Accessibility 2024: One Year Progress Update June 2015 · navigation supports and information sharing about programs, services and resources ... cent of the B.C. government’s website

Accessibility 2024Making B.C. the most progressive province in Canada for people with disabilities by 2024

June 2015 One Year Progress Update

Accessibility 2024 June 2015 One Year Progress Update2

Table of ContentsMessage from the Premier 3

Message from the Minister 4

Message from the Accessibility 2024 Leadership Team 5

Building Blocks for Accessibility 2024

Inclusive Government 6

Accessible Service Delivery 9

Accessible Internet 11

Accessible Built Environment 13

Accessible Housing 15

Accessible Transportation 16

Income Support 18

Employment 20

Financial Security 24

Inclusive Communities 26

Emergency Preparedness 30

Consumer Experience 31

Appendix A: Community and Employer Partnerships in Support of Accessibility 34

Appendix B: Age-friendly Planning and Project Grants 36

Appendix C: Community Gaming Grants in Support of Accessibility 40


Message from the PremierJune 2015 marks one year since the release of Accessibility 2024—our government’s 10-year action plan to make B.C. the most progressive jurisdiction in Canada for people with disabilities. Working together with the disability community and the business community, we have made progress on that vision over the past year. Together, we are moving forward on our goals, building stronger partnerships across all sectors and communities, and seeing the ideas that came out of the consultation take shape.

Under Accessibility 2024 we are working to dissolve barriers and build stronger, more inclusive communities for people with disabilities. We have invested in programs that help people with disabilities access the training, resources and technology they need to secure employment, modernized the Guide Dog and Service Dog Act, and became the first province in Canada to introduce Annual Earnings Exemptions and fully exempt child support payments for people receiving disability assistance.

Accessibility 2024 charted a course for us to change attitudes, create new opportunities and place an accessibility lens on all our decisions. Of course, no one organization, person or government can achieve our vision alone. Consistent with the UN Declaration on the Rights for Persons with Disabilities, our government has worked closely with the disability community to implement Accessibility 2024.

I would like to thank the community members, businesses and others who have helped move Accessibility 2024 forward over the last year. As we reflect on our work over the past year, we can all share in our accomplishments. Together, we are well on our way to building a more accessible British Columbia.

Honourable Christy Clark Premier of British Columbia


Message from the MinisterAccessibility 2024 is our government’s plan to make B.C. a more inclusive and accessible province and this report documents the progress we have made over the last year to achieve our goals.

Across our province we are seeing a growing awareness and commitment to building communities and workplaces that are welcoming to all. This is an exciting societal shift driven by the knowledge that accessibility should matter to everyone.

This update reflects the shared accomplishments of the individuals and organizations in the disability community and the business sector—champions of accessibility who dedicate their energy, vision and commitment to pushing us forward.

In the coming years, we will continue to work closely with our partners and together we will achieve the goals laid out in Accessibility 2024 and make B.C. a place where people of all abilities have the opportunity to succeed.

Honourable Michelle Stilwell Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation


Message from the Accessibility 2024 Leadership TeamWhen Premier Christy Clark released Accessibility 2024 in June 2014, she laid the roadmap for a more accessible, inclusive and progressive British Columbia.

Much work has been done over the past year to move forward on the goals and commitments included in Accessibility 2024. The Accessibility 2024 leadership team is proud of the actions taken to date to move B.C. forward towards being the most progressive province in Canada for people with disabilities by 2024.

Our Accessibility 2024 leadership team includes Government and external advisory groups made up of people with disabilities, family members, business leaders, Aboriginal leaders and community representatives—The Minister’s Council on Employment and Accessibility, the Presidents Group and the newly formed Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) Action Group.

We are working hard to drive our mandates forward to support the implementation of Accessibility 2024. Over the last year, B.C. has increased flexibility for income earners by allowing people receiving disability assistance to calculate their earnings on an annual basis instead of monthly and modernized its Guide Dog and Service Dog Act. We look forward to marking the second annual Disability Employment Month in September and RDSP Awareness Month in October, and continuing our work to make B.C. a more inclusive, accessible province.

Progress updates on Accessibility 2024 are available at www.gov.bc.ca/accessibility. People with disabilities and their families, friends, communities, advocates and employers are the true champions of accessibility in our province. By working together, we are creating new opportunities for people of all abilities to work, play and participate fully in their communities.


The Accessibility 2024 Leadership Team

Michelle Stilwell

Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation

Norah Flaherty

Chair, RDSP Action Group

Linda Larson

Parliamentary Secretary for Accessibility

Neil Belanger

Executive Director, BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society

Carla Qualtrough

Chair, Minister’s Council on Employment and Accessibility

Jane Dyson

Executive Director, Disability Alliance BC

Tamara Vrooman

Co-Chair, Presidents Group and President and CEO of Vancity


Inclusive GovernmentThe Premier appointed a Parliamentary Secretary for Accessibility to work with the Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation to support the implementation of Accessibility 2024 across government and throughout the province. An Accessibility Secretariat has been established to work across government to develop improved navigation supports and information sharing about programs, services and resources available for people with disabilities in B.C.

A modernized Guide Dog and Service Dog Act was passed in April 2015 to safeguard public access for those who rely on guide or service dogs while ensuring clarity and safety for other members of the public and businesses. The Act will also extend tenancy rights for a certified guide or service dog team to strata properties, as well as ensuring access rights for dog in training teams. This legislation is targeted to be enacted later this year.

