(Source Journal Métro )
The Association of Activists for Inclusion in Quebec (RAPLIQ) denounces the lack of access for people with reduced mobility on the new terrace of the Institut du tourisme et de l’hôtellerie du Québec (ITHQ), which promises nevertheless to adjust.
The opening, at the beginning of the week, of the restaurant terrace of the hotel management school made RAPLIQ president Linda Gauthier “angry”. It does not understand the absence of a ramp to access this slightly raised space, located at the corner of Saint-Denis and Malines streets, in the Plateau – Mont-Royal borough.
To reach this place, which can accommodate around 20 people, customers must pass through the interior of the establishment and climb three steps. There is no provision for people with a wheelchair to use it. “It is serious, inadmissible and it is discrimination,” firmly maintains Linda Gauthier, explaining that one of the members of the RAPLIQ was recently deprived of this access, due to the lack of adequate facilities for his scooter. “We have no right to prevent us from going to a terrace,” said the manager of the organization that fights for the rights of people with disabilities.
We went to the moon, we must be able to make terraces accessible to the entire population. – Linda Gauthier, president of RAPLIQ
Security reasons
Intercepted by Metro, the establishment, which says it is “very sensitive” to RAPLIQ’s request, puts forward in particular security reasons, linked to the crampedness of the premises.
“We built this terrace to allow our students to have a new educational experience and to meet the needs of an industry that opens up during the summer season,” explains Paul Caccia, Associate Director General of the ITHQ. But we only have nine tables outside and it has to be safe for customers and our students, who have to move around the tables. ”
Recognizing that this ramp “was not planned for the moment”, the ITHQ now promises to look into this matter. Stating that the restaurant, like the whole establishment, remains completely accessible to people with reduced mobility, the institute will “look at the possibilities and find a solution as soon as possible”.
“We’re going to be inspired by other restaurants. We could put one on and remove it as needed, “said Paul Caccia, who, for practical reasons, favors a mobile ramp inside rather than access from the street.
The RAPLIQ dissatisfied
This solution does not convince RAPLIQ. “We want a permanent facility, where we can move independently,” says Linda Gauthier. It always humbles us to beg for something that is a right. It is unfortunate that an armchair takes up more space than a chair, but we have nothing to do with it. ”
The organization plans to send a formal notice to the ITHQ and take the case to court, if no agreement is reached. “If this is the only way to make things happen, we will do it,” said Linda Gauthier.