A pair of local businesses are being honoured by the Chatham-Kent Accessibility Advisory Committee. 
The entrepreneurs behind the Sons of Kent have taken steps at every turn to make the brewery as accessible as possible.
Co-founder Doug Hunter says it’s part of the company philosophy. “I think you’ve got to look in the mirror and say if I needed to have accessibility in a building, will it be there for me? How do I want to be treated, how does everybody want to be treated? We want to make sure everybody’s treated equally, and that’s key for us.”
Naveed Pasha, owner of Mac’s Convenience Store on McNaughton Avenue West in Chatham, was honoured as this year’s Accessibility Advocate. Pasha responded to a customer request to have an automatic door installed, making the store more accessible for everyone.
Michael Gerard, acting chair of the Accessibility Advisory Committee says with requirements from the province, the world is becoming more accessible every day.
“Because it has to,” Gerard says. “I’ve noticed a lot recently where businesses are going above and beyond, it’s really hit the forefront. I think the media exposure and other exposure, governmental, et cetera, that people are really starting to go above and beyond what they need to be doing.”
Taking home this year’s Perseverance Award is Juanita Luxton for her efforts to “live beyond limitations,” with years of advocacy and volunteering under her belt.
