British Columbia created the ''Accessible British Columbia Act'' in 2021. This act commits the government of
British Columbia
British Columbia (commonly abbreviated as BC) is the westernmost province of Canada, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. It has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that include rocky coastlines, sandy beaches, ...
to promote accessibility, recognize
AccessAbility Week, and officially recognize both
American Sign Language
American Sign Language (ASL) is a natural language that serves as the predominant sign language of Deaf communities in the United States of America and most of Anglophone Canadians, Anglophone Canada. ASL is a complete and organized visual lang ...
&
Indigenous sign languages. There will be annual reports that will be published for each fiscal year, describing the actions taken by the minister and the provincial accessibility committee. This act will be reviewed every 5 years until 2031 when it will be reviewed every ten years after that. This act applies to the government as well as some other prescribed organizations.
This act intends to put the standards in place by the end of 2022. There is enthusiasm from many in the disability community, including the deaf, hard of hearing community. The act includes $4.8 million from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction to support small business employers hire
people with disabilities
Disability is the experience of any condition that makes it more difficult for a person to do certain activities or have equitable access within a given society. Disabilities may be cognitive, developmental, intellectual, mental, physical, se ...
.
This bill has met with some criticism as communications disabilities were excluded from the bill's definition. There is uncertainty about how this bill will be enforced and how people with disabilities will be represented.
See also
* ''
Ontarians with Disabilities Act
The ''Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005'' (AODA) is a statute enacted in 2005 by the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Canada. Its purpose is to improve accessibility standards for Ontarians with physical and mental disabil ...
'' for the corresponding Ontario legislation.
* ''
The Accessibility for Manitobans Act'' for the corresponding Manitoba legislation.
* ''
Nova Scotia Accessibility Act
Nova Scotia created the ''Nova Scotia Accessibility Act'' in 2017. It is similar to the Accessibility for Manitobans Act, and further supports the rights of People with Disabilities (PwD) under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The g ...
'' for the corresponding Nova Scotia legislation.
* ''
Accessible Canada Act
The ''Accessible Canada Act'' (french: Loi canadienne sur l’accessibilité, long title: ''An Act to ensure a barrier-free Canada'', ''Loi visant à assurer un Canada sans obstacles'') (ACA) builds on the ''Canadian Human Rights Act'', focusi ...
''
*
Disability Discrimination Act
In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, a number of countries have passed laws aimed at reducing discrimination against people with disabilities. These laws have begun to appear as the notion of civil rights has become more influential globally ...
for the corresponding UK legislation.
*
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 or ADA () is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability. It affords similar protections against discrimination to Americans with disabilities as the Civil Rights Act of 19 ...
for the corresponding American legislation.
References
{{Reflist
External links
Accessibility DirectorateSiteImprove: Nova Scotia Accessibility Act
2021 in Canadian law
Anti-discrimination legislation
British Columbia law
Disability in Canada
Disability legislation
Disability law in Canada
2021 in British Columbia