In discussing each area, Innovation, Personal Supports, Work& Contribution, Housing Accessibility &Built Environment, Social Networks and Asset Accumulation, we found our responses to the questions were often overlapping and repetitive. In this brief we have formulated responses to the first three questions that apply equally to all six discussion areas. We also have listed for each discussion area a list of the barriers which need to be removed along with suggested solutions. Why do you think it’s important that we reduce barriers and increase accessibility for people living with disabilities in B.C.? Reducing barriers for Persons with Disabilities is good for everyone, by making our environment accessible for disabled persons we make it accessible for everyone; curb cuts for elders and mothers with strollers, for those who can’t speak English can benefit from captioning, markings indicating level changes in the floor help everyone not only those with visual impairments, Sign Language interpreters allow Deaf persons to make meaningful contributions to others in society. If everyone is able to participate our communities are richer and stronger. Persons with disabilities can contribute their skills and talents if we provide ways to reduce barriers. By becoming a leader in innovating in services and solutions for persons with disabilities, BC has the opportunity to develop innovations that could lead to economic gains for industries wishing to market new products and services. And most importantly, we have an obligation to reduce barriers for persons with disabilities as a signatory to the UN Convention on the rights of Persons with Disabilities What would make it easier for people with disabilities to make contributions to the community? What needs to be in place? 3. What would B.C. be like as the most progressive place in Canada for people and families living with disabilities? Create new legislation that will preserve the rights of Persons with Disabilities to accessibility and accommodations. BC already has such an act especially for persons with Cognitive disabilities, the BC Community Living Act which could act as a model for new laws as well as the model that exists in Ontario, the Ontarians with
In discussing each area, Innovation, Personal Supports, Work& Contribution, Housing Accessibility &Built Environment, Social Networks and Asset Accumulation, we found our responses to the questions were often overlapping and repetitive. In this brief we have formulated responses to the first three questions that apply equally to all six discussion areas. We also have listed for each discussion area a list of the barriers which need to be removed along with suggested solutions. Why do you think it’s important that we reduce barriers and increase accessibility for people living with disabilities in B.C.? Reducing barriers for Persons with Disabilities is good for everyone, by making our environment accessible for disabled persons we make it accessible for everyone; curb cuts for elders and mothers with strollers, for those who can’t speak English can benefit from captioning, markings indicating level changes in the floor help everyone not only those with visual impairments, Sign Language interpreters allow Deaf persons to make meaningful contributions to others in society. If everyone is able to participate our communities are richer and stronger. Persons with disabilities can contribute their skills and talents if we provide ways to reduce barriers. By becoming a leader in innovating in services and solutions for persons with disabilities, BC has the opportunity to develop innovations that could lead to economic gains for industries wishing to market new products and services. And most importantly, we have an obligation to reduce barriers for persons with disabilities as a signatory to the UN Convention on the rights of Persons with Disabilities What would make it easier for people with disabilities to make contributions to the community? What needs to be in place? 3. What would B.C. be like as the most progressive place in Canada for people and families living with disabilities? Create new legislation that will preserve the rights of Persons with Disabilities to accessibility and accommodations. BC already has such an act especially for persons with Cognitive disabilities, the BC Community Living Act which could act as a model for new laws as well as the model that exists in Ontario, the Ontarians with
western-institute-for-the-deaf-and-hard-of-hearing.docx