Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
August 4, 2016

Bringing Accessibility and Culture Together

Minister Applauds Accessibility Features at Folk Festival

The Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh, Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities, today commended the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Society for the major emphasis placed on accessibility for the 2016 Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival. The 40^th annual festival is being held August 5-7 in Bannerman Park, St. John's.

"Inclusion occurs when barriers are removed and all individuals can access all aspects of society, including cultural events. Clearly, the organizers of the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival recognize this and have taken steps to incorporate accessibility into the overall planning of the festival. I commend them for their efforts in engaging people with disabilities, as we strive to work toward a more inclusive society."
-The Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

The 2016 Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival organizers have included the following accessibility features: inclusion crew volunteers, drop-off areas for people with mobility devices, designated blue zone parking, accessible entrances, listening devices, accessible portable washrooms, spare wheelchairs, and participation in the Access Advisor Program which focuses on promotion and education surrounding accessibility levels.

"Over the past several years, the annual folk festival has become a leading example of how accessibility and inclusion can be integrated into a major event. Working with community groups such as Empower NL, the Disability Resource Centre, Coalition of Persons with Disabilities and the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association, the organizers have demonstrated leadership and commitment to ensuring inclusion for everyone. They are a stellar example of how the provincial policies can come to life within the context of a community event."
-Minister Gambin-Walsh

For more information on the festival, visit www.nlfolk.com/newfoundland-labrador-folk-festival/

QUICK FACTS

• The Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Society has made accessibility a major focus of the 40^th annual Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival being held August 5-7 in Bannerman Park.
• A number of services will be available at the festival for people with disabilities: inclusion crew volunteers, drop-off areas for people with mobility devices, designated blue zone parking, accessible entrances, listening devices, accessible portable washrooms, spare wheelchairs, and participation in the Access Advisor Program which focuses on promotion and education surrounding accessibility levels.
• More information on the festival can be found at: www.nlfolk.com/newfoundland-labrador-folk-festival/

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Media contact:

Roger Scaplen Director of Communications Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development 709-729-1928 rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca

2016 08 04                              11:45 a.m.