Blog

Close to 100 people took to the streets of Lethbridge on Friday to promote equality and raise awareness for persons with disabilities. The 9^th annual Citizen Walk About started at city hall and wrapped up at Galt Gardens, where festivities carried on into the early afternoon.

READ MORE: Using sport to enrich the lives of people with intellectual disabilities 

“Everyone participating today is just as important as anyone else,” executive director of the Southern Alberta Individualized Planning Association Mark Davids said. “People tend to get forgotten and this is a really good way of reminding people that there is an entire population here that is just as willing to help contribute and just as empowered to make decisions as anyone else.”

Participants carried signs with messages important to their everyday life.

One bright pink one read: “See our abilities!”

Another sign held high read: “Do not treat us different.”

Everyone involved took the time to support one another and present a voice for people of all abilities.

READ MORE: Canadians with disabilities twice as likely to be victims of violence: StatsCan

“It’s good for us to have a voice in the city, show that we might not be able to do it the same way as you, but we are able to do everything you do, it just might be different,” walk participant Ben Rowley said.

All proceeds from the event went to support the South Region Self Advocacy Network and advocacy initiatives.