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Whistler for the Disabled (WFTD) has produced its first revenue cheque thanks to a working relationship with the Tourism Whistler-run Whistler.com. This past, weekend, the society also donated its first cheque in support of those with disabilities in Whistler and beyond.
For the past several years, the WFTD website (www.whistlerforthedisabled.com) has been operated on a shoestring by Hugh Tollett, society director and founder. Last year, though, the society reached an agreement with TW to split the revenue generated through a joint 1-888-933-9383 toll-free booking service for those with disabilities. On Sept. 6, WFTD announced that it had produced its first revenue cheque.
Tollett also gave Phil Chew, coach of the B.C. Disabled Ski Team and organizer of last weekend’s Westside Wheelup mountain bike race, with a cheque for $250 in support of the ski team.
“All of our profits on our end will go back into supporting those with disabilities and all abilities,” Tollett said in a statement.
While the WFTD website continues to provide information for disabled visitors, WFTD’s work to promote and improve accessibility also continues on other fronts. For example, Tollett has worked to encourage transportation providers — both inter-city and the in-resort Whistler and Valley Express (WAVE) — to upgrade their service and provide information about what’s available to disabled customers.
The Sqamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) also recently agreed to promote accessibility to the centre and make that information available through the WFTD website, Tollett said.
“In the last year alone we have helped many from around the world access the Whistler community and B.C.,” he said. “One visitor we recently provided support to came out for a month’s vacation to our province and to visit Whistler instead of going to the U.S.A., which they had originally planned on visiting. This ended up being a party of four people.
“A little effort to support one individual with disabilities usually results in more than one sale at a restaurant, tour adventure, hotel room booking or merchandise bought at a retail store, and that adds up in the end.”
