accessibility

Ava Secuur has achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

‘Small is mighty’: Langford child with dwarfism stars in hospital campaign

Ava Secuur was part of a video campaign for the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation

 

The bike valet is located on Pandora Avenue, right next to city hall. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)

VIDEO: Cyclists give thumbs up as expanded Victoria bike valet kicks off

Cyclists can drop their bikes off, free of charge and explore downtown with peace of mind

 

FILE - Judy Heumann, center, is applauded during her swearing-in as U.S. Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Service by Judge Gail Bereola, left, in Berkeley, Calif., on Tuesday, June 29, 1993. Standing at left is Berkeley Mayor Loni Hancock with sign language interpreter Joseph Quinn, and Julie Weissman, right, in attendance with a large audience. Heumann, a renowned disability rights activist who helped secure legislation protecting the rights of disabled people, has died at age 75. The news of her passing on Saturday, March 4, 2023, in Washington, was shared on her website and social media accounts. (AP Photo/Susan Ragan, File)

Judy Heumann, disability rights activist, dies at age 75

Heumann contracted polio at age 2 and lost her ability to walk. She devoted her life to advocacy.

 

Andrea Carey stands in front of a Allenby Park, which was recently renovated. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)

‘Missed opportunities’: Saanich park renovation excludes people with disabilities: advocate

Andrea Carey is an advocate and mother and feels Saanich missed opportunities for inclusivity

Andrea Carey stands in front of a Allenby Park, which was recently renovated. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)
Pictured alongside her father Dave Essery and Bobbi Neal with West Shore Parks and Recreation, Marnie Essery has been chair of the Intermunicipal Advisory Committee on Disability Issues for nearly 30 years. The committee has been advocating on behalf of all residents, regardless of ability, within the West Shore and Greater Victoria regions since 1989. (Courtesy of Marnie Essery)

‘Nothing about us, without us’: West Shore accessibility committee breaks down barriers

The Intermunicipal Advisory Committee on Disability Issues has been ahead of the curve

Pictured alongside her father Dave Essery and Bobbi Neal with West Shore Parks and Recreation, Marnie Essery has been chair of the Intermunicipal Advisory Committee on Disability Issues for nearly 30 years. The committee has been advocating on behalf of all residents, regardless of ability, within the West Shore and Greater Victoria regions since 1989. (Courtesy of Marnie Essery)
A wheelchair accessible taxicab in Castlegar, B.C. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. announces new funds to offset costs of running wheelchair-accessible taxis

Province hopes change increases availability of rides to people with mobility challenges

A wheelchair accessible taxicab in Castlegar, B.C. (Black Press Media file photo)
Jody Kirk, Tourism Tofino’s visitor and member services manager, says the beach wheelchairs are easy to assemble and easy to manoeuvre. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Free beach wheelchairs create opportunity Victoria couple thought gone forever

Accessibility grant making lives better, organizations encouraged to chase theirs

Jody Kirk, Tourism Tofino’s visitor and member services manager, says the beach wheelchairs are easy to assemble and easy to manoeuvre. (Nora O’Malley photo)
The RAD Recreation Adapted Society is soon to become even more accessible thanks to its first gear shed, opening spring 2023 at Langford Lake thanks to the support of the City of Langford. (Courtesy RAD Recreation Adapted Society)

That’s RAD: Langford non-profit making the great outdoors accessible

RAD Recreation Adapted Society working on first gear shed for spring opening

The RAD Recreation Adapted Society is soon to become even more accessible thanks to its first gear shed, opening spring 2023 at Langford Lake thanks to the support of the City of Langford. (Courtesy RAD Recreation Adapted Society)
The City of Colwood said a number of logs had washed up onto the beach at the Cobourg Peninsula over the winter, blocking access paths connecting the waterfront and Ocean Boulevard. (Black Press Media file photo)

Colwood clearing logs from paths on beachfront

Logs had washed up during winter, cutting off access for elderly residents

The City of Colwood said a number of logs had washed up onto the beach at the Cobourg Peninsula over the winter, blocking access paths connecting the waterfront and Ocean Boulevard. (Black Press Media file photo)
Langford resident Tanelle Bolt is raising concerns about the accessibility of the newly opened Langford Station, including the large steps required to get into shipping container stores which do not currently have ramps. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Accessibility advocate concerned with newly opened Langford Station

Tanelle Bolt says the venue was a missed opportunity for accessible infrastructure

