Accessibility Issues in Buildings, featuring Brad Bartko

I'm honoured to introduce you to Brad Bartko, one of the most inspirational people I have ever met.  While this video isn't directly related to industrial real estate, I felt it was important to share Brad's story.

To help set the stage, I'd ask you to imagine being in a restaurant where the restroom is located down a flight of stairs. But for this particular visualization, you have a mobility issue preventing you from getting down the stairs. Perhaps you have a temporary disability, or one more life-altering like cerebral palsy. As you need to use the restroom, the manager takes you through the kitchen, leads you down a dimly lit hallway, and opens the door to a tiny restroom that is cluttered with miscellaneous junk.  Even if the wheelchair could make it through the narrow door, there wouldn't be enough room in the space to maneuver, nor would there be any grab rails to safely move around. You're then told the restaurant isn't set up to handle "you type of people", then you're unceremoniously ushered back to your table.

Tragically, these types of indignities happen to disabled people all the time. And when a super positive and optimistic person like Brad shares this story, you can hear the pain and frustration.

This was an uncomfortable conversation because Brad would far rather talk about his goals or his dreams. Or sports. Brad definitely knows and loves his sports! But I can't help thinking that accessibility for disabled people is far too often an afterthought. My hope with this video is that even a single person takes action to make their property more accessible. Whether you're a business owner, property owner, or professional, any action you take could have a huge impact on another person.

I'd also kindly ask that you connect with Brad. As he describes in the interview, many people are hesitant to talk about these issues, whereas Brad proudly raises his hand to talk.  Or as he describes himself: the voice for the voiceless.

Brad on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brad.bartko

Brad on Twitter: https://twitter.com/broadcastinbrad

Brad on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbartkoinspires/

Brad on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/brad-bartko-057850a8