Summary of what people told us... |
Recreation Integration Victoria (RIV)
An organization which facilities active lifestyles for people with disabilities
Thur., Sept 15th, 2016
Interview with Executive Director and Program Coordinator
- Disability increases with age.
- People with lifelong disabilities have easier aging than folks who have acquired a disability as they age.
- RIV supports anyone with a disability regardless of when they received their disability or how it was acquired.
- Recreation Integration will be doing a full accessibility audit for Greater Victoria
- including Recreation Facilities and PISE – with a grant
How accessible are most of Saanich Parks & Recreation facilities?
- Facilities are pretty good, could always use more adaptive equipment (especially dual)
- Need continuing staff education
- Family changerooms have been a great addition, many people do not want volunteers to help change them but rely on spouses or family members
- IDEA: Need a volunteer position called “Seniors Assistant” for those willing to use volunteers
- Signage consistency is a problem within buildings; ie: where to look for info is different in each centre, lack of contrast in colours for visually impaired.
- Affordability is an issue: Could an older adult volunteer be paired up with a RIV client? Older adult would have free access.
- Leisure Assistants (RIV volunteers) are needed – RIV has a waitlist for assistants
IDEA: could Saanich consider extending their volunteer recognition program for the volunteer donating 5 hrs, and receive a 1 use pass to a rec facility? Impacts to GVAC? OR could volunteer hours go towards Program registration?
- Transportation –
- Three options: drive self (car), bus, HandiDart
- transfers on buses will deter seniors from coming, Community Bus is available in select areas. Generally their clientele know about bus system and HandyDart
- Need to continue to ‘enable accessibility’ – turning circles for scooters, power wheelchairs.
- Parking spaces – Gordon Head has defined times in which they add additional disabled parking, not reserved all day
- parking spots are determined by bylaw code however that is the minimum, there could be more
- need bigger turning space for bus
Promotions:
- User FriendlyTrail Guides (50,000 were produced) – was made with a New Horizons Grant in partnership with CRD, Measuring Up and Westshore Parks & Recreation. Saanich could expand on it. Rec Integration could find PDF or Westshore. Was presented at BCRPA conference – may be online
- USA trail head map – indicates elevation, markers, level of difficulty, and states accessibility/mobility of trails
- IDEA: Active Living Guide – could use a Social Activities section for any age
Social:
- Seniors Social Isolation Project was done in 2010. This pilot program was in Esquimalt, Peninsula and Gordon Head. It used Meals On Wheels (not in existence) used to identify isolated seniors and would deliver information on programs available. Follow up noted 80% retention rate if seniors became involved in a program.
- Sometimes there are cliques in the Recreation Centres. How do we ensure programs are inclusive. Gave example of one individual who created his own social opportunities by organizing a Uno playing cards get together once/month.
- IDEA: Suggests a category in ALG as “SOCIAL ACTIVITIES” (not age-related, not physical activity focuses) or “COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS” (inclusive, adaptive)