Guelph Barrier Free Committee

Category: Stories

  • Guelph Enabling Garden’s Horticultural Therapy Access Fund

    Guelph Enabling Garden’s Horticultural Therapy Access Fund

    The Guelph Barrier Free Committee is proud to support the Guelph Enabling Garden and the meaningful work they do in our community. As part of that support, we are sharing information about their Horticultural Therapy program below. The content that follows comes directly from the Guelph Enabling Garden and highlights their services, including how they use horticultural therapy to support well-being, skill-building, and connection through nature.

    About the HTAF

    The Guelph Enabling Garden is proud to have a Registered Horticultural Therapist (HT) working within the Garden. The HT provides one-on-one and group-based programming specially tailored to the needs and ability of each client. Programming is available on both recurring and as-scheduled basis.

    What is Horticultural Therapy?

    Horticultural Therapy includes assessment, goal-setting, measuring, and documenting outcomes through specific horticultural activities. Your goals can be vocational, social/emotional, physical, cognitive, or spiritual.

    Horticultural Therapy programs can have a profound effect on a person’s well-being – socially, emotionally, physically, cognitively, and spiritually. They can also help people gain necessary skills and confidence to enter or re-enter an employment or volunteer position as well as engaging with the world and other people in a more fulfilling way.

    The HT works hands-on with you to create a holistic, healing program designed to help you achieve your goals.

    Learn more about programming options on the GEG website.

    Sponsor horticultural therapy from the GEG website.

    To contact our Horticultural Therapist, please email ht@enablinggarden.org or call 519-783-1550.

    Donate to the HTAF today
  • GBFC celebrates NAAW with a flag raising at Guelph City Hall

    GBFC celebrates NAAW with a flag raising at Guelph City Hall

    The Guelph Barrier-Free Committee marked the beginning of NAAW (National AccessAbility Week) with a special flag raising ceremony held at Guelph City Hall, on Monday kicking off this year’s celebrations ahead of the official week (May 31 – June 6).

    National AccessAbility Week; let's build a world for everyone, everywhere. Rick Hansen Foundation

    NAAW is an opportunity to recognize the contributions of Canadians with disabilities and to highlight the efforts that make communities more accessible. This year’s theme focuses on building a strong, accessible Canada (opens the Rick Hansen Foundation website in the same tab).

    Community members gathered for the ceremony, where speakers reflected on the importance of accessibility in community life.

    Among the speakers was Meg Harding, the Chair of the Guelph Barrier Free Committee, who shared the importance of making accessibility a daily commitment. Drawing from her own lived experience as a person with autism, ADHD, and dyscalculia, and a professional digital accessibility specialist, she highlighted the barriers people with disabilities still face and the need for communities to actively remove them.

    From My Life Counselling (opens the My Life Counselling site in the same tab), Eve Tesluk shared her organization’s experience in improving physical accessibility in her building to better support clients and visitors. Because of this, My Life Counselling was previously recognized with an Access Recognition Award. She highlighted the importance of listening to the lived experience of community members and ensure that preferred methods of access are prioritized.

    From left to right: Mayor Cam Guthrie, Meg Harding (GBFC), Brad Howcroft (GBFC), Councillor Leanne Caron, Maddy Workman (GBFC), Councillor Katherine Hauser, Sarah Boghossian (City of Guelph)

    Mayor Cam Guthrie also spoke; noting the importance of accessibility initiatives across the city and recognizing the ongoing work of community organizations and advocates working to remove barriers in Guelph.

    The flag raising served as a celebration and a reminder that accessibility is an ongoing effort that requires collaboration, awareness, and meaningful action. The Guelph Barrier Free Committee continues to encourage residents, groups and businesses to take part in creating a more inclusive community for people of all abilities.

    If you’re interested in continuing the efforts our community is making toward a more accessible Guelph, we’re looking for new members!

    Become a GBFC member

  • GuelphToday highlights the 2026 Access Recognition Awards

    GuelphToday highlights the 2026 Access Recognition Awards

    We’re so grateful to GuelphToday for recently spotlighting the Guelph Barrier Free Committee and the 2026 Access Recognition Awards! Their article highlights the importance of recognizing the people and businesses working to break down barriers for people with disabilities.

    The Access Recognition Awards celebrate community members who go above and beyond to remove or overcome barriers, improve accessibility, and support inclusion throughout Guelph. Nominations are open until June 19 and we encourage everyone to share the awards info with accessibility champions they know!

    Check out the full article (opens GuelphToday in the same tab).

    You can also learn more about the awards and submit a nomination right from our Access Recognition Awards page.

  • GBFC thanks outgoing Chair and confirms 2026 leadership

    GBFC thanks outgoing Chair and confirms 2026 leadership

    The GBFC is pleased to share an update on committee leadership, while also offering a sincere thanks to those whose commitment to access around Guelph continued to helped to guide the committee through 2025.

