Monday morning found me nervous as my picture was taken for the newspaper and the announcement I would be seeking a seat on Abbotsford City Council. Running for a seat on council is not something I had ever thought to find myself doing and having made the decision to run I was feeling a little trepidation.

Right up until I heard Brian Herrmann relating what was going on with the handyDART system of disabled and handicapped bus service in Abbotsford.

As Mr. Herrmann notes: “Day Programs provide, in many cases, the only socialization, entertainment, and awareness of the community, that seniors and people with disabilities receive. Unable to attend these programs, means that they are sitting at home, with few options.”

I had heard about problems when applying for handyDART services for individuals who have special needs, that nobody new could get transportation. People were told that this would resolve itself when the entire system in the lower mainland was reorganized and that this would result in increased handyDART services in Abbotsford that would give access to Vancouver from Abbotsford.

However the Abbotsford-Mission Joint Transit Committee chose not to pursue this change. Unfortunately the Committee also chose not to make the changes necessary to meet the increased need/demand for handyDART transportation.

The result is people are being made prisoners in their homes because they cannot get the specialized transportation they need to get out into the community.

Possibly this explains why Abbotsford council felt that making even one playground accessible to the disabled was unnecessary. After all if you are not going to provide a way for the disabled to get out of their homes and into the community, it is unnecessary for you to provide somewhere such as an accessible playground for them to enjoy.

I have seen how much the ability to use handyDART and getting out into the community benefits those who need the service.

An accessible playground for the disabled and handyDART services sufficient to meet the needs of our community should be a priority.

Rather than councils priority in spending money putting Council’s Million Dollar$ Puddle in front of the Clearbrook Library.