Conservation Halton held its 5th annual fundraising gala on June 1 at Kelso — one of eight parks maintained by Halton’s conservation authority.
This year’s gala was titled Omnia, a Latin term meaning “all things considered.” A profound title, the event focused on the continued efforts to provide a high level of accessibility at all of the Conservation Halton parks.
The event featured a special keynote speaker who brought awareness to the accessibility challenges some may face when trying to explore the benefits that nature has to offer.
Maayan Ziv, the founder and chief executive officer of AccessNow, spoke about her frustration as a person living with Muscular Dystrophy when trying to navigate inaccessible places. These frustrations prompted her to develop a mobile app and website that collects and shares information about the status of accessibility of places around the globe. Her platform invites people of all abilities to contribute information, creating a forum of inclusion and awareness. This movement has rippled into the discussions of accessible technologies, public policy, infrastructure, and media. Ziv continues to challenge the norms while empowering others to think through an inclusive and accessible lens. This powerful shift in thinking will help ensure the future is inclusive and accessible for all.
Launched in 2015, AccessNow has shared accessibility information in over one million places in 107 different countries worldwide.
Hassaan Basit, the president and chief executive officer of Conservation Halton, emphasized the need for reducing barriers to ensure that nature is accessible and available to all. Basit expressed that Conservation Halton is committed to making continued progress when it comes to greater accessibility in their green spaces.
The evening’s goal of $275,000 was surpassed, raising over $280,000. These funds will be used towards park improvements and programs that focus on alleviating the physical, financial, and social barriers to accessing nature.