    Justin smiles at the camera, he has short, brown hair, light-toned skin, and wears a geometric patterned shirt.

    The committee extends its heartfelt appreciation to Justin Reesor, who served as Chair and in late 2025, shared notice of his resignation from the role. Justin’s time as Chair was marked by thoughtfulness and an unwavering focus on access throughout Guelph. The committee is grateful for the leadership he brought to the table and for the time and energy he shared with our entire Guelph community.

    During Justin’s tenure, the committee continued its accessibility work throughout last year. This included supporting National Accessibility Awareness Week, advancing accessibility engagement and education for businesses, and hosting an AccessNow MapMission. Internally, the committee also strengthened operations by moving to monthly meetings to better support upcoming planning and initiatives.

    Thanks from the committee is also extended to Vice Chair, Brad Howcroft, who continues to remain a pillar of experience through the transition. Brad stepped in as acting Chair to help keep the committee and its plans on track. The committee is deeply appreciative of Brad’s ongoing support and commitment. His valuable insights have continued to guide each committee member and we are grateful that Brad will continue in the Vice Chair role moving forward.

    Committee elections

    At the committee’s most recent meeting, elections were held for key positions. Meg Harding was nominated and elected as Chair, and Maddy Workman was elected as Secretary-Treasurer.

    Meg thanks the committee members for their trust and confidence in her and she looks forward to supporting the group’s work as the committee moves forward.

    Congratulations to Maddy on stepping into her role, and a sincere thanks for taking on this important behind-the-scenes work. Maddy’s excitement to contribute helps the committee function well and stay focused on its goals.

    2026 Committee positions

    Meg smiles at the camera. She has light-toned skin, curled brown hair with bangs, and has large, round glasses. She wears a black leather jacket.
    Brad smiles at the camera. He has light-toned skin, short, silver and white hair, and wears square glasses. He wears a black collared shirt.
    Maddy smiles happily at the camera. She has short, brown hair, light-toned skin, and wears a graphic t-shirt with grey and blue.

    Looking ahead

    In 2026, the committee is moving forward with a number of key priorities, including:

    • National Accessibility Awareness Week, including a flag raising in late May with planning and details to come
    • Access Recognition Awards in early July with planning already underway
    • Inviting new members to the committee to strengthen our outreach within the community

    The committee looks forward to continuing its work in 2026, building on past efforts and strengthening access and inclusion in our city. If you’re interested in contributing and have a passion for accessibility, the GBFC might be for you!

  • City of Guelph celebrates International Day of Persons with Disabilities

    City of Guelph celebrates International Day of Persons with Disabilities

    The City of Guelph celebrated the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, with a brief presentation at City Hall. City Accessibility Coordinator, Kayla Besse, highlighted this year’s UN theme of Fostering Disability-Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress.

    Besse outlined the City of Guelph’s ongoing work to enhance accessibility across departments, including updates that will offer on-demand accessible document training in the new year.

    After the presentation, Meg Harding, representing our Guelph Barrier Free Committee, along with various other attendees joined Mayor Cam Guthrie for a flag-raising ceremony outside Guelph City Hall.

    The International Day of Persons with Disabilities Flag will remain up until the end of the week.

  • NAAW flag raising ceremony

    NAAW flag raising ceremony

    At noon on Tuesday, May 27, members of the Guelph community gathered in front of City Hall to celebrate National AccessAbility Week (NAAW). The event, hosted by the Guelph Barrier Free Committee (GBFC), brought together local leaders, advocates, and residents to champion a more inclusive and accessible city for all.

    Kayla Besse served as the event’s MC, setting the tone for an afternoon of reflection, inclusivity, and awareness. The ceremony featured three inspiring speakers, each offering unique perspectives on accessibility in Guelph.

    Justin Reesor, Chair of the GBFC, opened the event with a warm welcome, inviting the community to continue supporting inclusivity not only during NAAW but throughout the year.

    Mayor Cam Guthrie emphasized that accessibility doesn’t just happen during National AccessAbility Week it’s something we must commit to every day.

    Maddy Workman, a passionate committee member, delivered a powerful call to start meaningful conversations about accessibility and people’s needs. Her words underlined the importance of advocacy and awareness in creating lasting change in our city.

    Following the speeches, attendees were invited to the flagpole to witness the raising of the NAAW flag. With Mayor Guthrie leading the way, the flag was hoisted as a symbol of Guelph’s ongoing commitment to a barrier free Guelph.

    The Guelph Barrier Free Committee thanks all who attended and encourages everyone to continue the conversation, take action, and help build a city where everyone belongs.

    Brad, Maddy, Kayla, Meg, Kelsey and Justin gather together to hold the National AccessAbility Week flag.
    Brad, Maddie, Kayla, Meg, Kelsey, and Justin hold up the National AccessAbility Week flag outside of Guelph City Hall at the flag raising ceremony.