COQUITLAM, B.C., May 26, 2023 – With National AccessAbility Week beginning on Sunday Coquitlam is showcasing the work it does year-round to ensure that people of all ages, abilities and means can access and enjoy City facilities and services.
Taking place from May 28 to June 3, National AccessAbility Week celebrates the contributions of Canadians with disabilities and highlights the important work taking place to remove barriers to participation in society, and enhancing inclusion and accessibility in workplaces and communities across the country.
In Coquitlam, National AccessAbility Week will showcase more than 30 free events and activities, and is an opportunity to call attention to the importance of removing barriers to access – physical, financial, social and others.
Accessibility from the Ground up
Accessibility is at the forefront of the City’s work, reflected in how it plans neighbourhoods, supports community growth, builds civic facilities and infrastructure, and develops and delivers programs and services. Coquitlam’s long-standing commitment to accessibility includes:
- Launching a Universal Access-Ability Advisory Committee in 2006 to review policies, programs, design plans and other civic matters with an accessibility lens;
- Building road, pedestrian and transit infrastructure with people of all ages and abilities in mind;
- Adopting regulations to accommodate people of all abilities for parking and building access;
- Providing adapted equipment and inclusion supports within recreation services;
- Providing recreation financial assistance, a variety of low cost or free programs, and free menstrual products at facilities;
- Ensuring events and functions are accessible through an Event Accessibility Checklist;
- Using video conferencing for City Council meetings, Public Hearings and other community engagement events;
- Enabling a translation tool on the City website to give individuals who speak other languages an additional way to access key City information; and
- Ensuring the City website meets globally-recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
Visit coquitlam.ca/accessibility for more information about City programs, processes and policies that promote accessibility. Programs specific to recreation access can be found at coquitlam.ca/RecAccess.
Accessibility Integral to EDI Work
The City’s commitment to accessibility has evolved into a broader focus on equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), which works to break down barriers so that everyone is able to live, work and thrive in Coquitlam.
The City has developed a Recreation Accessibility Resource Guide, detailing programs and services that provide opportunities for people of all ages, abilities and means to access recreation in Coquitlam. An online version of the guide, which has been designed for those using assistive technology and can be translated into other languages, can be found at coquitlam.ca/accessibility.
Other 2023 City successes related to accessibility include:
- Earning a Rick Hansen Foundation grant to improve accessibility at three facilities and provide accessibility training to staff;
- Earning a grant for accessible programming from the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association’s Reaching Each and Every One program; and
- Being the first B.C. municipal government to support Crohn’s and Colitis Canada’s GoHere Washroom Access Program, adding 36 washrooms to the GoHere Washroom Locator App.
Join in Free Activities May 28 to June 3
Coquitlam is hosting more than 30 free hands-on events and activities during this year’s National AccessAbility Week May 28 to June 3. Join in adapted sports and fitness, movies, art-making, games and more, with some programs offered in different languages.
Activities are designed to encourage participation by people with all ages, abilities and backgrounds. Most require advance registration – visit coquitlam.ca/AAW for details and links.
One of the week’s highlights is the City’s first AccessAbility Resource Fair, set for June 1, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the new Maillardville Community Centre. Drop by to learn about community and City programs and services that aim to help everyone thrive, provide input for the City’s new Strategic Transportation Plan, and try out sport and fitness sessions for people of diverse abilities and languages. No registration is required.
Learn More
Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) is about breaking down barriers to ensure that everyone – regardless of race, culture, gender, sexual orientation, ability, financial means and other diversity characteristics – is able to live, work and thrive in a safe and welcoming environment. As an organization, Coquitlam is on a journey to better serve our vibrant and diverse community by applying EDI principles to all City policies, operations, and services. Go to coquitlam.ca/EDI for more information about how Coquitlam is continuously working towards building a safe and inclusive community for all, as well as resources for learning. Visit coquitlam.ca/accessibility for information about City programs, regulations and policies that promote accessibility.
For information about National AccessAbility Week, visit Employment and Social Development Canada at canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/campaigns/national-accessability-week.
Media contact:
Manisha Dutta
Manager, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
media@coquitlam.ca
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-kwuh-tlum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie), and other Coast Salish Peoples.