The District of Squamish is currently creating an Accessibility Plan and is working towards removing accessibility barriers in Squamish.
In 2021, the Province of British Columbia passed the Accessible BC Act, requiring all B.C. municipalities to develop an Accessibility Plan in consultation with an Accessibility Committee.
Squamish’s Accessibility Plan will address barriers across District facilities, public spaces, policies and decision-making, information and communications design, transportation, service delivery, and employment.
Locations of these accessibility barriers may include:
- District facilities such as Municipal Hall, the library, or Brennan Park Recreation Centre
- District infrastructure, such as sidewalks, trails, or playgrounds
- District information, such as job postings, Council meetings, and news updates
Projects underway or being developed by the muni to make the District more accessible for all include reviewing streetscape designs and guidelines, adapting communications practices, training staff, and including accessibility considerations in new facilities and developments. The Accessibility Plan will include recommended actions to mitigate or remove the identified barriers in the short and long term. As is required, the plan will be reviewed at least every three years.
“Accessibility considerations are at the forefront of District policies, and improving accessibility is essential to being a truly inclusive community in which all citizens receive equal access to our town and its services,” said Mayor Armand Hurford.
There are multiple ways for the community to get involved:
- Identify where accessible barriers exist in physical spaces on maps located at the Squamish Public Library and Brennan Park Recreation Centre.
- Identify accessible barriers using our online maps at letstalksquamish.ca/accessibility-plan.
- Provide feedback by completing a comment card at the Squamish Public Library and Brennan Park Recreation Centre. Translations are available in Punjabi, Spanish, German, and Tagalog.
- Complete the community survey at letstalksquamish.ca/accessibility-plan. Those who prefer not to complete the survey online may contact [email protected] to make alternate arrangements.
- Register for a small group discussion to share your perspective. Email [email protected] to register.
The community survey will be open through April 26.
A draft plan is expected to be presented to council in June 2023.
The province requires the plans to be completed by September 2023.
For more information and to get involved, go to letstalksquamish.ca/accessibility-plan.
