The B.C. government has announced that additional funding has been allocated to launch its Passenger Transportation Accessibility Program: https://globalnews.ca/news/9452049/b-c-funding-program-accessible-taxis/

DABC is pleased to see that additional funding will support increasing the amount of accessible taxis available, and we certainly hope that the owners/operators of these taxis will receive comprehensive and meaningful accessibility training.

However, we also recognize that this new initiative may not address another important issue facing people with disabilities using taxis: there are still too many incidents of taxi drivers choosing not to pick up riders who use wheelchairs/mobility aids, or refusing to accept taxi-savers for individuals that can’t be picked up by HandyDART.

Prosper Canada recently hosted a 1-hour webinar for organizations working directly with people with disabilities about the barriers facing people with disabilities in accessing benefit programs and the ways to improve access.

DABC ED Helaine Boyd gave a presentation during the webinar.

The webinar recording and presentation slide deck are available here.

DABC was one of the almost 150 organizations that recently signed on to a letter initiated by March of Dimes Canada, urging the government to prioritize the Canada Disability Benefit (Bill C-22) for third reading. The letter was sent to the Prime Minister, House Leaders and copied Members of Parliament.

Read the letter in English and French.