In recognition of National AccessAbility Week, the Strathcona Regional District has approved the Strathcona Accessibility Plan.
The Province mandates that public organizations establish Accessibility Committees, develop and publish plans, and provide public feedback mechanisms to identify and address accessibility barriers. In response, the SRD partnered with The City of Campbell River and several other area communities and groups (the Village of Sayward, the Village of Zeballos, the Village of Tahsis, the Village of Gold River, Vancouver Island West School District 84, and the Vancouver Island Regional Library) to establish the Strathcona Accessibility and Inclusion Advisory Committee, develop an Accessibility Plan and implement the feedback mechanism.
The committee includes members from across the region who were appointed to provide feedback on the plan before endorsing it.
The development of this initial plan provides a guide to improve inclusivity and accessibility within the region.
The SRD says an important component of improving accessibility in the region is knowledge of the barriers those with disabilities experience. With the help of an online feedback mechanism, residents from throughout the region can provide information regarding barriers they have experienced or witnessed when accessing public services, programs and facilities.
The Strathcona Accessibility Plan will be updated at least once every three years.
The plan and feedback mechanism are located at www.srd.ca/accessibility