On a scooter, Ontario Lt.-Gov. Dave Onley rode into Simcoe County’s history, a past that includes his own.

Marking the first-ever Accessibility Day at the Simcoe County Museum, the Post-Polio Syndrome patient has forged new paths in the media and public service, and is now the Queen’s representative in Ontario.

Born in Midland, he spent his first seven years there, not far from where the Jesuits set up a mission to convert the Wendat nation at St. Marie Among the Hurons.

As the guest of honour at the museum Wednesday, Onley talked about the significance of museums and culture, accessibility and inclusion.

He started by talking about his own past and his connection to the area and its heritage.

“(The museum) brings those distant days to life – whether (Samuel de) Champlain’s explorations or John Graves Simcoe’s creation of Yonge Street. It sets the context of natural history of this beautiful county,” he said.

“I always felt the only way we’d know the right path is to understand where we have come from. Where we have come from helps define and explain who we are. That gives us a real compass.

“The people of Simcoe County are blessed to have such a resource, a complex that is now universally accessible.”

Two years ago, the county completed a $5.5-million upgrade and expansion to the museum. As well as renovating and making the old museum accessible, the project practically doubled the size of the museum and included the addition of an orientation gallery, seminar and interpretive rooms and a gift shop.

Ontario has taken a strong proactive position to increase accessibility, by passing the Ontarians with Disabilities Act in 2005, which calls for building modifications to increase accessibility.

“I’ve been able to speak to countless audiences about what accessibility is and is not,” said Onley, who took vice-regal office in September 2007.

“Assistive devices are important. Ramps and curb cuts are important. Now we’ve got to go beyond those things and (discuss) what accessibility is all about – enabling people to achieve their full potential,” he said, regardless of whether a person has a physical or intellectual (often invisible) challenge.

Accessibility is about living life.

“It can be an educational facility. It can be job opportunities. It can be just coming to a facility like this to learn more about our roots.”