Yesterday we were very excited to go to Canada’s Wonderland Amusement Park with my daughter, niece and nephew, because this time their uncle was joining. My daughter had already decided which rides he would go on with her. My brother is paraplegic because of an accident that occurred 10 years ago. We proceeded to get his “boarding pass” which gives him certain time slots to go on rides without having to be in lineups that aren’t accessible for him. To our shock, his boarding pass specific to his case, had every single ride crossed out. In other words, he was not allowed to go on ANY of the rides! 

It is quite disheartening to know that an amusement park home to many tourists in a rapidly developing world lacks the option for paraplegics and quadriplegics to go on rides! Even “Kidzville” rides weren’t safely adapted for him to ride on. 

I find myself compelled to urge all involved parties and organizations who can make a change to push for a solution that would eradicate the exclusion of those who are paraplegic and quadriplegic from all rides at the park. After all, children and adults alike with disabilities deserve much more than a universal accessibility approach!