26-05-2025
Accessibility flag raised at Essex County building to mark National AccessAbility Week
A locally designed accessibility flag was raised Monday at the Essex County administration building to mark the beginning of National AccessAbility Week.
The flag features the word 'Accessibility' beneath a stylized figure in a wheelchair facing right, with seven chevrons pointing in the same direction — representing the county's seven local municipalities moving forward together on accessibility.
'We are raising this flag to raise awareness about the importance of inclusivity and accessibility in our region,' said Essex County Warden Hilda MacDonald, who is also mayor of Leamington.
'It acknowledges that we've made much progress but still have considerable work to do.'
Accessibility flag
Accessibility flag raising in Essex County, Ont., on Monday May 26, 2025. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)
MacDonald praised the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee for its efforts, including the launch of the inaugural Accessibility Fest-for-All event last year in Colchester. The festival is returning this fall, on Sept. 12, at the Libro Centre in Amherstburg.
'Fest-for-All is an incredible event that brings accessibility advocates and organizations together in common cause,' MacDonald said. 'It's an opportunity to learn and inspire, and a chance to connect communities and champion inclusivity.'
Dennis Sanson, chair of the accessibility committee, said the county wasn't just raising a flag Monday — but raising awareness.
'Any kind of visibility, any kind of public event — especially in the age of incessant media — it's an important part of what we do,' Sanson said.
Flag raising
Accessibility flag raising in Essex County, Ont., on Monday May 26, 2025. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)
Sanson encouraged Essex-Windsor residents to take part in Red Shirt Day of Action for Accessibility and Inclusion on Wednesday by wearing red and sharing photos using the hashtags #RedShirtDay and #RedForAccessAbility.
He noted the committee's ongoing work, particularly in the areas of barrier-free building and outdoor inclusion — from accessible trails to better fishing and hunting access for people with disabilities.
'There are still lots of opportunities to engage different parts of the community,' he said. 'It's been interesting to see more people come forward who want to help build those connections — especially in outdoor recreation.'
Sanson said the flag-raising was also a chance to connect with the public, away from screens.
'It's an opportunity for people to come together and take time out of the work schedule. person to person, as opposed to of seeing something that's online,' he said. 'Every time we host something like this, I meet new potential partners.'
Sanson explained, 'It's an opportunity for us to make accessibility more accessible.'
Sanson gave the region's accessibility efforts a 'B+ and moving right along,' praising the work of his committee colleagues, including Vice-Chair Debbie Alexander, Kingsville Deputy Mayor Kimberly DeYong, Julie Miles, Rachel Jewell, Diana Kirkbride and Sherrie Currie.
MacDonald said it's important municipalities recognize and act on the need for more inclusive communities — particularly as populations age and accessibility needs grow.
'We want everyone to feel that they're welcome and included,' she said. 'To be aware of barriers and to do something about them — I think it's incumbent on us.'
MacDonald also acknowledged recent discussions around flag-raising policies in neighbouring Windsor. The city is reviewing its current process amid debate over which flags should be flown at city hall.
'In the Municipality of Leamington we've always had a policy where we've limited the flags to certain ones, and here at the county, same thing,' she said. 'We do upper levels of government, we do Indigenous flags, we do the Pride flag and we do the accessibility flag. Those decisions were made by administration. They were not political decisions, and I think that has served us well.'
While flag policies vary across jurisdictions, MacDonald said consistency helps municipalities avoid controversy and remain focused on messages of unity.
'There's always that fear of not being inclusive, and yet sometimes certain flags create controversy in our community. So perhaps it's just best not to have too wide of a policy that you get into trouble.'
The Accessibility Fest-for-All event is free for individuals, organizations and accessibility-minded businesses to attend or participate in. Those interested must fill out an online registration form by June 5 at
