People of all abilities gathered in Surrey on Sunday, May 24 to celebrate an event focused on inclusion, accessibility and community.
The first-ever BC Walk and Roll Accessibility Parade took place just in time for National AccessAbility Week, which begins on Sunday, May 31.
Hosted by the Equal Access Collective (EAC), the event brought together community members, advocates, organizations, politicians and accessibility supporters at Surrey Civic Plaza for an afternoon of celebration and awareness.
The parade began at Old Yale Road and University Drive before making its way to Surrey Civic Plaza, led by the Surrey Firefighters Pipes and Drums.
Throughout the plaza, dozens of community organizations and sponsors offered resources and information supporting people with a wide range of disabilities. The event also featured live music, a DJ, food trucks and a sensory tent.
American Sign Language interpreters were present during speeches and presentations, while volunteers helped guide participants through the accessible route.
White Rock Coun. Susan Bains, director of the Equal Access Collective, said the vision for the event started nearly a year ago while planning for National AccessAbility Week.
“The vision for this event is simple but powerful,” Bains explained to audiences. “We want this to become a signature and annual community event, one that brings people together while championing accessibility, inclusion and belonging for years to come.”
Bains emphasized that accessibility benefits everyone, not just people living with disabilities. “Accessibility is not just about raising awareness, it’s about understanding that accessibility isn’t just for them, but it’s for all of us.”
Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke attended the event alongside Surrey council members Linda Annis and Mike Bose as well as Cloverdale MLA Eleanor Sturko.
Locke praised organizers for bringing the event together and said she hopes it becomes a lasting tradition in the city.
Federal chief accessibility officer Stephanie Cadieux also addressed the crowd, sharing that while progress has been made towards accessibility in Canada, barriers still remain.
“All too often our world is still built in a way that prevents us from contributing, and that’s what we have to change,” said Cadieux.
She added that creating accessible communities comes down to leadership and intentional decision-making. “It’s a choice. A choice to make decisions that include accessibility for everyone.”
Among the speakers was Special Olympics B.C. athlete Susan Wang, who shared her personal experiences navigating disability and exclusion while growing up.
Wang explained to the audience that she was diagnosed with multiple disabilities at age 14 and recalled being placed in a segregated classroom that left her feeling isolated from her peers.
“As early as I can remember I felt left out, alone and didn’t know how to spend time with my peers,” Wang shared.
After advocating for herself and pushing to return to regular classes, Wang said she became determined to prove what she was capable of doing.
Now, she holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education, works full-time as an infant-toddler teacher and serves as a global messenger for the Special Olympics.
Wang told attendees that accessible communities create opportunities for everyone to contribute. “People with disabilities are capable of so much, and they bring a voice that is really valuable.”
EAC vice-president Sheldon Guy, who lost his vision three years ago, also spoke about the importance of advocacy and education surrounding accessibility.
“If you don’t see something, nothing changes. We all have to empower changes, and that is where it starts,” explained Guy.
Guy shared that he is believed to be the only blind coach of an all-girls basketball team in North America and said he had many attendees at this event tell him they were surprised to learn how broad accessibility needs can be.
Meanwhile, EAC treasurer Dolly House reflected on her own experiences growing up with limited accessibility supports.
“For too long accessibility has been treated as a special accommodation for a small group of people,” said House. “But the truth is, it helps everyone.”
House added that accessibility means making sure “no one’s left behind in any shape or form.”
Bains finalized the speaking portion of the event by saying she hopes this event starts conversations, raises awareness, and helps build a more barrier-free future for everyone.
The EAC says it hopes the BC Walk & Roll Accessibility Parade will become an annual event in Surrey.