Local teen breaking barriers on national stage
June 4, 2010
As Barrier-Free Manitoba works to break down systemic barriers on the local stage, Winnipeg teen Sam Unrau is taking the issue of accessibility and human rights to a larger forum.
Unrau recently won a contest by federal backbencher and Manitoba MP Pat Martin to have a bill introduced into the House of Commons and is prompting the federal government to order an accessibility audit of all federally mandated modes of transportation that may pose barriers to the mobility of persons with disabilities. This includes airplanes and trains.
When Unrau, who uses a wheelchair because of Spina Bifida, went to Ottawa recently to claim his prize, he also got the attention of senior Convservative cabinet minister John Baird, who says he will do everything he can to ensure Unrau's idea turns into action.
This is a promising example of small efforts making big differences for accessibility, improving human rights and removing barriers.
Read more about the bill and Unrau's story in a
Winnipeg Free Press feature on the teen.
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