Over the past year, an accessibility lens has been applied to accessibility relevant legislative

and regulatory initiatives such as the modernized Guide Dog and Service Dog Act and regulations for the Annualized Earnings Exemption. This accessibility lens includes working collaboratively with the disability community as legislation and regulations are developed, in a manner consistent with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the expectations of the disability community of ‘nothing about us, without us.’

Elections BC is committed to ongoing accessibility and inclusion in elections.

The Election Amendment Act was introduced in the spring of 2015, extending advance


voting by two days. Voters have six days to vote at their convenience at any advance voting location, all of which are fully accessible.

The Minister’s Council on Employment and Accessibility and the Presidents Group continue to champion strategies to increase employment and accessibility for persons with disabilities.

There has been ongoing collaboration and information sharing between the provincial and federal governments to facilitate a coordinated approach to improving accessibility, including discussion on a number of Accessibility 2024-related topics, including Inclusive Government, Accessible Service Delivery, Accessible Internet, Accessible Housing, Employment, Financial Security, Emergency Preparedness and Consumer Experience.

There has been collaboration and information sharing with municipal governments to support improved accessibility in communities across B.C.

Completed In Progress or Ongoing

ü Commit to modernizing B.C.’s guide and service dog program

ü Enshrine the Minister’s Council on Employment and Accessibility

ü Launch a Presidents Group of business leaders to champion employment and improved consumer access

ü Create a Parliamentary Secretary and Accessibility Secretariat

© Establish an accessibility lens on regulations and legislation

© Consult on options for a made-in-B.C. approach to accessibility legislation

© As a leader in supporting an accessible electoral process for all British Columbians, B.C. will continue to move forward to support participation of persons with disabilities

Accessibility 2024 Actions


Government ConnectionsThe Employee Advisory Council formed out of a consultation session hosted by the BC Public Service Agency and the Accessibility Secretariat. The council, comprising of employees with and without disabilities, and co-chaired by the Public Service Agency and Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation, provides information and advice on accessibility and inclusion including hiring, keeping and advancing employees with disabilities.


Accessible Service DeliveryAccessible delivery of government services continues to improve, with face to face services now 80 per cent accessible. To date, 80 per cent of government owned and leased building space that house offices that service British Columbians are fully accessible, with more upgrades on the horizon (where possible given heritage constraints).

New features such as call back options are being added to make phone services more accessible, and a toll-free Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) hotline has been launched to help improve financial literacy for people with disabilities. Online, 80 per cent of the B.C. government’s website meets international web standards [WCAG 2.0 (AA)] and is on track for full compliance by 2016.

The accessibility website (www.gov.bc.ca/accessibilty) includes a full listing of government programs, services and resources available for people with disabilities, as well as improved options for finding and accessing information from across multiple ministries.

The BC Public Service has released an update to Reflecting Our Communities: Building a Diverse BC Public Service with an enhanced focus on accessibility. The strategy includes the formation of a Work-Able internship program to provide work experience for recent post-secondary graduates with disabilities beginning in September 2015. As well, an accessibility audit of the recruitment system has been completed to identify barriers for people with disabilities to access and apply to government job postings.

The Vision for a Violence Free BC strategy includes consideration of the increased risk of violence faced by certain groups of women, including women with disabilities.

Government is providing $5.7 million in funding to Communication Assistance for Youth and Adults (CAYA) to support individuals with severe communication disabilities over next three years.

Working with representatives from the Deaf community, an online resource of American Sign Language interpreter services has been compiled and is now available on the accessibility website www.gov.bc.ca/accessibilty.

A Vision for a Violence Free BCAddressing violence against women in British Columbia

www.gov.bc.ca/accessibilty

www.gov.bc.ca/accessibilty



ü Launch a website and a 1-800 number service to assist people with disabilities to navigate government services

ü Develop a disability strategy for the BC Public Service to enhance accessibility for hiring and advancement of persons with disabilities within the public service

ü Create a single point of information about American Sign Language interpreter services

© Commit to accessible service delivery—phone, online and face-to-face

© Ensure all government-owned and leased customer service building stock is fully accessible by 2020 (where possible given heritage constraints)

© Include accessibility as an aspect in government’s 10-year capital plan

© Work on transferability of aids and devices across government programs

Community in ActionRDSP Hotline

Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network’s (PLAN) has launched a toll-free RDSP hotline: 1 844 311-PLAN or 1 844 311-7526 to help improve financial literacy for people with disabilities. This centre for financial expertise for people with disabilities makes it easier for individuals with disabilities, and their families and friends, to ask questions about the RDSP and plan for a more secure financial future.



Accessible InternetOver the past year, ministries across government have been implementing web transformation initiatives to migrate their ministry web pages onto the upgraded B.C. government web platform. This work is on track, which will ensure the entire government website (www.gov.bc.ca) meets international web standards [WCAG 2.0 (AA)] by the end of 2016.

The federal government is on track to bring video relay service to Canadians in 2016, which will provide enhanced communications options for people who use American Sign Language.

Government has set a goal to expand high-speed Internet access to all British Columbians by 2021, and has pledged up to $10 million over two years, to match partner contributions to finish the project before 2021.

