My trip to Indianapolis

This summer I took a road trip to the USA. The main reason was to attend a conference in Indianapolis for people living with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), or brittle bones. It was my third conference with the Maryland-based Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation. 

My trip actually began in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where my parents and I spent the night before going to Chicago, Illinois. The most notable thing about Kalamazoo is that it is mentioned in a famous big band song by Glenn Miller, called “I’ve Got a Gal in Kalamazoo.” Needless to say, I did not get a gal in Kalamazoo. I did however have a good meal at Applebee’s and a restful night’s sleep at the hotel we stayed at.

The following day we drove to the north side of Chicago for a baseball game between the Cubs and the Colorado Rockies. The game was played at the historic Wrigley Field. At 100 years old this year, Wrigley is one of the last of the old ballparks still standing. I enjoyed the experience of being at Wrigley Field. It was a dream come true for me to watch a game there, and right at centre field. Wrigley is accessible as can be, despite the fact that it is old and not designed for accessibility. All visitors with disabilities require assistance getting on and off the lifts, because they cannot be operated easily.

What I liked most about Wrigley Field, aside from seeing a baseball game, was the friendly staff. They were eager to help anyone, and didn’t hesitate to greet people with a wave and a smile. The Cubs won the game 4-2.

Donald inside Wrigley Field in Chicago

Getting in and out of Chicago wasn't as fun due to bridge congestion on the south side. It was worth seeing Chicago again for the second time in my life. The long waits in and out of the city were worth it.

Late that night we arrived in Indiana. The conference began the following day, a Friday. At the opening address, the guest speaker said Indianapolis is one of the most accessible and disability-friendly cities in America. I put that theory to the test throughout that weekend.

A few hours before the conference started, I went on one of the city’s buses operated by the IndyGo transportation service. I wanted to explore the city by venturing outside of the downtown area where our hotel was located. IndyGo requires all wheelchair users to be tied down when boarding a bus. That was the best part of going on one of their buses. The worst part of the ride was making frequent stops on a ride that should have only been 20 minutes long. I decided instead to go back to the hotel. What I discovered, however, was that some of the streets do not have sidewalks. This made crossing the road dangerous and scary. Fortunately some kind residents guided me along to the other side of the street. I arrived back to the hotel safely by bus.

I love going to OI Foundation conferences because it keeps me updated on the latest research on OI, and also gives me a chance to reconnect with other people who live with this condition. It also provides opportunities to meet new people with OI and their families. It is estimated that this year’s conference drew in 800 participants. Though most of them were from the U.S, there were other people from Canada who attended. I also learned there were visitors from England, Denmark and Norway, giving the conference some international representation.

One of the highlights for me was meeting Robby Novak, better known to the world as the Kid President. He’s a 10-year-old boy from Tennessee who posts inspirational pep talks in a series of videos on YouTube and Facebook. He is just as lively and energetic as he presents himself in his videos. When I met him, I let him know I am a fan. (Robby, along with his sister Lexi, has OI.)

Donald meets the Kid President

In-between conference events I explored some of downtown Indianapolis. This included a unique bike and pedestrian pathway at a park across from the hotel. The Indianapolis Cultural Trail is eight miles long, and promotes accessibility to people with disabilities by including the wheelchair symbol along its paths. The pathways opened to the public in May 2013. 

One of these paths leads into the White River State Park. This park includes several attractions, one of which is the National College Athletic Association (NCAA) Headquarters and Hall of Fame. We stopped in briefly to look around, but didn't stay for any tours. It is an impressive-looking building I think most sports fanatics will enjoy.

We took in a baseball game between the Indianapolis Indians and the Toledo Mud Hens. The OI Foundation sponsored the game played at Victory Field. A bonus that evening was getting to see the visiting San Diego Chicken, the Padres’ mascot! This popular major league mascot visits several minor league ballparks during the baseball season, with Victory Field being one of his favourites. The game went into 10 innings. Fortunately the Indianapolis team won 4-3!

Does this former Indy ballplayer wear his sunglasses at night?

The conference concluded with an awards dinner and dance. The foundation also announced that the next conference will take place in Orlando in 2016. I hope I can make it to that one.

As for my informal assessment of Indianapolis as a disability-friendly city, I believe it is a welcoming and inclusive city. The people I met were all friendly and I sense that the city has applied the Americans with Disabilities Act effectively, with more improvements to come. Though it has some shortcomings, particularly with the absence of some much-needed sidewalks, Indianapolis is impressive overall. I’m glad the OI Foundation picked it as the site for its 2014 conference.

Windreach Farm

I first heard of Windreach Farm a few years ago from a friend, who described it as a great accessible get away about an hour North East of Toronto in Ashburn Ontario. Windreach is a massive Farm founded nearly 30 years ago by Scotsman and Equine Paralympian Alexander "Sandy" J. Mitchell "Born with cerebral palsy, Sandy has been able to integrate his personal passion with providing a similar opportunity for other persons with disabilities.  His own past experience as a young man working on a farm in Scotland, and then in a farming community for persons with Down’s Syndrome, helped him realize that one day he wanted to help persons with disabilities lead a more productive life.  Acquiring the property in 1979, Sandy worked the land, built the buildings, and welcomed visitors from all over the province".

