Barrier Awareness Day

BARRIER AWARENESS DAY May 7th
Today some 4 million Canadians suffer from some form of handicap. Eighty percent of Canadians will experience some disability in their lifetime. That makes it necessary for all of us to understand and appreciate both the barriers they must surmount and the contributions that they can make to our society.
Many disabled people face financial, cultural, and physical barriers because of a lack of public understanding of their needs. We must become more aware of the barriers that prevent or inhibit so many of us from participating fully in the life of our society, and how much more they could contribute if those obstacles were removed.
Visible and invisible barriers are equally difficult to overcome. With advocacy, education, and awareness these obstacles can be lifted, empowering people with disabilities to live more independent fulfilled lives.
On May 7th each year, we are charged with breaking down obstacles on Barrier Awareness Day.  We are responsible for dissolving stigmas keeping people with disabilities from advancing in education. It’s an opportunity to tear down walls and build ramps that providing access. When we have misunderstandings, see the potential for the development of new technology to bridge the gap. Eliminate antiquated policies preventing those with disabilities from accessing their full potential. If there was ever a time to speak up about the questionable treatment of a human being, Barrier Awareness Day encourages us to do so now.
Thank you for your support in the past, for thinking about barriers today and acting on it again in the future.  With your support there will be fewer barriers to overcome by next year.
​Robert - Vocational Counselor