NewmarketToday continues its annual tradition of marking the giving season by celebrating Newmarket's Community Angels — the people whose kindness, compassion and community spirit help make our town one of the best to live in the country.
When Steve Foglia became wheelchair-bound after a car accident, he said the challenges of getting around Newmarket became apparent.
“I’m very sensitive to my movement, so sidewalks were very cumbersome,” he said. “One of the key things I wanted to do was try to change the best practices for sidewalks.”
Foglia has accomplished that and more in Newmarket and York Region as head of the town’s accessibility advisory committee since 2007. Whether addressing washrooms, sidewalks, or entranceways, Foglia has spearheaded efforts to make Newmarket a more accessible place for all.
He said he saw it as his best chance to make a difference and stuck with it, thanks to municipal support.
“In the beginning, and even now, they take everything our committee has to say very seriously, and that’s very encouraging,” he said. “It keeps us motivated to obviously do more.”
Foglia said it is important that those with lived experiences contribute to measures, and there is no substitution for that. He said he could recall visiting a municipal washroom made with a consultant and immediately finding 10 things wrong with it.
“They fixed them as best they could. Unless you live it, you really don’t know and understand it,” he said.
The efforts have seen the town and region improve their sidewalk process to make it smoother for wheelchair users. Foglia has also got accessible entrances at businesses, and universal washrooms at Upper Canada Mall. The committee is currently working to get Main Street businesses to improve accessibility, get universal washrooms at Fairy Lake Park, along with vetting site plans for accessibility.
“It’s always having your eyes open. My day is when I’m out and about, I look for things that I can bring up to the committee,” he said. “It’s slowly starting to make a big difference, which is really encouraging.”
He added the committee is looking for new members, and you can contact the town if interested.
Newmarket Mayor John Taylor said Foglia is often doing great work behind the scenes, but makes an "immensely significant contribution."
"He has persistently and consistently raised the bar in the Town of Newmarket on issues related to accessibility," Taylor said, adding Foglia makes progress with patient pushes. "He quietly educates, and teaches everyone."
Foglia has served on York’s accessibility committee, though he is on a hiatus after two terms there. But he was named to the first national committee for the built environment for accessibility this year, meeting with advocates from across the country to discuss the issue on a federal level.
“It’s great talking to other, like-minded people,” he said.
The improvements do make a difference for those who face accessibility challenges. Foglia said it is always great to hear from them.
“It really puts a smile on my face,” he said. “It encourages not only me but members of our committee, that we’re doing a right thing. I think we’d like to do more.”
