CALEDONIA — Before you reach the bookshelves or settle into a chair, you see the poem. To your left, in striking letters, Cassie Liviero’s words call out, inviting you to pause, reflect, and reconsider what accessibility truly means.
—Haldimand Press photo by Nick Fearns.
On Friday, March 21, 2025, the Caledonia Branch of the Haldimand County Library unveiled a new public art and poetry installation, featuring a poem by Liviera.
The event, which coincided with International Poetry Day, was the result of a seamless collaboration between Liviero, STEPS Public Art, and the Haldimand County Library.
Liviero, a poet and social worker from Caledonia, uses her lived experience as a wheelchair user with cerebral palsy to explore themes of disability, access, and empowerment through her work.
Her poetry aims to challenge ableist perceptions and advocate for a more inclusive world.
The unveiling of her latest piece at the library was met with enthusiasm and deep appreciation from those in attendance.
Julie Talisayon, Public Art Coordinator at STEPS Public Art, praised Liviero’s initiative in reaching out to their organization, highlighting how the partnership was one of the smoothest and most rewarding they had ever undertaken.
“Cassie came to us with her poetry and a vision, and we simply helped facilitate what was already an incredibly strong and necessary message. It all lined up perfectly – International Poetry Day, the library’s ongoing poetry initiatives, and Cassie’s impactful voice. It was truly the easiest collaboration,” Talisayon shared.
Liviero spoke candidly about her journey into poetry, explaining that she rediscovered her passion for writing in 2023 through a 30-day poetry contest. That experience led her to incorporate poetry into her Master’s thesis in social work. Now she has chosen to focus more deeply on developing her craft and using poetry as a platform for advocacy.
“My work is about reclaiming the disabled voice,” Liviero explained. “There are so many misconceptions about what we can and cannot do, and I want to show that we have stories just as rich and complex as anyone else’s.”
Her poem, now displayed at the library, addresses the barriers faced by disabled individuals – not just physical obstacles but also the societal attitudes and systemic exclusions that shape daily life.
“A lot of people think accessibility is just about ramps, but if you’re not giving us opportunities to fully participate in society, then you’re not truly accessible,” she said, speaking with The Press.
The unveiling included a creative adaptation of a ribbon-cutting ceremony, ensuring that Liviero could take part without the use of scissors.
The event was filled with emotion, as Liviero expressed her gratitude to all those who had helped bring her work to the public at large.
“This is my work, but it’s also a team effort,” she emphasized. “If even one person involved in this project had said no, we wouldn’t be here today.”
Katrina Krupicz, Community Outreach/Inreach Coordinator at Haldimand County Library, echoed the sentiment of gratitude and celebration.
“This was the easiest collaboration. Everything just came together so beautifully,” Krupicz said. “Cassie’s poem has already received so much positive feedback from the community and unveiling it on International Poetry Day was the perfect way to launch our April poetry contest.”
For Liviero, the public display of her poetry in her hometown is deeply meaningful.
“People often think projects like this only happen in big cities like Toronto, but it’s incredibly gratifying that it’s happening here in Caledonia,” she said. “It’s proof that art and advocacy belong everywhere.”
“Cassie’s willingness to reach out and advocate for herself is a lesson for all artists,” Talisayon noted. “It takes persistence and belief in your work. All it takes is a couple of yeses.”
For more information about Liviero’s poetry or to request a PDF copy of her work, email her at c.liviero@dal.ca.
