Accessibility committee made call
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Editor:
I would like to clarify some of the points made in the article printed in the July 4 Guardian story ('UPEI's plan to remove designated parking spaces outside Main Building raising concerns').
The P.E.I. Council of People with Disabilities spoke several times with Ann Matheson and several other people who had made complaints in regards to the removal of the three parking spaces at Main. We also spoke with Greg Clayton and Joanne McCabe, chair of the accessibility committee. We were informed that the accessibility committee consists of people with disabilities from the staff, faculty and student body, as well as individuals that do not have mobility issues but care about the accessibility of the UPEI campus.
After much consultation with the chair of the accessibility committee we were enlightened to the fact that it was the committee that made the recommendation to have the three spaces removed. This decision was based on the reality that these three spaces were not open to the student body, but in fact were only used by staff and faculty. We also discussed alternatives with the present users and were assured that the parking in the visitors parking lot would be a suitable compromise. Much consideration was given to the complaints and the council respects the decision made by the accessibility committee.
Designated parking is for anyone with a marked impairment of mobility who is unable to walk more than 75 metres without serious difficulty or danger to safety or health. Unfortunately not all designated parking spaces are within that 75-metre radius. However, the bylaws governing the campus and the City of Charlottetown are ambiguous in terms of specific distance between designated parking space and the destination which they serve. It is the council's position that designated parking is a universal service for people with mobility issues, not a select group. We will continue to work with the planning committee at the City of Charlottetown to have the bylaws amended so that in future situations like this will not arise.
We commend the accessibility committee at UPEI for creating a seven-year accessibility plan that addresses the needs of all people with disabilities.
