Fest-for-All presented by Essex County’s accessibility advisory committee

The Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee held its third annual Fest-for-All last Friday at Ridgeview Park in Cottam.

The third annual Fest-for-All was presented last week with it shining a light on accessibility and opportunities not only in the county, but by its member municipalities.

The Fest-for-All was presented by the County of Essex’s accessibility advisory committee Sept. 11. This year’s festival was held at Ridgeview Park, including the Gosfield Communications Community Centre, in Cottam.

Activities and events were presented to provide awareness of accessibility issues and what is and can be offered in the region. 

Various exercises and activities were held throughout the day.

Businesses, municipalities, service agencies, long-term care homes, sports groups, and more offered demonstrations, classes and presentations as well as lined the main driveway heading into the park as vendors.

Warden Hilda MacDonald was pleased with what she saw.

“Our accessibility committee is such a vital part of the region,” said MacDonald. “They are looking out for folks with disabilities and challenges.”

MacDonald said she enjoyed looking out and seeing the sense of community at the Fest-For-All.

“It’s such a wonderful feeling,” said MacDonald. “It’s fabulous.”

As she looked out at an outdoor wheelchair basketball game, MacDonald commented the festival gave people a chance to experience what those with disabilities have to deal with on a daily basis. 

“It’s trying to put each other in the other’s shoes,” she said.

Dennis Sanson, the chair of the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee, said this is the third year for the Fest-for-All event and fourth year he has been the committee chair.

“I’ve enjoyed every minute of being on this committee,” said Sanson. 

Sanson said each member is active in promoting accessibility and believed the event represents a desire to promote accessibility and accessibility awareness.

Vendors also lined the laneway heading into the park, with vendors including local municipalities and service organizations.

The first year of the Fest-for-All was held in Colchester with the second year being at the Libro Centre in Amherstburg. Now it was in Cottam and Sanson said they have felt welcome in every stop they have made.

People with accessibility needs should be remembered and assisted every day of the year, he believed.

“Let’s not forget about what they need and give them a hand up,” said Sanson.

Fest-for-All presented by Essex County’s accessibility advisory committee

By Ron Giofu