By Cecilia Nasmith
Northumberland County and its Accessibility Advisory Committee are celebrating National AccessAbility Week with an invitation for community members to identify opportunities to make county services and programs more accessible for everyone.
“National AccessAbility week is an opportunity to celebrate the valuable contributions of Canadians with disabilities, highlight efforts to remove barriers in the community, and reflect on ongoing efforts to become a more accessible community,” the announcement said.
This year's theme is Let's Make Northumberland More Accessible, and members of the community are encouraged to work towards this end by providing feedback on the accessibility of county services and facilities to help identify any potential gaps or barriers to access.
“Northumberland County is committed to ensuring everyone has equal access to the services, supports and programs we deliver to the community,” Warden Bob Crate said in the press release.
“While the county has recently made some important accessibility improvements to our services and facilities, we recognize that a commitment to providing accessible services requires constant assessment, feedback and improvements to continue becoming a better, more accessible and inclusive community. As we reflect on our current practices, we invite community members to share your unique insight and experiences to help shape a more accessible Northumberland.”
Throughout the week, the county's Facebookpage (@ncounty) will be highlighting some improvements to the accessibility of county services and programs that are now available, including accessible waste collection programs, the installation of assistive listening and hearing loop technology at county service desks, and enhanced accessibility features at recreational trails in the Northumberland County Forest.
National AccessAbility Week is celebrated across Canada each year, beginning on the last Sunday in May. County council proclaimed May 29 to June 4 as National AccessAbility Week in Northumberland at their May meeting.
For more information about the county’s commitment to accessibility, and to provide feedback on the accessibility of county services and facilities, please visit Northumberland.ca/Accessibility
