What’s new at the Accessibility Directorate
Last updated on September 16, 2024Get up to date on our quarterly progress with the Accessible BC Act and everything else going on at the Accessibility Directorate.
On this page:
A message from Susie Chant, Parliamentary Secretary for Accessibility
After busy spring and summer seasons, we concluded our accessibility standards public consultation at the end of July. I want to sincerely thank every person who participated and shared their thoughts. Whether you attended a session or completed the survey, your feedback is instrumental in creating a more accessible British Columbia for everyone.
Looking ahead, we have many important observances in the coming months. September is Disability Employment Month. This month reminds us of the important contributions people with disabilities make in our society. It also underscores the importance of continuing to remove barriers in employment for people with disabilities—exactly what the proposed Employment Accessibility Standard aims to achieve. October is Registered Disability Savings Plan Awareness Month, highlighting one way to support people with disabilities in leading independent and self-directed lives.
We will continue to use these updates to share ways you can contribute to making B.C. accessible for everyone. Thank you for your continued support and engagement.
Accessibility updates
Implementation of the Accessible British Columbia Act
Accessibility standards development
Under Part 4 of the Accessible B.C. Act, the Provincial Accessibility Committee (PAC) is mandated to develop standards to remove and prevent barriers for people with disabilities in the province.
The first two standards for development are on accessible service delivery and employment accessibility. The proposed standards were developed between January 2023 and April 2024. The standards were released for public consultation from May 31, 2024, to July 31, 2024.
Now, your feedback will go to the Provincial Accessibility Committee as they revisit and revise the standards. We will also publish a report summarizing the feedback we heard during the consultation.
Annual report
Our annual report has been released. It details all the work government has done to advance accessibility over the 2023-24 fiscal year.
Other highlights
- Expanded mental-health, addictions support coming for South Asian community
- More young people in B.C. will benefit from integrated care
- Young people in East Kootenays benefit from more mental-health, addiction care
- Expanded clinic will deliver more mental-health, addictions care for people in DTES
- New rules will protect vulnerable road users
- New, accessible school playgrounds open for students
- Cowichan Valley to open a new emergency shelter for vulnerable youth
- B.C. improves access to supports for youth, young adults experiencing psychosis
- New long-term care home opens in Comox Valley
Accessibility spotlight
Community-led sessions for the accessibility standards public consultation
Adhering to the principle of “nothing about us without us”, the public consultation on accessibility standards from May to July 2024 used several methods to collect feedback. One way was providing grant funding to support community-led sessions.
Indigenous organizations and partners as well as community and advocacy organizations were invited to host sessions within their communities. Thirty-five organizations held community-led sessions, with some hosting multiple sessions.
One of the session organizers, Yat Li with Accessible Employers, observed that the sessions allowed them to engage with “leaders with disabilities and changemakers in large, medium and small businesses”.
Another session organizer, Middlepeace Clinical Counselling, noted that the sessions they hosted “had diverse attendees, including people with disabilities, advocacy groups, and local business representatives. The feedback collected will be invaluable in shaping the draft standards and ensuring they reflect the community's needs.”
The findings from the public consultation will be published in early 2025.
Important dates
- September: Disability Employment Month
- September: Arthritis Awareness Month
- September 20 to 26: International Week of Deaf People
- September 23: International Day of Sign Languages
- September 23 to 29: International Week of Deaf People
- October: Community Inclusion Month
- October: Registered Disability Savings Plan Awareness Month
- October 10: World Mental Health Day
Subscribe
Enter your email address to subscribe to updates of this page.
The B.C. government has a central site for all public engagement activities. See the active consultations and share your feedback!
Accessibility resources
Contact information
Send us an email if you would like to learn more about the Accessible B.C. Act.