2022
Caption: A photo showing Local Guides listen to Emeka as he explained the objectives of the meetup [Photo by Penny Christie]
Connect Live party was so exciting that we almost felt a meet-up was a task. It's interesting we had a huge number of attendees join the walk on Friday 15th November 2019.
At about 7.00 am, some interested Local Guides began to send messages to confirm their interest and time for our meet-up. Tessa was out early as we had breakfast in the lounge. At about 7: 40 am more LGs appeared at the hotel lobby while we began the actual walk at exactly 8:0am after a brief introduction to what an accessibility meet-up entailed.
We walked from Marriott which is on South Market Street to Park Avenue connected Almaden Boulevard through San Carlos Street then back to South Market Street.
Along the way, we observed zebra crossings had pedestrian buttons and beeps. Several points had clear accessibility sign for dedicated parking. Most buildings had ramps and the walkways were large enough to take four wheelchairs side-by-side with tactile pavements at strategic spots. Personally, I saw a tactile paving for the first time in real life but was able to recognize it.
Caption: Local Guides looking at a tactile paving in San Jose.
Caption: Local Guides assessing the restroom at the tram station
Luckily, we encountered a public restroom close to the Convention Center tram station on San Carlos St. It had accessibility features, like Braille, signs with large fonts and indicator for users. The toilet had handrails and a lower WC for wheelchair users.
Our last port of call was the Hilton hotel which had elaborate accessibility signs, directions, ramps and dedicated parking lot. Attendees were able to see clearly how a wheelchair user can peruse a parking space with a connection to a ramp into a building. Questions and answers were taken by the one Accessibility team.
Caption: Local Guides pose for a snap beside a dedicated parking lot in San Jose.
The highlight of the walk was when Thushy came up with an ice breaker. He asked attendees who have taken up to 10 photos to indicate. @CaroGuiniazu won a Bangladesh Local Guides shirt courtesy of@IlankovanT . We took group photos courtesy of @gandrabur_chik 's +1 who joined the meetup. He had the pleasure of taking several snaps courtesy of several phones.
Attendees returned to the hotel at about 8:40 am to join the closing brunch.
Take a look at the photo album and let us know what you think.
Our appreciation goes to all the attendees including
@OSAMA @anu7spice @TheRealKristin @AlexandreCampbell @JanVanHaver
N.B: If you are concerned about accessibility or wish to host your first meet-up, here's an opportunity to host one in your city. Participate in the Worldwide Accessibility Walk 2019
Feel free to contact me for assistance in order to host a successful meetup.
Thanks @EmekaUlor for this detailed recap. This meet up was very informative and you have passed on a lot of good experiences and examples. In the end, it opened my eyes to take a closer look myself when I am on the road.
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Hi @EmekaUlor,
thank you very much for sharing this beautiful recap, many times we miss all those information which are very important. Thanks a lot for all and very very nice meeting you at CL19.
