Accessibility through Legislation

Engagement Summary

There are more than 926,000 British Columbians over the age of 15 with some form of disability. This represents nearly 25% of the population. As the population ages, the number of people with disabilities and the severity of their disabilities are likely to increase.

The B.C. Government is committed to developing new laws, standards, and policies to better support people with disabilities to live with dignity and to meaningfully participate in their communities. Accessibility legislation would guide government, persons with disabilities and the broader community to work together to identify, remove and prevent barriers.

For more information, visit the Accessibility Legislation Consultation Page.

People participated by:

• Completing an online questionnaire
• Sending their comments by email or telephone
• Attending a regional community meeting in Prince George, Fort St. John, Terrace, Kamloops, Penticton, Nelson, Courtenay, Surrey, Vancouver or Victoria
• Attending a virtual town hall
• Attending an independent community meeting hosted by a library or non-profit organization

Engagement Timeframe

September 16, 2019 to November 29, 2019

Input Received

• 500 people attended one of 10 regional community meetings
• 6,352 people filled out the online questionnaire with 3,776 identifying as having a disability
• 57 people attended a virtual town hall
• 765 emails and ASL video comments
• 37 people called a toll-free telephone number
• 75 independent community conversations supported throughout the province

Input leads to action:

The input will help inform the development of accessibility legislation for British Columbia. Read the Summary Consultation Report.