Accessible British Columbia Act
The Accessible British Columbia Act (ABCA)
The Accessible BC Act, which became law on 17th June 2021, marks a significant milestone on our journey towards creating a province that is inclusive and accessible for all residents of BC. Taking effect as a regulation on September 1, 2022, this legislation set forth crucial compliance requirements that prioritize the rights and needs of individuals with disabilities.
This groundbreaking law represents the province’s commitment to fostering a society where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can fully participate and thrive. By implementing the Accessible BC Act, we are taking the first legislative step towards a more inclusive and accessible province, ensuring equal opportunities, and enhancing the quality of life for all members of our community.
With the Accessible BC Act, we envision a future where barriers and obstacles are dismantled, embracing diversity and creating an environment that empowers individuals with disabilities to reach their full potential. By promoting accessibility across all sectors, we are not only complying with the law but also cultivating a culture of inclusivity that benefits everyone.
What is the purpose of the ABCA?
The legislation is designed to help identify, remove, and prevent barriers to access to goods, services, facilities, employment, customer service and society in general. Barriers as defined in the law, means anything that hinders the full and equal participation in society of a person with disability , including the following:
● Barriers caused due to Attitude
● Physical obstacles causing barriers
● Information or communication barriers
● Systemic, when policies are not inclusive
● Barriers caused due to inaccessibility of Technology
● Sensory barriers
Through the Accessible BC Act, the government aims to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities, while also promoting a more sustainable and diverse province.
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Who needs to comply and compliance requirements for BC’s accessibility act
Under the law (Part 3 of the act), the Government and other public sector organizations are required to comply with the requirements, including developing:
● An Accessibility Committee – To assist and advise the organization to prevent and remove the barriers. At Least half of the members of the committee should be either persons with disabilities or those who support persons with disabilities.
● An Accessibility Plan – To create a plan based on the principles of inclusion, adaptability, diversity and collaboration. The plan must be updated every 3 years and published on their website.
● A Public Feedback Tool – To establish a process of receiving feedback from the public on the accessibility plan, and barriers to individuals to communications with the organization.
ABCA Training by Changing Paces
Our ABCA training program is a foundational resource that will ensure that your organization is well-prepared to develop and implement the initiatives required to comply with the legislation, and support and serve people with different disabilities. Changing Paces is one of Canada’s most trusted disability awareness firms. We are pioneers in creating and executing customized accessible customer service training programs, even internationally.
1Trish Robichaud, the founder of Changing Paces developed their first training program in response to Ontario’s AODA and its Customer Service Standard’s training requirement has been highly regarded across the province by countless municipalities, private sector companies as well as non-profit organizations alike.
At Changing Paces, we specialize in providing training about the BC accessibility act that covers the best practices for implementation and providing accessible customer service. Our training programs ensure that your organization is well-prepared to support and serve people with different disabilities.
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Book some time with Trish to talk about your ABCA training needs:
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1. Who will be the most impacted by the ABCA legislation?
Firstly, the Government of British Columbia will be impacted by the law as it will lead the way to becoming more accessible. Further, the prescribed organizations that comply with the law,
the people of British Columbia, and most especially persons with disabilities will benefit from better accessibility and inclusiveness.
Q2. What support or help is available for an organization to comply with the requirements of the Accessible British Columbia Act?
The government is funding $3 million over three years to support organizations mandated to comply with the legal requirements of the law. Funds are being administered by the Disability Alliance of BC. Organizations may consider engaging a disability awareness firm like Changing Paces, an inclusion trailblazer, for support with implementation.
Q3. What happens if the government and organizations do not obey the law?
To ensure they understand the law, government will work with organizations by:
- Providing education
- Sharing best practices and new resources
Organizations that do not follow the rules can be fined up to $250,000. Inspectors will be hired, as required, to ensure organizations follow the law.