The following letter was sent to the lord mayor and council. A copy was submitted to The Lake Report for publication.

The Lake Report’s March 30 article, ” ‘A single step is a closed door’: NOTL woman raises concerns about accessibility to stores on Queen St.,” highlights the issues that people with disabilities face in accessing public facilities and private companies, including retail stores all over this province, including our lovely town, Niagara-on-the-Lake.

The article reveals society’s hypocritical attitude when it comes to the idea of inclusiveness when it does not include those with disabilities.

I think the town and businesses can do much more to make their establishments accessible to those with disabilities.

As a caregiver for my father and helper to a dear friend, both of whom had mobility issues, I can attest that sometimes one or two steps into an establishment can be too much.

It’s important that we not isolate those with disabilities as it is crucial to their mental health.

It has been said that 7.3 million Canadians are over the age of 65 (and I am certain that a great number of them live right here in Niagara-on-the-Lake), so the issue of accessibility will increase significantly in the next decade.

It seems to me that the StopGap ramps mentioned in The Lake Report article are an affordable first step to granting our town’s citizens equal access to retail and public places.

I, for one, hope that our town council will make provision for ramps in this year’s budget and that the Chamber of Commerce does likewise.

Mary Varacalli
NOTL