We want to share a story about positively changing our community. Meet Rachel Bedingfield, the director of Parks and Recreation for Kentville. She’s not just about maintaining green spaces and organizing events—Rachel is also the brains behind the town’s Accessibility Action Plan. Trust me; it’s more than just a fancy title; it’s about transforming Kentville into a more accessible and inclusive haven for everyone.
Rachel leads the charge in the town’s internal workings. She sits at the table with other directors, hashing out how to infuse accessibility into every nook and cranny of their work. I’m talking about making financial systems accessible, ensuring inclusive planning operations, and even contemplating the most accessible way to plow snow. Yes, snow plowing can be accessible too!
But how do they ensure this commitment to accessibility is not just talk? Well, Rachel spills the beans on the behind-the-scenes magic. The senior leadership committee, including Rachel, the CAO, and other directors, regularly gets together to chat about it. They’re like the Avengers of accessibility, discussing policies, undergoing training, and getting a performance review from the CAO. It’s accountability at its finest, ensuring the accessibility lens is on no matter what decision is on the table.
Now, let’s talk about the second piece of the puzzle—the external game plan. Enter the Accessibility Advisory Committee, a group of community volunteers. They bring diverse abilities and disabilities to the table, ensuring the town’s accessibility plan becomes a reality. They’re not just advisors; they’re the content and context experts, ensuring the plan aligns with the community’s needs.
They advise where the town should spend its dollars and nudge Council in the right direction. They’re the guardians of accessibility, guiding communication strategies to celebrate victories and gather feedback. The impact of all this hard work is not just seen on paper; it’s a cultural shift within the town. Rachel says once you see the inequities, you can’t unsee them. It’s a daily conversation, a continuous effort to shift policies and adapt to the community’s evolving needs.
The best part? The community is on board! Kentville’s residents are holding the town to a higher standard, expecting accountability in accessibility implementation. It’s like the whole town collectively decided, “Hey, let’s make Kentville the best version of itself!”
And guess what? It’s working. There’s a buzz of excitement in the air, with people who’ve never spoken up before now actively engaging. Council meetings are more lively, and the community has an energy—a shared understanding that this is the Kentville they want to build together.
What sets Kentville apart is not just the Accessibility Action Plan itself but the intentional and inclusive process of creating it. Every decision made along the way is infused with the spirit of accessibility, ensuring that the method is just as important as the outcomes. It’s a lesson for all of us that change isn’t just about the result; it’s about the journey and the commitment to creating a more inclusive world.
So, here’s to Kentville, Rachel Bedingfield, and the entire team working to make accessibility a reality. May your story inspire other communities to take the plunge and create a more accessible and inclusive future for all. After all, we could all use a little more Kentville spirit in our lives!
Watch Sea Change CoLab’s interview with Rachel with this link: Click Here
Image Description: The Town Hall of Kentville with a pink sunset in the background.
Photo Credit: @thereal_tok