Five pillars to help us vision an accessible future to embed accessibility throughout the municipality.
Pillar 1: Our People - how do our people connect with the idea of accessibility? For example: Public Events have an ASL interpreter.
- We embrace and support people with disabilities;
- Different kinds of barriers to think about: information and communication, policies and practices, recruitment, environmental, accesses, technology and transportation;
- Transportation/sidewalk is a huge barrier for people with vision loss, strollers, walkers and wheelchairs;
- Sports or recreational programs - team sports for people of all ages with disabilities currently in West Kelowna;
- Pedestrian cross walks and street crossings - audio signals, safe passage up and down (curb cuts) tactile bumps and contrast, consistency with neighbouring communities;
- Street signs - lower position, black background with yellow and white lettering is easier for vision impaired for people to see with large font;
- Continuity of sidewalks brings people to the City if it is easily accessible.
Pillar 2: Our Connectivity - sustainable transportation options
- Environmental - electric vehicles and busses;
- Transit - longer times/schedules, audio for bus stops in addition to visual screen;
- Bus Terminals could include: visible covers, lower signs, plug in for earphones, more WIFI accessibility, yellow bumps on the side of the road so people know where to get on the bus;
- Accessibility for dogs to come on busses and into buildings;
- Parking lots - accessible parking stalls are painted on the pavement, when there is snow the logo is covered - recommendation for stand up signs to be seen through all seasons;
- Blue lights for emergency vehicles at intersections;
- Enforcing Good Neighbour Bylaw to ensure clear sidewalks during the winter season;
- Suggestion for City event planning to include accessibility routes and support;
- Transit System is run through the Province which is outside the City of West Kelowna scope. BC Transit Accessibility Plan will be shared with the Committee;
- Sidewalk improvements - ramp at one end of the sidewalk but at the other end of the sidewalk doesn't have a ramp is frustrating. A temporary solution could be to install a sign at the sidewalk to show that there is no ramp at the other end of the sidewalk until it could be permanently fixed.
Pillar 3: Our Adaptability
- Audible information at bus stops;
- WIFI at bus stops would be embracing change and technology;
- Consistency is helpful when it is used throughout the City;
Pillar 4: Our Prosperity
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- Encouraging businesses to be physically accessible and an accessible place of work through employment policies;
- Model as a City accessible work spaces and places to create best practices to be more inclusive;
- Hire people with diverse abilities;
- Suggestion for business and best practice awards - City event to celebrate people with disabilities;
- Using terminologies that put people first not just their disabilities - to use a more positive light. Having a policy around language use/guide and the most "person with vision loss" "person who is partially sighted" encouraging the use of the word person before the disability;
- City to take a leadership role to hire staff with disabilities - involve people with disabilities in planning and consulting. Recommendation for a disability consultant for any new or future City projects to make the project successful for all;
- Using an accessibility lens in all planning projects - doesn't directly says to be done by a consultant but includes it as a consideration. Possibility to be a role of the Committee in the future?
Pillar 5: Our Places
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- Parks and playgrounds use unitary surfacing when building or renovating - why build a new park that is not accessible to everyone;
- Washrooms - something to tell you what is for men and women and include adult size change tables;
- Accessible picnic tables.
The Committee was asked to share more input to better our plan - What is Missing? What does an Accessible West Kelowna look like to you?