Accessibility

A person navigates to the on-line social-media pages of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) on a cellphone in Ottawa on May 17, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

CRTC urged to mandate supports for Deaf Canadians during phone service outages

Deaf Canadians left without vital accessibility apps when cell service goes down

 

RAD Recreation Adapted Society founder Tanelle Bolt provides a training session on a paragolfer, one of the accessible recreation tools her society has on offer. The society is holding its Adaptive Bike Fest Saturday (Sept. 16) showcasing some of the tools available to make recreation accessible. (Black Press Media file photo)

Adaptive Bike Fest showcasing accessible cycling in Victoria

Demos, rides, repairs, and more will be at Clover Point Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

Rick Hansen speaks Thursday (July 27, 2023) at the BC SPCA Richmond Animal Shelter after the provincial government announced $5 million in funding for the Rick Hansen Foundation BC Accessibility Grants Program. Eight communities had already received grants, and now two Indigenous communiities and five additional municipalities will also be selected. (Lauren Collins)

Rick Hansen Foundation gets $5M boost from B.C.

2 Indigenous communities, 5 more municipalities will be selected to improve accessibility

 

The letter posted over the elevator buttons by a maintenance worker at Lakeview Pointes Apartments in West Kelowna on June 12, 2023 while two women and a dog were allegedly still stuck inside. (Facebook/West Kelowna Rant and Rave)

B.C. woman speaks out after stuck elevator traps 2

West Kelowna Fire Chief says stuck elevator rescues are rare

  • Jun 27, 2023
The letter posted over the elevator buttons by a maintenance worker at Lakeview Pointes Apartments in West Kelowna on June 12, 2023 while two women and a dog were allegedly still stuck inside. (Facebook/West Kelowna Rant and Rave)
The Parkinson Activity Centre in Kelowna is one of the many buildings from around the province that will accessed and upgraded. (Michelle Kam/Contributed to Black Press Media)

8 B.C. cities working on improving accessibility through grant initiative

Kelowna, Nanaimo, Coquitlam and others to work with the Rick Hansen Foundation

The Parkinson Activity Centre in Kelowna is one of the many buildings from around the province that will accessed and upgraded. (Michelle Kam/Contributed to Black Press Media)
RAD Recreation Adapted Society founder Tanelle Bolt provides a training session for Highland Pacific Golf Course staff Tuesday, June 13, on the paragolfer. The device allows people with limited or no ability to stand on their own to navigate a golf course and be raised into a proper swinging position. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Highland Pacific Golf Course gets refresher on accessibility

The course offers a paragolfer to help players with mobility restrictions

RAD Recreation Adapted Society founder Tanelle Bolt provides a training session for Highland Pacific Golf Course staff Tuesday, June 13, on the paragolfer. The device allows people with limited or no ability to stand on their own to navigate a golf course and be raised into a proper swinging position. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Jessica Tuomela with her golden retriever Lucy, who she has been training to work as a discriminant scent-trailing canine. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Saanich Paralympian finds missing person with the help of her dog

Lucy, a discriminant scent-trailing canine, found a missing person around Elk Lake

Jessica Tuomela with her golden retriever Lucy, who she has been training to work as a discriminant scent-trailing canine. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Two people enjoy a hot day at Rathtrevor Beach in Parksville. (PQB News file photo)

Accessibility upgrades completed at Island’s popular Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park

Improvements part of commitment to make B.C. parks more inclusive and accessible

Two people enjoy a hot day at Rathtrevor Beach in Parksville. (PQB News file photo)
Ava Secuur has achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

‘Small is mighty’: Langford child with dwarfism stars in hospital campaign

Ava Secuur was part of a video campaign for the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation

Ava Secuur has achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
FILE - Judy Heumann, center, is applauded during her swearing-in as U.S. Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Service by Judge Gail Bereola, left, in Berkeley, Calif., on Tuesday, June 29, 1993. Standing at left is Berkeley Mayor Loni Hancock with sign language interpreter Joseph Quinn, and Julie Weissman, right, in attendance with a large audience. Heumann, a renowned disability rights activist who helped secure legislation protecting the rights of disabled people, has died at age 75. The news of her passing on Saturday, March 4, 2023, in Washington, was shared on her website and social media accounts. (AP Photo/Susan Ragan, File)

Judy Heumann, disability rights activist, dies at age 75

Heumann contracted polio at age 2 and lost her ability to walk. She devoted her life to advocacy.

