Inverness County Accessibility Committee

Nova Scotia’s goal is to be fully inclusive by 2030. Inverness County formed an accessibility committee to get a head start with this goal in mind.

Our committee was formed by Callum MacQuarrie of Inverness, Jim Mustard, Councillor of Inverness, Laurie Cranton,Councillor of Margaree , Cyril LeBlanc, Inspector for Inverness County, and John Bain, Head of Eastern District Planning Authority, Maggie MacDonald, receptionist and Sally MacDonald, Small Options. We are confident that by having these core members on our committee the new accessibility policies will be enforced accordingly once the by-law is in place.

One of our main focuses currently is fixing the lips on the doors of local businesses in Inverness County. One of the main issues that we run into in Inverness County is that doors are swinging in the wrong direction and the lips are too high - making a lot of public places non-accessible. The committee’s plan is to do an assessment of each business this spring in hopes to start addressing some of these issues.

The Inverness Development Association (IDA) has completed an extension of our beach boardwalk. They decided to make their focus on accessibility. Two new stairways from the boardwalk that access the beach have been put in place, as well as one new ramp accessible to the beach. A second ramp will be added in the springtime. The IDA will also be including new fully accessible washroom facilities. We are addressing these issues due to the increase of tourism in Inverness County. The IDA figures there were between 18,000-20,000 people on the Inverness beach last summer. We are not only incorporating ramps to the beach but are looking into wheelchair accessible mats, beach chairs and beach walkers that will make the beach fully inclusive. Inverness will be the pilot project for this program. These products will allow persons with spinal cord injuries, mobility disabilities, intellectual disabilities and visual impairments to access the beach, the sand, and the water with confidence and ease.

Committee members have reviewed many products, and among our findings, we believe that the Mobi-mats and Mobi-chairs designed by Deschamps Mat Systems (DMS) are the best products suitable for our beaches.

In our research, we learned that DMS Mobi-mats are best suited for our environment. They are very durable and will withstand our constantly changing weather conditions. The Mobi-mat is salt water resistant and will not tarnish from the sun- which makes it a perfect fit for our climate. Further, the committee was impressed to learn that the Mobi-mats design includes a white line down the centre and the sides of the mat for persons who are visually impaired. We have not yet come across another company that offers beach accessible mats for visually impairment. This was a significant selling point for us as we are looking to be fully inclusive.

Mobi-mats also offer a wider fit than the other products we reviewed. The Mobi-mat is 6.5ft wide compared to other products that are only 6ft wide. We know how valuable an extra half of foot can be in making a difference- especially dealing with sand. DMS also has a Mobi-fence that can provide protection to our sand dunes.

DMS is the original producer of Mobi-chairs- which are the only floating beach wheelchair that is accessible to both sand and water. These chairs have armrests and tires that are made from floatation materials- creating the perfect balance while in the water.

Here is a link to view different DMS Mobi products:
www.mobi-mat-chair-beach-access-dms.com/

Bobby Morris, of Port Hood recently built four accessible cottages for accommodations in Inverness. The committee is impressed to see other members of the community showing initiative in making Inverness County inclusive.

Committees provides education and awareness on the upcoming accessibility bylaws to local businesses. Giving them a head start on new renovations.

Thierry Darche, a Canadian representative for the Mobi products will be hosting a presentation at aMillRoad Enterprise on March 5, 4pm-6pm. Everybody is welcome to come view these products and take part in this presentation.

Sincerely,

Callum MacQuarrie
Co-chair Inverness County Accessibility Committee