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HE WOMEN’S INSTITUTE: WORKING TOWARD “BARRIER FREE COMMUNITIES FOR DISABLED PERSONS ACROSS ONTARIO” SUGGESTED WAYS TO REACH OBJECTIVE . Appoint a team to survey the area to determine the transportation. employment and recreational oppor- tunities for physically disabled people. The team will seek an appointment with the reeve and councillors to explain their project, . The team will approach the media. The newspaper will interview a project and publish your goals and objectives. 4. The local team will approach the radio station and they will more than likely suggest a time when you might answer questions on the air. to explain your project. . The team will proceed with a fact finding report of ‘ the transportation needs in the community. Lay the groundwork for the removal of architectural barriers. and this makes a good starting point in the cam- paign. Supplement No. 5 of the National Code sets down standards and specifications for making build- ings and their facilities fully accessible to the disaâ€" bled. Perhaps it had never been drawn to the attention of the public that your local library had no railings or ramps, or that the local Church needed some adjustments made to the washroom door in order to allow a wheelchair to go through. Catalogue all obstacles to mobility that can be found. so that the vast extent of the problem can form the basis of representations to the appropriate municipal officials. . Determine the housing facilities. Give the address in your report where the disabled can find suitable dwellings. Large numbers of healthy and robust disabled people are “warehoused“ in old people‘s homes or chronic hospitals. . Determine the recreational opportunities for physi- cally disabled people. If you have a "Y" program director, encourage an organized program for the physically handicapped. Older community centres may need a portable ramp and other improvements for the wheel chair participants. . A questionnaire should be included and the team would ask industries to answer. This would complete your report. if the above objectives have already been met. Perhaps you might consider a booklet listing oppor- tunities available to the disabled. SUMMARY Upon completion publish your report. â€" List names of industries. public officers who have cooperated with the project. a Send a copy to local councils. â€" Women's Institute Branches should follow up by inviting citizens, municipal officers, other organiza: tions to a meeting urging changes that in the past have prevented the disabled from living a normal life. A film or slide presentation is an excellent discussion tool. The guidelines will create a pattern which carves out a useful role for both the working committees and the public sectors in continuing efforts to improve the quality of life for the physically handicapped across the province. There is a lot of hard work ahead but any task that is worthwhile does need willing workers. It is a great and noble task for Women's Institutes along with any organization to remove these obstacles that prevent equal opportunity for all people. 13