FAQ

Effective September 1, 2023, over 750 public sector organizations, including the RDN will be required to establish an Accessibility Committee, an Accessibility Plan and a tool for receiving public feedback on accessibility in accordance with the Accessible British Columbia Act and Regulation. By complying with these requirements, the RDN will look to increase accessibility and remove barriers for areas under its jurisdiction that impede full participation of individuals with disabilities across the region. By continuing to create and improve accessible and inclusive spaces, RDN will be better able to serve and welcome nearly one-quarter of the population of BC that have a disability, as well as the people they travel with.

The Accessible British Columbia Act requires that prescribed organizations address barriers that have an impact on people’s abilities to enjoy full participation in their communities and includes requirements such as having a committee to identify barriers, advise on how to remove and prevent barriers, develop an accessibility plan and have a mechanism for public feedback.

The Accessible British Columbia Regulation prescribes local governments as organizations that must comply with the Act by September 1, 2023. The requirements of the Accessible British Columbia Act are as follows: 

Establish an Accessibility Committee (the Committee) to: 

1. Assist the organization in identifying barriers to individuals in or interacting with the organization. 
2. Advise the organization on how to remove and prevent barriers to individuals in or interacting with the organization.
3. The Committee must be comprised of at least one-half persons with disabilities or individuals from organizations who support persons with disabilities and include at least one Indigenous person.

Prepare an Accessibility Plan (the Plan) that: 

1. Identifies, removes, and prevents barriers to individuals in or interacting with the organization. 
2. Is reviewed and updated once every three years. 
3. Considers the following principles:
   • inclusion;
   • adaptability;
   • diversity;
   • collaboration;
   • self-determination;
   • universal design.
4. In developing or updating the Plan, an organization must consult with its Committee.
5. When updating the Plan, an organization must also consider public feedback.

Provide a means to receive Public Feedback on:

1. The organization’s plan.
2. Barriers to individuals in or interacting with the organization.