Access for All: CAN Hosts Third 'Access Ridgewood'

Every day, individuals with disabilities face a number of challenges most people don’t have think twice about. Access to certain luxuries like housing, transportation and employment can be more complicated, and even one’s general quality of life can be compromised.

Bergen County has a large disabled community: Out of the total 889,828 residents, 73,453 are diagnosed with some type of disability, according to the 2009 American Community Survey.

From these statistics, one can gather approximately ten to twelve percent of the population of Ridgewood is diagnosed, said James Thebery, director of Bergen County’s Division on Disability Services.

To celebrate these individuals in the community that at other times may be overlooked, and to heighten awareness about the disabilities they face, Ridgewood’s Community Access Network (CAN) .

‘Access Ridgewood’ is a three-day event incorporating educational activities and community-wide programming that focuses on Ridgewood’s disabled community.

“This weekend is not only about raising awareness of disability. It is also about recognizing and celebrating people's special gifts and special abilities,” said Paul Aronsohn, Ridgewood Councilman and CAN Chair.

Run by CAN, a committee devoted to addressing the needs and improving access for disabled residents in the village, the weekend will begin Sept. 23 and last through Sept. 25, Aronsohn said.

Beginning with a district-wide educational component for public schools on Friday, students will be given the opportunity to think and talk about disabilities, Aronsohn said.

Ridgewood High School will engage first-year high school students in the ”Freshman Focus” program through a discussion about disabilities, while Ben Franklin and George Washington middle schools will show a school-wide film that provides insight about disabilities, followed by instructor-led discussions.

Elementary school classes will host various activities led by students' individual teachers.

“The purpose of these discussions is not only to increase understanding [about disabilities], but you really sort of heighten awareness,” Aronsohn said. “And not only do you focus on disabilities, you focus on the ability of people who might have a development or physical challenge.”

On Friday evening, a fashion show will premiere on the list of activities for ‘Access Ridgewood.’

The fashion show will be held at Ridgewood Public Library and will be inclusive, meaning both models with and without disabilities will participate, said Karen Sheehy, who is organizing the show along with Caroline Meier.

Models will be wearing clothes and carrying accessories donated from local businesses like Pink Bungalow and Leapin’ Lizards. 

The show will give people with disabilities an opportunity to participate in something that may never have been presented before, Sheehy said.

“It will be my daughter's first time modeling and it is a great opportunity for her to try something new in a warm, receptive environment,” said Tricia Mueller, an active member of the CAN committee whose daughter is wheelchair-bound. 

Meier, who has a daughter with Down Syndrome, said ‘Access Ridgewood’ is important because there is a very large special needs community in Ridgewood and other residents should know who their neighbors are.

“We want people to know we’re here, [the special needs community] is part of the community and are active, functioning young adults,” Meier said. “’Access Ridgewood’ gives light to the rest of the community to who they’re living with.”

On Saturday, there will be a community fair from noon to 3 p.m. held in the Village Hall courtyard and library auditorium. Attendees can expect entertainment and music from local and student bands, food donated from local businesses and literature on disability-related issues, Aronsohn said.

Inside the library auditorium, theater, vocal, instrumental and dance performances by children and young adults with disabilities will be on display.

Special guests include Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan and Thebery. Thebery will be MCing the fair, which typically attracts about 200 people, Aronsohn said.

“If you've never seen it before it's very impressive,” Thebery said, mentioning a young woman with autism played Beethoven on a Grand Piano last year.

In the past, the third day of Access Ridgewood is typically reserved for an interfaith service, but the village is taking a different approach this year. Instead, all are welcome to attend a service for adults with developmental disabilities at the First Reformed Church in Ridgewood at 7 p.m.

The village is also asking all clergy throughout the village to include a discussion about disabilities in their services throughout the weekend: “It’s another way to spread the gospel, if you will,” Aronsohn said.

Though not all details of the weekend are finalized, organizers again expect a fun and engaging weekend. 

“I think again the word ‘access’ says it all,” Thebery said. “A disability could be a heartbeat away or an accident away, and people experience disabilities in different parts of their lives. Some other towns have had an ‘Access Day,' but not an ‘Access Weekend.’ Ridgewood has really gone the extra mile.”

[Editor's note: The article misidentified Karen Sheehy as "Kim"; Caroline Meier's daughter has Downs Syndrome, not her son. The errors have been corrected.]