In Progress or Ongoing

© Upgrade government website (gov.bc.ca) to meet international web standards: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines [WCAG 2.0 (AA)] standard by 2016

© Work with federal government to bring video relay service to Canadians, starting as early as fall 2015


www.gov.bc.ca

gov.bc.ca


Community in ActionPeople who are Deaf, Deaf-Blind, Hard-of-Hearing or Speech Impaired (DHHSI) living in Metro Vancouver, Sunshine Coast and Squamish/Whistler and Northern Vancouver Island now have the ability to contact 9-1-1 through a new specialized text service, called “T9-1-1.” The service is provided through E-Comm—the 9-1-1 answer point serving the North Island, Metro Vancouver and the northern, central and southern interiors of B.C. Register for the service www.textwith911.ca. Learn more at www.ecomm911.ca.

www.textwith911.ca

www.ecomm911.ca


Accessible Built EnvironmentEighty per cent of government owned and leased buildings are currently accessible, with upgrades planned for 2015/16 at the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources Operations offices in Dawson Creek. Work is on track for government buildings to be fully accessible by 2020 (where possible given heritage constraints).

Working with the Union of BC Municipalities, government is refreshing the Planning for the Future: Age-friendly and Disability-friendly Official Community Plans guidebook. The guidebook will include suggested guidelines, accompanied by examples from local governments around the province, to help communities incorporate accessibility into their Official Community Plans.

The Building Access Handbook 2014, with illustrated commentary on access requirements in the 2012 BC Building Code, is available online. The B.C. government will be reviewing new accessibility provisions in the 2015 National Building Code and will update the next edition of the BC Building Code to ensure it remains the most accessible building code in Canada.

A program has been set up to work with B.C. technology companies to showcase and test new accessibility technologies in B.C. government buildings.

Planning for the futureAge-friendly and Disability-friendly Official

Community Plans

BUILDING ACCESS HANDBOOK 2014Illustrated Commentary on Access Requirements in the 2012 British Columbia Building Code


Community In ActionDistrict of Sechelt

î Sechelt Accessibility Advisory Committee established in 2007

î Inclusion of a vision for accessibility in District’s Official Community Plan

î Workshops in collaboration with the Coast Community Builders Association to promote

accessible and adaptable housing design and construction

î Development of the Sunshine Coast Accessible and Adaptable Housing Design Guidelines

î Received Age-friendly BC Recognition in 2012


ü Work with B.C. technology companies to be early adopters, and to showcase and test new accessibility technologies in B.C. government buildings

ü Develop guidelines for accessibility that communities can incorporate into their Official Community Plans

© Ensure all government-owned and leased customer service building stock is fully accessible by 2020 (where possible given heritage constraints)

© Continue to update the building code to be the most accessible in Canada

In Sechelt, tactile paving helps alert pedestrians with visual disabilities of crosswalks and intersections.



Accessible HousingTo help people modify their homes to meet accessibility needs, a checklist of resources has been developed that includes information and tools that will help increase awareness of accessibility options.

BC Housing is in the process of reviewing inventory of BC Housing stock to assess for accessibility. This assessment will take three years to complete and is aimed at creating a registry of accessible housing at BC Housing. BC Housing is also participating on a project, led by the City of Vancouver’s Persons with Disabilities Advisory Committee, with the goal of improving access to, and availability of, wheelchair accessible housing, including the development of a registry of accessible housing. Additional participants include, but are not limited to, Metro Vancouver, BC Non-Profit Housing Association, Co-op Housing Federation of BC, Disability Alliance BC and Vancouver Coastal Health.


ü Develop a checklist to make existing housing more accessible

© Introduce measures requiring a percentage of all new homes be constructed to include adaptability requirements

© Continue to explore options for a registry of accessibility housing in B.C.

The accessible Pemberton Villas feature room sizes that allow for wheelchair access and maneuvering, as well as shelves and light switches at an accessible height and bathroom grab bars or step-in showers.



Accessible TransportationAccessibility was identified as a priority in the recently released B.C. on the Move: A 10-Year Transportation Plan, which recognizes that planning and designing transportation infrastructure that all British Columbians can access without impediment is essential. Priority actions include increasing the number of wheelchair accessible taxis in communities throughout B.C. and partnering with TransLink to make additional accessibility upgrades to Skytrain stations, including new and improved elevators and escalators, and removing any barriers to movement.

BC Transit and TransLink are already leading the way with fully accessible bus fleets for wheelchairs and strollers. BC Transit has also implemented a Calling Out Stops policy, which requires drivers within BC Transit systems to clearly and audibly call out stop information for passengers.

Through the Transit Minor Betterments Program, projects focused on increasing accessibility were completed in 10 B.C. communities in 2014/15 including Abbotsford, the Sunshine Coast, Agassiz, Nelson, Saanich and Prince George. These projects included extending and paving bus pullouts, constructing wheelchair accessible raised bus stop pads, upgrading sidewalks and access paths and installing pedestrian countdown timers. This annual program, led by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, provides $1 million each year to improve access and increase safety for transit users in communities across B.C.

BC Ferries continues to improve accessibility and service for people with disabilities. Three new intermediate class ferries, scheduled for use in 2016/17, will include accessible washrooms on the vehicle decks, elevator access from the vehicle decks to the lounge deck and sun deck, induction loop technology

Did you know?

• There are approximately 335,000

British Columbians between the

ages of 15-64 with disabilities

• Approximately half of persons

with disabilities age 15-64 are

employed

• 55% of persons with disabilities

age 15-64 participate in the

labour market, compared to 78%

of persons without disabilities

• The unemployment rate among

persons with disabilities age 15-

64 is 11.6%, compared to 7.1% for

persons without disabilities

2012 Canadian Survey on Disability



© BC Transit and TransLink are committed to fully accessible bus fleets

© BC Ferries is committed to improving accessibility and continues to improve service for customers with disabilities

© Continue to work with communities to support discussions on transit options for persons with disabilities

BC Transit fixed route buses have lifts or low floors to help passengers get on and off, and drivers clearly and audibly call out stop information for passengers.

