Markham accessibility fair helps 'navigate the maze'
Yorkregion.com
Oct. 24, 2015
By Chris Simon
Maninder Hothi came out of his shell by learning to rebound.
The 18-year-old Brampton resident has been diagnosed with spina bifida, a birth defect that commonly causes neurological impairment. So, partly in an effort to gain confidence and stop 'being shy', Hothi took up wheelchair basketball.
He quickly gained a love for the sport and recently competed at the Canada Games.
Hothi showed off his skills on the hard court during a demonstration at the Markham Pan Am Centre, as part of the fourth annual Markham Accessibility Fair.
"At one point in life, I was shy," he said, sitting on a bench in the centre gymnasium Saturday.
"But there's opportunities and no need to be shy. Some people are lost and don't go out to see what's in the community. When there's something like this, it shows there are things out there."
About 100 people were expected to attend the fair, which included other recreational demonstrations like wheelchair ballroom dancing and Tai Chi.
Several community organizations also set up booths to showcase the services they offer to residents with disabilities and their families - everything from the Ontario Wheelchair Sports Association and Centre for Dreams to Lions Club guide dog services and the South Asian Autism Awareness Centre.
"The purpose of the fair is to bring people together and let them know what's available for people of all different abilities," organizer Kristin Hayes said.
"We wanted exhibitors that could offer information and resources to all members of our community. Sometimes there's a perception that if you've got a disability, you're not able to get involved in things. That’s absolutely not true. We want people to come away with some good information."
The event also showcased the centre, which was built with a significant focus on accessibility and hosted Parapan Am Games table tennis during the summer, Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti said.
"At the end of the day, it doesn't matter who you are, if you need assistance, it's a maze you have to go through," he said. "It's important to connect people in our community to the programs and services they need. It's facilities like this, which is in many respects tell crown jewel of our recreational facilities ... that are at the heart of what we're doing. Everything has been designed with accessibility in mind."
Hayes agrees.