In 2021, the Province of British Columbia passed the Accessible BC Act, and in April, 2022, filed the Accessible British Columbia Regulation, which prescribed which types of organizations are subject to accessibility requirements under the Act. This list of organizations includes municipalities.
Part 3 of The Act requires organizations to:
a) establish an accessibility committee;
b) develop an accessibility plan;
c) create a tool to receive public feedback on accessibility.
At the June 12th, 2023 council meeting, Council appointed members to the Village’s Accessibility Committee, with support from Councillor Palashniuk and Village staff.
After their appointment, the Committee took the following steps to provide feedback to staff for the Accessibility Plan:
1. Met to discuss the requirements of the Accessibility Plan, Committee Terms of Refence, the Committee’s focus, public engagement ideas, survey question review, and review of documents provided on accessibility.
2. From July – September, through an online and paper survey, provided the community with an opportunity to submit comments on accessibility issues in Radium.
3. Participated in a field trip to visit Radium’s infrastructure, including Sinclair trailhead, Rotary, Shell, Kirk and Main parks, columbarium, municipal office and community centre, various pathways, trails and roadways.
4. Met to discuss their own personal views on accessibility in Radium and review the results of the survey.
5. Provided feedback on the Accessibility Plan drafted by staff.
The draft plan was then brought before Council, and on September 25, 2023, Council adopted the Village of Radium Hot Spring’s Accessibility Plan.
Click here to read the Plan.
The plan will be reviewed every three years. The public can provide feedback by emailing comments to: village@radiumhotsprings.ca.
Links of Interest:
Accessible BC Act
BC Accessibility Hub
