Community Ramp Project in Kincardine is a step in the right direction

Nine businesses in the Municipality of Kincardine have taken a step toward making the community more accessible.

According to a press release, July 18, from the municipality, these businesses took advantage of the Community Ramp Project, developed by the StopGap Foundation, allowing communities to supply free deployable entry ramps to businesses with single-stepped storefronts that prevent access for many people.

The Community Ramp Project was an initiative of the municipality’s Accessibility Advisory Committee, working with the Kincardine Business Improvement Area (BIA) and Kincardine District Secondary School. The BIA helped to spread the word to the various businesses, while the students, led by Greg Shipp, built the ramps.

In the end, of the 21 stores with a single-step entrance in the BIA area, the following businesses applied for the free ramps:

• NA Engineering Associates Inc.
• Fincher's Ltd.
• Dairy Queen
• Becker Shoes
• Hawgs Breath Saloon and Deli
• New Seasons Restaurant
• Coldwell Banker The Property Shoppe
• Gemini Jewellers
• Queen Street Business Centre

Each business owner will display an “Access Ramp Available Upon Request” sign, and individuals can arrange for the ramp to be put out in advance of their visit, their companion can enter the business and request the ramp, or the signage will have the phone number for the business that they can call.

“The Community Ramp Project will allow residents and visitors greater access to the marvellous stores, restaurants and services that Lakeside Downtown Kincardine has to offer," said mayor Anne Eadie.

The Accessibility Advisory Committee has been championing many initiatives this summer to provide residents and visitors with increased accessibility throughout the municipality.

Besides these ramps, the municipality now has the Mobi-Mat accessible beach path sponsored by Bruce Power and the Kincardine Rotary Club with support from the Community Foundation Grey Bruce and the Kincardine Agricultural Society, as well as the Rotary beach wheelchair, and the newly-built accessible washrooms at the Kincardine Arts Centre and the Lions Splash Pad. These all help put Kincardine on the map as an accessible place to visit.

Business owners throughout the municipality, with a single-step store entrance, are invited to apply to have a ramp constructed for them by filling out the application form found on the municipal website at www.kincardine.net or by contacting the clerk’s department at 519-396-3468, Ext. 7111.