B.C. Releases Draft Accessible B.C. Standards

Attention Members Operating in B.C. Locations: B.C. has opened a consultation period running from May 31 to July 31, 2024 on draft Accessible BC Standards. Two standards have been released:

1. Accessible Service Delivery Standards which address barriers in both the physical and virtual environments to ensure that events, activities, advice, and the process of buying goods are provided in accessible ways.
2. Employment Accessibility Standards which address barriers to people with disabilities in hiring, training, and retention.

The standards build upon those released in other provinces, most notably Manitoba and Ontario.  The two documents are easy-to-understand and use many retail store examples. The standards are provided by the Provincial Advisory Committee which has the legal authority under the Accessible B.C. Act to develop accessibility standards.  Members may submit their own comments directly through the government’s Engage BC web site.  Alternatively, members may contribute to the RCC response. RCC is considering asking the Ministry of Social Development to organize a retail-specific information session. Those wishing to participate in the RCC response should be in contact with Greg Wilson, Director, Government Relations (B.C.) gwilson@retailcouncil.org.

See also:  RCC Accessibility Resources