With the passing of the Accessible BC Act, the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction is seeking feedback regarding which organizations within the public sector and quasi-public sector the Act should apply to. Interested parties can provide feedback before October 15.
The Accessible B.C. Act (the Act) received Royal Assent on June 17, 2021. This new legislation establishes a statutory framework for government to work with people with disabilities and the broader community to identify, remove, and prevent barriers that impede the full participation of people with disabilities in their communities.
While the Act initially applies to government only, regulations may be established to require other organizations to establish:
- an accessibility committee
- an accessibility plan
- a mechanism for feedback on accessibility
These organizations will help demonstrate leadership towards the realization of a more accessible and inclusive B.C. The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction is developing recommendations regarding which organizations within the public sector or quasi-public sector the Act should apply to. Organizational capacity, geographic reach, and impact on the lives of people with disabilities in B.C. will be the key factors that inform these recommendations.
Interested parties are asked to fill out a short survey before October 15th, 2021. The results from the survey will help inform recommendations about which organizations should be subject to the requirements of the Act and also help determine what resources organizations may need to help meet the requirements of the Act.
The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction is also organizing an information session about the Act on September 29th – 11:00am to 12:00pm. Please register for the session online.
For more information, please visit the B.C. government website, or the FAQ about the Act.