Accessibility 2024
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local government toolkit: policy
Local governments are not alone in their efforts toward creating age-friendly policies and community objectives. The Province of British Columbia has signaled its interest in designing and planning age-friendly communities, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, through the creation and advancement of its Accessibility 2024 Action Plan. The plan identifies key goals, as well as measures and initiatives, which will help the Province achieve its accessibility objectives by 2024. Out of the goals outlined in this document, three have the potential to significantly guide and impact the advancement of age-friendly housing and community design policies and regulations by local governments20. These are: 1. Accessible Built Environment Goal BC has the most accessible building code and the most declared accessible communities in Canada by 2024. Measures • The number of BC communities incorporating accessibility strategies into their Official Community Plans. • The percentage of publicly owned and leased facilities that are accessible. Initiatives identified by the Provincial Government • Ensure all government-owned and leased customer service building stock is fully accessible by 2020 (where possible given heritage constraints). • Develop guidelines for accessibility that communities can incorporate into their Official Community Plans. • Continue to update the building code to be the most accessible in Canada.