The District of Squamish is committed to continuous learning and improvement when it comes to accessibility. Therefore, this webpage is subject to change as we better understand what accessibility needs exist and how we can design for them.
If you have any feedback on the accessibility of this page, please let us know by emailing [email protected] or calling Municipal Hall at 604.892.5217.
The District recognizes that Squamish is in the core unceded territory of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw. We offer gratitude to the Skwxwú7mesh People who have lived on these lands since time immemorial and reassert our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation.
The District is grateful for the work and insights of the Accessibility Committee. Members of the Committee have worked tirelessly to guide the development of the engagement and the drafting of this plan. The District would also like to acknowledge that many Committee members hold unique perspectives as people with lived experiences of disability.
We are also grateful to the many community members who participated in the public engagement sessions as well as District staff who provided expertise. The conversations that were held and the comments that were collected all helped create this Accessibility Plan.
This plan has been created through the lens of the District of Squamish IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility) Committee which works to make the District of Squamish a place where all belong.
The District of Squamish is committed to increasing accessibility across all its spaces, services, and communications. Accessibility is a key component in many of the District’s existing strategies and plans as well as ongoing or planned projects and initiatives.
Guided by the Accessible BC Act, the District of Squamish created an Accessibility Committee and developed an Accessibility Plan to identify and remove barriers to accessibility. In this process, the District worked extensively with staff and members of the Accessibility Committee, developed relationships with people with disabilities1, and engaged with community members. The resulting feedback informed the development of this Accessibility Plan, which was created in collaboration with staff and members of the District of Squamish Accessibility Committee.
The plan is organized according to the following domains:
Disability is more common than many think, with approximately one in five people over the age of 15 in Canada living with one or more disabilities . There is evidence of care for disabled people throughout human history and, in many Indigenous societies, being disabled did not necessarily lead to marginalization . With colonial settlement however, environments and societies were often built with the assumption that all citizens were able-bodied. This history has led to a situation where accessibility barriers exist throughout Canadian society and there is a need to identify and dismantle those barriers to allow disabled people to fully participate. Canada now has a strong legislative framework to protect people with disabilities from discrimination, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Canadian Human Rights Act.
The Accessible British Columbia Act was enacted in 2021, and in 2022 the Accessible British Columbia Regulation came into effect. The Regulation requires prescribed organizations, such as the District of Squamish, to:
The deadline to comply with the Accessible BC Act is September 1, 2023.
Under the Act, an organization’s Accessibility Plan must consider a set of principles. These are outlined below with a description of how they relate to the District of Squamish Accessibility Plan.
During the negotiations to create the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the International Disability Caucus adopted the slogan “nothing about us without us”. The phrase has since become a rallying cry for many communities but is widely regarded as originating in disability movements.
“Nothing about us without us” highlights the importance of including disabled voices in any planning or policy decisions that might affect accessibility. It aligns with a social model of disability, which sees disability arising from an ableist society as opposed to a medical model of disability, which focuses on the individual as abnormal.
In addition, the terms used to discuss disability have significant meaning which may change over time. Person-first language highlights the person before the disability (“person with a disability”) and is used by many governments and organizations as a general practice. However, many disabled people prefer identity-first language (“disabled person”) to recognize how their disability forms an integral part of their social identities. In addition, the term disabled has often been replaced with euphemisms (e.g. “differently abled”, “special needs”, “handi-capable”, etc.). Many disability activists actively resist these phrases and embrace the word “disability” as a term that accurately reflects their experiences in an ableist society . These patterns are evident in other identity categories as well, many of which are being recognized as distinct cultural groups (e.g. Deafhood, Autism, neurodivergence, etc.).
The District of Squamish Accessibility Committee sought to prioritize disabled voices in the development of this plan to honour “nothing about us without us”. Throughout the process, care was taken to include and meet disabled people in the community by providing accommodations and developing relationships. In recognition of the diversity of disabled perspectives and “nothing about us without us”, this Accessibility Plan alternates between person-first language (“people with disabilities”) and identity-first language (“disabled people”). This supports the principle of self-determination by intentionally including and acknowledging both preferences. Where appropriate, this plan also recognizes disabled communities as cultures by capitalizing words (e.g. deaf versus Deaf).
This plan has also been written to be as accessible as possible by including 14-point sans-serif font, alt-text on all images, and formatting that supports text to speech software.
During the community engagement, participants were asked to consider the following questions: What do you think of when you hear the word accessibility? What does an accessible Squamish mean to you?
The responses to these questions were analyzed separately using the Quirkos qualitative software. The results generated the word cloud included below.
Respondents highlighted that every person should be able to access what they need without experiencing barriers. In addition, disabled people should feel included and not othered (as one respondent put it, “inclusion is belonging that goes beyond acceptance”). Some respondents expanded the idea of accessibility to include protection of land and cultural activities and others focused on the idea of welcoming all people.
