Barrier Free Manitoba

The happy holiday wishes extended in the DIO's message and the new content added to the Accessibility Advisory Council website moved us to compose our first ever barrier-free festive season poem. It is meant to be read to the rhythm of "Twas the Night Before Christmas."

'Twas five days before Christmas, when all though the city,
Not an email was expected, not even one bitty.
Seasons greetings had been sent to endorsers with flair,
With hopes that more business soon would be rare.

The Council had started their work on new leg,
Many unknowns however still kept us on edge.
But holidays were coming, just a few sleeps to go,
Santa would be arriving with his presents in tow

Then out of the blue came the DIO's new missive,
We gave a big sigh and read the wishes so festive,
Mixed with reportage from early December,
And responses to questions that few might remember.

Were members to represent their stakeholders alone,
Or the larger public interest in mission and tone?
The answers came back but were not to the point,
The interests so diverse that they may not be joint.

Now hoteliers, now sellers, now City and foodservers,
On leaguers, on small towns, on big system change levers,
To the barrier-free province, to the inclusive prize.
Promote rights! Protect rights! That's where true justice lies.

Commitments were made to be accountable and transparent,
With summaries of discussions on the website apparent.
This is a great step forward, a tool to keep better track,
Of progress achieved and where efforts might still lack.

Promises to consult also were made loud and clear,
That folks most affected will get both attention and ear.
But so too will those who may stand in the way,
Barriers were costly to build, that's where responsibility does lay.

June sixteenth's fast approaching, the day for the Council's report,
Its recommendations for new laws and for statutory tort.
To bring human rights from theory to actual life practice,
To translate past promises into both action and praxis.

We wait and we watch, our nine principles set boldly in sight,
Our shared hopes and dreams with friends and family take flight,
Enjoy the holidays and hold close those who are most dear.
We bid goodwill to all, and to all a Happy New Year!