Ramping up and increasing accessibility

Breaking down barriers A Sudbury accessibility group partners with community members and businesses for the Valley Community Ramp Project. Alana Everson reports.

In Sudbury on Tuesday, there was an official launch of the valley community ramp project.

It's a simple solution that helps break down barriers and opens doors for people with physical disabilities.

The people involved in this project say it's amazing what can be accomplished when partners work together.

Marc Serré is the Liberal MP for Nickel Belt.

"We have the community getting together to make places accessible. These types of example of helping people out." said Serré.

Rona donated the supplies for ramps that are given out for free to local businesses that have access issues for people living with disabilities.

Terra Lemieux is the store manager for the Rona home improvement store in Sudbury.

"We are so excited to partner with Access 2 All to provide access for people with all abilities. We want to ensure that we play our part in the community to ensure it is a better place for all." said Lemieux.

Carpentry students at Cambrian College built the ramps.

Dan Lessard is the communications manager for Cambrian College.

"We want our students to learn not just the technical skills that help them get a job, but we also want them to learn those life skills. And one of the big life skills is community service, giving back." said Lessard.

Students from a leadership group at École Jean-Paul II in Val Caron painted the ramps.

They also did an accessibility audit at businesses in the valley to see which ones have access issues.

Bitter Bill's Ice Cream Parlour in Val Caron received a ramp and the owner, Bill Cole, says he's relieved.

"There are people with special challenges that shouldn't be held back from entering any place." said Bill.

Daniel Lebrun and Nadine Law founded Access 2 All and say the ramps are a simple solution to big problem.

"My experience here in Sudbury, we found that three-quarters of the businesses were not accessible." said Lebrun.

"I fell in love with a man who uses a wheelchair, so we were constantly faced with these barriers going into restaurants and different stores. And that frustration turned into a passion to make a change." said Law.

Right now, Access 2 All is looking at expanding and partnering with other northern communities with its ramp project, so it can help break down even more barriers.