Post by Nadica (She/Her) on Jun 25, 2024 21:41:02 GMT
Help shape accessibility laws in BC - Published June 22, 2024
Deadline: July 31, 2024 at 4 pm Pacific Time
DO THE SURVEY
Or find more ways to give feedback here.
Right now, BC is in the early stages of developing new regulations (laws) around accessibility. They have recommendations drafted for two topics: service delivery, and employment.
They’re seeking feedback on these drafts, which means we have a chance to get pandemic safety priorities written into BC law. We can also make it harder for anti-safety laws and policies (like mask bans) to pass in the future!
The more people raise similar points, the more likely BC is to pay attention.
How to complete the survey:
If you can, read the proposed Accessibility Standards. We have also included a summary of the recommendations below, if that’s easier.
Go to engage.gov.bc.ca/accessiblebcactstandards to do the survey.
Answers must be submitted by 4 pm Pacific Time on July 31, 2024.
Doing the full survey may take 15-20 minutes – but you can skip questions, and it’s faster with template answers!
The survey is anonymous, and you do not need to provide contact info.
Going forward and backward in the survey to change answers is possible. However, there is no way to save your survey progress to finish it later.
Here’s what to expect from the survey:
Section 1 asks questions about the the draft recommendations for accessible service delivery.
Section 2 asks questions about the draft recommendations for accessible employment.
Section 3 asks questions about implementing these accessibility standards.
Section 4 asks for demographic information .
Below, you can find a brief summary of these proposed Accessibility Standards, and some example answers related to pandemic priorities!
SUMMARY OF STANDARDS AND LINKS TO PDFs AVAILABLE AT WEBPAGE
Example answers:
We encourage you to customize these to make them more personal. You may get slightly different questions, based on whether you’re filling out the survey as an individual or an organization.
Section 1:
4. Are there any other specific actions not included in these accessible service delivery recommendations that you would like the Provincial Accessibility Committee to consider including in the final Standard?
Yes
4b. Please tell us about the specific actions you would like the Provincial Accessibility Committee to consider including in the final Accessible Service Delivery Standard
The recommendation not to stop people from using “assistive devices” must explicitly include health or medical items beyond mobility aids (e.g. hearing aids, health monitors, splints, respiratory protection and equipment, personal air purifiers, medication delivery systems like inhalers or insulin pumps). It must also include caregivers and support persons, as well as disabled people themselves.
Specify that for “Physical environment” and “events”, barriers can be environmental (like poor air quality or allergens), sensory (like strobing lights), or procedural (like long hours with no breaks) as well as physical – and organizations should address those types of barriers too.
Make it clear these requirements are a minimum, and organizations can do more.
Section 2:
8. Are there any other specific actions not included in the proposed accessible employment recommendations that you would like the Provincial Accessibility Committee to consider including in the final Employment Accessibility Standard?
Organizations must ensure necessary work environments or activities are safe for disabled employees (including contractors), to the point of undue hardship.
Virtual / remote / work-from-home options should be supported where possible and practical, and those working virtually should have equal rights to other employees.
Deadline: July 31, 2024 at 4 pm Pacific Time
DO THE SURVEY
Or find more ways to give feedback here.
Right now, BC is in the early stages of developing new regulations (laws) around accessibility. They have recommendations drafted for two topics: service delivery, and employment.
They’re seeking feedback on these drafts, which means we have a chance to get pandemic safety priorities written into BC law. We can also make it harder for anti-safety laws and policies (like mask bans) to pass in the future!
The more people raise similar points, the more likely BC is to pay attention.
How to complete the survey:
If you can, read the proposed Accessibility Standards. We have also included a summary of the recommendations below, if that’s easier.
Go to engage.gov.bc.ca/accessiblebcactstandards to do the survey.
Answers must be submitted by 4 pm Pacific Time on July 31, 2024.
Doing the full survey may take 15-20 minutes – but you can skip questions, and it’s faster with template answers!
The survey is anonymous, and you do not need to provide contact info.
Going forward and backward in the survey to change answers is possible. However, there is no way to save your survey progress to finish it later.
Here’s what to expect from the survey:
Section 1 asks questions about the the draft recommendations for accessible service delivery.
Section 2 asks questions about the draft recommendations for accessible employment.
Section 3 asks questions about implementing these accessibility standards.
Section 4 asks for demographic information .
Below, you can find a brief summary of these proposed Accessibility Standards, and some example answers related to pandemic priorities!
SUMMARY OF STANDARDS AND LINKS TO PDFs AVAILABLE AT WEBPAGE
Example answers:
We encourage you to customize these to make them more personal. You may get slightly different questions, based on whether you’re filling out the survey as an individual or an organization.
Section 1:
4. Are there any other specific actions not included in these accessible service delivery recommendations that you would like the Provincial Accessibility Committee to consider including in the final Standard?
Yes
4b. Please tell us about the specific actions you would like the Provincial Accessibility Committee to consider including in the final Accessible Service Delivery Standard
The recommendation not to stop people from using “assistive devices” must explicitly include health or medical items beyond mobility aids (e.g. hearing aids, health monitors, splints, respiratory protection and equipment, personal air purifiers, medication delivery systems like inhalers or insulin pumps). It must also include caregivers and support persons, as well as disabled people themselves.
Specify that for “Physical environment” and “events”, barriers can be environmental (like poor air quality or allergens), sensory (like strobing lights), or procedural (like long hours with no breaks) as well as physical – and organizations should address those types of barriers too.
Make it clear these requirements are a minimum, and organizations can do more.
Section 2:
8. Are there any other specific actions not included in the proposed accessible employment recommendations that you would like the Provincial Accessibility Committee to consider including in the final Employment Accessibility Standard?
Organizations must ensure necessary work environments or activities are safe for disabled employees (including contractors), to the point of undue hardship.
Virtual / remote / work-from-home options should be supported where possible and practical, and those working virtually should have equal rights to other employees.