As a result of this process, the District of Squamish Accessibility Plan includes the following vision:
The District of Squamish provides spaces, services, and communications that allow everyone to be included without experiencing barriers to access.
The vision for an accessible Squamish is included in the Accessibility Plan as a guide for its implementation, to ensure all people are welcomed and feel a sense of belonging.
The District of Squamish is situated on the unceded, traditional territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw at the end of Átl'ḵa7tsem/Howe Sound. Within the District of Squamish boundaries there are eight Squamish Nation Reserves, many of which represent permanent or seasonal village sites. The history of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw goes back millennia and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh culture, customs, traditions, and laws are deeply connected to the lands, waters, and beings of this territory and are passed on through generations.
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw has existed as a political entity since its amalgamation in 1923, although the history of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh people and land go back millennia. Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim (Squamish language) is part of the Coast Salish family of languages and is undergoing revitalization efforts to strengthen the number of speakers. An elected Council, or Nexwsxwníw̓ntm ta Úxwumixw, governs the nation through one Chairperson, seven Councillors, a Band Manager, and the Nation Administration. The Nation consist of just over 4,000 members who live throughout the territory, including Squamish and the Squamish Valley.
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw and the District of Squamish continue to deepen their relationship founded in respect and recognition of Indigenous rights, culture, and heritage.
Squamish is a growing and increasingly diverse community. From 2016 to 2021, the population grew 22% to 23,819. Like many other communities, the cost of living has increased dramatically as well and many residents commute to work in neighbouring communities like Vancouver and Whistler. English and French are the most spoken languages followed by Punjabi, German, Spanish, and Tagalog/Filipino. There is a high value placed on the natural environment and Squamish is known as the “Adventure capital of Canada”. The community boasts a large selection of outdoor amenities such as trails and parks and is a prime tourist destination for mountain bikers, rock climbers, and other outdoor sports enthusiasts. Squamish also has a vibrant arts and culture community and a growing culinary scene.
The District of Squamish views accessibility as a vital part of equity and inclusion work. Accessibility is apparent in a variety of plans and strategies which help steer the organization. By including accessibility as a lens in these guiding documents, we underline our commitment to making Squamish a more accessible place to live, work, and play now and into the future.
The Squamish 2040 – Official Community Plan (OCP) was adopted in 2018 and outlines a community vision as well as strategies to help us get there. Among the goals of the OCP, health is articulated as including accessible built environments, housing and support for active living and universal mobility. In this way, “Squamish’s most vulnerable citizens are cared for with dignity and respect, and suitable facilities and services are available for residents of all ages, stages of life, abilities, incomes, interests, and cultures”.
Many of the strategies outlined in the OCP include explicit mention of accessibility as a principle and objective.
The District of Squamish Strategic Plan 2023-2026 was adopted in 2023. There are many elements of the plan related to accessibility, including the inclusion of accessibility as a governing principle.
Under the pillar “Resilient People and Relationships”, the Strategic Plan seeks to “incorporate the principles of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility throughout our organization with the goal to foster these principles in the greater community and support community groups in their work”. This includes the implementation of the District’s Inclusion Strategy (discussed below).
The pillar “Connected and Liveable Community” outlines actions to increase the accessibility of arts, cultural, heritage and recreational multiuse programmable spaces as well as active transportation and transit systems.
Under “Reliable Service Delivery”, the Strategic Plan commits to “equitable, accessible, transparent, and culturally appropriate services”.
In 2022, the District of Squamish Inclusion Strategy: IDEAs in Action was endorsed by Mayor and Council. The Strategy outlines five goals for improving inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility in District workplaces and processes. The Strategy was developed by the IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access) Committee which recognizes accessibility as a core element in diversity, equity, and inclusion work.
The Inclusion Strategy’s fifth goal is “Our physical and virtual work environments are accessible and inclusive”. Actions listed to achieve this goal include the development of this Accessibility Plan and the implementation of many of the plan’s actions.
The District of Squamish is currently advancing a variety of projects and initiatives that seek to mitigate barriers to accessibility across the organization. Below is a list of some of these.
The following Goals and Objectives are organized according to various domains which consider the breadth of the services, facilities, and communications provided by the District of Squamish. Each domain includes a summary of the community engagement feedback followed by overarching goals and objectives. The domains include:
The goals outlined in this plan are guided by the vision of an accessible Squamish:
The District of Squamish provides spaces, services, and communications that allow everyone to be included without experiencing barriers to access.
What We Heard
Public engagement identified barriers related to parks and public spaces. These include a general lack of accessible playground spaces for children with disabilities, as well as equipment that cannot be reached with mobility devices and equipment that does not support play for neurodivergent children or those using mobility devices. In addition, some public amenities were identified as being inaccessible and there is a general lack of accessible washrooms around town.
In District facilities, barriers identified include lack of ramps, automatic doors, limited space, and a general lack of accessibility considerations or outdated accommodations in the design process. Participants identified the need for more accessible parking that is well maintained and clearly marked and enforced. Feedback also identified a lack of adequate affordable housing that is accessible.
