The Town of Ladysmith is calling on residents to help shape its first-ever Accessibility Plan by reviewing the draft and submitting feedback before Oct. 14.
Developed in partnership with the town’s Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC), the plan outlines strategies to identify, remove and prevent barriers to accessibility in town-owned buildings, public spaces and facilities. It is described as a living document, intended to evolve through ongoing community engagement and respond to emerging challenges.
“In Ladysmith, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment,” said Nicholas Pescod, the town’s communication and engagement specialist and a member of the AAC. “This draft plan represents an important step toward making our community more welcoming for everyone.”
The Accessibility Plan fulfills requirements under the Accessible BC Act, provincial legislation enacted in 2021 that requires municipalities to establish accessibility committees, create accessibility plans and engage in meaningful public consultation.
Ladysmith’s Accessibility Advisory Committee was established in 2023 and includes residents with lived experience of disability, representatives from disability-serving organizations, and town officials. The committee provides guidance to council on improving accessibility and will continue to monitor progress as the plan is implemented.
The plan’s goals include removing or adapting barriers, promoting universal design in all new developments and renovations, enhancing public awareness of accessibility issues and ensuring continuous improvement through regular engagement. It is grounded in six guiding principles: inclusion, adaptability, diversity, collaboration, self-determination and universal design.
It also notes that barriers can be physical, sensory, cognitive, mental health-related, attitudinal or systemic. These barriers may prevent people from fully participating in the social, cultural, political and economic life of the community.
“An accessible society is one designed to include everybody, at all stages of life,” the plan states.
Several actions have already been completed. These include the installation of automatic door openers, new pool access lifts, tactile components and braille signage at the Frank Jameson Community Centre.
Accessibility improvements have been made to several parks and trails, including a concrete walkway and practice pitch at Lot 108 Park, an upgraded trail section at Holland Creek, and new accessible paths at Aggie Playground and Transfer Beach. The Town has also turned on closed captioning for recorded council meeting videos and adopted a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy Statement.
Looking ahead, the plan outlines a wide range of future actions, including the installation of additional braille signage, automatic door openers and air hand dryers in public washrooms, and to ensure that washroom fixtures are accessible for wheelchair users.
Improvements to parks and playgrounds are proposed, including the addition of adaptive equipment, more accessible picnic areas and pathways and a concrete pad at the Kinsmen Shelter to increase usability.
The plan also recommends creating a tip sheet to support event organizers and exploring partnerships with disability organizations to develop and promote inclusive programming.
Residents are encouraged to review the draft plan and provide feedback through Let’s Talk Ladysmith. Participants must create an account and provide basic demographic information, which the town said is kept confidential and used to ensure a diversity of voices in the consultation process.
The Accessibility Plan will be implemented over a three-year period, with annual reviews conducted by the AAC and regular updates made to reflect new standards, public input and emerging needs.
“Real inclusion takes place when those already included learn from those who are excluded and initiate change,” the plan states.
For more information, residents can contact Town Hall at 250-245-6400 or email [email protected].
