Coquitlam council backs accessibility plan
On Monday, Coquitlam council adopted the city’s first Accessibility and Inclusion plan with a goal to: “improve everyday experiences” for city residents who lives with disabilities.
The three-year plan is intended to identify, reduce, and prevent barriers, and: “make it easier for people to access city services and programs, move through our public spaces, and participate in community life,” according to a release from the city.
An estimated 47,000 Coquitlam residents have at least one disability.
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The plan covers a range of initiatives, including the city’s Snow Angel program, financial support to help low-income residents afford city recreation programs, as well as wider sidewalks and better curb ramps.
Coquitlam has also garnered Rick Hansen certifications for the Maillardville Community Centre, Town Centre Park Community Centre, and Coquitlam City Hall, among other municipal buildings.
The plan also focuses on barriers connected to: “age, gender, or whether a disability is visible or invisible.”
As part of its work as an employer, the city mandates training on neurodiversity and unconscious bias, as well as guidelines for supporting trans and non-binary staff in the workplace.
Residents who want to report accessibility barriers in Coquitlam can do so by sending an email to EDI@coquitlam.ca, by calling 604-927-3000, or by asking for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion staff at city hall.
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