Re: Blind runner proves discrimination case from TC10K (News, Feb. 27)
Thank you Saanich News for covering Graeme McCreath’s human rights victory. I congratulate him on his win.
The comment by VIRS vice-president Shannon Kowalko that their refusal of Mr. McCreath’s request was “in the interest of safety for Mr. McCreath and other participants” and “nothing to do related to being discriminatory” is absurd.
In fact, the opposite is the case: it was precisely to ensure the safety of his guide, himself, and others, that Mr. McCreath made the request, and it was the organizers’ refusal and intransigence that was threatening this safety.
And of course it was discriminatory, which the tribunal has clearly ruled. The organizers had already freely granted exactly the same reasonable accommodation to wheelchair participants but were categorically refusing it to the blind.
Blind people have had enough of being excluded through discrimination.
It’s time for full inclusion and participation on a basis of equality, and I applaud the tribunal for its ruling.
Frederick Driver
Victoria