“Accessibility Solutions should be your Resolution this New Year” is a powerful message that emphasizes the importance of making our world more inclusive and accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities. As we begin a new year, it’s a great opportunity for individuals, communities, and organizations to reflect on how they can create more accessible environments.
Here are a few ways accessibility solutions can be integrated into personal and professional resolutions for the year ahead:
1. Embrace Universal Design
- What it means: Universal design involves creating products, services, and environments that are usable by people with a wide range of abilities, disabilities, and needs.
- How to apply it: When designing new spaces and constructing new houses/ commercial complexes, think about making them as inclusive as possible from the start. This can include mobility ramp access, a platform lift or elevator for accessing all levels/ floors, stairlift for staircases, grab bars in and around the washrooms, staircases.
2. Increase Awareness and Education
- What it means: Knowledge about accessibility, both in terms of physical spaces and digital content, is essential to make meaningful changes.
- How to apply it: Educate yourself, your family, friends, colleagues, and your community about different disabilities and how to make things/ spaces more accessible for everyone.
3. Support Assistive Technology
- What it means: Assistive technologies are tools designed to aid people with disabilities in performing tasks more easily. These technologies are constantly improving and can include stairlifts, residential elevators, and more.
- How to apply it: If you know someone who could benefit from assistive technology, encourage them to explore available options. Spending on such accessibility technologies is an investment that will help in retaining your good health for long. If you have a business or public space, make sure you make it easily accessible to everyone be it elderlies or people with disabilities.
4. Ensure Accessibility for People with Reduced Mobility
- What it means: All the residential and commercial spaces should be designed to be accessible to people with disabilities, such as those with visual or hearing impairments, motor difficulties, or cognitive limitations.
- How to apply it: Follow the Accessible Canada Act (ACA) to remove or prevent all sorts of barriers that can hinder easy accessibility. ACA’s goal is to make Canada barrier free by January 2040 and it can happen only when all Canadians work together towards it.
5. Improve Workplace Inclusivity
- What it means: A truly accessible workplace ensures that all employees, regardless of their abilities, have equal opportunities to succeed.
- How to apply it: Encourage the use of adaptive workstations, flexible hours, and accessible communication methods. Make sure employees feel safe and supported in sharing their accessibility needs.
6. Support Accessible Travel
- What it means: For many people with disabilities, travel can be a significant challenge. Ensuring that transportation, accommodations, and tourist attractions are accessible for everyone is crucial.
- How to apply it: Research and support businesses and services that prioritize accessible travel experiences. If you’re planning to travel, ensure your accommodations and transport options have accessibility solutions. l.
By making accessibility solutions a priority in the new year, we can help create a world where everyone has the opportunity to fully participate, contribute, and thrive.