Photo: BC Transit.

for the hearing impaired and an increased number of wheelchair accessible spaces in general lounges and food service areas. Upgrades to existing Spirit Class vessels scheduled for 2017/18 will include improved washroom and elevator safety features, the installation of induction loop technology and new emergency safety systems suitable for passengers with disabilities.

From March 31, 2013, to June 10, 2015, the Passenger Transportation Board, an independent tribunal, approved a 26 per cent increase in wheelchair accessible taxis available in the province. This includes an increase of about 18 per cent overall for taxi fleets in Vancouver and an increase of 40 per cent overall for fleets operating in other Metro Vancouver municipalities.

There are currently 377 wheelchair accessible taxis approved to operate throughout the province, including 133 in Vancouver and 175 in other areas of Metro Vancouver.



Income SupportWith the introduction of the Annualized Earnings Exemption (AEE) in January 2015, B.C. has become first province in Canada to ensure people receiving disability assistance will be able to calculate their earnings on an annual basis instead of monthly, providing increased flexibility for income earners and reducing barriers to employment.

B.C. is the first province to fully exempt child-support payments for families receiving income and disability assistance, with the new policy taking effect in September 2015.

B.C. has responded to requests from stakeholders during the Accessibility 2024 consultation to review the lifetime ban for clients who have committed criminal fraud, and this has now been repealed.

Government is making the transition to employment easier for families receiving income assistance who have a child with a disability by increasing their monthly income exemption and allowing them to keep their basic health supplement coverage for a full year when they leave income assistance for employment.

$24.5 million is being invested in the Single Parent Employment Initiative. This is a significant change to the income and disability assistance program that will provide a range of supports to help break down barriers single parents often face when trying to find a full-time job, including tuition and education costs for approved training programs that last up to 12 months for in-demand jobs. This program will launch in September 2015.


ü Consult on family maintenance payments for families receiving disability and income assistance

© Commit to policy reforms to address income assistance issues raised in disability consultation, including separating disability assistance from income assistance

© Consider disability assistance rate increases as the fiscal situation allows



QuoteRoy Mitchell, Building Services Worker The Cleaning Solution

“The reason I like the annualized earnings exemption is because I don’t have to worry anymore about going over my $800 monthly exemption limit. Two times a year I get paid three times a month and now with the new program I can keep all of the money I earn. The ministry lets me know how much I’ve made so far and how much I have left to earn before I reach my annual limit of $9,600. The AEE program helps me budget, feel more self-sufficient and encourages me to work.”


EmploymentGovernment demonstrated its commitment to supporting employment goals for people with disabilities by declaring September as Disability Employment Month, with events and activities taking place province-wide to celebrate employees with disabilities and their employers.

A number of WorkBC Community and Employer Partnership projects are underway, focused on work experience and improved employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities with a total value of $1,560,259 (see Appendix A). Work is also underway to strengthen the transition from school to work for post-secondary graduates with disabilities by leveraging WorkBC employment services. One such example is a networking event held April 2015, connecting lower-mainland post-secondary institutions with WorkBC Employment Services Centres to identify opportunities to enhance collaboration and information sharing in order to better help students with disabilities transition from post-secondary studies to employment services.

The BC Public Service has released an update to Reflecting Our Communities: Building a Diverse BC Public Service with an enhanced focus on accessibility. The strategy includes the formation of a Work-Able internship program to provide work experience for recent post-secondary graduates with disabilities beginning in September 2015. As well, an accessibility audit of the recruitment system has been completed to identify barriers for people with disabilities to access and apply to government job postings.

The Presidents Group continues to champion employment opportunities and improved consumer experience for people with disabilities in the private sector.

A new $3 million per year Technology@Work program, providing assistive technologies that support employment for people with disabilities, has launched with the Neil Squire Society to help ensure access to technology isn’t a barrier to securing employment.

Did you know?

About 18% of people with

a disability in B.C. have a

university degree and 32%

have a non-university post-

secondary certificate.

Did you know?

Workers with a disability

are five times more likely

than other workers to stay

on the job.


Twenty public post-secondary institutions will each receive one-time funding of $50,000 in 2015/16 to develop and expand training and resources aligned with in-demand occupations in a range of sectors for public post-secondary students with disabilities, in alignment with B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint. This funding complements $1.5 million that was awarded to the 20 institutions in 2014/15 to pilot innovative training and initiatives to increase the success of people with disabilities in high demand occupations.

Langara College will receive an additional $100,000 toward the Centre for Accessible Post-Secondary Education Resources (CAPER-BC) for accessible learning and teaching materials in math and trades. British Columbia Institute of Technology will receive an additional $100,000 toward the Post-Secondary Communication Access Service (PCAS) to support students with visual impairment or hearing loss. The Program for the Institutional Loan of Adaptive Technology (PILAT) will also receive $75,000 toward equipment and software to help students with disabilities. CAPER-BC, PCAS and PILAT support public post-secondary schools throughout the province.

The Ministry of Education has connected with school districts who are leaders in the area of connecting youth with disabilities with employment opportunities to understand their programs and explore ways to expand these opportunities to other schools districts. The Ministry of Education has also made a request to the government committee for children with special needs for funding to create a pilot program that would expand these innovative approaches across the province.

Did you know?

Cost of workplace

accommodations for a

person with disability are

$500 or less, on average.


