Quick Escape 
Come one, come all! We are excited to invite you to the first ever virtual Ability Walk and Roll – an opportunity to celebrate and raise awareness of the gifts of people with disabilities.
Each year, YWCA Hamilton’s Developmental Services department teams up with other organizations across the city for a march and roll in downtown Hamilton. This year, the event will bring the same celebration and excitement to a new, online format in order to keep participants safe during the Covid-19 pandemic.
For Cheryl Harflett, Program Supervisor with the Developmental Services at YWCA Hamilton, the event gives an opportunity for clients to celebrate their unique and inspiring abilities.
“Our biggest reason for doing this event is to help raise awareness in our community about people who have a developmental disability, and to show that we shouldn’t focus on what they can’t do and instead focus on what they can,” she said. “It shows our clients in DS that we see them and we see all the amazing things they do.”
Participants are encouraged to walk and roll the week before the event and share pictures with organizers and on social media, using the hashtag #discoveringabilities. Creating visibility in the community – both online and in-person – is important, Cheryl says, and also helps keep participants connected when they can’t physically be together.
“We always hope that this event helps to make our clients feel more connected to their community by having an event in the downtown core and a walk with all of their signs, flags and smiles to show they are just as much of a resident in this community as anyone else,” Cheryl said.
“Even though this year’s event is virtual we have still encouraged participants to go for their own ‘walk and rolls’ prior to the event date and then send us their pictures so we can still be together as a group via a slideshow.”
This year’s Ability Walk and Roll takes place Friday, May 28, from 10 am to 12 pm. Registration is $5 and includes access to the virtual event – featuring guest speakers, crafts, music and entertainment – as well as a swag bag filled with a water bottle, flag, crafts, and more.
We hope you’ll join us for this fun and inspirational event!
