NEWSMAKERS 2022: Markham residents battling barriers to accessibility

Citizens could not enter through school's accessible front entrance on Ontario's voting day — it was reserved for people attending a play

Yorkregion.com
Dec. 22, 2022
Simone Joseph

Joan Jenkyn hasn’t seen many improvements in accessibility since the day her disability prevented her from voting the way she would have liked.

She had gone to vote at Thornhill Secondary School on Ontario’s voting day — June 2.

Jenkyn and her husband were told they could not enter through the front doors because it was reserved for people attending a play. They were directed to the back doors.

But, this entrance had no ramp.

Jenkyn has multiple Sclerosis and uses a walker. Her husband uses a cane.

Since the couple could not access the building, staff brought voting materials outside — an unsatisfactory solution for Jenkyn. She sat on her walker to vote. “They could see who I voted for.”

These days, the lack of accessibility in other places irritates Jenkyn.

Like the restaurant in Markham she enjoyed for years but has sworn not to attend because the washrooms are not accessible.

Jenkyn brought her daughter to the restaurant and her daughter ended up looking after her walker while Jenkyn went to the washroom since the walker couldn’t fit into the stall. There was also nothing to hold onto in the stall. “It was dangerous,” she said.

As for the future, Jenkyn ‘s wish is that all medical facilities be accessible.