We had the pleasure of taking our wheelchair-dependent son to the graduation festivities at Hap Parker Arena on June 8. We proceeded to an area on the upper concourse where we have often seen wheelchair users sitting enjoying a hockey game.
There were other attendees sitting on chairs in that area who voiced their displeasure at being asked to move. There was no visible signage indicating it was intended as an area for wheelchair users and their support person. Neither they or we saw any signage regarding wheelchair seating. They did reluctantly move since there is no other suitable spot for those with mobility aids, but it was a stressful beginning for an otherwise happy occasion, not only for my son, but also for those other folks.
Other attendees commented that we could have requested a spot on the lower floor. The problem is that our son and us wanted to watch graduates arrive in their fancy cars and do the red carpet walk. We had a close family member graduating and wanted the full experience. Had we chosen to sit in the lower concourse, we could not have enjoyed the arrivals without pushing him around the outside of the complex to reach the seating area.
We went to the complex after to find a resolution to our concerns. I was given a form to fill out, which I began to do, until I was told I needed to talk to the school because they put chairs out. I tried to explain that the issue was that if there was appropriate signage in place, chairs would likely not have been placed there.
One of the staff commented that there used to be a sign, but maybe “they” painted over it. Assuming “they” were city employees, then one must question why it was not reestablished. When I started to comment again, I was again told to talk to the school. I angrily crumpled up my partly filled in note and began to leave, at which point I was told, “I didn't tell you not to fill it out, I only told you to talk to the school.” One of our parting comments was that we would take it beyond them.
We left angry and extremely frustrated. The experience at grad was a minor inconvenience; the experience at the complex was intolerable. To put blame on a user is not appropriate when the facility itself has a deficiency that allowed the situation to occur. Would the same comment be applied if it was a Powell River Kings’ game? Or another rental event?
I keep hoping accessibility and recognition of those with impairments will improve, but with each experience of lack of reasonable access, I am losing hope. I would never wish ill health on anyone, but if some of the powers that be, whether it be political leaders or business owners/operators, were put in a situation to experience the inequities of access those with mobility or other health issues experience, we might see some changes.
As we all age and our health needs become more complex, more of us will be put in the same group of folks with accessibility challenges and lack of recognition. Persons with disabilities are treated as second-class citizens whose wishes and feelings are ignored.
Marg Hodgins is a Powell River resident.
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