History, 1972 - 1977

TWENTY YEAR REFLECTIONS - Bruce A. Lumsden

Chair, May 1972 - June 1977

I was asked to write a few words of reflection on the twentieth anniversary of K-W Access-Ability. I must admit that I still think of the agency as K-W Services for the Physically Disabled. However it is a sign of a healthy organization when they can adapt to change.

I was associated with the agency for thirteen years both as a member of the Board and as Chairperson. One of the most frequently asked questions I had to deal with was, "How did you become involved with disabled people and the agency?" Well, like a lot of volunteers I had my arm gently twisted; in this case by Rick Woods. I knew Rick through the University of Waterloo where he was a student and I was responsible for a number of areas in the Registar's office, including arranging examinations.

My memory of those years was a bit faded, particularly so, because I gave all my files and notes to the Agency for safe keeping! (A great task for someone who is interested in archived and history and has the time to browse thru' minutes and handwritten scribbles.) Like any other organization, this one too, had its teething problems - what to concern itself with and how to do it. A smaller concern but just as important was to get others to be involved. One of the characteristics of this community is the willingness of volunteers to help out. Among the disabled people, parents, and people in the community we established a Board, struck committees, found facilities and twisted more arms.

The early concerns centred around the programmes and the need for housing/residence facilities.

The craft programme was a starting point and from that other programmes blossomed. The swimming programme under Bob Cruickshank was one in particular I remember.

Every summer we seemed to find another government funding programme that would allow us to hire students to develop and operate programmes in the community. I like to think that it was the Agency and its programmes that pointed out the need for "service providers", particulary to the three levels of government, to improve and upgrade their services.

The other effect the programmes had was to raise the awareness in the community that the disabled people were an integral part of our society and that their needs could no longer be ignored.

The other concern that took up our time was trying to address the housing needs. This discussion and the interminable meetings centred around the idea of building a residential facility, trial residence weekends at the University of Waterloo, trips to Toronto to government officials, briefs and more briefs, developing a relationship with the Rotary, buying land, becoming involved with the Ontario Federation for the Cerebral Palsied and the Meyers brothers, all night telethons, the establishment of Participation House Project -- the memories go on and on.

One of the memories that is very clear is when one of the first residents of the P.H. Apartments opened her door and invited me into her apartment. A first for her and lasting memory for me!

I have always counted myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to be a part of the Agency and to have the chance in some small way to be part of the changing awareness of our society that recognises people with disabilities as individuals.

Best wishes for the next twenty.

Excerpts from Summer Report '76 by David Smith

"The services rendered by Project Lift are deeply appreciated by all. They provided transportation to all local activities and their personal concern for our group made the programme more meaningful."

"Last but not least, we would like to thank our financial sponsors. Fifteen hundred dollars was donated to the programme by the Ontario March of Dimes ...."

"Finally we would like to say that we have really enjoyed working with everyone involved in the programme this summer and we are looking forward to meeting with everyone again in the near future."

NOTE: The preceeding is only one of the many highlights from all the Summer Programmes. Unfortunately time and space do not allow for mention of all the summer events of years passed, or of all the wonderful staff and volunteers who gave unselfishly of their time and who devoted so much effort to making summer a special time for members.

LANDMARKS

1972

• Agency re-structures to handle increased demand on programmes.
• Rotary Club commits $ 50,000 toward a proposed residence.

1973

• First Board of Directors
• Incorporation as a Charitable Non-profit Organization

1977

• Residence committee incorporates as "The Participation House Project - Waterloo Region".

PROGRAMMES

• Educational: "SELF EXPRESSION" "BASIC MATH" & "SOCIAL SKILL" 

Board of Directors

Staff

Connie Cruickshank