On Monday, May 29, 2023 the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee raised a flag at the Essex County Civic Center and at Town Halls across Essex County. This week, from May 28 to June 3, 2023 is National AccessAbility Week.
The theme for National AccessAbility Week this year is “Disability Inclusion: From Possibilities to Practice.”
The flag was designed in 2022 by Kristine Verbeek of K Design Studio. Her design was selected by the Accessibility Advisory Committees of Essex County and the local municipalities.
“It was such a great and honouring project to be a part of,” Verbeek said. “There is much symbolism and research put into the flag design.”
For more from K Design Studio about the flag’s design and symbolism click here.
“We are raising this flag this morning to raise awareness about the importance of inclusivity and accessibility in our region.” said Kingsville Deputy Mayor Kimberly DeYong, County Council’s representative on the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee.
“The seven chevrons on this flag represent the seven local municipalities moving forward with accessibility together in the right direction. It acknowledges that we’ve made much progress but still have considerable work left to do.”
DeYong commended Dennis Sanson, Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee and Chair concerning his ongoing efforts.
“We are doing more than just raising a flag,” Sanson told the crowd gathered outside the Civic Centre Monday morning.
“We are raising awareness and inspiring others to join our campaign for a more accessible community.”
May 31 Is Red Shirt Day
This Wednesday is Red Shirt Day of Action for Accessibility and Inclusion. Sanson invited all Essex-Windsor residents to wear red.
He encouraged everyone to take some photos and share social media posts with the hashtags #RedShirtDay and #RedForAccessAbility.
Sanson said that the committee intends to provide accessibility training to volunteer organizations and community groups. It hopes to bring in guest speakers and to organize sessions that will bring greater awareness to invisible disabilities.
Phase 3 of the committee’s WE Check the Trails program is due to be launched later this summer. This will be a crowd-sourcing initiative that will encourage trail users to pinpoint and identify challenges to accessibility on any of our area trail networks.