Government ConnectionsThe Technology@Work Program is designed to support employment for people with disabilities in British Columbia who require Assistive Technology, such as mobility supports, assistive devices such as alternative keyboards and voice input equipment, hearing devices and workplace modifications to overcome disability-related barriers in the workplace. A Resource Centre is available for employers and anyone interested in Assistive Technology. Jointly funded by the provincial and federal government and operated by the Neil Squire Society, the program will also work with employers and organizations to help them better support their employees with disabilities. bctechatwork.ca

Photo: Neil Squire Society.

bctechatwork.ca



ü Declare September Annual Disability Employment Month

ü $1.5 million to implement a pilot program for innovative training and initiatives at public post-secondary institutions to increase the success of people with disabilities in trades/technical programs or high labour market demand programs

ü Provide $3 million in annual funding for assistive technologies that support employment for people with disabilities

ü Develop a disability strategy for the BC Public Service to enhance accessibility for hiring and advancement of persons with disability within the public service

ü Mandate Presidents Group to increase employment for people with disabilities in the private sector

© Improve WorkBC services for people with disabilities, including up to $1 million annually in research and innovation funding aimed at enhancing services and improved outcomes for individuals with disabilities

© Explore options to enhance work experience opportunities for youth with disabilities in the education system

Working together to create a more inclusive, diverse and accessible workforce for British Columbians

SE P TE M B E RB.C. Disability Employment Month

engage.gov.bc.ca/disabilitywhitepaper



Financial SecurityB.C. was the first province to support the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). Part of this support included ensuring that people could open an RDSP and also keep their full income or disability assistance. People in B.C. have nearly 20 per cent of all RDSPs in Canada, with a total of almost $318 million invested in RDSPs by over 17,000 people with disabilities and their families.

October has been proclaimed RDSP Awareness Month in B.C. to help raise awareness among people with disabilities, their families and friends about the benefits of RDSPs as a tool to save for the future. To support this, RDSP information is now available at B.C. government offices around the province.

A new RDSP Action Group has been created to champion RDSPs throughout the province. This group, made up of leaders from the disability, financial and legal communities, will provide advice to government on how to increase awareness and participation in the RDSP program in B.C.

An updated edition of Safe and Secure: 2014 Expanded RDSP Edition has been released by PLAN to help people with disabilities and their families plan for a secure financial future. This step-by-step guide, available online at plan.ca, CLBC offices and through BMO branches, includes updated information on the RDSP, housing, government benefits and programs, resources and more.

To help improve financial literacy for people with disabilities, a toll-free RDSP hotline—1 844 311-PLAN—has launched to create a centre for financial expertise for people with disabilities.

A partnership has been established with Vancouver Foundation and the Disability Alliance BC to implement Tax Filing Initiatives.

The Vancouver Foundation has expanded eligibility for Endowment 150 to include more children with disabilities in low-income families. The program provides one-time gifts of $150 to RDSPs to help people save.

plan.ca



ü Declare October as Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) Awareness Month

ü Build and maintain B.C.’s position as province with the highest per capita uptake on RDSPs

ü Market RDSPs and Registered Education Savings Plans through government offices

ü Work with leaders in financial and disability communities to create a centre for financial expertise for persons with disabilities

ü Create an RDSP Action Group

© As part of government’s review of the Court Order Enforcement Act, consider exempting RDSPs from being seized to satisfy a court monetary judgment

TO FIND OUT IF YOU OR A FAMILY MEMBER CAN OPEN AN RDSP,

VISIT: WWW.DISABILITYSAVINGS.GC.CA PH: 1 800 622-6232 (TTY: 1 800 926-9105)

Help Yourself to a Slice of RDSPAdults and children with disabilities that open a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) may receive up to $1,000 per year just for opening an account.

THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA WILL ALSO MATCH UP TO $3 FOR EVERY $1 DEPOSITED INTO AN RDSP.

The federal government’s RDSPs are designed to help people with disabilities plan and save for a secure future.

Government ConnectionsRegistered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) Champions

The RDSP Action Group is focused on helping people with disabilities realize the benefits of RDSPs. The group brings together leaders from the disability, legal and banking communities to find practical, innovative and effective solutions for increasing the uptake of RDSPs in B.C.—resulting in increased financial security for persons with disabilities and their families. gov.bc.ca/accessibility


gov.bc.ca/accessibility


Inclusive CommunitiesWorking with the Union of BC Municipalities, government has refreshed the Planning for the Future: Age-friendly and Disability-friendly Official Community Plans guidebook. This guidebook includes suggested guidelines, accompanied by examples from local governments around the province, to help communities incorporate accessibility into their Official Community Plans. For a list of Age-friendly Planning and Project Grants, see Appendix B.

In March 2014, CanAssist received $2 million in funding for the CanStayHome program, and in May 2015 an additional $3 million was provided to fund the development of new technology specifically geared to support independence for those with physical and cognitive disabilities.

Accessibility in Prince George, host of the 2015 Canada Winter Games, and other B.C. communities is being enhanced thanks to Canada Winter Games legacy projects including permanent facility and sidewalk upgrades, as well as $335,000 for the Northern Sport Accessibility 2015 partnership to help build more inclusive northern communities.

In November 2014, the Ministry of Health announced a $4.5 million, three year

partnership with the Centre for Hip Health and Mobility. The partnership will support seniors who are receiving home care support and seniors who live in the community and are at moderate or high risk of falls, and elders living in First Nations communities.

Healthy Minds, Healthy People: A Ten-Year Plan to Address Mental Health and Substance Use in British Columbia works to improve coordination and access to services to support better inclusion across settings such as schools, workplaces and communities.

