The crowd swelled out from the steps of the Manitoba Legislature - out into the lawn at the front, out to both sides. It was impressive. Students on strike from their classroom had come to participate and to learn from the speakers and to show their concern that urgent action is needed to address climate change and to save our planet. I was proud to have two grand children who had come. One had walked with friends for one hour - a zero-carbon walk in order to get there from their school in St Boniface. She and her friends want a future for themselves and for all who live on our planet.
Too often, our homes, buildings, and outdoor spaces are designed without sufficient consideration given to how they will impact little people, those with large bodies, or those with disabilities. Manitoba should become a leader in designing and building new structures so they’re comfortable and accessible to all. Further, the province needs to do more to adapt our existing infrastructure, so that it meets everyone’s needs. The design of our built environment makes daily living a challenge for too many. A friend, who uses a wheelchair, must call ahead wherever she goes to ensure she can enter a restaurant, store, salon, etc. A young person in River Heights has a struggle each fall to make sure that with his cerebral palsy he is able to get the support he needs to do well in school. A large-bodied man I know has been bedridden for five months because he lacks access to a usable lift or wheelchair. Samantha Trubyk, President of the Little People ...
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