Diyode Makerspace begins building ramps after City Council’s decision to make accessibility project community-led
Following council’s decision to opt for a “community-led approach” to improving accessibility infrastructure, Diyode Makerspace has begun a project where they will be working with local businesses to improve entrance accessibility. The community workshop will be using their resources to design, build and install entrance ramps throughout the City of Guelph.
Diyode Makerspace is a non-profit organization that offers a workshop where members can access tools and supplies for wood working, metal working, electronics, prototyping and crafting.
The project began when members at Diyode became aware of City Council’s recent decision to hold off on funding the proposed three-year pilot project that would aim to improve the accessibility of mobile ramps for local businesses. This decision makes building owners solely responsible for procuring ramps to improve their entrance accessibility infrastructure.
The Ontarion spoke with Patrick Lameront, Director of Marketing and Outreach at Diyode Makerspace, about the project:
“We’re a community workshop, so we definitely can fill a role of community leadership as well,” Lameront said. “We have all the tools and the expertise to build those ramps, so that’s kind of what led us to initially start brainstorming.”
Lameront reached out to Ward 2 Councillor Carly Klassen, who initially proposed the three-year pilot project, to further discuss the project:
“[Klassen] has been really wonderful with connecting us to different people and helping us develop the plan,” Lameront said.
Lameront says that the initial plan is to construct and install one ramp to confirm that Diyode is capable of carrying out the project. From there, they will conduct a survey with Guelph businesses to gather more insight into where accessibility ramps are needed. The final step is to then propose a plan back to the City to see what potential grant opportunities may be available to further fund the project.
“That’s the plan right now. It may develop, it may change, but I think that’s the first goal,” Lameront said. “We’re also getting sponsorships for some of the supplies from other businesses that we’re talking with right now, and going to go from there.”
The first business Diyode worked with to initiate the project is Consign Your Curves, a consignment store located in downtown Guelph. Diyode installed the ramp at Consign Your Curves on Friday, Sept. 19.
Klassen, who was in attendance at the ramp installation, spoke on the progress of the initiative.
“It’s really exciting to see the power of community coming together to actually execute on a program like this,” Klassen said. “What I’m excited about is the opportunity to extend this now [that] Diyode has proven that this is something that can be done.”
“We’re going to hopefully extend the program and offer it to more organizations and businesses in Guelph, and we’re looking for grants to do so.” Klassen said.
“So, contact Diyode if you want to fund some ramps in Guelph, and contact us if you have a ramp that needs to get built.”
Lameront shared his thoughts on the success of the first ramp installation. “It’s been a learning process for sure, and, you know, having it finally followed through on, it gives me a lot of confidence that we can deliver on the next 50, 100 ramps around Guelph,” he said.
If your business or organization is in need of an entrance ramp, contact either Klassen or Lameront to inquire about the possibilities. Lameront also encourages anyone who might be interested in this project, or starting a project of their own, to check out what Diyode offers and get involved.
If you are interested in joining Diyode, or are in need of a ramp, you can find more information on Diyode’s Instagram, @diyodemakerspace, or on their website, diyode.com.
Lameront encourages anyone interested in joining to attend the workshop open houses that are hosted every Monday night at 8 p.m., located at 700 York Rd., Guelph.