Accessibility includes removing physical, environmental, sensory, communication and attitudinal barriers to the full participation of people with disabilities in society.
Tips & Links
In BC, if you have a chronic condition or disability, you are legally entitled to accessibility rights and protections under both provincial and federal laws. These rights ensure you are treated fairly and can fully participate in society, whether in education, employment, public spaces, or accessing services.
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- Accessibility rights mandate access without discrimination to education, jobs, services, and housing, and when required, accommodations so that your physical or mental disability does not unfairly prevent you from participating. This is outlined by the Accessible Canada Act by the Government of Canada.
- The accessibility act is for all and specifically focuses on persons with a disability. A health condition is recognized as a disability when it significantly impairs a person’s ability to perform major life activities, such as working, walking, or caring for oneself.
- The BC Human Rights Code outlines the ways in which all people in BC, including people with disabilities, are to be free from discrimination.
- Know that under the Accessible British Columbia Act, accessibility standards are being developed in areas such as employment, transportation, and education.
Things You Can Do
- Learn if your condition qualifies as a disability by restricting your ability to perform daily activities, being expected to last 2 or more years, and requiring you to need assistance from another person, assistive devices, or therapy and medications. Some conditions that may qualify, depending on their severity, may include multiple sclerosis, arthritis, fibromyalgia, diabetes, epilepsy, mental illnesses, cerebral palsy, COPD, chronic pain, HIV/AIDS, severe mobility or visual impairments, and others.
- Assessment and confirmation is required by your physician or nurse practitioner. This needs to include a confirmed diagnosis, a letter outlining your conditions impact on your daily life, and support in applications for disability funding.
- Determine if and when you may encounter accessibility issues for yourself or someone you are caring for. Plan ahead for health care visits, special parking permits, and transportation if mobility issues are a concern.
- Learn how to apply for disability benefits that may include monthly financial support, transportation, and access to disability health benefits. Learn more through Disability Alliance BC.
- Learn about speciality funding and programs for people with disabilities in BC including specialized Pharmacare funding, home and community care, mental health services and more from the Government of BC.
- Consider connecting with support groups or people with similar conditions and/or disabilities to learn about their experiences with assessments, designation, and accessing services and programs.
- Explore options for home care, supportive housing and living independently with a disability such as the Choice in Supports for Independent Living (CSIL) program in BC.
- Connect with community and government resources for persons with disabilities at BC211.
- Explore the Disability-Benefits-Compass tool to help navigate principal key disability benefits.
- Learn about the many transportation options for people with accessibility concerns such as HandyDart, the TaxiSaver Program, community-based ride share services, and more.
- Learn how to get a special parking permit from SPARC-BC the Social Planning & Research Council of BC.
- Know that if you feel your rights are not being respected you can file a complaint with the BC Human Rights Tribunal.
- Learn more on how to advocate for yourself and your rights with guidance from Disability Alliance BC.
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