The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) has released its first Accessibility Plan, which focuses on identifying barriers to accessibility and inclusion at TNRD buildings and facilities.
The barriers could affect members of the public and/or staff, at facilities such as libraries, solid waste facilities, parks, fire halls, and the TNRD civic building in Kamloops. The barriers could also be present for people trying to access the TNRD's digital spaces, such as the website, email, or on social media platforms.
In June 2021, the province introduced the Accessible British Columbia Act, which provided a guideline to identify, remove, and prevent barriers to accessibility. All local governments in the province were required to establish an Accessibility Committee, with at least half the members identifying as persons with disabilities or as a representative of an organization serving the disabled community.
Each committee was tasked with creating an Accessibility Plan, and creating a tool so that people could submit feedback about accessibility. Six guiding principles had to be considered when developing the plan: Adaptability, Collaboration, Diversity, Inclusion, Self-Determination, and Universal Design, with the last principle meaning "The design and structure of an environment so that it can be understood, accessed, and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of their age or ability."
Barriers may be present in the built environment, information and communications, or the delivery of programs or services. The plan makes recommendations to improve accessibility, many of which were identified through feedback received from the Accessibility Advisory Committee, members of the public, and accessibility checklists reviewed by each TNRD staff department.
“The TNRD appreciates input from volunteer members of the Accessibility Advisory Committee, who have shared their lived experiences and thoughtful considerations that have helped create this plan,” said Dale Bass, chair of the Accessibility Advisory Committee. “The Accessibility Plan will be a valuable tool for the TNRD to make sure we are considering needs of all the people we serve, and input from the public will continue to be crucial.”
In addition to releasing the Accessibility Plan, the TNRD has created various ways for people to continue to contribute feedback about areas that need to be improved. There is an online form at tnrd.ca/accessibility-feedback, where people can report an accessibility issue, provide general feedback on TNRD accessibility, or comment on the Accessibility Plan. Feedback can also be provided by email or phone, in person at the TNRD civic building on V ictoria Street in Kamloops, or at any Thompson-Nicola Regional Library branch.
"The TNRD's first Accessibility Plan was developed thanks to the hard work of our dedicated committee and members of the public who provided invaluable feedback via their lived experiences," says TNRD board chair Barbara Roden. "It shows the barriers that, despite our best efforts, still make it difficult for some people to access our services.
"But the creation of the plan is a starting point, not a finish line. It not only shows us the work we have to do, it is also a living document that relies on feedback from the public to show how and where we can do better. I hope people will take the time to read it, and to provide that feedback when they encounter a barrier to accessing the TNRD."
To view the TNRD's Accessibility Plan, go to tnrd.ca/accessibility.
