Accessibility Committee

The District of Squamish is committed to increasing accessibility across all spaces, services, and communications. 

District of Squamish Accessibility Committee

The District of Squamish created an Accessibility Committee and developed an Accessibility Plan to identify and remove barriers to accessibility. The Accessibility Committee is made up of District of Squamish staff and community members. Most of the committee members have lived experience with disability. The Accessibility Committee advises and works directly with District staff to implement the Accessibility Plan.

We are guided by a vision for Squamish that “provides spaces, services, and communications that allow everyone to be included without experiencing barriers to access.” 

Accessibility Committee Members

Community Members:

Sarah Tipler
Dalia Shehata
Katherine Neale (Sea to Sky Community Services)
Trish Kelly
Dave Nabi
Tommy Leung (Canadian National Institute for the Blind)
Drea Mouthu
Natalie O’Connor and Jen Brown (Whistler Adaptive Sport)
Christopher Nicholson (School District 48)
Hilary Bloom (Squamish Public Library)
Mary Jane Natrall, Donna Billy, Stephanie Kummer (Squamish Nation)

District of Squamish Staff

Keely Kidner (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility)
Marie-Claude Neron (Communications)
Dora Gunn (Transportation)
Holly Coutts, Mandy Foster (Recreation)
Megan Latimer (Community Services)
Harmony Cornwell, Tim McBride (Facilities)

What we’ve done so far

The District of Squamish Accessibility Plan was adopted by Council on June 27, 2023. Since then, the Accessibility Committee has guided how the District of Squamish implements the plan.

Here are some of the things we have done over the past three years:

  • Brennan Park Recreation Centre
  • Municipal Hall
  • Squamish Public Library
  • The 55 Activity Centre
  • Firehall #1
  • Squamish Adventure Centre
  • Sp’akw’us Feather Park
  • Junction Park
  • Stan Clarke Park
  • Rose Park
  • Smoke Bluffs Park
  • General accessibility and the Accessible BC Act
  • Supporting people with visual impairments
  • Deaf culture
  • Accessible service delivery
  • Plain language 
  • Crip Camp film screening at the Squamish Public Library
  • Walk n’ Roll Celebration
  • Brennan Park Recreation Centre
  • Municipal Hall Council Chambers
  • Squamish Public Library
  • The 55 Activity Centre
  • Emergency Operations Centre
  • Squamish Landfill Weigh Scale
  • District of Squamish
  • Squamish Public Library

Developed policies, guidelines, plans, and updated Bylaws to ensure accessibility is part of all we do

There is always more to do but we are proud of what we have achieved so far. The Accessibility Committee focuses on systemic change across the organization. That means we help the District of Squamish to consider accessibility in all the decisions that Council and staff make. These may not show up right away, but we are confident we are creating lasting change. Squamish is on the road to accessibility.