Streetscapes also had many barriers such as a lack of tactile and visible markers, challenges with accessible parking, and sidewalk slopes and grades.
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What We Heard
Transportation barriers identified through public outreach include a lack of accessibility and maintenance of sidewalks (curb cuts, visual aids, width, grades, and potholes, etc.) as well as gaps in the sidewalk network. Similarly, respondents said crosswalks lack accessibility considerations such as audible signals, easily reached buttons, and ramps. Trails are often too narrow for those with mobility aids to use and lack adequate rest space.
In terms of transit, respondents identified a lack of accessible services and routes, including HandyDART offerings. Bus stops are often not accessible to those using mobility aids and a lack of regional transit was also identified as a barrier.
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What We Heard
Participants identified a general lack of accessibility on the District's website with recreation schedules difficult to navigate in particular. In terms of content, some accessibility information was reported lacking or incorrect and the Squamish "Hardwired for Adventure" brand was identified as not inclusive. Respondents also suggested providing multiple options for contacting and engaging with the District and commended the District for the engagement work on this Accessibility Plan.
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What We Heard
Barriers that respondents identified in relation to governance and corporate culture include a general lack of accessibility considerations during decision-making and project planning. This included specific projects such as emergency planning and events. Many policies and bylaws were also identified as being out of date or excluding accessibility as a component. In addition, staff identified a lack of support for accessibility initiatives and standards from higher levels of government.
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What We Heard
When it comes to service design and delivery, respondents identified a general lack of awareness from District staff about disabilities. Participants suggested the District provide training to staff who work with people with disabilities. In addition, many respondents said recreational programming was not accessible and cost prohibitive, especially for children with disabilities or cognitive differences. This includes a lack of programming for neurodivergent individuals, however respondents also acknowledged the benefits of some programs such as Neurofit and the low sensory skate.
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What We Heard
District staff, as well as Mayor and Council, were surveyed for feedback on accessibility barriers. In terms of employment, respondents identified a lack of general awareness of disabilities and accommodations as well as inaccessible workspaces and facilities.
Objectives:
District staff developed a broad and targeted engagement strategy to gather feedback on accessibility guided by the Accessibility Committee. The committee identified intended participants and provided feedback on how to make the engagement opportunities as accessible as possible.
Engagement participants identified by the Accessibility Committee included:
During April-May 2023, the following engagements were conducted:
Over 750 comments were collected from community and committee members, District staff, and Council. Staff then coded the comments using the Quirkos analytical software according to the domains determined by the Accessibility Committee and outlined in this plan. Once coded, staff identified consistent themes, barriers, and proposed solutions. Barriers and solutions were then reviewed with relevant District staff in an iterative process to develop overarching goals and objectives grounded in staff expertise. Finally, the draft strategy and actions, as well as the plan outline, were reviewed and validated with the Accessibility Committee to ensure disabled voices were included. Feedback was incorporated into the final version of this plan.
In order to retain specific and detailed feedback, staff also coded the comments according to each relevant District of Squamish department. This information was then prepared and sent to staff to incorporate into workplans
The District of Squamish Accessibility Committee was formed in January 2023 and met periodically from January-June to guide the development of the Plan. The committee is made up of both community members and staff, many of whom live with one or more disabilities.
The Accessibility Committee provided input for a Terms of Reference, draft plan framework, engagement strategy, and the final District of Squamish Accessibility Plan. Staff also worked with disabled committee members to develop and continuously update accessible meeting practices which include the use of captioning, accessible washroom facilities, virtual meeting options, and early sharing of meeting documents. The final preparation of this plan was completed by District staff, some of whom identify as living with disabilities.
As required by the Accessible BC Act, the District of Squamish plans to develop tools to invite feedback on the Accessibility Plan as well as accessibility within the District of Squamish more generally. This will include an option on the District of Squamish website to submit feedback online. As implementation of this plan continues, more avenues for feedback will be developed.
If you have feedback on the District of Squamish Accessibility Plan, or about accessibility in Squamish more generally, please email: [email protected]
You can also phone Municipal Hall at 604-892-5217 or send a letter to:
Equity and Inclusion Coordinator
District of Squamish
37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, BC
V8B 0A3
The Accessibility Committee recognizes that terminology related to accessibility and disability is varied and evolving. Where possible, we use definitions provided by the BC Government while acknowledging that the meaning of these words may be different for some people.
Includes 7 principles :
December 9, 2024 at 6:50 PM
Information regarding ongoing disruptions due to Canada Post strike action
The District is reminding residents of ongoing disruptions as a result of the Canada Post strike action.
December 3, 2024 at 7:32 PM
District seeks community input to shape future parking management in Downtown Squamish and tourism-based locations
The District of Squamish is seeking public input as it develops a plan to manage Downtown and tourism-based parking.
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