Well everyone, over the past three weeks we have visited roughly 90 sports bars/pubs, and yesterday we ventured to the Black Dog in West Rouge (the eastern-most limits of the city) to announce the top 20 accessible sports bars throughout Toronto. When we arrived we met with Joanna of the Scarborough Mirror who interviewed us. Joanna is one of the nicest and enthusiastic people that I have ever met and she is also a Ryerson graduate. We also met Ken Reuter who is the owner of the Black Dog. Ken is a really cool guy and was overjoyed when we presented him with an award for being the 2006 number one accessible sports bar in Toronto.  

All the sports bars in the top 20 demonstrate tremendous commitment to accessibility and are all great places to visit, with each place having its own unique features. For example, the amazing washroom at Jawny Bakers, the unobstructed layout and design at the Bier Market, or the automatic door openers on every door at Jack Astor's, the Black Dog stands above the rest.  

Every facet of the Black Dog is accessible. The place is extremely spacious, there is a private accessible washroom complete with a grab bar and the sink and soap are at a good height. In addition, the patio, bar and dining area are all fully accessible. Most of all what makes the Black Dog number one is the warm and welcoming attitude of the entire staff and patrons; they truly make you feel like you are part of the family. This initiative proved that sport unites the world but accessibility brings us all together. Congratulations to the Black Dog and the rest of the top 20.   

 

And a very special mention and thank you goes to the very honourable Steve Mastoras of Whistler's at Broadview and Mortimer in East York.  Mr. Mastoras was instrumental in helping with many constructive suggestions when we first raised the possibility of our World Cup Accessibility Challenge.  This initiative would not have been possible without the support and advice from Mr. Mastoras, a man who knows that accessibility makes good economic sense.  As Mr. Mastoras said several weeks ago, "There are many, many examples of establishment owners throughout this great city who are working hard to identify and eliminate barriers to all patrons, and these examples give reason to celebrate."  Our World Cup Accessibility Challenge was significantly inspired by Steve Mastoras and Whistler's.  Whistler's is close to the heart of Warren's World and is the team's establishment of choice, where we all have productive lunch or dinner meetings and enjoy great after-work social time with the patio jazz.