THUNDER BAY – As part of the celebration of National AccessAbility Week, the City of Thunder Bay's Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) hosted its annual open house at city hall on Wednesday.
A raising of the disability pride flag, which was created by a disabled woman named Ann Magill, kicked off the event.
The open house saw multiple service agencies with event stands and speeches outside of city hall from AAC Members and stakeholder groups to provide information on new services offered.
That included a new city bus on display, with better accessibility features for wheelchairs and walkers, and has wider areas and sensory abilities.
Accessibility Advisory Committee chair Ann Antenucci says the hope is to increase accessibly and inclusion for all.
"Not all disabilities are visible, many of them are what we would call invisible disabilities and we have to have respect for all,” she said. “You don't know what that person’s abilities or disabilities are, and we have to make sure everyone is included in everything when It comes to the city of Thunder Bay.”
AAC vice-chair Tara Lennox says that she appreciates the disability pride flag being flown at city hall.
The new bus will not be on the road until transit decides what route is best suited to it, but Antenucci says the goal is to have a whole fleet of accessible buses in the future.
National AccessAbility Week will run until June 4. To learn more about the AAC, residents are invited to visit the Accessibility Advisory Committee webpage.
