Northeast Accessibility Committee member working to end stigma around the low-vision community

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — One Fort St. John resident is doing her part to break the stigma and bring awareness to the barriers faced by the blind and low-vision community. 

Edwina Nearhood has been a member of the Northeast Accessibility Committee for the past two years. Nearhood is also a member of the blind and low vision community. 

“I had come home from Vancouver post-heart transplant, after my transplant, I had unexpectedly become blind,” she said. “As I came back, I was looking for opportunities to make living in Fort St. John easier.” 

“Now, there’s not a lot of resources for the blind and low vision community, but I was able to access services through CNIB, and I noticed there was a huge lack of education and stigma in the community,” Nearhood said. “So I thought my best bet would be to join the committee and educate our municipal representatives. 

On June 2nd, Nearhood will be at the NVT Logistics walking track inside the Pomeroy Sport Centre to raise awareness about how members of the blind community navigate the track.

Nearhood will host a table to showcase technology for residents to test, including low-vision glasses and sighted guides. 

“Also at my table, I will have a lot of the assistive technology that I use, because I find people are surprised that I can use a phone and a computer,” she said. 

Nearhood said she hopes the event shows some of the barriers she faces.

“The mayor and council will be invited,” Nearhood said. “So I really hope that when they walk with me, they will understand the barriers that I experience getting to the walking track, and then also walking on the walking track unassisted.”

According to Nearhood, transportation is also something she needs to consider when going out.

“Handy Dart is an excellent service in Fort St. John, and I use it a lot,” she said. “But what if I wanted to go [on] short notice?” 

“I can’t always say I want to go for a walk today because I’m not able to book the Handy-Dart one day ahead. But if I could take the city bus there….might be one less barrier that I would have to get to the walking track or even the swimming pool,” Nearhood said.

Fort St. John Mayor Lilia Hansen proclaimed May 31st to June 6th as National Accessibility Week during a May 25th council session, following a submitted request by the Northeast Accessibility committee. 

“There’s a Canadian-wide National Accessibility Week, so we’re piggybacking off of that information that’s available,” said Nearhood. “I think in alignment with the BC Accessibility Legislation Act, it is a wonderful opportunity to report annually to the mayor and council of the work that we’re doing.” 

The event will take place from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the NVT Logistics walking track at the Pomeroy Sport Centre on June 2nd.