An exercise in equity and inclusion occurred yesterday (June 12) for some members of council, senior town administration, and FCSS staff.

Around 15 or so leaders did an exercise to find how challenging everyday life can be for those living with mobility issues, disabilities, or visual impairments.

Taking out walkers, wheelchairs, canes, and other devices commonly used to help residents get around, senior leadership discovered what and where difficulties exist.

Done as an awareness exercise, Mayor Brooker, has new appreciation for those living with challenges. "One thing I noticed, is you definitely have to lay out where you're going to go. You have to plan ahead, you have to know where you're going to go. We got to one spot and...oh no I can't cross here, got to another spot oh can't cross there; not every corner has the cuts."

Mike Korman, Senior Manager of Economic Development, says he founds lights were too short when trying to cross the road. "I was huffing it trying to get across. People are very gracious they all stopped and waited but you feel bad that you're holding them up."

The discussion surrounding accessibility has been ongoing in Cochrane for the past couple of years but an exercise like this really drives the point home. The group exercise took them for the Family Community Support Services building to main street up 5th Avenue before arriving at their destination point, Riverfront Park.

Eliza Neven-Pugh, who has cerebral palsy was thankful staff took time out to see some of the challenges she is faced with daily. "This is what I have to experience every day and I thank you for your courage and strength. I ask that you take this away, work on it, think about it, and think about it always."

While there are no 'official' plans to fix deficiencies quite yet, Suzanne Gaida, Senior Manager Community Services, says the feedback will be taken back to the Equity and Inclusion committee. "We will take this back and talk to the committee about 'quick wins'. To say what's next...I don't know; but from my perspective there is some quick wins that can happen at least from my perspective in the historic downtown with the businesses that are not accessible. Also anytime we are doing projects with parks, roads, infrastructure we will be looking at where they need to be fixed. But certainly our internal committee will be taking this back and get our learnings together."