Now Recruiting: Volunteer Members for the Regional Accessibility and Inclusion Committee

May 28 to June 3, 2023, marks National AccessAbility Week in Canada. National AccessAbility Week is a time to raise awareness of the critical need for accessibility and inclusion for all in our communities and workplaces and to celebrate the contributions of persons with disabilities.

In recognition of National AccessAbility Week, the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) is announcing the volunteer recruitment for a new Strathcona Accessibility and Inclusion Committee (the Committee). In partnership with its member municipalities (City of Campbell River, Village of Gold River, Village of Sayward, Village of Tahsis, and Village of Zeballos), Vancouver Island Regional Library, School Districts, and other public sector organizations, a joint regional accessibility committee is being developed to help improve accessibility and inclusion. A joint regional approach was pursued to encourage collaboration between organizations, reduce duplication, and respect volunteer members’ time.

The Committee will provide advice on identifying and removing barriers to accessibility and inclusion throughout the region. Barriers may be present in the built environment, information and communications, or the delivery of programs or services delivered by the partnering organizations. The Committee will also help guide the development of an Accessibility Plan, which will act as a road map for continual progress toward accessibility and inclusion for all.

The regional partners are seeking Strathcona area residents with disabilities, disability advocates and support workers, and people who reflect the diversity of the region to participate and volunteer on the committee.

The Committee will consist of at least seven (7), and up to twelve (12) voting members, representing partnering organizations, the public, businesses, and community interests within the Strathcona region, and will strive to include at least one (1) Indigenous member, one (1) Strathcona Regional District Director, be geographically representative of the Strathcona region and reflect the diversity of persons with disabilities in BC. Reimbursement for pre-approved reasonable expenses related to travel, meals, accommodation, and out-of-pocket costs while performing Committee responsibilities will be made in accordance with SRD Travel Expense Policy. The Committee Terms of Reference can be viewed at srd.ca/accessibility for more details.

Advisory committee applications will be accepted until Friday, June 23, 2023.

If you are interested in helping improve accessibility and inclusion in the region, please apply to join the Committee by visiting srd.ca/accessibility, emailing accessibility@srd.ca, or calling 250-830-6711.

 

Contact:
Renée Laboucane – SRD Manager, Strategic Initiatives | 250-830-6711 | rlaboucane@srd.ca

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The Strathcona Regional District respectfully acknowledges that our corporate office and the Strathcona Gardens Recreation Complex are located on the traditional unceded territory of the Ligʷiłdax̌ʷ people.  We also recognize that we operate within the traditional, treaty and unceded territories of the Ehattesaht, Homalco, Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’ / Che:k’tles7et’h’,  Klahoose, K’omoks, Mowachaht / Muchalaht, Nuchatlaht, Tlowitsis, We Wai Kai and Wei Wai Kum First Nations.