Rhys Evans, a three-time graduate of Niagara College (Recreation and Leisure Services, Spring 2014; Recreation Therapy, Spring 2015; Social Service Worker, Winter 2018) is featured in this article by Sarah Ferguson in the Niagara Dailies (Niagara This Week, Niagara Falls Review) for his advocacy work as member of Niagara’s Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee (JAAC).
Evans, who relies on a wheelchair to get around, outlines the challenges he faces when out in the community. From shopping to eating out with friends to grabbing a cup of coffee, Rhys says that there are many considerations he asks himself, from whether he can get his wheelchair into an establishment, if the space has an accessible washroom, and if his knees can clear the table while sitting in his wheelchair.
Evans has provided his perspective on accessibility to Niagara’s JAAC for the past year, at the recommendation of former Pelham mayor Dave Augustyn. The cross-Niagara committee seeks to identify and break down barriers for people with disabilities in their communities. Evans is helping with the We Are Accessible campaign which encourages businesses to identify themselves as accessible. The campaign is timed with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) legislation, which requires businesses to be fully accessible by 2025.
As part of the campaign, nominated Niagara-area businesses will be assessed using a check-list to see if their establishment is fully accessible. If successful, the business will receive a We Are Accessible sticker to place in the window of their businesses.
Evans will be returning to NC in the Fall 2019 term for the General Arts and Science program.
Read the August 15 news story here.
