#torontoaccessibility

When I was using a cane I thought that this project called “StopGap” (stopgap.ca) was the coolest thing ever! I was walking through Toronto and I saw these brightly coloured ramps that appear to make local businesses “more accessible.” I thought they were such an awesome idea until I stared having to use a wheelchair (on and off).

Don’t get me wrong, I know that “StopGap” is supposed to be a temporary solution, and I think that some of these ramps make a huge difference. They do create access in places where wheelchair users would otherwise not have been able to enter. That material impact is amazing, and I can’t thank Luke Anderson enough for starting this project.... 

but some of these ramps are connected to doorways that are far too narrow for all wheelchairs. Some of these ramps are connected to doorways that open outwards with no door opener button... it’s pretty difficult to open a door that opens towards me while I’m in a chair. Some of these ramps are connected to buildings that are otherwise inaccessible... what use is a ramp into a building that isn’t internally accessible to wheelchair users? (e.g. washrooms located down narrow flights of stairs, cafe tables that are too close together etc.) 

This project’s purpose is to make places more accessible and to start conversations regarding accessibility, I think it has succeeded at starting a conversation about accessibility... but if we are focusing on accessibility by simply thinking about ramps then this is hurting efforts towards accessibility. If people think that buildings are now magically “accessible” because there’s a brightly coloured rap located outside of it they are being misled by this project. 

I think a solution to this would perhaps be to visit the building that is requesting a ramp. Possibly asking: Will a ramp on this building create access? Is the doorway wide enough? Does the doorway open in a manner that allows for access via chair? Maybe the ramps could also have a brightly coloured punny statement printed on them along the lines of: “a ramp is only the first step towards access”....  Yes? No? 

You’re all probably pretty sick of my melodramatic rants/weeping through my keyboard/ mountainous piles of questions...buuuuut.... 

I’m having a bit of a time over here not being able to walk very well without feeling like complete shit and passing out and such. I’m mostly bedridden at this point. I know that in the future whenever I FINALLY get in to see the physiatrist (the Canadian medical system is seriously fucked up/ they are prepared to leave me bedridden for 4- 6 months while I wait).... I will have to address the option of using a wheelchair vs. using a walker. 

In my situation, right now, a rollator or walker with a seat would make the most sense because I would still be able to go up and down stairs to places that are not accessible (Toronto is mostly inaccessible) by having someone lift it for me. I will be able to go out to concerts and events more because I would actually have a place to sit.... but the cons to a rollator (or at least how I feel) is that I would probably be questioned a lot more than if I were a wheelchair user. My gait is usually unaltered at my knees (I only limp sometimes when they get really weak). I know this sounds stupid and vain but I DETEST being the centre of attention (people stare at me enough as it is when I have to use my cane for stability when my gait is “normal”); I’m so exhausted from having to explain to people why I need the use of mobility devices, I just want to be left alone by ignorant normies.

 I feel like young people use wheelchairs more often than rollators, or that the general impression people have of walkers or rollators is that they are reserved for use by elderly people. I know it sounds ridiculous, but even though I feel like I would have much more mobility and accessibility with a rollator than a wheelchair (because Toronto is so inaccessible), I would prefer to make use of a wheelchair because it would be more “normal” looking. I went to go look at rollators the other day and the things are effing massive and weigh 13 pounds (I could barely lift it), if for any reason I couldn’t find someone to lift it up/down stairs for me I would be trapped wherever I was (particularly worried about transit).