Who Among Us is 'Level Headed'?

Do you consider yourself "Level Headed"?

Accessibility News is shaking our head after reading the article "Can London Afford to be Fully Accessible?" at http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/acnews/press/all_articles.php?all=302

First we heard from the "But Heads" and their excuses about needing more time to implement the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), now it appears they've morphed into the "Level Headed", wondering out loud what "Level of Accessibility" can we afford.

To their credit the people interviewed for the article had some sane thoughts but it's what's between the lines that have us scratching our head. There is no "Level" of accessibility, either it is accessible or it's not, don't start trying to create any.

The "But Heads" and the "Level Headed" keep tossing out predictions of how much it is going to cost as if it is their own money. They use words like "we", "us", "average citizen" and so on. Well I've got news for you; the Disabled are we, us and your average citizen. We pay taxes and it is our money as well!

Our Politicians and City Managers need to stop looking at Accessibility as a negative cost and start thinking positive. In today's economy a lot of the expenses will create jobs or help keep existing ones. Many Disabled who have small businesses that cater to our needs will also benefit from the increased opportunities to make Ontario accessible and who knows what other businesses might be created because of this legislation.

There's also the benefit to Tourism see http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/?p=419, Travelers With Disabilities: The Untapped Market. Build an accessible City and they will come.

It's time to put away the negativity and see the glass as half full, not half empty. It's time to look at the Disabled community as an investment, not a burden. Who knows, one day you might end up with a Disability and you'll see it as money well spent.

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