Prince George hosted the Canada Winter Games in 2015. Image provided courtesy of the 2015 Canada Winter Games.


Government’s 10-year plan to address mental health and substance use in B.C. – Healthy Minds, Healthy People – is a road map to further improving mental health, reducing problematic substance use and addressing mental illness for all British Columbians through prevention, early intervention, treatment, harm reduction and sustainability. In 2013/14, the Ministry of Health spent approximately $1.38 billion to address mental health and substance abuse issues in British Columbia.

The Community Action Initiative (CAI), a provincewide program that supports mental health and substance use groups throughout B.C., awarded $2.9 million in grants to 16 community-based projects that promote positive mental health for British Columbians.

In May 2015, government announced $3 million in funding over three years to the Brain Injury Alliance to support those with brain injuries.

Construction is nearing completion on the Paralympic component of the Richmond Olympic Experience—an exciting new legacy of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games expected to open later in 2015.

Community Gaming Grants are provided to a wide variety of non-profit organizations delivering services in support of accessibility throughout British Columbia. In 2014/15, L’Arche Comox Valley received a grant of $250,000 towards its “I belong” facility aimed at integrating young people with developmental disabilities into the life of the community. In addition, approximately $11 million was provided to organizations dedicated to supporting persons with disabilities (see Appendix C).

In April 2015, construction began on the new Pacific Autism Family Centre in Richmond, thanks in part to $20 million in funding from the B.C. government. The facility will support individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum and related disorders in the Lower Mainland and across B.C.

Healthy Minds,Healthy People

A Ten-Year Plan to Address Mental Health and Substance Use in British Columbia


Community In ActionPrince George

Vision: Aiming for Access — To remove physical and social barriers which impede the full participation of all citizens in every aspect of community life.

î Advisory Committee on Accessibility established in 1987

î Established Access Award of Merit to recognize local businesses or community organizations that improve accessibility and inclusion

î Partnered with local non-profit to implement the StopGap temporary ramp program for downtown businesses

î In 2012, first accessible playground in Prince George was developed


Completed

ü Develop guidelines for accessibility that communities can incorporate into their Official Community Plans

ü Provide $2 million in one-time funding for the University of Victoria’s CanAssist program that develops and assesses new devices and technologies that help people with disabilities increase independence

ü Ensure the 2015 Canada Winter Games enhance accessibility in Prince George

ü Build on the success of the two-year after-school disability sport pilot in the Surrey School District to include arts and culture programming in 2014/15


© Launch a recognition initiative for B.C. Paralympic athletes at the Richmond Oval


Community In ActionRide Don’t Hide

In 2010, Michael Schratter cycled 40,000 kilometres through 33 countries and six continents to raise awareness and break the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Today, Ride Don’t Hide has become one of Canada’s largest annual participatory mental health awareness events. On Sunday, June 21, 2015, 28 Ride Don’t Hide community rides across the country raised funds for mental health awareness, services and supports created by the Canadian Mental Health Association. www.ridedonthide.com

www.ridedonthide.com


Emergency PreparednessGovernment has taken continued action on earthquake preparedness following the release of an Earthquake Consultation Report in March 2015, which includes recommendations for working collaboratively to address the needs of people with disabilities and other vulnerable populations in the event of an earthquake.


© Ensure consultation on all aspects of disaster preparedness and response includes full involvement and consideration of persons with disabilities. Stakeholders will be asked to identify key issues, challenges, and recommended solutions across a wide range of issues.

HENRY RENTERIA | DECEMBER 2014

British Columbia Earthquake PreparednessConsultation ReportPREPARED FOR THE AT TORNE Y GENER AL AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE



Consumer ExperienceOver the past year, key projects were completed to improve accessibility in BC Parks, including improvements to the change buildings and hot springs pool at Liard River Hot Springs and construction of an accessible boardwalk and viewing platform at Naikoon Park’s Tow Hill. The new, fully accessible Sea to Sky Gondola opened in Stawamus Chief Provincial Park, giving people of all abilities the opportunity to enjoy some incredible coastal mountain terrain. There is also a new, accessible viewing platform in Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park, making it easier to view the spawning salmon. More recently, the Elk Falls Suspension Bridge opened in Elk Falls Provincial Park with accessible barrier-free platforms for views of the iconic falls.

Plans are underway for new rest areas featuring higher accessibility standards, and work has been completed at the upgraded Kiskatinaw rest area on Highway 97.

A review is underway of services and changing consumer needs to ensure Visitor Centres are meeting the evolving expectations of the travelling public.

The Hello BC website (hellobc.com) is updated regularly with information about existing and emerging accessible tourism opportunities in B.C., including accessible transportation, accommodation, things to do and other information.

Government has partnered with the Rick Hansen Foundation to provide employment opportunities for six people with disabilities to assess accessibility for about 300 businesses, venues and public spaces in the Lower Mainland and provide accessibility


ü Undertake key accessibility parks projects—Liard River Hot Springs, Tow Hill, and Sea to Sky Gondola in Stawamus Chief Provincial Park

ü Partner with Rick Hansen Foundation to expand PlanatTM tool in B.C.

