It’s already the end of September, but memories of yet another great summer of concerts at Waterwheel Park are still fresh enough to review and offer congratulations to the town of Chemainus.
This is only my second year helping the Cowichan Valley Cultural Arts Society in their attempts at complying with the Federal Accessibility Act, the Provincial Accessible British Columbia Act and our own North Cowichan’s Accessibility Action Plan to moving towards a barrier-free Canada.
Over the years Chemainus residents have learned to bring their own chairs if they do not wish to sit in the ‘outdoor auditorium.’ Rotary-donated chairs are kept for our out-of-town visitors.
By the end of summer, CVCAS volunteers knew just how many chairs to label as ‘priority seats’ for the companions of those requiring supportive seating.
Names were exchanged amongst the ‘platform group’ and a special community grew as volunteers helped in attending to those needing assistance.
The biggest visible change was the redirection of dancers.
No longer is the park’s cemented accessibility platform to be vacated when persons-in-wheelchair come, but the platform is to be kept available for any persons who are walker-assisted/cane wielding or otherwise in need of assistance.
Just having the T-shirt and name tag was not enough to manage such compliance, but graceful seniors who volunteered were better able to re-educate our Chemainus faithful.
The behaviour of years of dancing on the platform can be said to have been corrected in just one summer of performances via signing and gentle re-direction.
By the end of the summer, the names were known of the Chemainus regulars – in need of assistance – and despite fading lines of spray paint on the ground, concert attendees knew the new routine to both maintain an emergency access trail, as well as an available platform.
Thanks to the unpretentious cohesiveness of the board of directors and their ability to attract earnest volunteers, I was able to follow municipal guidelines – fostering a resilient, welcoming and inclusive concert experience for all.
Thank you Chemainus.
I invite Chemainus residents living with disabilities and the broader community to help the CVCAS to further identify, remove and prevent arising barriers to people with disabilities.
Barbara Allen,
Chemainus,
accessibility director, CVCAS