E L A S L FAL up to
0 OFF
7
%
+
Kemptville Eye Exam Clinic
Kemptville Mall
info@laurieropticalkemptville.com
NO CHARGE Eye Exams for KIDS & SENIORS
www.laurieropticalkemptville.com
Please see store for details on all offers. Gift card to be used on next purchase
Reaching by direct mail to over 5,500 homes and businesses in Winchester and area
The Voice of North Dundas
Vol 4, No 19
October 5, 2023
Is North Dundas accessible enough?
Compact Tractors and Cub Cadet Mowers
Service available on all makes and models
www.bdlequipment.com
613. 209.3122
“It has been eye opening and sad to see how horrible 10510 Loughlin Ridge Rd, it is to get around town and Mountain,Ontario Supporting small, local not being able to get into businesses is something that some stores,” said Angie. “I we are all encouraged to do love to support local but if I routinely. One Winchester can’t even get into a building resident raises an important it is hard.” Angie has had to point, however: perhaps the make use of aids including a W.A. Pakeman most critical necessity of cane, crutches, a wheelchair, & Associates Ltd. doing business is making a walker and a mobility sure that customers are able scooter since her surgeries. Life Insurance You protect your home & car to get through the door. “I was thinking for the -why not protect your Is North Dundas suffi annual shop crawl in NoDisability Insurance family & business? ciently accessible for those vember, a few members of with unique mobility needs? the Township should atInsurance CriticalLife Illness Insurance While it’s probably true that tempt it using these devices Disability Insurance our Township scores bet- just to see how terrible it is Group Benefits Critical Ilness Insurance ter than many other places for many of the residents Group Benefits in terms of accessibility with mobility issues,” added Group RRSP features such as wheelchair Angie. “I would love to see Group RRSP ramps and automatic door the follow up story on their openers, there is still plenty Contact us today for a experience.” Angie would be Fax: 613-475-5331 • Tel:1-800-339-5662 • 613-475-2927 Contact us today for a no obligation quote! of room for improvement. willing to lend some of her no obligation quote! PROOF Angie Armstrong-Baker mobility equipment for the 613.925.0731 noticed the problem after experiment, and noted that Ault and Ault 613-925-0731 nickc@pakeman.ca Liz having two surgeries which wheelchairs can be rented at admin@pakeman.ca nickc@pakeman.ca subsequently required her Seaway Valley Pharmacy for 07/06/2020 Size: Half Acct: 21529 admin@pakeman.ca to use various mobility aids. anyone wishing to see what by Brandon Mayer
A U L T & A U L T LLP
Proudly providing legal services to Eastern Ontario since 1985
LAW OFFICES Proudly providing. legal services to Eastern Ontario since 1985 Real Estate Wills & Estates - Municipal Family Law
it’s like to navigate with one. Amongst Angie’s observations, she has noted: - One store has mats over the doorway threshold, which almost caused her to fall off her scooter in a recent visit there. Someone needed to stop and assist her. - A store just outside the North Dundas Township limits has a “great ramp”, but no button to open the door, meaning Angie needed to wait for assistance to get inside. - A business providing medical services is only accessible by stairs, necessitating that Angie wait to book a needed appointment. There is also a local store that only has stairs – no ramp. - A local parking lot had no accessway designated during Dairyfest – in a wheelchair, Angie could not even get close to the building.
YOUR LOCAL AGGREGATE SUPPLIER - SERVING DUNDAS & GRENVILLE COUNTIES
P: 613-258-0223 admin@wkcltd.ca
DELIVERY AVAILABLE
Stephen Ault . Samantha Berry Stephen AultMally • Samantha Berry. Warren Leroy McGregor
Mally McGregor • Warren Leroy
522 St. Lawrence St. Winchester, ON 613.774.2670 WINCHESTER CORNWALL
522 ST. LAWRENCE ST. WINCHESTER, ON 613-774-2670
89 TOLLGATE RD. W. CORNWALL ON 613-933-3535
www.aultlaw.ca
www.aultlaw.ca
Dan Pettigrew Owner & friendly neighbour T: 613.774.1958 Dan.Pettigrew@sobeys.com foodland.ca 12015 Main Street Winchester, ON
Proudly providing legalEmployment services Farm Business & Real Estate
Real Estate • Wills & Estates • Municipal Eastern Ontario since 1985. Commercial & Corporate Family Law • Farmto Business & Real Estate Employment • Commercial & Corporate
"Proudly serving our Community"
» TOPSOIL » SAND » GRAVEL
LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED
NOW IN STOCK
- The transition from streets to sidewalks in general is very difficult. - A local store has a ramp facing sideways. “Try getting yourself in position to get up the ramp hopping on crutches or turning a wheeled mobility device. I almost fell over,” Angie noted. - Two other businesses identified by Angie have entryways that are simply not practical to navigate with mobility aids. It should be noted that the names of the businesses in question have been omitted to avoid bringing them unnecessary negative publicity. Angie loves to support local. Angie is confident that North Dundas can do better, but feels upset at seeing how many businesses are not easily accessible. “It is dangerous and it also leads to depression from losing independence and relying on people to help,” added Angie. Astoundingly, 90% of Canadians believe that people with disabilities are not fully included in society, as indicated in a study released by the Government of Ontario. There is a plan for the Province of Ontario to be fully accessible by 2025. Is North Dundas on the right track? Time is ticking.
WWW.WKCLTD.CA