The Accessible British Columbia Act went into effect in September 2022 and outlines new accessibility standards for hundreds of municipalities across the province. For the first time, all cities are required to meet standards intended to reduce and prevent barriers experienced by people with disabilities in their communities. To help usher in this systems change, Urban Matters has co-created several Accessibility Plans with municipalities in the Metro Vancouver area. The scope of these projects has included review of current documents and policies, best practices analysis, evaluation of accessibility work underway, engagement, and creating plans and implementation mechanisms for initiatives that advance accessibility. The scope of this work includes attention to built environment, transportation and mobility, information and communications, goods and services, and employee services. 

Impact

An inclusive city is one where everyone can thrive regardless of their abilities. By implementing standards of accessibility into our communities, workplaces, and services, we can ensure that this vision of inclusivity becomes reality. Visit the City of West Vancouver website to read their full Accessibility Plan, which includes 6 actionable areas for improvement in the next three years.