Intermunicipal Advisory Committee on Disability Issues

The Intermunicipal Advisory Committee on Disability Issues (IACDI) believes in the value of partnerships so that we can continue to make accessibility improvements. Together, we can create more inclusive communities to live, work and play!

Advisory Committees

Did you know that IACDI has a representative on the BC Accessible Transit Advisory Committee and the BC Ferries Accessibility Advisory Committee? We welcome your feedback on BC Transit/ BC Ferries. Email us at iacdisabilityissues@gmail.com

Upcoming Meetings & Events

Online Music Nights - TBA

Connections Create Community - TBA

IACDI Monthly Meetings

2023 Meeting Schedule

Thursday January 19 Zoom Link
Thursday February 16-Annual General Meeting
No meetings will be held in March
Thursday April 20
Thursday May 18
No monthly meeting will be held in June. There will be a community event or a social instead.
There will be no meetings held in July and August.
Thursday September 28-note that the meeting date has been changed due to the Union of BC Municipalities Conference taking place from Sept 18-22
Thursday, October 19
There will be no meetings held in November and December.

All meetings will take place from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and until further notice all meetings will be via Zoom.

News

Every year, starting on the last Sunday in May, Canadians celebrate National AccessAbility Week (NAAW). Founded as ‘National Access Awareness Week’ in 1988 and inspired by Rick Hansen’s Man In Motion World Tour, this week is an opportunity to celebrate Canadians with disabilities and raise awareness of the critical need for accessibility and inclusion for all in our communities and workplaces.

From the Rick Hansen Foundation website 'By 2036, 1 in 5 Canadian adults will have a disability - that could mean almost 9 million people.

Canadians struggle every day to access buildings like shops, community centres, and offices because of physical barriers to accessibility.

You can break down these physical barriers in the places we work, live, learn and play so that all of us can participate and live life to our full potential.'

According to Statistics Canada, over 6 million Canadians have a disability of some form.

Do you know a ‘difference maker’ in your community? Is there someone who promotes access and inclusion? If so, I.A.C.D.I. encourages you to nominate them by emailing us at: iacdisabilityissues@gmail.com

The Difference Makers Recognition Initiative has been generously supported by the Social Planning and Research Council of B.C. and I.A.C.D.I. is grateful for this partnership.

Did you know that on the City of Victoria’s website it states that drivers with accessible parking permits can park for up to four hours for free on Sundays at regular metered (90-minute zone or more) on-street parking spaces?

There are Accessibility Improvements coming for BC’s Provincial Parks. More information can be found at this link: Accessibility improvements coming for BC’s provincial parks | West Coast Traveller

Community Update: BC government announces temporary additional supports for income assistance and Persons with Disabilities benefit recipients

Community Update: Update on the BC Recovery Benefit and people receiving Ministry assistance | DABC (disabilityalliancebc.org)

IACDI is currently advocating for a wheelchair accessible swing to be installed in at least one West Shore Park. More details to be announced in the future.

IACDI supports Mary Lake becoming a municipal park in the Highlands. It is a stunning location with a user friendly trail already in existence with a paved pathway to the house. Access improvements such as disabled parking and 2 possible locations for accessible picnic tables would enhance this park. To learn more about Mary Lake or support the efforts to secure Mary Lake as a municipal park click here www.marylakeconnections.ca

In partnership with The Social Planning and Research Council of B.C., I.A.C.D.I. continues to build increased awareness around existing and emerging needs for accessible parking, as well as strengthen efforts to better meet the needs of people with disabilities. We want to draw attention to the need for designated accessible parking and put measures in place to ensure these spaces are respected and protected.

Establish accessibility as a priority in your community by:

Creating accessible spaces or places in your community
Making design changes or physical improvements that contribute to greater accessibility. This could include but are not limited to-
Designated accessible Parking spaces
Curb ramps and Safe path of travel
Pathways and other walking spaces etc.

Create a more informed, aware, and inclusive environment by:

Educating communities on invisible or hidden disabilities
Spreading awareness about the role of accessible parking spaces in providing independence for people with disabilities
Advocating for accessibility to local businesses who will also benefit from an expanded customer base

User-Friendly Trails

Please find a Guide to User-friendly Trails here.

Resources

Alcohol & Drug Information & Referral Service
1 800 663-1441 Lower Mainland: 604 660-9382
This service is available to people across B.C. needing help with any kind of substance abuse issues 24 hours a day. It provides information and referral to education, prevention and treatment services and regulatory agencies.

Crisis Line Association of BC
In Crisis? Call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) to speak with crisis line workers anytime of the day or night. Looking for information and support? Call 310-6789 to reach the Mental Health and Information and Support Line, from anywhere in the province. You will receive emotional support, and information on appropriate referral options and a wide range of support relating to mental health concerns.

HealthLinkBC
Anywhere in BC: 8-1-1
TTY (Deaf and hearing-impaired): 7-1-1

Leisure Assistance Pass
The LA pass was designed for people with disabilities who require assistance to pursue leisure and recreation acclivities to not have to pay double. The LA pass is accepted at all recreation facilities in Greater Victoria as well as many other places, such as the Royal BC Museum, Flying Squirrel, Craigdarroch Castle, and many more locations. This pass is still available through all recreation centres in Greater Victoria. Call your local recreation centre to apply for or renew your pass.

Yellow Booklet
The Yellow Booklet has been a great resource for Families in planning summer activities for their children and youth. RIV started this booklet in 1996 when a gap was noticed between the number of weeks of service a child or youth received and the parents' knowledge of what camps were offered. Since then 24 edition has been published by RIV in order to close the gap and provide knowledge to all parents and caregivers. RIV is thrilled that this important service will be continued through Community Living Victoria (CLV) and this year's edition of the booklet can now be viewed through their website.

Equipment Loan Program
What first began as a few pieces grew into a full inventory of adapted outdoor equipment available to use for $15/week. This valuable service ensures that cost does not prohibit someone from accessing the outdoors, and pieces available range from tandem bikes, hand-cycles, TrailRiders, all-terrain wheelchairs, beach wheelchairs, tricycles, and more. The Equipment Loan Service will remain available to you through Lifetime Networks! Follow the link: https://www.lifetimenetworks.org/programs/

LAVA - Leisure Access Victoria App
The LAVA website contains information of 34 local recreation and community centres in Victoria. The site will remain live for another year, and then keep an eye out for this information on your local recreation centre sites.

Wescom Medi-Lend Society - Medical equipment loaned to residents of the Western Communities. Operates Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. / 567 Goldstream Avenue Victoria, BC V9B 2W7 / Phone: (250) 478-5373

COVID-19 Supports and Programs

Action Committee for People with Disabilities (ACPD) Phone 250-383-4105

Disability Alliance BC - Phone 604-872-1278; Toll Free 1-800-663-1278
Budget 2019 - Changes Impacting People with Disabilities
Province Announces Policy Changes Aimed at Reducing Poverty

Disabled Parking Permit Information

Family Caregivers BC Support Line 1 (877) 520-3267
Greater Victoria Caregiver Support Groups, and Caregiver Connection Newsletter and E-news

Leisure Involvement is For Everyone Program

Stroke Recovery Association - Young Stroke Survivors Group Phone 250-686-8653

Victoria Disability Resource Centre Phone 250-595-0044
Community Resource Page

BC Ferries
Travel Planning and Safety
Download our Accessibility, Evacuation & Safety Brochures for:
Coastal Renaissance, Coastal Inspiration , Coastal Celebration

Accessible Parking Presentation

HandyDart Information and Registration Form

Red Cross Medical Equipment Loan Cupboard