OTTAWA — In 1985, Canadian athlete and activist Rick Hansen initiated a groundbreaking world tour, traversing over 40,000 kilometers across 34 countries to advocate for inclusion and address barriers faced by individuals with disabilities. His efforts aimed to raise awareness and support for a more inclusive society.
Over 40 years later, Hansen reflects on the progress made since his iconic journey but emphasizes that significant work remains to achieve true accessibility and inclusion for all Canadians. A screening of the documentary film "Man In Motion: The Rick Hansen Story," which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, took place on Parliament Hill on Wednesday, commemorating the milestone of Hansen's initial entry into Ottawa from Hull, Quebec, where he was celebrated by thousands.
During the event, Hansen reminisced about a pivotal moment in his tour when then-Prime Minister Brian Mulroney contributed $1 million on behalf of Canadians to support the initiative, which ultimately raised $26 million. Hansen stated, "The moment here in Ottawa was a highlight I'll never forget. While we've come a long way in the dream of an accessible and inclusive Canada, we have a long way to go, and we have to accelerate our progress."
Hansen, who became paralyzed from the waist down due to a truck accident, remarked that, despite increased awareness and advocacy, various barriers for individuals with disabilities still exist. He pointed out that improving the built environment remains an immediate priority. “We’re building things for the future of our country, and unless we change the way we approach building, we are building in barriers that are not sustainable," he noted, criticizing the existing focus on minimum compliance codes that only score 40 or 50 out of 100 on an accessibility scale.
According to the federal government’s 2022 Canadian Survey on Disability, around 8 million Canadians—over 27 percent of the population—live with a disability, with a larger number knowing or living with someone who has a disability. Hansen emphasized the universal nature of disability, stating, "It’s the only club that eventually everyone is going to join and be part of, so this is a big deal, and we have to wake up to the importance of this and start to reflect what Canadians really want." He called for an end to incremental progress, urging, "We have to accelerate."
Hansen advocated for sustained support for accessibility programs and urged governments to ensure that "every dollar is spent wisely to ensure that everything becomes more meaningfully accessible and inclusive." He insisted that making accessibility a priority is not just socially responsible but also financially beneficial. “If we do that, it’s a marginal cost and it’s of massive financial and social benefit,” he added.
In 2019, the federal government enacted the Accessible Canada Act, committing to making Canada barrier-free by 2040. However, Hansen cautioned that achieving accessibility and inclusion is an ongoing effort, stating, “Accessibility and inclusion isn’t just about the things we build, it’s about the people and how we engage and connect and ensure that no one gets left behind.”
This ongoing dialogue reflects the evolving landscape of accessibility advocacy in Canada, fueled by the experiences and insights of leaders like Rick Hansen, who continue to champion the cause of inclusivity for all Canadians.
