Striving to remove barriers that prevent us from building Vibrant, Diverse, Inclusive, Accessible Communities!

 

The importance of a ride: Cheshire Homes works towards an accessible vehicle for residents

Light-brown–skinned adult woman using a power wheelchair—left hand on a left-mounted joystick, feet on an elevated footboard—smiling on a curved concrete path toward a step-free entrance; gazebo with tables at left, late-season shrubs and patchy grass along the walkway.
Celeste Halcro and supporters are rallying at a Friday gala to help Cheshire Homes Saskatoon fund an accessible vehicle, a purchase organizers say would strengthen resident independence. Photo: Rob O’Flanagan / Saskatoon StarPhoenix.

Editor’s Note: Can you identify what community barriers need to be removed so this type of action should not be necessary?

The article explains why a reliable, wheelchair-accessible vehicle is pivotal for residents in a community home, emphasizing that transportation is not a luxury but a daily necessity for appointments, work, and maintaining social ties.

It describes how the organization is working toward acquiring an accessible van, outlining the day-to-day coordination required when rides fall through and how gaps in service can derail medical care or participation in community life; these transportation barriers align with the broader understanding that environments—not bodies—create many of the practical barriers people face (social model of disability).

The piece centers residents who use wheelchairs and other mobility aids, noting that people living in group homes often lack dependable alternatives when paratransit or informal rides are unavailable, which creates concrete problems for People with Disabilities and especially impacts Blind/Low Vision residents when trip changes aren’t communicated clearly.

Ultimately, the article frames the accessible-vehicle effort as an investment in dignity and autonomy: a step toward removing transportation barriers so residents can plan their days with confidence, keep vital commitments, and strengthen their connections to the wider community.

Read the Full Article: The importance of a ride: Cheshire Homes works towards an accessible vehicle for residents
by: Olivia Grandy

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