Whistler Question Cover Story

"Disabled advocate honoured"

Website creator’s efforts earn Tollett ‘Standing Ovation Award’ from B.C. Rehab Foundation

By Reporter
David Burke
dburke@whistlerquestion.com

The creator of a website that provides information for Whistler visitors with disabilities last week was honoured for his efforts by the B.C. Rehab Foundation.

Hugh Tollett, who has worked tirelessly over the past couple of years to create and fine-tune the site www.whistlerforthedisabled.com, was the individual honouree at the foundation’s Standing Ovation Awards last Wednesday (Oct. 17) at Vancouver’s Fairmont Waterfront Hotel. The awards honour those who have made extraordinary efforts to improve accessibility for those with disabilities.

Tollett, a former resident and still frequent visitor to Whistler, is hearing impaired. After he lost his hearing five years ago, he noticed that facilities for the disabled — those with sight and hearing disabilities as well as those with mobility limitations — were somewhat lacking.

He has spent more than two years, without pay, developing the website, and lobbying local groups and government to improve accessibility, according to a statement from the foundation.

In addition to the website’s development, Tollett helped convince Telus and local officials to install TTY (teletypewriter) phones in Whistler for use by people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

The Whistler for the Disabled website includes information about the accessibility of accommodation, dining, recreational and transportation services, even going so far as to include information about restaurant lighting for those who use sign language.

“To me, accessibility means ‘How accessible you are to the whole community?’” he said. “Have you reached out to every disabled group? What steps have you taken to remove barriers to accessing Whistler?”

Kevin McFarland, an RMOW parks planner and a member of the accessibility task force, said he was excited to see Tollett recognized for his efforts. “He’s just so devoted to accessible tourism in Whistler,” McFarland said. “If you look at his website, it’s just so detailed. He’s provided a huge service to the resort community.”

In August 2006, Tollett told The Question that he spent a fair bit of time during the early stages of the website project spinning his wheels. While officials at Tourism Whistler (TW), the RMOW and elsewhere were helpful, he said that after spending several months looking into potential funding sources and such, he decided to just launch the site on his own, without funding.

“It got delayed because I got involved in all the politics of starting it up when I should have just launched it like I just did and let things come together,” he said at the time.

McFarland said that with the 2010 Paralympics slightly more than two years away, both RMOW and TW officials hope to see the Whistler for the Disabled website continue as a long-term information source for visitors. They plan to invite Tollett “to define what sort of (funding) support is appropriate” — either through presentation of a business proposal or an application for an RMOW Community Enrichment Grant.

In an email to The Question, Tollett said he had not yet been invited to make such a proposal but would welcome the chance to do so.

He thanked Gerry Burns, the Vancouver man who nominated him for the award, and his many Whistler supporters, including Dr. Jay McKenzie, David Stein and Grant and Caroline Lamont.

“Jay is a really good guy, always supporting the community and giving back and helping everyone,” Tollett said. “I am lucky to have such good friends, and you will never see Grant Lamont in a suit so I felt honoured he dressed up for the awards.”

He said the award and all the media attention it has brought have been a bit overwhelming.

“I never thought I would ever be front-page news, that is for sure, but never thought I would win a provincial award for my work, either, or be featured on CTV News. It is just sinking in still.”

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