BCANDS National Indigenous Federal Accessibility Legislation Consultation

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NATIONAL FEDERAL ACCESSIBILITY LEGISLATION

Canadians, communities and workplaces benefit when everyone can participate equally in everyday life. In 2019 the Government of Canada passed new accessibility legislation, the Accessible Canada Act,  to promote equality of opportunity and increase the inclusion and participation of Canadians who have disabilities or functional limitations.

Many Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians continue to face barriers that affect their ability to participate fully in their communities. Some of these barriers may include:

  • physical barriers within community;
  • transportation;
  • access to information or technology;
  • lack of / inadequate disability related programs / supports
  • attitudes, beliefs and misconceptions about Indigenous persons living with disabilities and what they can and cannot do; and
  • outdated policies and practices affecting services to Indigenous persons living with disabilities within community

    Neil Belanger – BCANDS Executive Director


    Minister Duncan. Former Minister of Science, Sport and Persons with Disabilities

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Through a funding agreement with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) BCANDS engaged and continues to engage Indigenous communities, Indigenous individuals and families living with disabilities, service providers and provincial and federal governments in relation to the new Federal Accessibility Legislation for their input, expertise and direction to how it can be modified to meet the unique and diverse accessibility needs of Indigenous persons living with disabilities.

Click to HERE view the BCANDS Accessibility 1st Consultation report

Click to HERE view the BCANDS Accessibility 2nd Consultation report

This year, 2020, BCANDS is again actively contacting and meeting with the Indigenous sector, this time to raise awareness of the newly passed legislation and promote opportunities for discussion in relation to changes needed by the Indigenous sector .

Click on the links below for further information about the development of the ACA.

June 2018 – Minister Duncan introduces the proposed Accessible Canada Act

June 2018 – Backgrounder: Tabling the proposed Accessible Canada Act – Engagement

June 2018 – Backgrounder: Accessible Government

June 2018 – Proposed Accessible Canada Act – Plain Language Summary of the Bill

 
 

Creating new federal accessibility legislation: What we learned

Federal Accessibility Consultation – Government of Canada

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If you wish to speak directly to the BCANDS Accessibility Coordinator, Alexandra Pierik, please call toll free at 1-888-815-5511 ext. 202 or if calling from the Victoria Capital Region (250) 381 – 7303 ext. 202. You can contact Alexandra by email at accessibility@bcands.bc.ca

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