Langford resident Tanelle Bolt is raising concerns about the accessibility of the newly opened Langford Station, including the large steps required to get into shipping container stores which do not currently have ramps. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
A rendering shows possible features of the new playground at Stadacona Park. A wheelchair accessible swing will also be added, council decided March 17. (Courtesy of City of Victoria)

Victoria’s first wheelchair accessible swing added to Stadacona Park redesign

Construction on all-abilities park additions expected to begin by summer 2022

A rendering shows possible features of the new playground at Stadacona Park. A wheelchair accessible swing will also be added, council decided March 17. (Courtesy of City of Victoria)
James Coates, bike education coordinator, displays two of the balance bikes available at Capital Bike’s new lending library. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

‘Breaking down barriers’: New Victoria lending library offers kids bikes, not books

Bikes for kids aged two to four currently available, with more options coming soon

James Coates, bike education coordinator, displays two of the balance bikes available at Capital Bike’s new lending library. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
Chelsea Brown (left) and Jas Gill are the founders of a South Island mobile cardiology testing service. (Photo by @eternal.bond.photography)

Victoria duo make cardiology testing more accessible with mobile service

Testing service covered by provincial MSP if referred by a physician

Chelsea Brown (left) and Jas Gill are the founders of a South Island mobile cardiology testing service. (Photo by @eternal.bond.photography)
Tanelle Bolt is raising concerns over snow clearing on sidewalks in Langford after a recent dump of snow left her struggling to navigate city sidewalks, such as this one along Jacklin Road on the evening of Jan. 7. (Photo courtesy of Tanelle Bolt)

VIDEO: Accessibility concerns raised over sidewalk snow clearing in Langford

Local wheelchair user said she has been unable to get around in aftermath of a snowstorm

Tanelle Bolt is raising concerns over snow clearing on sidewalks in Langford after a recent dump of snow left her struggling to navigate city sidewalks, such as this one along Jacklin Road on the evening of Jan. 7. (Photo courtesy of Tanelle Bolt)
A BC Transit bus cruises down Douglas Street in Victoria. (Black Press Media news staff)

BC Transit says driver shortage drove decision to remove print schedules from Victoria stops

Customers concerned choice was discriminatory

A BC Transit bus cruises down Douglas Street in Victoria. (Black Press Media news staff)
Victoria resident and accessibility consultant Steve Bertrand accesses the rocky beach off Dallas Road. (Photo courtesy of City of Victoria)

New accessible amenities unveiled along Victoria’s Dallas Road waterfront

City takes action to support residents with mobility challenges

Victoria resident and accessibility consultant Steve Bertrand accesses the rocky beach off Dallas Road. (Photo courtesy of City of Victoria)
Proposed designs for an all-abilities playground redevelopment at Stadacona Park shed light on the need for recreational spaces with increased inclusivity. (Courtesy of the City of Victoria)

All-abilities playground proposed for Victoria’s Stadacona Park

City councillor says making parks more inclusive is a priority

Proposed designs for an all-abilities playground redevelopment at Stadacona Park shed light on the need for recreational spaces with increased inclusivity. (Courtesy of the City of Victoria)
North Saanich resident Charlene Froom calls on local politicians to be more mindful of the concerns of differently-abled individuals in the face of the area’s aging demographic. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

North Saanich accessibility activist calls for ongoing improvements on Peninsula

Charlene Froom lauds recent moves in Sidney but calls for awareness campaign

North Saanich resident Charlene Froom calls on local politicians to be more mindful of the concerns of differently-abled individuals in the face of the area’s aging demographic. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Joudelie King wants to get out and live life to the fullest, but there are places she can’t go because they don’t meet her accessibility needs. (submitted photo)

New online tool provides accessibility map for people with disabilities

The myCommunity BC map provides accessibility info for nearly 1,000 locations in the province

Joudelie King wants to get out and live life to the fullest, but there are places she can’t go because they don’t meet her accessibility needs. (submitted photo)
The Beacon Hill summit is a popular stopping point for visitors to the park. The road up to the viewpoint and parking lot will be reopened by the City of Victoria on Nov. 28 to allow for better access for seniors and people with disabilities. (Black Press Media file photo)

Summit access opens in Victoria’s Beacon Hill Park

Victoria maintains some road closures in park as part of COVID traffic plan

The Beacon Hill summit is a popular stopping point for visitors to the park. The road up to the viewpoint and parking lot will be reopened by the City of Victoria on Nov. 28 to allow for better access for seniors and people with disabilities. (Black Press Media file photo)