December 8, 2025
Each week, Sunday mass at the St.Amant chapel brings peace and connection to the St.Amant community. Community members are invited to read or share prayers, an opportunity to connect with their faith, nourish their soul, and support their community.
Although everyone is encouraged to share, many individuals found it challenging to use the chapel’s original wooden lectern; its height made it difficult for individuals who use accessibility aids to present.
St.Amant’s new accessible lectern empowers every participant. It provides a more accessible public speaking experience that encourages every community member to approach the podium with confidence.
Collaboration was key in securing St.Amant’s first accessible lectern. Wilson Cortes and Andrew Terhoch, of St.Amant’s Spiritual Health program, recognized the importance of ensuring every voice can be heard on an accessible stage.
“Every week, a few of the people we support are assigned to various tasks — reading the Liturgy or the Prayer of the Faithful, assisting the clergy at the altar during consecration, or taking part in the offertory. Each of these moments shows their dedication and desire to serve. It’s a beautiful reminder that leadership and participation come in many forms, and that everyone has a gift to share. As I watched these moments, I began to notice that for some, especially those who use wheelchairs, participation could be made easier with the right support. That thought stayed with me.” – Wilson Cortes, Spiritual Care Associate
Andrew began the search for a motorized accessible lectern, but quickly found that that the options were very limited and expensive. Rhea Balla, a volunteer with St.Amant, discovered the Enabling Accessibility Fund – Youth Innovation Component – funding program, a federal grant, fulfilled through the Gov’t of Canada. Rhea reached out to Michelle Sankar, the St.Amant Foundation’s Development Manager, and the two quickly began collaborating on the grant, along with having the spiritual health expertise.
“The opportunity came up to apply for funding, and I just instantly thought of St.Amant.” – Rhea, St.Amant Volunteer
St.Amant received $9,634.00 from the Enabling Accessibility Fund. Podium Pros, the company that crafted the lectern, graciously offered St.Amant a discount, allowing the team to add signage, lights and a microphone. Featuring motorized height adjustment, the lectern is wheelchair accessible with ample space for a wheelchair to be aligned to the podium. The reading light and light switch are located low on the lectern’s face, ensuring visual accessibility for those who are seated or using communication cards.
Cindy is pictured here using the accessible lectern. Cindy regularly participates in Sunday mass, and the accessible lectern will make it more comfortable for her to speak. Cindy can now position her wheelchair behind the podium and use the light to read her communication card. The accessible lectern provides Cindy, and many others at St.Amant, with an equal platform to share their thoughts with their community.
“The lectern allows all of the readers in chapel gatherings to be the same leader. To have the same seat behind the lectern.” – Andrew, Spiritual Health Practitioner
The lectern is mobile, and we look forward to using it at other St.Amant events like townhall, conferences, and even celebrations! We are so grateful for this opportunity to ensure that public speaking is accessible and inclusive with a podium that is designed with everyone in mind. Wilson, Andrew, Rhea, and Michelle, thank you for all your hard work!