FILE - Judy Heumann, center, is applauded during her swearing-in as U.S. Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Service by Judge Gail Bereola, left, in Berkeley, Calif., on Tuesday, June 29, 1993. Standing at left is Berkeley Mayor Loni Hancock with sign language interpreter Joseph Quinn, and Julie Weissman, right, in attendance with a large audience. Heumann, a renowned disability rights activist who helped secure legislation protecting the rights of disabled people, has died at age 75. The news of her passing on Saturday, March 4, 2023, in Washington, was shared on her website and social media accounts. (AP Photo/Susan Ragan, File)
Andrea Carey stands in front of a Allenby Park, which was recently renovated. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)

‘Missed opportunities’: Saanich park renovation excludes people with disabilities: advocate

Andrea Carey is an advocate and mother and feels Saanich missed opportunities for inclusivity

Andrea Carey stands in front of a Allenby Park, which was recently renovated. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)
Pictured alongside her father Dave Essery and Bobbi Neal with West Shore Parks and Recreation, Marnie Essery has been chair of the Intermunicipal Advisory Committee on Disability Issues for nearly 30 years. The committee has been advocating on behalf of all residents, regardless of ability, within the West Shore and Greater Victoria regions since 1989. (Courtesy of Marnie Essery)

‘Nothing about us, without us’: West Shore accessibility committee breaks down barriers

The Intermunicipal Advisory Committee on Disability Issues has been ahead of the curve

Pictured alongside her father Dave Essery and Bobbi Neal with West Shore Parks and Recreation, Marnie Essery has been chair of the Intermunicipal Advisory Committee on Disability Issues for nearly 30 years. The committee has been advocating on behalf of all residents, regardless of ability, within the West Shore and Greater Victoria regions since 1989. (Courtesy of Marnie Essery)
A wheelchair accessible taxicab in Castlegar, B.C. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. announces new funds to offset costs of running wheelchair-accessible taxis

Province hopes change increases availability of rides to people with mobility challenges

A wheelchair accessible taxicab in Castlegar, B.C. (Black Press Media file photo)
Vancouver Island University will make its Nanaimo campus more accessible and inclusive using $3.3 million in funding from the provincial government. (VIU photo)

VIU to improve campus accessibility with provincial funding

$3.3 million will be used to address hard-to-access places at Vancouver Island University

Vancouver Island University will make its Nanaimo campus more accessible and inclusive using $3.3 million in funding from the provincial government. (VIU photo)
Jody Kirk, Tourism Tofino’s visitor and member services manager, says the beach wheelchairs are easy to assemble and easy to manoeuvre. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Free beach wheelchairs create opportunity Victoria couple thought gone forever

Accessibility grant making lives better, organizations encouraged to chase theirs

Jody Kirk, Tourism Tofino’s visitor and member services manager, says the beach wheelchairs are easy to assemble and easy to manoeuvre. (Nora O’Malley photo)
The RAD Recreation Adapted Society is soon to become even more accessible thanks to its first gear shed, opening spring 2023 at Langford Lake thanks to the support of the City of Langford. (Courtesy RAD Recreation Adapted Society)

That’s RAD: Langford non-profit making the great outdoors accessible

RAD Recreation Adapted Society working on first gear shed for spring opening

The RAD Recreation Adapted Society is soon to become even more accessible thanks to its first gear shed, opening spring 2023 at Langford Lake thanks to the support of the City of Langford. (Courtesy RAD Recreation Adapted Society)
The City of Colwood said a number of logs had washed up onto the beach at the Cobourg Peninsula over the winter, blocking access paths connecting the waterfront and Ocean Boulevard. (Black Press Media file photo)

Colwood clearing logs from paths on beachfront

Logs had washed up during winter, cutting off access for elderly residents

The City of Colwood said a number of logs had washed up onto the beach at the Cobourg Peninsula over the winter, blocking access paths connecting the waterfront and Ocean Boulevard. (Black Press Media file photo)
Langford resident Tanelle Bolt is raising concerns about the accessibility of the newly opened Langford Station, including the large steps required to get into shipping container stores which do not currently have ramps. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Accessibility advocate concerned with newly opened Langford Station

Tanelle Bolt says the venue was a missed opportunity for accessible infrastructure

Langford resident Tanelle Bolt is raising concerns about the accessibility of the newly opened Langford Station, including the large steps required to get into shipping container stores which do not currently have ramps. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
A rendering shows possible features of the new playground at Stadacona Park. A wheelchair accessible swing will also be added, council decided March 17. (Courtesy of City of Victoria)

Victoria’s first wheelchair accessible swing added to Stadacona Park redesign

Construction on all-abilities park additions expected to begin by summer 2022

A rendering shows possible features of the new playground at Stadacona Park. A wheelchair accessible swing will also be added, council decided March 17. (Courtesy of City of Victoria)
James Coates, bike education coordinator, displays two of the balance bikes available at Capital Bike’s new lending library. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

‘Breaking down barriers’: New Victoria lending library offers kids bikes, not books

Bikes for kids aged two to four currently available, with more options coming soon

James Coates, bike education coordinator, displays two of the balance bikes available at Capital Bike’s new lending library. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)