Northeastern BC has taken a collaborative approach to improving accessibility across the region.
We believe that accessibility is more important than geographic boundaries and individual goals. That is why we have come together to develop the Accessibility Plan.
Taking a collaborative approach to accessibility amongst local governments in Northeastern BC is a promising opportunity to increase connectedness amongst communities and improve outcomes for people with disabilities across the region. Together, the local governments of Northeastern BC have created a shared vision, priorities for action, and an initial set of goals. We have also established a shared Northeastern Accessibility Committee to support this work.
The following communities have partnered to create a shared Accessibility Plan and participate in a Joint Accessibility Committee:
- Peace River Regional District
- Northern Rockies Regional Municipality
- City of Dawson Creek
- City of Fort St. John
- District of Chetwynd
- District of Hudson’s Hope
- District of Taylor
- District of Tumbler Ridge
- Village of Pouce Coupe
Have you seen a barrier in your community? Do you have thoughts on how to improve accessibility in your community? We are always looking for community input!
Submit your Feedback to the Northeast BC Accessibility Committee by emailing accessibility@fortstjohn.ca.
All feedback is forwarded directly to the community it pertains to, as well as the Accessibility Committee for review. We support each other to find solutions.
About the Accessibility Plan
This Accessibility Plan was created by municipalities across Northeastern BC, including the City of Fort St. John, to support collaborative and efficient efforts to improve accessibility. Working together provides a unique opportunity to share resources, knowledge, and build collective skills. It also helps community members to have reliable access across the region.
Accessibility for people with disabilities is a shared responsibility. There are many layers to accessibility, such as physical accessibility, accessible information and technology, social and cultural inclusion, environments that are safe and inclusive, and more. Ensuring that our communities are accessible requires knowledge building and application of that knowledge in many different aspects of our society.
Read the Northeastern BC Accessibility Plan [PDF/1.6MB]
About the Northeast BC Accessibility Committee
The Northeast Accessibility Committee was created to assist partnering organizations to implement requirements of the Accessible British Columbia Act. A regional approach was selected to foster collaboration and cooperation, sharing, and pooling of resources, and avoid duplication of work.
The Committee is comprised of staff representatives from nine member communities as well as people living in the region who have disabilities or work with organizations that serve people with disabilities.
The purpose of the Committee is to:
- Provide a forum for discussion of issues affecting people with all types of disabilities in the region;
- Inform local governments on accessibility issues and solutions in the region and make recommendations for improving accessibility in communities;
- Identify accessibility barriers in the region and solutions to address them;
- Review and provide input on community plans, actions, designs, and so forth, with an accessibility lens; and
- Organize and/or participate in relevant community events or awareness activities wherever possible.
Read our Terms of Reference [PDF/123KB]
Read our Strategic Plan [PDF/126KB]
Apply now to join the Northeastern BC Accessibility Committee
We are looking for community members from across the region to join the Northeastern BC Accessibility Committee, which will help guide the development of a shared accessibility strategy for the region.
If you would like to support this important work, please consider applying to join the Accessibility Committee. Community members can apply to be a Northeastern BC Accessibility Committee member by emailing accessibility@fortstjohn.ca. Please include your name, why you are interested in joining the committee and what experience or perspective you feel you are able to provide.
We are especially looking for community members for the communities of:
- Dawson Creek
- Peace River Regional District
- Village of Pouce Coupe
- District of Taylor
About the Accessible BC Act
More than one in five Canadians over the age of 15 identify as having a disability, according to the 2017 Census. Often, disabilities prevent people from fully participating in society due to entrenched barriers.
The Accessible BC Act (2021) is Provincial legislation that sets out a path for British Columbia to become accessible. The Act recognizes shared responsibility by creating requirements not just for provincial services but also for public and civic services within the province. More than 750 types of organizations have been prescribed to work towards accessibility by creating accessibility plans, establishing accessibility committees, and receiving feedback on how accessible their organizations are. Prescribed organizations include educational services, local governments, municipal police and emergency services, libraries, health authorities and more. This Northeastern BC Accessibility Plan is part of meeting these new requirements.