Rick Mercer Report at Variety Village

Summary

Variety Village in Toronto is an inclusive and vibrant 160,000 square-foot facility that offers a wide range of sports and activities for people of all abilities. Whether someone has a disability or not, the village fosters a welcoming environment where everyone can participate. The CEO, staff, and athletes, including Paralympians, emphasize the importance of providing quality of life through physical activity. The facility hosts activities such as wheelchair basketball, rock climbing, and zip-lining, while promoting reverse integration, where disabled and non-disabled individuals play together. Variety Village proves that it truly 'takes a village' to create a supportive, empowering community.

Takeaways

• 😀 Variety Village is a 160,000 square foot facility in Toronto that offers inclusive sports and physical activities for individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities.
• 😀 The organization prioritizes accessibility, with activities available for people regardless of physical challenges such as lack of arms, legs, or vision.
• 😀 Variety Village sees approximately 5,000 visits per week, showing its wide community reach and engagement.
• 😀 The primary focus of Variety Village is to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities through sports and physical activities.
• 😀 The staff at Variety Village is highly supportive and plays an active role in helping individuals with their physical training and activities.
• 😀 Individuals with disabilities can participate in wheelchair basketball and other adaptive sports at Variety Village, where integration with non-disabled participants is encouraged.
• 😀 Reverse integration is a key practice at Variety Village, where able-bodied individuals can play alongside those with disabilities, fostering inclusivity and mutual respect.
• 😀 Paralympian Adam Lancia, who won multiple gold medals, began his wheelchair basketball journey at Variety Village, showcasing the facility’s role in nurturing top talent.
• 😀 The facility also promotes activities like climbing, with accessible harness systems for individuals of different abilities.
• 😀 Variety Village encourages everyone, including those with disabilities, to engage in challenging and adventurous activities like ziplining and climbing to build confidence and physical strength.
• 😀 The phrase 'It takes a village' is emphasized as a motto at Variety Village, highlighting the collaborative and supportive nature of the community.

Q & A

What makes Variety Village in Toronto unique?

Variety Village is unique because it provides 160,000 square feet of space dedicated to offering activities for people of all physical abilities, including those with disabilities. It focuses on providing inclusive experiences for everyone, regardless of physical limitations.

What is the main goal of Variety Village?

The primary goal of Variety Village is to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities by offering a variety of activities tailored to different physical abilities.

How many visitors does Variety Village receive each week?

Variety Village receives approximately 5,000 visits per week.

What is the significance of John Wilson in the video?

John Wilson is the CEO of Variety Village, and he introduces the facility, emphasizing its inclusivity and focus on people with disabilities.

How does Variety Village integrate people with and without disabilities in its sports programs?

Variety Village practices 'Reverse Integration,' which means that people with and without disabilities participate together in activities like wheelchair basketball, fostering inclusivity and mutual support.

Who is Adam Lancia, and what is his role at Variety Village?

Adam Lancia is a Paralympic athlete who has won multiple gold and silver medals. He is a member of Variety Village, where he started playing wheelchair basketball, and he emphasizes the importance of inclusive sports programs.

What is wheelchair basketball, and how does Variety Village include both disabled and non-disabled individuals in the game?

Wheelchair basketball is a sport where players use wheelchairs to play basketball. At Variety Village, people with disabilities play alongside able-bodied individuals, which helps create an inclusive environment.

Why is 'Reverse Integration' important for Variety Village?

'Reverse Integration' is important because it helps bridge the gap between people with disabilities and the broader community, promoting inclusivity and understanding by allowing everyone to participate in sports together.

What activity do participants in the video engage in that challenges their physical abilities?

Participants engage in a high ropes course activity, including ziplining and climbing, which challenges their physical abilities and provides an adventurous, supportive experience for people with disabilities.

How does Variety Village ensure safety and support for individuals with disabilities during physically challenging activities?

Variety Village ensures safety by providing harnesses and equipment tailored to the needs of individuals with disabilities. Staff members and volunteers also offer support to participants, ensuring they can safely enjoy activities like climbing and ziplining.