www.langleyadvancetimes.com
Langley Advance Times
Thursday, May 27, 2021 A25
Petition calls for ramps at Brookswood mall Wheelchair, scooter, and stroller users must go through the parking lot, local advocates say Matthew Claxton matthew.claxton@langleyadvancetimes.com
The head of Langley’s Pos-Abilities Society is reaching out to ask Langley Township to do something about the lack of ramps at a primary shopping destination in Brookswood. Zosia Ettenberg, executive director of Pos-Abilities, is backing a change.org petition to improve the accessibility of Brookswood Plaza, in the 4100-block of 200th Street. The main commercial shopping centre in the neighbourhood has multiple short stairs around the sidewalks, linking the shops in an L shape around the parking lot. In a video created for Pos-Abilities, Ettenberg points out that there are no ramps linking the multiple levels of the shopping centre. Anyone who relies on a wheelchair or scooter for mobility has to go down into the parking lot and roll behind parked cars, in the driving lanes, to access the next ramp back up. Aside from the inconvenience, the worry is that this
Langley Pos-Abilities is petitioning for better wheelchair access at the Brookswood Plaza shopping centre, where the sidewalks have multiple steps, and anyone using a wheelchair must traverse the parking lot. (Screengrab/Langley Pos-Abilities video) creates an extra hazard for disabled patrons. Not only do they have to go out into the travel lanes of the lot, people
using wheelchairs are lower to the ground than standing adults. It can be difficult to see the in a rear view mirror – so
they may be at risk from cars backing out of the parking spaces, Ettenberg emphasizes in the video.
LANGLEY DENTAL CARE CLINIC
Most of the sets of stairs community for people with have just one to two steps, disabilities, but Ettenberg and the video shows graphics emphasized that when things of what it might look like are made accessible, it benefits to install the “gentle” ramps more than just the disabled. that Pos-Abilities Parents with would like to see. strollers and Ettenberg said seniors with she was working walkers or canes We just with SPARC BC, would also find another agency it easier to get felt it was that deals with around if ramps about time disability rights, were installed on accessibility where the five that we issues when the sets of steps are shopping plaza currently locatbrought it came up. ed, she said. “We just felt it There were to people’s it was about time 34 signatures that we brought as of Wednesattention. it to people’s day. Once the ZOSIA ETTENBERG attention,” said petition has at Ettenberg. least 100 to 150 Pos-Abilities signatures, Ettried to reach out tenberg plans to to the property owner first, take it before Langley Townbut couldn’t find an email ad- ship council and ask if they dress or phone number for the will take some action to make the plaza more accessible. company. As accessibility standards Without any way to ask for have been upgraded through changes, Ettenberg said she’s the years, older buildings and been left going to the Townparking lots have not always ship as the next option. been upgraded, she noted, sayPos-Abilities’ mission is to create a more accessible ing this is just the beginning.
SENIOR AND STUDENT DISCOUNTS
Give Yourself a Smile You Deserve ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS WE OFFER LATE APPOINTMENTS WEDNESDAY’S & SATURDAY’S.
SPECIAL OFFER With every new patient check up and cleaning get a free Oral B electric tooth brush. SERVICES OFFERED • Cleaning and Check Up • White Fillings • Bridges and Dentures • Crowns and Veneers • Nitrous Oxide Sedation (Laughing gas) • lnvisalign - Clear Braces • Root Canals • Family and Cosmetic Dentistry • Dental Implants Starting at $1499 - Implant Crown Not Included
• We offer in house nitrous oxide sedation for high Anxiety Dental patients • We offer Senior & Student Discounts Call Us To Book Your Appointment Today
• Enjoy TV Entertainment During Your Visit • Direct Insurance Billing - All Plans Accepted Including Ministry Healthy Kids Plans. • We are using full precautions for COVID-19
20654 Fraser Hwy Unit #1, Langley City
778-366-7770 • www.langleycaredental.com