The September 1 deadline for many public sector organizations to comply with the Accessible BC Regulation is fast approaching
How can you and the Disability Community Get Involved? Read below.
In May 2021, the BC Government passed into law the Accessible BC Act (ABCA). DABC provided our review on the new ABCA, outlining our six key concerns. Many of those concerns are still outstanding, and we continue to engage with the BC Government on ensuring that the implementation of the ABCA will be meaningful and create lasting, positive change in reducing barriers for people with disabilities in our province.
A new regulation under Part 3 of the ABCA came into force on September 1, 2022, requiring more than 750 public sector organizations to establish:
- An accessibility committee
- An accessibility plan
- A tool to receive feedback on accessibility
There are further criteria that public sector organizations have to meet that are related to the three requirements above. For instance, the accessibility committee must, to the extent possible, aim to have at least half of its members be people with disabilities or representing a disability-serving organization, and at least one member identify as an Indigenous person. The accessibility plan and the feedback tool must be made available to the public. Other than these criteria, the requirements are quite broad. For instance, public sector organizations can establish these requirements on their own, jointly with others in their sector, or across sectors.
The public sector organizations that must meet these requirements are:
- Municipalities and regional districts
- Post Secondary education institutions
- Public libraries
- Municipal police departments
- Francophone school districts
- Independent schools
- School districts
- Health Authorities
- Public Sector board, agencies, tribunals, and commissions
All of the above organizations were issued a one-year deadline to meet these three requirements by September 1, 2023, with the exception of the health authorities and some of the boards, agencies, tribunals and commissions, which have an extra year until September 1, 2024.
What is DABC doing to ensure that the public sector meets their 3 requirements?
In May 2022, the BC Government provided $3 million over three years to DABC to specifically support these public sector organizations in meeting the three requirements. This funding is called the Accessible Organizations Project. As this funding has a specific purpose, it cannot be used to directly fund accessibility initiatives that are implemented as a result of an accessibility plan. DABC continues to advocate to the BC Government in setting up a more robust granting system that can allow the public sector to receive funding to implement the strategies they put into their accessibility plans. DABC also hopes to see the ABCA extend to the private sector in future, as full and equal participation in society for people with disabilities goes beyond just accessing government and public sector services; all levels of society including the private and charitable sectors must be considered.
Since Summer 2022, DABC has been conducting many presentations, workshops and meetings with public sector organizations on the three requirements as well as providing direct support. This support is ongoing.
DABC came to understand that cross-sectoral resources were most needed as an initial development of support for public sector organizations. In August 2022, DABC developed their first iteration of a cross-sectoral resource – the establishment of a website: BC Accessibility Hub.
In November 2022, DABC hosted a workshop, which was attended by 2-3 representatives from each sector, to co-design what is needed in an accessibility plan template and identify any barriers they may have in reaching compliance.
In March 2023, DABC produced the Accessibility Toolkit that was co-designed with people with disabilities and public sector organizations. This toolkit includes:
- A template for organizations to develop their own accessibility plan;
- How to prioritize which actions to put in an action plan;
- Guidance for identifying barriers;
- How to connect with stakeholders and engage the disability community;
- A primer on disability terminology and language;
- Establishing a Committee guide, including how to make committees accessible;
- Templates to use for committee recruitment, committee membership agreement and committee terms of reference; and
- Advice on how to implement a public feedback mechanism.
Since March, DABC has been working with the public sector organizations to set up trainings and further sector-specific resources to make sure the public sector has all the information and support they need to meet these three requirements by the September 1 deadline this year.
Now that the September 1, 2023 deadline is fast approaching, what does this mean for the disability community?
You might wonder, what is the general public’s role in all of this? DABC’s view is that the community, including advocates, family members, people living with disability, disability-serving non profits, all have a role to play in holding the BC Government and the public sector to account in being compliant under the Accessible BC Act.
How can we be sure that public sector organizations are complying with the Accessible BC Act?
To understand whether a specific BC public sector organization is required to comply with the regulations, you can check out the list of organizations here.
We suggest reaching out to your local library, city hall, school district, college, etc to inquire directly with them on what progress they have made in meeting these three requirements. By September 1, 2023:
- Is their feedback tool easy to access?
- Have they posted their accessibility plan on their website or another public place?
- While committees are not required to be made public, some organizations may decide to have both staff and members of the public on their committee, and if that’s the case, you may inquire how you can get involved.
