AccessibleBC: B.C.’s Accessibility Plan for 2022/23 to 2024/25

Last updated on September 5, 2023

Government has set actions to carry out the Accessible B.C. Act (the law) from June 2021 to March 31, 2022.

Annual Report 2021/22

Accessibility Directorate

In fall 2021, government established the Accessibility Directorate
- This team works across government and with people with disabilities to carry out the law

Provincial Accessibility Committee

On December 3, 2021, the Minister chose 11 people for the Provincial Accessibility Committee
Members on the committee are people with disabilities or support people with disabilities
Some members are people of colour or are Indigenous
The membership of the committee reflects the diversity of British Columbians
The committee met in January and in March
- The committee is co-chaired by Spring Hawes and Dan Coulter
  - Dan Coulter is the Parliamentary Secretary for Accessibility
The committee works with government to carry out the law
- It will help develop accessibility standards in areas like employment, education and transportation

Government’s feedback tool

People can use the tool to let us know about barriers using government services and programs
- It will help government to identify, prevent and remove barriers
Feedback will help government in making its services and programs more accessible
- It will also inform future government accessibility plans
You can submit your feedback online

Government’s accessibility plan

From September 2021 to March 2022, government worked with the Provincial Accessibility Committee to create the plan
- The plan shows government’s priorities from April 2022 to March 2025

AccessibleBC Regulation

In September 1, 2022, over 750 organizations will have to develop an accessibility committee, accessibility plan and public feedback tool
- They will have at least one year to complete this
Government gave $3 million to Disability Alliance BC to help organizations set up a committee, plan and feedback tool

Recognition of AccessAbility Week

AccessAbility Week promotes inclusion and accessibility
- The week also celebrates people in the disability community
In 2021, the province proclaimed May 30 to June 5, 2021, as AccessAbility week
- This was also National AccessAbility Week and National Indigenous AccessAbility Week
Government gave $500,000 to Disability Alliance BC for community-based accessibility projects
In 2022, government formalized the dates of AccessAbility Week

Accessibility standards

In March 2022, members of the Provincial Accessibility Committee discussed how to decide which standards to develop first
- The committee provided their advice to the Minister
- It is the Minister who will make the final decision

Work with Advisory Committees

In 2021/22, the Accessibility Directorate supported the following advisory committees:

Presidents Group: A group of business leaders working to make workplaces more accessible
- They provide tools to help other businesses hiring people with disabilities
Registered Disability Savings Plan Action Group: The group works to help people with disabilities sign-up for a Registered Disability Savings Plan
COVID-19 Disability Working Group: This now disbanded group gave advice to government during the pandemic

Introduction to B.C.’s accessibility plan

The Government of British Columbia is working towards being an inclusive province. There are over 926,000 people with disability in B.C. In June 2021, the Accessible B.C. Act became law. It provides a framework to identify, remove, and prevent barriers to accessibility. The new law is an important step to make B.C. a more accessible province.

Under the law, the government needs to create an accessibility plan. The plan will be updated every three years. Government and the Provincial Accessibility Committee worked together to create this plan. The committee will continue to provide advice to government on this plan.

What are examples of barriers?

Attitude

When people think and act based upon false ideas, like:

Making decisions about people with disabilities without including them
Not believing that a person with a disability can contribute to the workforce

Physical

When obstacles make access difficult, like:

A washroom with an accessible stall but no automatic door opener
Hosting a meeting in a space with no wheelchair access

Information or communication

When communication methods do not reach people with disabilities, like:

Using small print or not providing large-print versions of material
Videos, events, or meetings that do not have closed captions

Systemic

When an organization’s policies or procedures aren’t inclusive, like:

Not providing an American Sign Language interpreter or closed captioning
Requiring a driver’s licence for a job when another form of transportation could be used

Technology

When technology can’t be accessed by people with disabilities, like:

Websites, documents, or databases that are not accessible for screen readers
Website graphs and charts do not have text to explain them

Sensory

When lights, sounds or smells prevent participation in the environment, like:

Co-workers wearing perfume in the workplace
Use of fluorescent lighting in the workplace

Actions to date

Accessibility is a journey. Over the last few years, government has worked to make government services more accessible. Actions include:

Provided funding to colleges, universities and partners in 2021 to help students with disabilities
Launched a program to deliver high-speed internet to rural and remote areas
Launched the Accessibility and Inclusion Toolkit to help people create more accessible digital content
Worked with the Rick Hansen Foundation to remove barriers in government buildings
Engaged with the public about accessibility requirements in the BC Building Code
Increased funding for the At Home Program
- This program provides medical equipment for children and youth with complex care needs
Increased inclusive child care for about 2,000 more children
Launched the Inclusive Child Care Toolkit to support inclusive practices in childcare settings
Launched the Foundations of Inclusive Child Care Training. This free on-line course supports inclusive childcare
Improved the accessibility of six Employment Standards Branch offices (automatic door openers and desk height)
Improved the rights of people using a guide or service dog
Improved services offered to people on disability assistance for people who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Invested in over 100 new or upgraded accessible tourism facilities since 2020

Government and COVID-19

Since March 2020, government has helped people with disabilities stay informed, supported and connected during the pandemic. For example:

Provided temporary support for people on income and disability assistance
Supported the expanded use of online meeting technology
Worked with the BC Centre for Disease Control to create mental health resources for schools

B.C.’s Economic Plan: StrongerBC

Government released its economic plan in early 2022 to build an economy that works for all. The plan will help fill one million jobs over the next 10 years.

