Richmond, BC accessibility plan
Happy Cities and Meaningful Access Consulting worked together to develop the City of Richmond, BC’s Accessibility Plan.
City spaces and services are for everyone.
Happy Cities and Meaningful Access Consulting worked together to hear community priorities and develop the City of Richmond and Richmond Public Library’s 2023-2033 Accessibility Plan. The purpose of the plan is to:
Identify, remove and prevent barriers experienced by people with disabilities when interacting with the City and Library
Ensure that Richmond is a place where people of all abilities, backgrounds, and ages are able to fully participate in and contribute to all aspects of community life in the manner of their choosing
Foster a community that recognizes and values the contributions of people with disabilities and collaboratively works to promote accessibility across sectors
On June 17, 2021, the Government of British Columbia passed the Accessible British Columbia Act, the first provincial accessibility legislation of its kind in B.C. As a public sector organization, the City of Richmond is required by law to establish an accessibility advisory committee, develop a multi-year accessibility plan, and implement a way to receive feedback about the accessibility of its organization and its accessibility plan.
The Plan is the result of a multi-stage process, including consultation with people with disabilities, their families and caregivers, and local organizations who support people with disabilities. It is a key part of Richmond’s ongoing commitment to creating a community that is open, accessible, and appropriate for everyone—regardless of ability or income. The actions outlined in the Plan respond to the valuable insights and community needs identified during consultation. Together, they form a comprehensive framework to guide the development of a more accessible, equitable, and inclusive Richmond.
Conducting accessible community engagement
In all community engagement work, we strive to meet people where they are and make it easy to participate—while providing value in return. To meet the needs of a wide range of community members with diverse abilities, we offer opportunities including focus groups, surveys, and community pop-up and pop-in events—all designed to be inclusive and welcoming to people of diverse abilities.
Have questions about our accessible engagement practices? Want to know how your city can create an accessibility plan? Send us an email: info@happycities.com