- If you are not sure whether a public sector organization has met the three requirements, you can inquire with the BC Government’s Accessibility Directorate here: engageaccessibility@gov.bc.ca
Disability Alliance BC provides support to obligated organizations to comply with the Accessible BC Regulation, but is not responsible for enforcing the regulation on behalf of the provincial government. If you would like to find out how public sector organizations can meet the requirements, you can reach out to the government directly to inquire with them. It is the government’s responsibility to enforce the regulation, and to support or penalize a public sector organization if they are not in compliance.
If you have any questions about these three requirements in your local community, please do reach out to DABC at aop@disabilityalliancebc.org.
Report on Recommendations for the 2024 BC Budget
In early June 2023, Disability Alliance BC submitted our recommendations to the Select Standing Committee on Finance: Annual Budget Consultation for the BC Government, for Budget 2024.
Organizations are allowed to submit a maximum of three recommendations. In particular, DABC advocated for the inclusion of the following in next year’s budget:
- Increase the Disability Assistance Rate (known as PWD) and Index for Inflation
- Invest in a comprehensive program for assistive devices and medical equipment for people with disabilities
- Support accessibility retrofits for existing social housing and establish a fund for rental subsidies for low income people requiring accessible housing
On August 3, 2023, the Committee released their Report on Budget 2024 Consultation and it can be found online here:
https://www.leg.bc.ca/content/CommitteeDocuments/42nd-parliament/4th-session/fgs/reports/SSC-FGS_42-4-2_Budget-2024-Consultation_Report.pdf
All three of DABC’s recommendations were referenced in the report and two were made as official recommendations by the Committee:
- Increase the Disability Assistance Rate (known as PWD) and Index for Inflation
The report writes:
“A number of individuals provided written submissions to the Committee highlighting the difficulties faced by those who rely on income and disability assistance during this period of a rising cost of living. Submissions described the difficulty in affording and finding adequate shelter, covering medical expenses, and the poverty associated that many people with disabilities experience. Several organizations and individuals recommended raising income and disability assistance rates. The BC Poverty Reduction Coalition identified a gap between income and disability assistance rates and the poverty line. The organization stated that this gap can place people who rely on income and disability assistance into inadequate living situations, food insecurity, and poor relationships. Disability Action of Canada shared that the current monthly provincial support level is $1,410 while the official poverty level in Canada is $2,202 per month. Additionally, YWCA Metro Vancouver shared that women and gender diverse people disproportionately experience high rates of poverty in BC and rely on assistance supports due to their concentration in low-wage, part-time, and precarious work. The organization acknowledged recent increases in income and disability assistance rates but deemed poverty reduction systems to still be regressive and failing to address systemic poverty. Disability Alliance BC detailed the limitations of existing support for low-income people with disabilities and advocated for directly supporting low-income individuals.”[1]
As a result, Recommendation 153 was made: Improve support to individuals who receive income and disability assistance by increasing rates and indexing to inflation, increasing earning exemptions, creating a graduated scale, and reviewing the spousal cap.
- Invest in a comprehensive program for assistive devices and medical equipment for people with disabilities
The report writes:
“Many presentations and submissions described the need for increased funding for medical devices and equipment. Home Medical Equipment Providers Association of BC highlighted that mobility equipment is absolutely essential and the lack of necessary equipment can result in higher medical costs down the line. Disability Alliance BC stated that in BC, most financial coverage available for adults for assistive devices is for people receiving disability assistance and those who do not qualify for financial coverage are left to purchase expensive medical equipment on their own or to seek out help from not for profit organizations and charities. Motion stated that many people are forced to either go without or search for additional funds to make up for the increasing gap between the funding cap and the actual cost of equipment. The organization further elaborated that for people with disabilities and mobility constraints, the added cost of equipment that they need to function is far too often out of reach and assistance from government is not available. Additionally, Speech and Hearing BC noted barriers to accessing needed equipment for individuals who are hard of hearing once a hearing loss is detected. The organization stated that introducing funding for hearing aids in BC would be a crucial improvement in quality of life. The Prosthetics and Orthotics Association of BC noted that BC does not have an adult funded orthotic program and that funding policies are inadequate which create barriers for emergency repairs, sometimes leading to injuries while waiting.”[2]
As a result, Recommendation 89 was made:
Improve the coverage and accessibility of medical devices and equipment, including:
a. re-evaluating equipment funding for adults to ensure comprehensive support;
b. introducing funding for hearing aids;
c. creating a seamless orthotics funding plan; and
d. reviewing the Legislative Funding Cap for Ceiling Lift Systems.
