider this when going to work tomorrow.
This is a matter that has been over looked repeatadly and I was thrilled to see the article in the paper about the city providing incentives to make existing buildings more wheelchair friendly.
Danielle Lavoie,
Terrace, BC