Sudbury 'has a long way to go'

Accessibility is on the minds of Sudbury city councillors and staff this Remembrance Day.

Last weekend, Sudbury Veteran Steve Daniel couldn't attend a Remembrance Ceremony at the Capreol Millennium Community Centre because there was no wheelchair access.

Danielserved 14-years with the Canadian Forces. A training accident in 2005 left him paralyzed from the waist-down.

The event was organized by the Capreol branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Councillor Joscelyne Landry-Altmann said city council and staff are going to discuss what happened.

Landry-Altmann sits on the city's Accessibility Advisory Panel. She said Sergeant Steve Daniel's experience at Capreol's Millennium Centre last weekend was heartbreaking.

"I know Steve Daniel, I've had the pleasure of sitting with him on the accessibility panel," she said.

"He's a fine person and to have had this happen, it just shows we still have a long way to go."

The Millenium Community Centre isn't the only inaccessible building in the city. The Royal Canadian Legion in Capreol isn't wheelchair accessible either.

"Their front step is almost on town property," said spokesperson Robin Zetler.

"They have one step getting in and very narrow stairs going up and very narrow stairs going down these aresome of the problems they're facing. "

Legion issues apology

Councillor Landry-Altmann said Sudbury's Accessibility Panel has made a lot of improvements in the city over the past three years including a fully accessible transit system and two barrier-free parks.

She said the city is working to make all public buildings accessible by 2025 the province-mandated deadline for Ontario's Customer Service Standard.

Daniel and his family received an official apology from the Capreol Legion this week, in response to their experience trying to attend the weekend memorial event.

"I feel like I've re-lived the loss all over again," his wife, Danielle Daniel, said.

"I feel like I still do not belong in my community because I'm not able to take part in events that I should be able to take part in."

The Capreol Legion has promised to hold next year's Remembrance Ceremony in an accessible location.