Archive for November 2008
This Hour has 5 & 1/2 Minutes
This weeks episode is hot on the trail of the Liberals.
Some of the stories
Dave Carver’s romance with Minister Docherty
Bruce Howatt PEI’s top poker ace
Secret $200 million slush fund,
PEI’s new Price is Right,
It ain’t heavy: it’s a government cheque
Have you seen it?
Guardian, Accessible parking not a reality
Letters to the Editor
The Guardian
Front Page
UPEI reminds me of a stubborn teenager. You can talk to them, reason with them, and try to lay down the law. We all know how stubborn kids can be when they want to do the wrong thing. (Stephen Pate on the lack of accessible parking for the disabled at the University)
On July 4th, 2008 the Guardian (UPEI’s plan to remove designated parking) reported UPEI was removing the last three accessible parking spaces on the inner campus. Those spots are gone and UPEI adamantly insists it is right.
Accessible parking means the spot is less than 50 meters from the door of the building. That is the National Building Code standard and the City of Charlottetown by-law. (Ed: the City does not enforce this by-law consistently)
60% of the blue painted parking spaces at UPEI do not meet the national standard. At UPEI, the only accessible parking is at CARI, the Sports Centre, Murphy, AVC Small Animal Hospital and MacDougall.
This move has reversed three decades in the accommodation of people with disabilities at UPEI. President MacLauchlan stubbornly refuses to budge from that decision.
And now the rest of the story: Changes improve wheelchair accessibility at Main Building on UPEI campus
November 7, 2008
The Guardian printed the story that follows, which is essentially public relations puffery on the part of the UPEI. We submitted a comment about 6 AM and re-submitted.
The Guardian chose not to print our comment.
All our comments are signed. This is the first time the Guardian refused to print our comments. We are amazed at their censorship. We assume we are too close to revealing the truth for the Guardian’s tastes.
And here is the rest of the story.
It’s a great photo op at UPEI, who recently took away disabled parking. That Myrtle Jenkins Smith is good on the public relations and mopping up patronage money. Yup, no money for the DSP, a dog slow report – like molasses uphill in winter – and lots of money for MJS.
Look – there’s Currie as a pretty face. He didn’t do a thing at UPEI. He just looks good standing tall with three paraplegics. I figured out this morning who Currie reminds me of – check This Week Has Five & a Half Minutes next week for the answer.
Oh and Brian Doucette who refused to say word one about the DSP $1 million cutback 2 years. He must have found his water wings.
And Paul Cudmore who the PEI Canadian Paraplegic told me in writing they haven’t seen in 10 years. Look out boys – he’s next to you. Paul is the champion of you can drive in chair, why park close at UPEI.
Quite a crew. UPEI took 1 year to build a sports field – 7 years to build a wheelchair ramp. That’s progress.
Other reader comments follow the story.
KATHERINE HUNT
The Guardian
The 154-year-old Main Building on the UPEI campus is now more wheelchair-accessible as part of a seven-year implementation plan to make the campus more accessible to those with disabilities.
You can’t get there from anywhere: photo op at UPEI
The photo-op in the Guardian today improve wheelchair accessibility at Main Building on UPEI campus has the government PR machine in full swing.
Despite the hoopla, students and staff with disabilities have accessible parking at less than 30% of the campus.
“Field Of Dreams” coined the phrase “If you build it they will come”. True but they also built a road to the field so people could get there.
The other parking is outside the legal boundaries for accessible parking and the lots are empty. People with disabilities are staying away from UPEI in droves. Perhaps that’s President MacLauchlan’s plan.
Social Services and Seniors Minister Currie, just another pretty face?, and Charlene Stevenson and Brian Doucette of PEI CPA and Paul Cudmore of PEI Accessibility Committee (Guardian Photo)
Eureka- we just figured out who Currie reminds us of – check out next weeks episode of This Hour Has Five and Half Minutes.
This Hour Has Five & 1/2 Minutes – November 4, 2008
The new episode is up.
Highlights
Obama and Civil Rights
Headlines – Ghiz in China, Currie burns his way through Prince and Kings Counties
Take this job and shove it – please Minister Gail Shea
Pete from Peakes on millionaires
and more
Fun, sharp and the show to watch.
Send us your comments.
