I am a person with invisible disabilities. I have been a disability advocate for over a decade. It is important to me to ensure that Cobourg is accessible to everyone. The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) was created to have a completely accessible Ontario by 2025 (twenty years after it was enacted).

How does Cobourg measure up? 

Will Cobourg be able to meet the deadline?

These are key issues that I was interested in and spoke openly about during my campaign, and I continue to be interested in them as a local disability activist. 

As a member of the Town of Cobourg's Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Committee and a dedicated disability advocate, I have actively collaborated with the Accessibility Committee on various impactful initiatives. A recent issue arose concerning the locked accessible washroom in Victoria Hall, which posed challenges for individuals requiring access without prior notification and potentially compromising their privacy.

Through a concerted effort between both committees, we successfully advocated for the washroom to remain unlocked, ensuring accessibility for all individuals. Moreover, we implemented additional improvements to enhance its functionality and inclusivity.

Building on these achievements, my objectives for increasing accessibility encompass the creation of more inclusive spaces, guaranteeing a sufficient number of accessible public washrooms, advocating for universally accessible public transportation, amplifying the voices of disabled residents in Cobourg through social media channels, and exploring municipal initiatives to alleviate the hardships faced by individuals reliant on ODSP for their monthly income.

By prioritizing accessibility and advocating for necessary changes, I am committed to enhancing the overall quality of life for the disabled community.

Read my article about living with invisible disabilities here:

https://northumberlandqueeries1.wordpress.com/2023/07/25/but-you-dont-act-like-you-have-a-disability/