Keith Simmons, recently named accessibility officer for the National Office for Seniors and the Physically Handicapped, has a lot of work on his hands.

"My primary focus is to work on physical accessibility, but also to look at mental and social accessibility," said Mr. Simmons. "We need to bring everyone together so they can have a better quality of life. Inclusion for all."

Mr. Simmons, who himself is quadriplegic after an accident more than 20 years ago, knows firsthand how much work needs to be done.

"We still use the 1996 building code," said Mr. Simmons. "We are looking at moving up that code. For the free society that we are, we are way behind. We cannot wait long. We have to get moving."

One of Mr. Simmons first tasks in office was organising the Accessibility Appreciation Awards held on April 1, which acknowledged the work of many in the community to improve accessibility.

"We gave awards to two people in the Department of Planning, two to restaurants, two to hotels," said Mr. Simmons.

So far, Mr. Simmons has been focusing his time working with Government to update building codes to meet international guidelines, which focus not only on the mobility impaired, but the vision and hearing impaired.

"I'm going out and building relationships with the Chamber of Commerce and construction companies," said Mr. Simmons. "Government has been very supportive. We've been making progress.

"I've been working with the compliancy officer at planning. There's a lot being developed."

The construction industry, according to Mr. Simmons, has worked hard to improve accessibility, along with the tourism industry as a whole.

"We've had the best progress in the tourism industry," said Mr. Simmons. "Newstead is perfect. Hamilton Princess has four handicapped friendly rooms, Fairmont has two.

"The way they've developed Dockyard, they should be congratulated. We went up there and suggested a few minor improvements, and the very next day, they were changed. Hopefully it will grow Island-wide."

Improvement in the tourism industry is extremely important according to Mr. Simmons because of a growing number of mobility impaired visitors to the Island.

"Visitors are the people asking for it," said Mr. Simmons. "They're looking for it, and we're pushing it."

Even before his move to accessibility officer, Mr. Simmons had worked towards helping disabled tourists enjoy Bermuda, developing a guide for disabled visitors at his website www.access.bm.

While many have eagerly worked with Mr. Simmons to improve the accessibility of their buildings, not everyone has.

"Some have tried to flout the law," said Mr. Simmons. "Renovations, that's where our biggest problems come in."

According to Mr. Simmons, most who avoid making improvements to allow easier access for the handicapped do so because of the cost of making such improvements. Because of this, Mr. Simmons wants to set up a system of timelines and incentives so that companies can plan ahead to deal with the costs.

"We have to keep in mind that Hamilton is built on a hill. We have to be realistic and look at this on an individual basis," said Mr. Simmons. "Whatever we can do on this side, we'll try to do.

Another area that requires some improvements is the Island's public transport, but progress has already begun.

"They've brought in those buses, 15 of them. It's a start," said Mr. Simmons. "They're willing to meet with us, and they talk to us all the time. The staff are excellent."

Mr. Simmons believes that the key to making Bermuda more accessible is making people understand that work needs to be done.

"It's about winning hearts and minds," said Mr. Simmons. "We do need renovations."