From mobility supports to wheelchair sports, Carleton University became a hub for accessibility and inclusion on Saturday as thousands gathered at the Adapt Expo and Ottawa Inclusive and Para Sports Expo. The two events, held under separate roofs at the university, brought together more than 120 exhibitors, community organizers, adaptive sports groups, and families looking to learn more about accessible living and inclusive recreation. Inside the Carleton University Fieldhouse, Colette and Matt Verjans were among those exploring the Adapt Expo for the first time. “We scrambled at the beginning, and I was like, oh, we got to get this, and we got to get that,” said Colette Verjans. Colette was recently diagnosed with stage four leiomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer, leaving her with serious mobility challenges. “With a mass on my spine, which was pushing on the nerve. And then I fell twice, and since then, I can’t walk or I can’t walk alone,” she added. The couple spent the day learning about mobility aids, home accessibility upgrades and adaptive supports designed to make daily life safer and easier. “We’re learning more about different chairs, what we must do in the house, getting ready to stair lift, stuff like that,” Matt Verjans said. The expo featured everything from innovative robotics and mobility devices to adaptive sailboats and mini therapy horses. Organizer Kyla MacGinnis says the event is designed to help people feel supported while connecting them with resources they may not know exist. “You see people experiencing similar things or using different mobility aids and you feel like it’s a safe, inclusive place and that’s really important for us,” MacGinnis said. Just steps away inside the Ravens’ Nest, the focus shifted from mobility to sports as visitors tried out para and inclusive sports, including wheelchair rugby. Emily Glossop, executive director of Abilities Ottawa, says the goal is to raise awareness about inclusive sports opportunities available in the community. “We’ve been doing this for a few years now, and we are seeing new faces every year, and that means the most to us,” she said. Glossop adds the event continues to grow each year as more people discover the programs, services and community supports in Ottawa. “We’re connecting with more people, creating more connections in our community to all of the amazing programs that are available and getting people active at whatever age, all ages, all abilities, that’s what it’s all about,” Glossop says. Between both events, Glossop says more than 70 volunteers signed up. For the Verjans family, the event offered more than information, it offered reassurance. “I feel more at ease to see there’s many options of what you have to make it safer,” says Matt Verjans. “You see how many people are here, it’s like, wow, you don’t feel lonely anymore.”
