Conn’s story is an amazing testament to what individuals with a physical disability can accomplish with a little help.

In 1988 Conn was just 20-years old and life was good. He had a job and was spending time having fun with his friends. Conn planned to continue his education in medicine. Doctors ran in his family and he wanted to become a surgeon.

In a matter of seconds Conn’s life changed when he experienced a brain aneurysm. Conn went through two serious brain operations within a year to try to minimize the damage caused by the aneurysm. After months of hard rehabilitation work, Conn was able to go home to recover. He lost his field of vision in his left eye and has a permanent neurological impairment.

Conn needed to learn to live his life in a different way. To most people this would be a crushing experience but Conn refused to give up.

Conn participated in several work programs designed to provide individuals, who have a disability, the opportunity to gain work experience, promote good work habits and build self-confidence.

He was recommended to Easter Seals Nova Scotia as a good candidate for their therapeutic work program operating in the New Leaf Café where he ended up working for three years. At the end of the three years Conn was ready for new challenges and at the same time the Province was talking to New Leaf about developing a job placement opportunity in one of their mail rooms.

Conn interviewed for the position and got the job. This would be the first time Conn would be in an office environment in many years and for the staff members it would be the first time the position was filled by someone from this new program. How would this work out? Both sides were unsure of the outcome.

Today, one year later, Conn is a well known figure as he walks down the office rows delivering the mail.

“This job has given me hope,” says Conn.

Conn has met many people and made many friends at his position. His goals are to be self-sufficient and gainfully employed and his job has given him the confidence to look forward to his future. Conn’s message to others is to ‘never give up’ and to ‘keep the faith’.

The cost of restricted access to people with disabilities is the cost of an independent lifestyle. It was through Easter Seals Nova Scotia’s New Leaf workplace training program that Conn received the opportunity he needed to prove to himself and others that he is capable of performing his job.

Toronto, ON – Seven of Toronto’s top arts, entertainment and cultural attractions have joined forces with leading disability service provider Easter Seals, to introduce the adoption of the popular Access 2 Entertainment Program to their visitors. The adoption of the program, which offers complimentary or discounted admission for attendants of people with permanent disabilities, represents the first time Toronto’s top tourism attractions have partnered together around a unified accessibility initiative.

The attractions involved are the Art Gallery of Ontario, Casa Loma, the CN Tower, Ontario Place, the Ontario Science Centre, the Royal Ontario Museum, and the Toronto Zoo.

Through this program, eligible applicants receive Access 2 Entertainment wallet cards which allow for simple identification, removing the onus from visitors to explain their need for an attendant when visiting a cultural attraction or entertainment venue. In addition to honouring complimentary or discounted admission, the seven major attractions have committed to providing an accessible, meaningful and enjoyable experience for all visitors.

“Great initiatives like Access 2 Entertainment support the McGuinty Government’s Open Ontario Plan to ensure all Ontarians have an opportunity to participate fully in society,” says Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism and Culture. “Our government is working to ensure that residents and visitors alike will have opportunities to experience Ontario’s world-class entertainment and internationally acclaimed attractions.”

“We are thrilled that Toronto’s major tourist attractions, which have already made impressive strides to make their venues more physically accessible, have joined our cinema partners in enhancing visitor experience for the disability community,” says Max Beck, CEO of Easter Seals Canada. “Now Toronto citizens and tourists alike with disabilities can enjoy barrier-free visits to some of Canada’s top attractions.”

Toronto’s cultural sector continues to take great strides to lead the way for a fully accessible arts and entertainment landscape. In addition to automatic doors, wheelchair-friendly spaces and accessible washrooms, Toronto’s top attractions offer special features so that patrons with disabilities may enjoy exceptional visits. Highlights include the AGO’s multi-sensory tours for visitors with vision loss and audio guides for selected exhibitions; Ontario Place’s interactive accessibility map and Park Smart Tracker; the Ontario Science Centre’s assistive listening devices and accessible seating areas at the Shoppers Drug Mart® OMNIMAX® Theatre and Imperial Oil Auditorium; the ROM’s large-format floor plans, American Sign Language (ASL) interpreted tour, descriptive audio guides, tactile reproductions in the galleries and increased seating throughout the museum; and the Toronto Zoo’s ramps, assessable rides and seating in the Waterside Theatre.

“As we encourage travellers around the world to discover Toronto’s outstanding attractions we need to be ready to welcome all of those visitors. This is an important step that helps ensure every person can have the fullest possible experience in Toronto,” says Andrew Weir, Vice President Communications of Tourism Toronto.

Please watch the video below to learn more about how Access 2 Entertainment is partnering with leaders in the provision of cultural experience to make a difference. Do you know someone living with a disability? Tell them about the Access 2 Entertainment program and visit www.access2.ca for more information.