Hamilton Disability Challenge opens eyes to wheelchair use in the city

A Hamilton organization has organized a ‘disability challenge’ for members of the public to experience a day in the life of a wheelchair user.

Above & Beyond invited members of the municipal government, business owners and the community today to “navigate unforeseen barriers in the infrastructure of Hamilton” using a wheelchair.

Those barriers it says, are “not limited to navigational, physical, visual and hearing.”

People were challenged to maneuver a wheelchair through a short course to get first-hand experience of what it’s like to live with a disability.

Participants of the challenge felt how difficult the task was when they encountered a ramp onto the sidewalk.

“My wheels were spinning like they got caught in the front, so I was in-between,” said one person who tried the challenge. “If I had any upper-body issues, I would be waiting, stranded for somebody to come by and help me out.”

Anthony Frisina founded Above & Beyond to bridge the gap between accessibility and inclusion.

“Normalizing belonging – you know we want to normalize the fact that people with disabilities deserve to also thrive and we need a society that works with us in allyship,” said Frisina.

The Mohawk graduate was born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus (excess fluid in the brain) and has become an active volunteer for various organizations and an advocate for people and children with disabilities.

He was a recipient of The Order of Hamilton in 2020 and a Most Outstanding Community Advocate recipient in 2023.

For people who live with their disability every day, they said there’s more unseen barriers beyond just the physical ones.

Jakob McMillan, a supporter of the event, said his life is constantly being planned around accessibility.

“You know you can’t do things spontaneously like everyone else can,” said McMillan, “and sometimes planning something a week in advance is hard for anyone really.”

Chrystal Becker is a parent of people living with disabilities, and said accessibility comes in layers.

“Whether you have access to a wheelchair – that’s one part – and a ramp – that’s another part, but there’s so much more involved because you usually have a pretty hefty price tag that goes along with it,” said Becker.

According to Above & Beyond the population of persons with disabilities in Hamilton at 27.7 per cent, while Ontario resides at 28 per cent and Canada at 27 per cent, all of which are climbing statistics.

Frisina said he hopes Friday’s event will start a conversation at all levels of government to move toward inclusion for all.

“Making sure policy includes people with disabilities, making sure people with disabilities have equitable opportunity in employment, to be part of the community, go to school, be part of events,” said Frisina, “we want to make sure this gets normalized in our community as we continue to do this challenge.”

Sponsorships and donations from today’s challenge will go towards a grassroots organization.

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