Make Your Voice Heard: Contribute to the BC Government Conversation on Increasing Accessibility for People with Disabilities

The BC Government is currently gathering information from British Columbians with the goal of developing a White Paper- a document that will reflect the voice of British Columbians on the topic of increasing accessibility for people with disabilities.
Four (4) key questions have been identified:

1. Why do you think it’s important that we reduce barriers and increase accessibility for people living with disabilities in B.C.?
2. What can British Columbians do to welcome the contributions of people with disabilities, and what barriers can we remove?
3. What would make it easier for people with disabilities to work or contribute to the community? What needs to be in place?
4. What would B.C. look like as the most progressive place in Canada for people and families living with disabilities?

The questions are being asked in the context of the following areas:

• Innovation in disability services and more freedom for persons living with disabilities

• Personal supports and aids and devices

• Work and contribution

• Housing and accessibility in the broader built environment

• Social networks to support people in community

• Asset accumulation through the RDSP in particular

CAOT-BC encourages all members to participate in this conversation and submit your thoughts and ideas to the government. You can do this online, by attending an in-person community consultation, by mail, via twitter, by phone or by hosting your own discussion with your colleagues, clients, family or friends. In person community consultations run for a 4-week period begin on January 20 and ending February 26.

The CAOT-BC Advisory Committee will be preparing and submitting a response to this conversation on behalf of occupational therapists in BC. We would like to include your opinion, so send your comments or submissions to caotbc@caot.ca by February 10, 2014.

The consultation process will close at 4pm on March 11, 2014.