By Emily White

Part of being a good leader is about listening to people and amplifying their voices. I desire to listen to the people with disabilities in my community and make sure those in power hear their voices. I believe I demonstrated my ability to do this when I served as a peer facilitator for the City of Surrey as they created their Official Community Plan. I was able to keep the group focused and encourage them to express their ideas. It was a great time of collaboration with the city to make the community better for everyone.

We discussed housing, community infrastructure, the economy, and transportation as they relate to disability issues. Safety and housing came up, as well as the condition of sidewalks and how that impacts wheelchair users. We also discussed the accessibility of specific community spaces, such as recreation centres, particularly pools. I expressed my desire for a more accessible pool option for somebody like me who has difficulty transferring.

I felt empowered to voice this and other concerns. I also learned the definition of non-market housing and realized that, as a resident of long-term care, this is the category of housing I live in. I took the opportunity to express that I would like to see more accessible housing available in the community with proper supports in place. The others in my group expressed similar concerns.

It was nice to be able to talk directly with people from the city about the things that impact our lives every day. It was a very fulfilling experience, even beyond the honorarium I received. I believe more municipalities should give people with disabilities the opportunity to share their ideas and concerns. Our voice matters, and I will continue to make sure that it is heard.