The plan will address two of the province’s biggest challenges – inequality and climate change. The plan will make sure people have the supports they need for more opportunities in their workplace and community.

One of the missions under the plan is Supporting People and Families. That means:

Investing in people and families to make life more accessibility and affordable
Delivering accessible services like health care and child care
Expanding accessible opportunities for education and training

A second mission, Building Resilient Communities, means:

Helping communities to create infrastructure that adapts to changes in the climate and the economy
Building affordable and accessible housing, schools and hospitals
Making sure every community in B.C. has access to high-speed internet

Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan

In March 2022, government released B.C.’s five-year action plan to implement the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
- This plan outlines the long-term vision to achieve the objectives of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
The plan is the result of extensive consultation and cooperation with Indigenous peoples
One of the actions in the plan is to address barriers for Indigenous persons with disabilities
- This is in line with the Accessible British Columbia Act

Other Government Plans and Strategies

Government has many plans that consider accessibility. These include:

StrongerBC, B.C.’s Economic Plan
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan
Together BC: B.C.’s Poverty Reduction Strategy
Where We All Belong: Diversity and Inclusion Strategy
CleanBC’s Active Transportation Strategy
A Pathway to Hope (Mental Health and Addictions Strategy)

Moving forward: our priorities for 2022/25

These are government’s priorities for accessibility over the next three years. In the spirit of ‘nothing about us without us’, government will work with people with disabilities and the Provincial Accessibility Committee.

Priority 1: creating a culture of accessibility and inclusion

Apply a Gender Based Analysis plus (GBA+) lens
- This is to make sure that government programs are working for people
Organize events to raise awareness on accessibility
Develop a “Being Accessible Strategy” to promote a culture of accessibility in the public service
Support accessibility leadership in the public service

Gender Equity Office

Gender equity is about removing barriers that stop people from reaching their full potential.

B.C. is a better place for everyone when everyone—regardless of their gender, race, class, sexual orientation or ability—can reach their full potential.

The Gender Equity Office:

Ensures government’s budgets, policies, and programs reflect gender equality
Works with organizations concerned with gender equality and the advancement of women

Priority 2: information and communications

Increase the number of online services, for example, in the areas of justice and housing
Connect all remaining rural households in the province to high-speed internet by 2027
Update government websites to make them more accessible
Remove barriers to identity verification process of the BC services card
Make public information about BC Parks more accessible
Improve the public notices of local governments
Improve access to public libraries and make more books available in accessible formats
Make sure that emergency plans include the needs of people with disabilities
Improve accessibility for the online My Self Serve portal

Priority 3: buildings, infrastructure and public spaces

Continue to make courthouses more accessible
Help people with disabilities make their homes more accessible
Improve the accessibility of government spaces where possible
Improve accessibility in BC Parks’ front country parks
Include accessibility in procurement work
Include accessibility in grant applications for local governments and other organizations
Improve accessibility for BC Corrections’ buildings
Make sure mobility devices, like e-scooters, can be operated safely
Use the concept of universal design to build transportation systems

Priority 4: employment in the B.C. Public Service

Carry out our 3-year Diversity and Inclusion strategy
Help hiring managers and job seekers with accessibility and accommodation
Help employees with disabilities, for instance with the Work-Able Internship Program
Reach out to disability-service organizations to promote jobs within the B.C. Public Service
Review and update policy and procedures on accommodation

Priority 5: delivery of goods and services

Improve access to post-secondary education, for example with programs under StudentAid BC
Create family connections centres in early 2023 for children and youth with support needs
Improve the Specialized Homes and Support Services program for children and youth
Improve access to training and employment programs for people with disabilities
Provide better access to tourism training grants for students
Support people with disabilities working in B.C.’s creative economy (for example theatre, film, TV, music, the arts)
Increase access to funding for emerging B.C. filmmakers with disabilities
Provide funding for free sport and arts opportunities for students with disabilities
Promote B.C. as an inclusive and welcoming tourist destination for everyone
Promote the hiring of people with disabilities to address labour shortages in the tourism industry

Conclusion

Bringing the Accessible B.C. Act into law in 2021 shows our government’s commitment to accessibility. This document shows how government is working towards a truly inclusive and accessible B.C. over the next three years. As new priorities emerge, we will adapt.

We’re committed to support the full and equal participation of people with disabilities in their communities. Our government looks forward to engaging with you in the months and years ahead as we continue our work to build a barrier-free B.C.

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The B.C. Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C. and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands. We acknowledge the rights, interests, priorities, and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples - First Nations, Métis, and Inuit - respecting and acknowledging their distinct cultures, histories, rights, laws, and governments.

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