CLOSEThank You for Participating!
The Capital West Accessibility Advisory Committee wishes to extend its thanks to all who participated in the recent engagement sessions in partnership with Changing Paces. At the Special Committee meeting held September 4, 2024, the Committee received Changing Paces’ final report with recommendations.
The Committee will use the report to help inform the first Accessibility Plan focused on the aspects of Service Delivery and Employment.
What’s Next?
The Committee meets again on September 25, 2024. Partner municipalities are working on their accessibility plans for presentation to their respective Council’s and the public in late 2024 early 2025.
Legislation Overview:
In 2021, the Province of British Columbia passed the Accessible BC Act requiring municipalities to develop a plan that addresses accessibility to municipal services, programs, and infrastructure. Everyone will experience permanent, temporary, or episodic impairments over their lifetime either personally, or through caring for someone else. By focusing on accessibility, we can work towards becoming a municipality where every person is able to participate fully and equally and is empowered to pursue the life they wish to live.
Accessibility
The Capital West Accessibility Advisory Committee wishes to extend its thanks to all who participated in the recent engagement sessions in partnership with Changing Paces. At the Special Committee meeting held September 4, 2024, the Committee received Changing Paces’ final report with recommendations.
The Committee will use the report to help inform the first Accessibility Plan focused on the aspects of Service Delivery and Employment.
What’s Next?
The Committee meets again on September 25, 2024. Partner municipalities are working on their accessibility plans for presentation to their respective Council’s and the public in late 2024 early 2025.
Legislation Overview:
In 2021, the Province of British Columbia passed the Accessible BC Act requiring municipalities to develop a plan that addresses accessibility to municipal services, programs, and infrastructure. Everyone will experience permanent, temporary, or episodic impairments over their lifetime either personally, or through caring for someone else. By focusing on accessibility, we can work towards becoming a municipality where every person is able to participate fully and equally and is empowered to pursue the life they wish to live.
AccessAbility Week
Each year National AccessAbility Week begins on the last Sunday of May, bringing awareness to the importance of accessibility across Canada. This year’s theme is “Forward Together: Accessibility and Inclusion for All,” encouraging Canadians to come together and create a barrier-free country, celebrating our diversity. Educational opportunities are available throughout the week from organizations such as the Rick Hansen Foundation for those who wish to learn more about accessibility and inclusivity. The City of Langford is proud to participate in National AccessAbility Week as we work to ensure the unique needs of Langford’s residents and visitors are met.
The Accessible BC Act identifies eight standards for inclusion in a long-term Plan. The first iteration of our Plan will focus on the first two of those standards: Employment and Service Delivery. It will take time to eliminate barriers, however the Plan is the first step in identifying how we can improve accessibility going forward.
The Plan must be reviewed and updated every three years and will incorporate information gathered through multiple public engagement opportunities. Opportunities will be advertised on this page as they are scheduled.
The Capital West Accessibility Advisory Committee is pleased to share the results of two recent surveys.
Survey #1 asked the community where and how they would like to participate in engagement related to accessibility. Survey #2 titled “Accessibility & You” focused on specific issues and challenges faced by respondents when accessing services and employment opportunities with the partner municipalities.
Survey #1: Survey Results and Engagement Summary (pdf)
Survey #2: Accessibility and You: Survey Results and Engagement Summary (pdf)
Accessibility committee
An initial Accessibility Committee comprised of staff from partner municipalities, including City of Langford, will review the City’s internal practices for making information, activities, and environments sensible, meaningful, and usable for as many people as possible. Once a robust staff foundation is built, the committee composition can be expanded to reflect the Plan’s revised areas of focus to further enhance access and inclusion in the City of Langford.
Meetings will be open to the public and written feedback may be provided as outlined below.
Public participation and feedback
A critical part of developing, monitoring, and updating the Accessibility Plan is receiving valuable feedback from people experiencing barriers. While the first term of the Plan is internally focused, public input is always welcomed and appreciated. Sharing your experiences in or interacting with the municipality will help us to identify barriers and improve accessibility for all people.
We invite your feedback in the following ways:
Email: | Phone: 250-478-7882
Deliver Comments: 2nd Floor – 877 Goldstream Avenue
Pick up Feedback Forms from: Municipal Hall, 2nd Floor – 877 Goldstream Avenue