We booked from Saturday to Tuesday in mid July at $140 a day (we actually left Monday night to avoid the 10am check out time, which we later learned can be altered if needed) Booking was quite easy I just contacted Karina Oliver by email to figure out availability (obviously the earlier the better) and we were set. There are 3 apartments that can sleep from  2 - 6 people all in one building with each unit having it's own entrance. As we were a party of 3 we went with the 4 person Hummingbird suite, the apartment was very spacious with a fully accessible washroom (roll in shower, shower commode chair and Hoyer lift included) 2 electric hospital beds in the bedroom, full kitchen (and dishwasher), couches, TV / DVD (there is a small DVD library in the common area), Laundry facilities and a BBQ.  Although it is a farm it is very much a home away from home, no roughing it here in terms of accommodation.

Windreach farm is a working farm with many things to keep it self sufficient like hay production, therapeutic riding programs, Bee Hives for Honey, Vegetable Gardens, a Orchard with dwarf Apple trees that can picked from a Wheelchair, Alpaca Wool and fresh Chicken eggs. There all kinds of animals like….. Horses, Pigs, Sheep, Goats, Cows, Donkeys, Alpacas and more all eager to greet visitors and make new friends.

Mrs. Sheep

Baby Goat

 I myself bonded with a Turkey who was quite happy to just sit at my feet. 

My buddy "Elvis" the Turkey

There are lots of things to do while at Windreach from  accessible Hay wagon rides and Swings, Feeding Animals in the Barn, a Boardwalk through a Marsh and a 1.3K pond to pond paved Trail cutting through fields with sheltered check points offering spectacular views.

Hay wagon

Accessible swing

Start of 1.3k trail

What lurks around the bend?

My personal favourite spot was at the end of the trail, a bridge/fort type structure that spanned a valley and put you amongst the trees, with the sun shining through the trees and chirping birds made for an beautiful scene, so peaceful!!

A large portion of the Farm is devoted to Horses with very impressive Stables, a Show ring and Paddocks with many Beautiful horses, some that had competed in the Vancouver and Beijing Paralympics.

Mr. Houston

There is also a Century Barn / Museum, a sensory room, meeting spaces and more...

Overall I highly recommend Windreach farm as a great getaway for small or large groups, With it's accessible accommodation, plenty of activities, natural surroundings, (Stars look at those Stars!!) and close proximity you wont be disappointed...

Book your stay now!!

Oh and don't get too close to the fire!  :-p

TTC 2014 Public Forum on Accessible Transit

Source: TheGridTO.com

UPDATE: We just returned from the forum. There were lots in attendance this evening with a wide variety of comments. Andy Byford spent an August day in a wheelchair to experience what it's like to commute and found areas such as narrow lane ways, inconsistent signage, subway platform gaps and general public awareness of those with accessible needs as opportunities for the TTC.

Most comments made during the public forum were related to the daily lives of the individuals that rely heavily on the TTC. There were some comments regarding the contracted taxi drivers, which makes up 60% of the Wheel-Trans fleet, and their service quality. I wonder if the taxi companies and TTC mandate the taxi drivers to go through AODA customer services training.

We also received some questions that we brought up during the 1-on-1 sessions with different TTC staff:

Q: What is being done about mid-block stop for new streetcars?
A: TTC will be coordinating with the City for curb cuts for mid-block stops.

Q: What is the progress of the Wheel-Trans cancellation policy?
A: Currently testing 4-hour cancellation, will likely be 6-8hrs. No timeline to when the testing would be completed and new cancellation policy in place.

Q: Why are some Wheeltrans buses empty and won’t pick a passenger up?
A: It depends on the route schedule of the driver and if they have space in their schedule they can call schedulers to check if they can pick up the additional passenger

Q: Why are elevators not accessible to those with limited upper body strength?
A: Must follow regulatory elevator guidelines, will need to bring up this to the appropriate persons in TTC as there’s opportunity with two new stations coming and with over 50% of existing stations that needs to be made accessible.

Overall the forum is an excellent opportunity for customers to voice their opinions good and bad to the team at TTC. There's definitely a growing number of seniors that require accessibility in the transit system and was well represented at the forum this evening. When the actions from the forum is released it will be shared here.

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Transit is without a doubt an integral part of enabling the lives of all. For those with accessible needs transit is incredibly important and without the appropriate infrastructure and culture in place, the system would not enable those that rely on it heavily.

This Wednesday, September 17, TTC will be hosting the 2014 Public Forum on Accessible Transit. This forum will give opportunity for the general public to provide suggestions and insights to improve the accessibility of public transit in Toronto.

We will be there covering the forum. If you have any questions you would like us to bring up, leave a comment below!

