Celebrating inclusion: FSJ Council proclaims AccessAbility Week & Pride Week, May 30 to June 6
The week of May 30 to June 6 promises to be a busy one, when it comes to inclusive events in the community, following Monday’s proclamations by Fort St. John City Council.
In two presentations, local groups representing diverse sectors of the community came before Council to request support.
First up was the Northeastern BC Accessibility Committee, represented by long-time accessibility advocate Lori Slater. Committee members are dedicated to addressing accessibility issues, barriers and finding solutions for residents and visitors with a wide variety of disabilities. Disabilities which can make accessing buildings, recreational opportunities or even walking down the sidewalk difficult, depending on what challenges one faces.
In recent years, there have been improvements in accessibility throughout the city, Slater said, including the North Peace Cultural Centre theatre, which underwent a renovation during Covid and saw the previous seating arrangement in the theatre made more accessible by enabling seats in the front row to be removed for wheelchair access. Previously, theatre-goers using wheelchairs were could only sit on the sides of the theatre.
As part of the AccessAbility Week proclamation, Slater also requested that Wednesday, June 3 be proclaimed Easter Seals Red Shirt Day for AccessAbility and Inclusion. This is a day for Canadians to come together to show support for Canadians living with disabilities and their families, to celebrate their achievements and pledge to create a fully accessible and inclusive society.
Continuing with the inclusion theme for the week of May 30 to June 6, was the presentation and proclamation request from the North Peace Pride Society.
The North Peace Pride Society is looking forward to celebrating its 11th Anniversary this year, with Pride Week, which kicks off with a Pride Dance on May 30th at the North Peace Cultural Centre, and culminating with the Pride Walk and Festival at Centennial Park on Saturday, June 6.