© Ensure Visitor Services are meeting the evolving expectations for accessibility of the travelling public

© Upgrade rest stop accessibility

© Profile the existing and emerging accessible tourism opportunities on key travel sites such as HelloBC (hellobc.com)


hellobc.com

hellobc.com


Community in ActionPlanat

What are the most accessible organizations and spaces in your community? British Columbians can assess and provide accessibility ratings for businesses, venues and public spaces across the province on the Rick Hansen Foundation Planat website. Making venues accessible makes great economic sense and helps to improve the lives of people with disabilities. www.planat.com

ratings on PlanatTM, a tool that gives people a way to find and share accessibility reviews of businesses and public locations. By expanding the information available on PlanatTM, British Columbians and visitors to the province can quickly and easily find information about accessible hotels, restaurants and public spaces.

Business MattersVancity

Vancity, a values-based financial cooperative, is recognized for providing an accessible, inclusive business environment for both members and employees with disabilities. Vancity has adopted new policies, improved hiring practices, and renovated their locations to eliminate and prevent unintentional barriers for the community and staff.

The Vancity Mount Tolmie branch features an induction hearing loop at the wicket. The

device makes it easier for members who use a hearing aid to discuss their banking information

by cutting out unwanted background noise.

The Planat team provides accessibility ratings for businesses, venues and public

spaces across the British Columbia.

©2015 Photo courtesy of Rick Hansen Foundation. All rights reserved.

www.planat.com


Building Blocks for Accessibility 2024


Appendix A: Community and Employer Partnerships in Support of Accessibility

2014 Community and Employer PartnershipsCommunity and Employer Partnerships have five active agreements aimed at enhancing services and improved outcomes for individuals with disabilities with a total value of $1,560,259—two Job Creation Partnership Projects and three Research and Innovation Projects.

For more information on Community and Employer Partnerships, visit: https://www.workbc.ca/Job-Seekers/Employment-Services/Community-Employer-Partnerships.aspx

Project Name Description Approved Funding

Mapping Inclusive Employment Practices—Research and Innovation Project

Between November 12, 2013, and June 30, 2015, the BC Centre for Employment Excellence (Social Research and Demonstration Corporation) will conduct community-based participatory research aimed at transforming employment practices for individuals with developmental disabilities in British Columbia and develop, implement and evaluate the BC Employment Mapping Tool, a web-based, online platform.

$153,275

The Open Door 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Diamond Centre For Living—Job Creation Partnership

Between November 3, 2014, and June 27, 2015, the Vancouver Friends for Life Society will provide two EI eligible participants with valuable work experience and skill enhancement in the areas of event planning and multimedia production and in the areas of computer application, office administration and staff training by developing and delivering the 20th Anniversary Celebration and updating the Constituent Resource Management System.

$61,157

https://www.workbc.ca/Job-Seekers/Employment-Services/Community-Employer-Partnerships.aspx

https://www.workbc.ca/Job-Seekers/Employment-Services/Community-Employer-Partnerships.aspx


Project Name Description Approved Funding

Rick Hansen Foundation— Job Creation Partnership

Between November 3, 2014, and July 31, 2015, the Rick Hansen Foundation will provide work experience for a minimum of six unemployed eligible participants in the communities of the Lower Mainland. The participants will receive work experience as Accessibility Experts and gain skills with computer applications, interviewing techniques, researching, customer service, relationship management and public speaking.

$146,569

BC Partners Workforce Innovation Pilot Project— Research and Innovation Project

Between March 16, 2015, and March 16, 2018, the BC Centre for Employment Excellence (Social Research and Demonstration Corporation) will carry out a pilot project to establish a centralized coordinator body within participating employer sectors that would facilitate the hiring of people with disabilities, from across all spectrums of ability and who are referred and supported by local disability-serving agencies and employment-ready agencies. The project will determine whether such a coordinated, demand-side focused approach is more effective at meeting the needs of employers and job seekers with disabilities.

$637,650

Occupational Recovery after First-Episode Psychosis: A Critical Period— Research and Innovation Project

Between March 1, 2015, and February 28, 2018, the Fraser Health Authority will use the Individual Placement Support model of treatment and assess the incremental effectiveness of this model when treating unemployed Early Psychosis Intervention clients. The intent is to enhance understanding of interventions related to employment success in a representative sample of clients with early psychosis.

$561,608

2014 Community and Employer Partnerships


Appendix B: Age-friendly Planning and Project Grants

2014 Age-friendly Planning and Project GrantsThe age-friendly community planning and project grant program is a partnership between the Government of British Columbia and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities. Each successful local government receives up to $20,000 to help undertake a variety of activities—from setting public policy to delivering information and services—that address the needs of older residents.

For more information on Age-friendly Planning and Project Grants, visit http://www.ubcm.ca/EN/main/funding/lgps/current-lgps-programs/seniors-housing-support-initiative.html

*Indicates communities that have not received funding under this program since 2009

Community Application Description Approved Grant

100 Mile House Becoming an Age-friendly Rural Community $20,000Armstrong Age-friendly Community Committee

Active Seniors Initiative$20,000

Bowen Island Caring Circle Resource Centre Coordinator $20,000Campbell River Fit for Health program $5,000Clearwater Community Circles for Seniors $17,260

*Fraser Valley Regional District (Rural area)

Addressing Aging in Rural Communities $20,000

*Golden Age-friendly Plan for Golden & Area $19,600Granisle Good Food Boxes and monthly lunch/healthy

eating program at Granisle Seniors’ Centre$20,000

*Harrison Hot Springs Age-friendly Plan $20,000*Houston Age-friendly Assessment and Action Plan $20,000

http://www.ubcm.ca/EN/main/funding/lgps/current-lgps-programs/seniors-housing-support-initiative.html

http://www.ubcm.ca/EN/main/funding/lgps/current-lgps-programs/seniors-housing-support-initiative.html



