At this event, we realized that LET’S has proudly been working with the Mobility, Accessibility, and Participation of People with Disabilities (MAP) for well over 13 years. We started as an advisor on the organizing committee and have since helped out in a number of roles, including as accessibility advisor, consultant, Disability Awareness workshop facilitator, among others.
The main goal of the MAP project (“Towards Barrier-Free Communities: A Partnership for Improving Mobility, Access and Participation Among People with Disabilities”) is to support community organizations and municipalities to develop, evaluate, and implement researched-informed actions that contribute to the development of barrier-free communities.
The Stakeholders’ Walkability/Wheelability Audit in Neighbourhoods (SWAN) is a sub-project of the Mobility, Accessibility, and Participation of People with Disabilities (MAP) partnership under the stream of Navigation and Pedestrian Environment. The research team is located at the Department of Gerontology at Simon Fraser University, led by Dr. Atiya Mahmood, a Professor in the Department of Gerontology.
(People, in pairs, with different types of disabilities.)
The City of Burnaby + MAP SWAN Urban Accessibility Experiential Pop-Up session invited the public to engage with accessibility challenges through interactive, hands-on stations. Using maps, data visualizations, and insights from our environmental audits, community members had the opportunity to explore accessibility barriers firsthand and offer feedback on potential solutions. This was an important opportunity for the wider community to contribute their perspectives and help drive future improvements in urban planning.
“On the Move” Video Station
On the Move explores the stories of individuals with diverse abilities as they navigate their communities. This station highlighted key barriers and solutions for more inclusive public spaces.
Interactive Game “On the Move”
An opportunity to experience challenges faced by people with disabilities in an urban environment through a hands-on game. This activity helps raise awareness of daily mobility obstacles and encourages creative problem-solving for urban design.
Photo Board Display
A visual representation of accessible and inaccessible streetscapes through photos. This interactive display encouraged participants to reflect on what makes a space truly accessible and offer feedback on how improvements can be made.