Teen with cerebral palsy raising funds for elevator
Accessibility at a Windsor Islamic community centre teeters on one youth group’s ability to pay for a pricey replacement elevator to accommodate its physically diverse population.
For almost two years, the existing elevator at the Imam Hussain Foundation has remained in a stationary state of disrepair, having been deemed unsafe after multiple costly repairs failed to keep it functional. Now, a student of the mosque with cerebral palsy who uses a wheelchair and the mosque’s youth group co-ordinator have teamed up to fundraise for a new elevator.
“This isn’t about doing it just for people like me,” said 19-yearold Mohamad Nadi. Without the working lift, he relies on strong friends to carry him and his wheelchair up and down the building’s spiral staircase. “It’s about future generations of people who come to the mosque to get a more spiritual connection, and a better relationship with the community.”
Many of the hundreds of people who visit the religious community centre on a regular basis would benefit from the elevator, Nadi said. Elderly people, parents with strollers and others with physical disabilities struggle to access daily mosque programming, like lectures and Qur’an study, at the Janette Avenue building near the CP Rail yard.
On special occasions, thousands of people attend the facility, Nadi said.
“We have to be inclusive of everyone,” said Ahmad Bazzi, the mosque’s youth group co-ordinator. “Mohamad’s story really struck me because he’s a brother with a lot of potential in terms of the energy he radiates to other people in the mosque.”
A new elevator comes with the hefty price tag of about $180,000 with taxes, the 24-year-old said. That includes an emergency phone system inside and remote elevator monitoring maintenance.
After receiving an estimate from the Otis Elevator Company, he and Nadi decided to begin fundraising to cover the cost. So far, they’ve collected about $25,000 from people who use the mosque, he said. The Gofundme campaign they established entitled “New Elevator at Islamic Community Centre” has raised about $4,400.
“We have people with true potential that can come and offer something to the community,” Bazzi said. “Not just the Islamic community, but the community in Windsor.”
Bazzi noticed a decrease in the number of people regularly attending programs in the building once the old elevator was closed off, including Nadi.
“They can offer the people of Windsor something great. They can’t come here and give what they have because they can’t go down 12 stairs, or they can’t go upstairs and go up on the pulpit where they can say something to inspire others.”
Bazzi and Nadi both said they’re looking to partner with local businesses to enhance their fundraising efforts. They’re looking into donation incentive packages for businesses that participate.
“We have a very distinguished centre here that does not close its doors whatsoever,” Bazzi said. “The mosque is the second home of this community.”
Provincial accessibility standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act outline the government’s goal of a fully accessible Ontario by 2025, but according to Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility representative Leah Wong, the mosque would still be allowed to operate without an elevator after that deadline.
“The building code requires certain accessibility features only on a go-forward basis with buildings undergoing new construction and existing buildings that are to be significantly renovated,” Wong said in an email to the Star Friday. “Mandatory retrofits are not required.”
The required accessibility features include ramps, accessible washrooms and power door operators, she said.
The Imam Hussain Foundation has been housed in its current building since 2004, after purchasing it from the Catholic school board, which once had its administrative offices inside.
Bazzi and Nadi hope to fundraise enough for a replacement elevator by next April.