There’s a social concept called “The Curb-Cut Effect” that describes how addressing disadvantages or exclusions experienced by one group of people creates an environment that enables everyone to participate and contribute fully. Street and sidewalk curbs were initially cut so those who use wheelchairs could cross the street safely with ease of travel, but those cuts also unintentionally helped parents with children in strollers, people carrying rolling luggage, people pushing shopping carts, and people roller-skating, and skateboarding. Accessible entrances and facilities are not just for those with disabilities, they can also be utilized and appreciated by people they were initially not designed for. When you design spaces with accessibility in mind, they end up benefitting everyone.
At MPBC, we are working to expand the way we think about inclusivity to pay closer attention to the ways people access our spaces. If everyone cannot easily and safely enter and exit the buildings on our campus, then are we as inclusive and hospitable as we want to be?
The Ministry of Facilities has been working hard to identify and improve accessibility to the Sanctuary, Education Building, and other spaces on our campus. They have already installed a number of electronic door openers and created accessible bathrooms. We celebrate the improvements made by our Ministry of Facilities team while also recognizing that there is much more to do. We don’t want to simply say we are an inclusive community; we also want to live it out as fully as we possibly can, and we eagerly request your support in these important improvements.