- Support accessibility retrofits for existing social housing and establish a fund for rental subsidies for low income people requiring accessible housing
The report writes:
“The Committee received several recommendations to improve the development of non-market housing. CUPE Kootenay District Council suggested the development of a new crown corporation or similar agency, to build publicly owned high quality non-market housing. The Disability Alliance BC also raised concerns about the lack of accessible non-market housing, noting that only 23 percent of the non-market developments on BC Housing’s list are wheelchair accessible.”[3]
DABC’s full recommendation was not included in the report; however the Committee did make Recommendation 103 which states: Provide means-tested support to targeted renters, including persons with disabilities and low-income households.
DABC is heartened to see the many recommendations put forward by the Committee related to disability and accessibility. In particular, we also support the Committee’s recommendations related to funding for complex, chronic diseases, as these have been historically underfunded and under researched. We also support the recommendation to providing counselling services as a benefit under MSP and a free monthly bus pass to people with disabilities. We look forward to seeing how the BC Government takes these recommendations into consideration as they build the BC Budget for 2024.
Here are all of the recommendations in the report related to disability-focused funding:
40. Continue to invest in expanding accessible and inclusive tourism within BC in partnership with stakeholders.
56. Provide increased, long-term funding for BC Parks and Recreation Sites and Trails BC to support…c. Improved accessibility of recreation facilities…
76. Fund complex and chronic illness clinics or care hubs, such as the Centre for Complex Chronic Diseases at BC Women’s Hospital, for those with chronic illnesses and co-morbidities.
77. Resource the development and implementation of a provincial dementia strategy.
78. Invest in the development and implementation of a provincial diabetes strategy to improve prevention (type 2), screening, treatment, and health outcomes for all types of diabetes.
79. Improve access to multiple sclerosis treatments through public funding of ocrelizumab and ofatumumab.
80. Improve supports and services for those diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis by establishing guidelines, developing specific billing codes, and training medical professionals to increase awareness.
81. Improve treatment of Parkinson’s disease by maintaining and expanding specialized staff, training health professionals to better support patients, and providing timely access to innovative medications and therapies such as deep brain stimulation.
89. Improve the coverage and accessibility of medical devices and equipment, including:
a. re-evaluating equipment funding for adults to ensure comprehensive support;
b. introducing funding for hearing aids;
c. creating a seamless orthotics funding plan; and
d. reviewing the Legislative Funding Cap for Ceiling Lift Systems.
90. Consider amending the Employment and Assistance Regulation to align with current market pricing for scooters and lifts
103. Provide means-tested support to targeted renters, including persons with disabilities and low-income households.
114. Provide funding for anti-racism, disability awareness, and inclusive reconciliation programs.
115. Close the gap between the actual cost of inclusive education and provincial funding provided to school districts.
116. Reduce wait times by increasing and targeting funding for psychoeducational testing.
117. Support the inclusion of students with support needs by reinstating the special education equipment grant so children with mobility challenges can access all areas of schools with dignity and increasing the ability for kids with disabilities to go to school full-time and be included in field trips with their peers.
118. Support students with dyslexia by offering structured literacy programs and providing targeted funding and mandatory dyslexia screening starting in kindergarten.
122. Increase funding for and access to mental health services and supports throughout the province, including:
a. making psychiatric medications financially accessible;
b. regulating counselling services and providing them as a benefit under MSP; and
c. ensuring services are seamless and consistent across all health authorities
148. Increase funding to the At Home Program to extend the cutoff age for services for youth with severe disabilities to 24 years.
149. Strengthen the inclusion and resilience of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by supporting community living organizations, providing funding for community program workers, and promoting community living as a career opportunity.
153. Improve support to individuals who receive income and disability assistance by increasing rates and indexing to inflation, increasing earning exemptions, creating a graduated scale, and reviewing the spousal cap.
163. Increase funding to HandyDART to ensure services are available seven days a week across the province.
165. Provide a free monthly bus pass to people with disabilities.
[1] Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services. Report on the Budget 2024 Consultation. August 2023. https://www.leg.bc.ca/content/CommitteeDocuments/42nd-parliament/4th-session/fgs/reports/SSC-FGS_42-4-2_Budget-2024-Consultation_Report.pdf Page 89
[2] Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services. Report on the Budget 2024 Consultation. August 2023. https://www.leg.bc.ca/content/CommitteeDocuments/42nd-parliament/4th-session/fgs/reports/SSC-FGS_42-4-2_Budget-2024-Consultation_Report.pdf Page 52
[3] Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services. Report on the Budget 2024 Consultation. August 2023. https://www.leg.bc.ca/content/CommitteeDocuments/42nd-parliament/4th-session/fgs/reports/SSC-FGS_42-4-2_Budget-2024-Consultation_Report.pdf Page 59
