RPTV Weekly News (Episode 32) – AccessNow to Map Accessibility of Regent Park.

Daniels Corporation announces Partnership with AccessNow to Map Accessibility of Regent Park.

By Fred Alvarado
Fred is a community journalist with FOCUS MEDIA ARTS CENTRE

Welcome to RPTV Weekly News Show Episode 32. In this weekly news show hosted by RPTV reporters Fred Alvarado, Victoria Nanneti, and Jabin Haque, we present news that impacts on Toronto's Regent Park and the surrounding areas.

Episode 32 for the week of June 17th to June 24th, 2022 features segments on:
Lead story:

*     Regent Park Community Celebrates Safety Awareness Day on June 30th, 2022 (01:20 min);
*     Daniels Corporation announces partnership with AccessNow to Map Accessibility of Regent Park (15:14 min);
*     Museum + Arts Pass (MAP Pass) distribution at the Parliament Street Library will look different starting July. (21:48 min);
*     Toronto Raptors' Pascal Siakam hands out hundreds of laptops to Middle School Girls in Regent Park (27:30 min);
*     Big changes coming to Moss Park: Re-design of Park & Community Centre update (29:21 min); Canada signs $20B compensation agreement on First Nations child welfare (33:20 min);
*     Covid-19 and Vaccination Update: New Omicron subvariant expected to become dominant COVID-19 strain in Ontario / Vaccine Clinics in the neighborhood. (34:33 min);
*     Events and Jobs In Regent Park Community (36:13 min).

Daniels Corporation announces Partnership with AccessNow to Map Accessibility of Regent Park.

On June 30th, 2022, Daniels Corporation, one of Canada’s pre-eminent builders and developers, announced a partnership with AccessNow, an accessibility technology company which seeks to make communities easier to navigate for people living with disabilities. The partnership aims to map, review and rank the accessibility of businesses and public spaces in Regent Park. Results from the reviewing and mapping process will highlight both the successes and barriers that currently exist for people living with disabilities in how they live, work and play within the community.
“MapMissions” are integral to building out and informing the AccessNow mobile app and web platform, which allows people to search for places in their community that are accessible, based on their location and needs.

On May 25, 2022, the AccessNow team, Daniels and local Regent Park residents came together for a MapMission event to explore the accessibility of places in the neighbourhood.

Results from the MapMission revealed   two-thirds (66 per cent) of places were rated accessible by residents. A total of 500 accessibility features were observed throughout the community, including automatic doors, accessible parking spots and elevators, digital menus, braille, lowered counters, and gender-neutral washrooms, among other things.

Since 2016, the AccessNow app has been the go-to information resource for people living with disabilities. Spanning over 35 countries worldwide, AccessNow’s platform is built for the community, by the community, and provides a pan-disability lens on the accessibility of physical spaces. “At AccessNow, we are thrilled to partner with The Daniels Corporation to vocalize the importance of lived experience of disability within the communities where people live, work, learn and play”, said Maayan Ziv, Founder & CEO, AccessNow.

The accessibility insights we map and highlight on the AccessNow App are the collective voices of the disability community that will inspire the future of inclusive smart city building.” Maayan said.

The partnership builds upon Daniels’ long-standing commitment to social equity.  Daniels approach to accessibility ensures communities they create and build are not only accessible, but also resilient, and foster a sense of belonging for all members in the community.
 
“Daniels is proud to be partnering with AccessNow to bring accessibility to the forefront of every community,” said Jake Cohen, Chief Operating Officer, The Daniels Corporation. “It is our mission to ensure our communities are inclusive and accessible. We are firmly committed to understanding any current or future barriers for those living with disabilities and working towards solutions. Through our work with AccessNow and our Accessibility Designed Program, we are one step closer to making this mission a reality.” Jake said.

AccessNow and Daniels created a video to let the community know what the Regent Park MapMission and accessibility exploration on May 25, 2022 was all about.