Some of the feedback that they've incorporated from the 2013 forum include:

• Upgraded Wheel-Trans online booking system.
• Customers can now input and manage their list of addresses, without calling in.
• Hired seven new reservationists to reduce Wheel-Trans phone booking wait times.
• Improved our Operating procedures:
• Drivers required to check that the ramp functions before leaving the garage.
• Drivers equipped to deploy the ramp manually if the automated system fails mid-route.
• New information decals on all vehicles – installation in progress
• Customer information campaign – coming this Fall.
• Blue seats in Priority Seating areas – over next two years.
• Lowered new subway trains by ½”.
• Identified platform height issues at certain Line 1 stations (e.g. Eglinton).
• TTC is working with ACAT to develop and test solutions to this issue.
• Testing new signage at Bloor-Yonge, including improved elevator signage.
• New signage to be rolled out across subway system.

Date and Location

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Queen Elizabeth Exhibit Hall

Exhibition Place – 180 Princes’ Boulevard

One-on-One Discussions

6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Take the opportunity to have a conversation with TTC Staff on your own.

Open Public Forum

7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Topics

• Discussion of previous Public Forum concerns and progress made.
• Review of new service initiatives.
• Opportunity for the community to voice concerns or suggestions for accessible transit improvement.

Welcome to TravelEnables.Me!

It's been over three months since our family went on our accessible road trip adventure to the USA and Bahamas. After returning from our two week adventure we started hearing more stories of friends and acquaintances with accessible needs traveling. We want to document their travels, share tips and review places that are accessible in and out of the city. I look forward to this journey together. :)

If you have any experiences you would like to share, please reach out to me by email terrence@equalgrounds.ca or  Twitter @terrencewkho.

My Adventure in Whitehorse

A few weeks ago I took a trip of a lifetime to Whitehorse. I was very excited as well as a little nervous. I was excited at the prospect of seeing a friend I had not seen in many years. I was nervous because this was going to be the first time I flew by myself EVER!

I had to wake up at 4:30 because I had to leave for the airport at 5:00AM. When I got to the airport, my mom accompanied me to the Air Canada desk to help me check-in, and to make sure my luggage was going straight to Whitehorse and I wouldn’t have to get in when I arrived in Vancouver for my layover. After a small glitch with the computer, my luggage was checked in and they put a tag on my wheelchair.  When I was all checked in my mom accompanied me as far as she could. We said goodbye when we got to security. At that time of the morning security was not busy. It only took a few minutes to get through. I was unsure of where to go after I cleared security so I asked one of the guards. He told me I had to take the elevator to where the gates are. I thanked him and was on my way. Once I found my gate, I got a coffee and waited until the time I could board.

Once it was time to board, everyone was extremely helpful. One of the airport employees pushed me down the ramp to the airplane. There, two attendants helped me into the aisle chair. While they were strapping me in, one of the stewardesses took my purse and carry-on bag to my seat. Once I arrived at my seat the stewardess helped me get settled and said if I needed ANYTHING just to let them know. The flight was long and a little turbulent but other than that it was uneventful.

When I arrived in Vancouver, the stewardess took care of my belongings while I was being assisted into the aisle chair. Once I was off the plane, one of the employees of the airport helped me to the gate where I needed to catch my second flight. Once I was there, I found a place where I could get something to eat. Even though I was in Vancouver for almost two hours, the time went very quickly. I was then ready for the last leg of my journey. The flight from Vancouver to Whitehorse was shorter, however there was a little bit of turbulence again.

After almost eight hours of travelling I was FINALLY in Whitehorse. Even from the window of the airplane, I could tell Whitehorse was very picturesque. The very first picture I took was from the airplane. The people there were extremely helpful as well. After I was helped into my wheelchair, there was no indoor walkway from the plane, so we had to walk off the tarmac. I was escorted into the airport and someone helped me to the baggage claim. The airport in Whitehorse is very small so as soon as I got to where the baggage claim was, my friends were waiting there for me. The employee made sure I was okay before they left me. I thanked them for their help. I was exhausted but I was very excited to be in Whitehorse!

Once we left the airport my friends drove me around to show me some of the sights. They knew I was exhausted so they only showed me a few things. Then we went to my hotel, The Edgewater and checked in.  My hotel room was very nice and cozy. There were a couple minor things that needed to be changed to make it more accessible, but the hotel staff was very accommodating and they were rectified quickly. After I rested for a while my friends picked me up and we had a nice dinner.

While travelling though Whitehorse, I could not believe how beautiful it is. I saw breathtaking scenery every day. I couldn’t get enough. I even saw two bears. I was hoping to see more wildlife (bald eagle, moose) but I did not. Oh well, that just means I have to go back. I’ve been trying to put into words how beautiful it is, but that doesn’t do it justice. I am hoping to print out my pictures and make it into a book. If anyone tells me they are thinking about going to Whitehorse, I will tell them to stop thinking about it AND GO!