The Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) is raising the bar for what some say should be the standard of all new public buildings being erected.
Located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, CMHR is working with an Inclusive Design Advisory Council (IDAC), made up of a panel of eight activists, advisors, and experts in the field of disability rights.
The purpose of these meetings is to strive to meet the needs of people with disabilities. From the building itself, to designing each exhibit to be universally inclusive, the museum is setting a new benchmark in accessibility, programming, and business practice.
The panel will provide feedback and analysis on almost all aspects of the museums development. From exhibit development and visitor services to visitor research and prototyping, the IDAC’s involvement will be evident in nearly every dimension of CMHR’s design. Because of the council’s input, the museums programming, education, digital media and technology will all be positively impacted by the collaboration as well.
Laurie Beachell, National Coordinator of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities said, “The Museum is to be congratulated for creating the Inclusive Design Advisory Council. The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is a tremendously exciting project, it not only will tell the story of the struggle of people with disabilities for equality but it provides an opportunity to substantially raise the bar on the accessibility of museums for people with a wide range of disabilities.”
“True inclusion means providing services and design that allow the opportunity for everyone to participate and enjoy what the Museum has to offer. IDAC will help us provide each and every visitor that visits us in-person or on-line an unforgettable experience,” said Stuart Murray, President and Chief Executive Officer of the CMHR. “While we have strived to engage with experts in the field of accessibility and disability rights from the early stages of our development, the establishment of this council represents a major milestone for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.”
As a museum designed to explore the history and progression of human rights, it is very fitting that such lengthy measures have been taken to implement meaningful changes in the way we think about universal inclusion. Most engineering designs, from buildings to everyday products, are typically not created with disabled persons in mind. How refreshing it is to see such a conscious educational public establishment set a new standard in consideration for all walks of life.
*Please note: All research for this article is compiled from direct and third party sources. Mention of programs, organizations and companies does not imply support of The National Benefit Authority. Pictures are for creative purposes only; they are not intended to sell or promote products for NBC and belong to the accredited individual, organization or company.
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Oct.05/2011RE; Dissibility Exsperiance :I have been diagnose with rhescud vertibrea + c-7 disk displacement & un able to repair without 90 percent possibility of being parlized + c-6 disk displacement & un able to repair without 90 percent possibility of being parlized + rhescud tailbone . These injuries came from car accidents in Ontario , two to be exact =Mar.04/2004 truck ran me off of one of the serounding roads , on my way back to work / picking up McDonalds for dinner / 5 minutes away from work :This person was charged for fialing to yeld thr right of way , failing to give on comming trafic the right of way + improper lain changed andThe Union laywer introduced me to his montor the guy whom caused the accident after repcenting me before we go to court / Never even got to the courts because he was on the other side as well as mine .Misrepction by the Laywer . torne ligimids in thr neck + rhescud vertibrea + c-6 disk + c-7 disk No repcentation Nov.6/2001- Woman lost control of her van on the 401 going east / she hit a pothole and the van bounced sideways infrount of the tractor trailer that was beside me and then bounced infrount of me at 120 kls / a quick dission I swerved left into cenent berriors and went under her mini van / olsmobile right off + lower back injury ( tail bone ) My forman was behind me and seen everything No repcentationThat was the most frustation . No repcention !Now ! after 10 years after the first accident I have been told that I will have this problem for the rest of my life .+Now! after 07 years of the second accident I have been told that I will have the upper pain for the rest of my life CPM Doctor is perscribing morphine + antriptine stomic pills & pain killers Canadian medical coverage in Nova Scotia does not cover the medicine costs , my last quote on meds was over $ 1574.36 per month I cannot aford that as a single parent of a 15 year old boy .My medical dissibility pays $ 1074.00 per month , so that is impossible .Alternatives : Except mindisable marijuna as the cesmit meds replacement . OK wev will try !Offered to me as free maraujna program from a designated grower . Duriation of application since 2010 and sitll not oked by Government but okied by doctor to eat & smoke if needed , still waiting General activities : wash dishes , tractor mow lawn 1.5 acures wash clothing washing mashine , sweep and mop floors vaccume every second day .Groceries and school meetings with teachers . Everything that I was not doing when working / well actually I was doing this back then as well . No more schying with my son / no activities with quick motions / or instant pain and into tears / I am ashamed for that because I was always in good shape and healed from stiches but this baCK PAIN IS NOW 5 TIMES AS BAD AS THE TIME OF ACCIDENT .Now to try to live as I am in pain every day and on some very strong medicine and tat does not get rid of the pain / All I can do now is to try to cope .My doctor knows from catscan how bad it is inside of me .The good thing :2001 accident , by swerving into cement berrior I saved the life of a mother and daughter in car seet in the back .2004- accident ., by swerving I saved the arm of the other driver whom cut me off Passinger arm was outside the truck as he cut me off Not even a thanks , but live my life in pain .hard to except. many bad thoughts go threw my mind and I try hard to hold things togeather for my son ;.This is what I keep on living rather than thinking justice is unfair and no justice was served . Howv would that make you feel ? and you would know how I feel . My only thanks goes to my doctors whom is trying to get me medicine as needed to deal with what I have to deal with .Crell world / many thoughts but I try to control my anger . I will keep on trying to get things known so that someone may help