*Invermere Age-friendly Awareness Campaign: Business Directory, Companion Program, Monthly Luncheons and Mentor Program

$19,310

*Langford Age-friendly Langford Action Plan $18,000*Lumby Official Community Plan Update:

refining policies to create a sustainable and age-friendly community

$20,000

*Mackenzie Mackenzie project to develop better BC housing for seniors

$20,000

*North Vancouver (District)

Ageing Well in My Community $20,000

*Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District

Okanagan Falls Age-friendly Assessment $20,000

*Pemberton Seniors Interacting Through Art $20,000*Port Moody Age-friendly Community Assessment $20,000*Richmond Planning for an Age-friendly Richmond $20,000*Sun Peaks Age-friendly Sun Peaks $19,980*Tumbler Ridge Elder Abuse Workshops and “Train the Trainer” $13,217Sayward Seniors’ Drop-In Activity Centre

Health and Wellness program$20,000

Silverton Social and Recreational Programming $12,000Smithers Age-friendly assessment, plan and programs $18,550Vanderhoof Vanderhoof Community

Garden—Seniors Support Initiative$20,000

*Victoria Assessment of Social and Housing Needs of Victoria’s Aging Populations

$20,000

26 communities

2014 Age-friendly Planning and Project Grants


2015 Age-friendly Planning and Project Grants*Indicates communities that have not received funding under this program since 2010


Abbotsford Take a Walk!—Improving Walkability for Older Adults

$18,000

Burns Lake Let’s Get Active 365: Burns Lake & District Seniors’ Leisure Programming Pilot Program

$14,975

*Chilliwack Chilliwack Seniors Living Well Resource Directory

$12,000

Clearwater Seniors’ Health and Safety Toolbox $20,000*Columbia-Shuswap Regional District

Engaging the Communities of the South Shuswap

$20,000

*Colwood Age-friendly Plan $20,000*Hope Age-friendly Community Needs Assessment $20,000Islands Trust Age-friendly Community Plan

for North Pender Island$16,500

*Keremeos Keremeos Age-friendly Action Plan $20,000*Kootenay-Boundary Regional District

Charting a course for an age-friendly Christina Lake

$20,000

*Lake Cowichan Age-friendly Community Action Plan $19,850*Lions Bay Seniors’ Social Circle $20,000 Maple Ridge Seniors Engaged, Energized and

Collaborative—Age-friendly Action Plan$20,000

*Merritt Age-friendly Action Plan $20,000New Westminster Dementia-friendly Community

Action Plan & Action Guides$20,000

*Oak Bay Age-friendly Action Plan $20,000



Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District

Age-friendly Communication Strategy & Workshops: Okanagan Falls

$20,000

*Oliver Creation of an Age-friendly Outdoor Fitness Park

$20,000

Pemberton Pemberton Valley Men’s Shed $20,000*Pouce Coupe Pouce Coupe Age-friendly

Official Community Plan$20,000

*Sicamous Exploring and Enhancing Age Friendliness in Sicamous

$20,000

Sooke Study of Support Needs of Sooke Seniors $7,600Sparwood Age-friendly Sparwood Community Plan $18,500*Squamish Men in Motion: Increasing physical

activity, social opportunities and health and wellness knowledge in older men

$5,159

Telkwa Transportation & Trails Assessment and Action Plan

$6,100

*Ucluelet Age-friendly Action Plan Assessment/Accessibility

$19,450

*Valemount Age-friendly Community Assessment & Action Plan

$20,000

West Vancouver Aging Well—Creativity in Motion $20,00028 communities

2015 Age-friendly Planning and Project Grants


Appendix C: Community Gaming Grants in Support of Accessibility

2014/15 Community Gaming GrantsCommunity Gaming Grants are provided to a wide variety of non-profit organizations delivering programs and services to British Columbians. The program supports five sectors: Arts & Culture, Sport, Environment, Public Safety and Human & Social Services. In addition, the program provides grants to Parent Advisory Councils.

Approximately $11.5 million annually is provided in gaming funds to organizations that are dedicated to supporting accessibility programming. Funding is distributed to close to 200 organizations in more than 50 communities. The nature of the programming ranges from disability sports to public health and community education.

For a full list of community gaming grants please visit: https://www.gaming.gov.bc.ca/

Non-Profit Organization Community Programming Approved

FundingL’Arche Comox Valley The development of the “I belong” program

in Comox Valley is aimed at integrating young people with developmental disabilities into the community.

$250,000

Special Olympics British Columbia Society

Sports programming is delivered in 57 communities across BC enabling athletes to experience joy and acceptance, cultivate friendships and self-confidence, and feel empowered to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals

$250,000

Canadian Mental Health Association— Vancouver Burnaby Branch

Community outreach, education and volunteer support programming is delivered in the Vancouver—Burnaby Region.

$80,000

Multiple Sclerosis Society BC-Yukon Division

Community outreach, public education and information and equipment supply programming is delivered across the BC Yukon Region.

$250,000

https://www.gaming.gov.bc.ca


Non-Profit Organization Community Programming Approved

FundingAutism Society of British Columbia

Community outreach, resource development and public information programming is delivered throughout the province.

$227,500

Canadian National Institute for the Blind BC –Yukon

Recreation services for people with visual impairment including supports for sports, literacy and braille.

$68,000

Project Literacy—Kelowna Society

English and Math Literacy Tutoring program. $100,000

2014/15 Community Gaming Grants

Documents

Accessibility 2024: One Year Progress Update June 2015 · navigation supports and information sharing about programs, services and resources ... cent of the B.C. government’s website