The mayors of Qualicum Beach and Parksville do well to promote Accessibility Week. Their efforts are particularly meaningful to me and my wife because we know from personal experience that Mayor Westbroek, in particular, follows up the publicity and photo ops with sincerity, dedication and action.
At the Christmas concert in Qualicum my wife, who is in a wheelchair, needed to use the washroom.
We found that the civic centre had no facility that catered to a disabled person who had an opposite-sex caregiver. We were preparing to leave at the intermission when a kind nurse became aware of the problem and helped my wife.
We subsequently met Mayor Westbroek in the hallway and explained what happened. Within a few weeks he had informed the staff, who found a solution and the civic centre now has a “gender neutral” washroom for disabled people.
We are fortunate to live in a community where our local political leader is approachable and caring, and works quietly to get results.
The library board should take note because our library presents the same problem.
Colm and Judy Harty
Qualicum Beach
