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Letter to Editor
ShareDisabled need buses
Published: September 30, 2008 3:00 PMUpdated: September 30, 2008 3:58 PM
Dear editor,
I would like to respond to both of the letters by Jennifer Brunn and Judy Norbury with regard to the transit bus accommodation of persons with disabilities.
Specifically, this is in reference to persons using assistive devices to be mobile, whether a manual or power wheelchair, persons with baby strollers, walkers, canes, crutches and any other device that might be considered an impediment or possibly hazardous in entering the transit buses.
The rule, which has not been enforced before now, is that a bus cannot pick up these persons, unless there is a sidewalk at the bus stop. This rule becomes a serious impediment for persons wishing to access public transit, unless they are able to meet the mobility requirements of BC Transit, or at least BC Transit in the Comox Valley.
Judy Norbury quite clearly and accurately pointed out her concern for accessibility of a public source of transportation. Comox Valley has been proudly able to state that it provides accessible bus transport for its citizens.
However, Jennifer Brunn, manager of operational services for the regional district, now has noted that the practice of accommodating persons with wheelchairs and other mobility devices is hazardous. She notes that reasonable transit accommodation is expected in urban areas of B.C.
As well, she suggests that Judy contact her local municipality for assistance and get involved with the Comox Valley Accessibility Committee to resolve her problems.
I am left to wonder if Ms. Brunn is aware that Comox Valley, all of it, is considered rural B.C. In any event, persons with mobility challenges do not live only in urban areas in B.C. The duty to accommodate persons with disabilities is not limited to urban areas but rather all areas of Canada. This is documented in the Human Rights Code under Article 15.
If I can no longer use my bus stop, I will be forced to get on and off at the bottom of the highest hill in Comox. This leaves me the challenge of wheeling up that hill to get home.
As this Valley promotes and develops itself as a place for retirement, this issue will only intensify. The regional district and the local municipalities have the ability to resolve this issue.
If only because this is an election year, I suggest the solution can be very simple for the true policymakers. Karin Kratz,
Comox
