About Inclusion:

Community Inclusion is about making our community a better place for everyone. An inclusive community is one where everyone is welcome and able to participate, regardless of age, gender, ethnic origin, race, or “disability label”.

About Accessibility:

Sometimes adaptations are necessary to in order to make places accessible to everyone. For a person who uses a wheelchair or a mother pushing a baby carriage, a wheelchair ramp or elevator makes it possible for people to come into a building. Wide enough hallways and doors are necessary to allow freedom of movement within a building and handrails and lowered fixtures, along with properly designed spaces make washrooms accessible. Relatively inexpensive modifications to door handles can work well for internal doors while automatic door openers are common on external doors. In cases where older buildings are not accessible, different types of accommodations may be required. Creative problem solving can sometimes find solutions to these accessibility issues.

Adaptations for persons with other types of physical disabilities include large print, Braille, sign language interpreters, and a wide range of equipment that can assist the individual to interact comfortably in most settings.

Some people with disabilities have paid support personnel who provide assistance to them. The role of the support staff is to provide only as much assistance as the individual requires and to step back to let the individual engage in the activity or event.

Social accessibility is an attitude that says “come on in, everyone is welcome”. As people get to know one another, differences become less important. Often it is lack of information and fear that prevents people from including others. We encourage people to ask questions to learn more about how to include everyone in their organization or activity.

For further information, please contact p.wagner@redi.ca

View the City of Medicine Hat's media release about the Community Inclusion Strategy:
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View the City of Medicine Hat's Community Inclusion Strategy complete document:
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