MEDIA RELEASE
Komoka, June 27, 2023 – Middlesex Centre unveiled a plaque today at the Komoka Wellness Centre to recognize the facility as being certified by the Rick Hansen Foundation. Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility CertificationTM (RHFAC) is awarded to facilities that go beyond the building code, providing accessibility features for people with varying disabilities that affect mobility, vision and hearing.
“Staff and council are committed to making Middlesex Centre’s facilities welcoming, inclusive, and accessible so that residents and visitors can participate fully,” said Mayor Aina DeViet. “We are honoured to receive Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification for the Wellness Centre.”
The certification process included a detailed accessibility assessment by Julie Sawchuk, an RHFAC Professional. This included looking at exterior paths and entrances, interior circulation through the building, washrooms, signage, and emergency systems, among other criteria. Ms. Sawchuk’s on-site review included a list of priority recommendations for further accessibility improvements. Middlesex Centre staff will be implementing these recommendations over the next five years.
“Providing fitness facilities that are accessible to everyone means that people with disabilities can pursue their own personal goals for a healthy and active life without having to first overcome barriers that traditionally exist in the built environment,” said Ms. Sawchuk. “Middlesex Centre has truly taken to heart the importance of improving the accessibility of existing infrastructure and is being a role model for other municipalities across the country.”
Middlesex Centre staff plan to take what they have learned through the certification process and apply it to other facilities. This will be done over time, in conjunction with the annual budget process. Middlesex Centre’s Accessibility Policy, Community Services Master Plan, and Age-Friendly Community Action Plan all point to the need for accessible municipal facilities to ensure residents can full participate in community life.
“Canada is expecting to see increasing numbers of seniors and people with disabilities in the coming years,” added Mayor DeViet. “We want to be ready to support and serve our residents now and for years to come.”
For more information about RHFAC, visit https://www.rickhansen.com
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Photo: Justin Fidler, Community Services Operations Manager, Middlesex Centre; Julie Sawchuk, RHFAC Professional; Mayor Aina DeViet; James Hutson, Clerk, Middlesex Centre
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Media Contact:
Heather Kepran
Communications Specialist, Municipality of Middlesex Centre