On Monday, March 11, 2013, five organizations, the Neil Squire Society, Spinal Cord Injury BC, (new window) The Disability Foundation (new window), BC Wheelchair Sports (new window), and the BC Wheelchair Basketball Society (new window) participated in the unveiling of the new Doug Mowat (new window) wheelchair accessible entrance at British Columbia’s Legislature (new window) in Victoria. Now anyone, no matter what their physical ability, can easily enter through the front doors.

“Doug followed a clear and motivating mandate, “anything you can do, I can do.” By keeping course on his mandate, Doug became responsible for bringing wheelchair accessibility to the City of Vancouver. He was dedicated to eliminating physical barriers for persons with disabilities and this is why many of our organizations are here today.

While working with the city Doug helped create accessible sidewalks, better access to busses and taxis, and wheelchair accessible public washroom doors. He managed a wheelchair basketball team, which encouraged wheelchair sports. Doug initiated rallies to remove driving restrictions from people with disabilities. In 1957, Doug helped found one of the organizations here today, the British Columbia Paraplegic Association. While organizing rallies, coaching sports teams, and fighting for accessibility, Doug had a successful career with the BC Legislature. All of his ventures have been gateways for our organizations, our staff, and our participants.

We as a network continue to be inspired by his work and continue to work towards Doug Mowat’s dream of everyone with disability being fully integrated into the mainstream of our society. This new ramp is a symbol of inclusiveness, where now everyone, regardless of their physical ability, can enter through the front door of the legislature. Like Doug said, “anything you can do, I can do.”

–          Dr. Gary Birch, Executive Director of the Neil Squire Society