Stopgap Ottawa

 

StopGap Ottawa History

StopGap Ottawa began in the Winter of 2015 when a small group of passionate volunteers formed the Ottawa community project, building on the momentum of the StopGap Foundation’s growing national media coverage. The StopGap movement was spreading across the country, particularly in Toronto and throughout Ontario. We wanted to join in on this brilliant initiative.

Our first Community Ramp Build was held on September 19th, 2015 at Somerset Square. We were taking part in Tastes Of Wellington West. The Wellington West BIA sponsored us and we were supported with tools and extra volunteers from the Ottawa Tool Library. Those two initial collaborators would prove to be regular partners in our quest for improved accessibility. Through that event we built 8 ramps.

On June 13th, 2016 we held a StopGap Social night at Makerspace North in partnership with the Ottawa Tool Library and the Wellington West BIA. Kichesippi Beer Co sponsored the event. We had an amazing community turn out and built 10 ramps that night.

In 2018, a group of University of Ottawa med students approached us with an offer to help build ramps. As a result of their interest in helping, paired with a number of received ramp requests, we organized a summer Community Ramp Build. Makerspace North and the Ottawa Tool Library once again graciously gave their support by providing us with a venue, tools, and expertise. Many volunteers joined us and the students during our five build days to complete the ramps.

With this new found energy and volunteers, we quickly organized our fourth Community Ramp Build for November, 2018 with our established partners, The Ottawa Tool Library and Makerspace North, and the Wellington West BIA. It proved to be our most successful build to date. Local artist Arpi stencilled our logos onto the ramps. We built 20 ramps thanks to these two most recent builds.

The Ottawa Core Team

Chris

Chris Binkowski joined StopGap Ottawa in 2015. He has lived in Ottawa his entire life. He spends his Summers volunteering on the Accessibility Team at Ottawa Bluesfest and CityFolk. He is an artist under the name Bucko, painting on his iPhone and performing improvised electronic music. His hobbies including making dishes in his Instant Pot, trying restaurants and going to concerts. http://www.buckoart.com

Kenzie

Kenzie McCurdy is originally from Montreal. She graduated from McGill University with a Masters in Social Work in 2003 and moved to Ottawa in 2004 for work. She joined StopGap in 2016 and has been making ramps ever since. In her spare time she volunteers, writes poetry, travels, and goes to Sting concerts.

Christina

Christina Johnson joined StopGap in 2016. She is originally from Southern Ontario, and moved to Ottawa permanently after graduating from Carleton University in 1996. She currently works for the federal government and her hobbies include music, reading, and crafting.

Community Ramp Paint Events

Please contact us if you are the owner of a 1-step entrance business/organization and would like to be included in our next ramp painting event. We normally aim to have 6-8 businesses committed before we hold a Community Ramp Paint Event.

  • All work is done by volunteers
  • Our events have been generously supported by businesses in the community, including Home Depot and the Ottawa Tool Library.

Businesses with a ramp built by StopGap Ottawa

Request a Ramp

Please contact the main StopGap Foundation website to request a ramp. The Foundation will provide next steps and handle invoicing. StopGap Ottawa will arrange for local delivery of the finished ramps.

Please note that, as a result of a special arrangement with Home Depot and Behr, StopGap Ottawa is normally able to offer ramps at a price discounted from the price shown on the StopGap order page.

Volunteer Opportunities

StopGap Ottawa relies heavily on the assistance of volunteers.

There are many different ways you can volunteer your time with us:

  • Website upkeep
  • Spreading the word via social media
  • Canvassing businesses for interest in a ramp
  • Measuring and taking pictures of entrances of businesses that would like a ramp
  • Helping out at our Community Ramp Paint Events
  • Networking with community organizations, such as Business Improvement Associations and community organizations, to get the word out and get businesses involved

StopGap Ottawa in the News

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why should I get a ramp?

In their 2024 report The Global Economics of Disability, the Return on Disability Group estimated that disabled Canadians represented approximately $100 billion in disposable income. Providing accessible goods and services can have a substantial positive impact on your business’ viability. And it is not just disabled patrons who benefit from accessing your business. If a potential patron can’t access your business, you are turning away all other members of their party as well. As well, ramps can accommodate parents with strollers, shoppers with carts, delivery personnel, and many other groups.

2. Under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), is it not the responsibility of the location owner to automatically install ramps for their businesses?

While the goal of the AODA was to provide “A fully barrier-free Ontario by 2025”, the removal of barriers has been faced with ongoing challenges. The StopGap Foundation’s programs have been successful in continuing this ambitious and important goal.

3. How can I prolong the life of my ramp?

While your ramp has been built with durable materials and finishes, you can extend the life of your ramp by not leaving it outdoors for prolonged periods, especially during poor weather. This also helps avoid theft or snow plow collisions!

4. How can I promote to my customers/clients that I have a ramp?

Help attract customers by adding accessibility information to your website, social media page, and other listings, such as Google Maps or Yelp.

For more Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), visit the main StopGap Foundation website.

Contact

Email: info@stopgapottawa.ca

Facebook: www.facebook.com/StopGapOttawaTeam

Instagram: @stopgap_ottawa

Threads: @stopgap_ottawa

StopGap aims to create a world where every person can access every space. Request your ramp now!