Accessibility Plans

A woman looks happy and confident as she leads a group discussion at her place of work. She is wearing a yellow sweater and is a wheelchair user.

The Untapped Accessibility Think Tank model: A rigorous, relatable, and rich way to consult people with disabilities

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In recent years, the importance of including people with disabilities in research, policy discussions, and the development of accessible services has become increasingly recognized across both academic and governmental sectors. However, in my own experience working and teaching at post-secondary institutions across the country, the values of trust and rapport… Read More

A group of four people sit together on a bench. The person in the middle is holding a laptop that the others are all looking at the screen of. Two more people walk past them in the background.

How to bring accessibility policy to life: moving beyond compliance

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In my personal experience as the Accessibility Officer of an Ontario university, I saw firsthand that a compliance mindset doesn’t result in a more accessible organization. To create a more accessible organization requires dedicated accessibility leadership, broad employee involvement, and a focus on changing culture. In this blog post, I’m… Read More

Multiethnic group of three business people walking in a hallway together

5 ways public sector organizations can use the writ period to improve accessibility

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In BC, September will throw an interesting challenge to some public sector organizations in the form of the writ period.   September 21st is Writ Day, which begins the provincial election campaign period, also known as the writ period. For many public sector organizations and public servants, it also brings… Read More

A group of diverse professionals representing various disability identities gather in a meeting around a conference table. Windows overlook a city skyline.

Operationalizing Accessibility: Insights from Our Year with the Accessible BC Act

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In the past year, Untapped Accessibility has supported nearly 120 organizations to address the requirements in the Accessible BC Act. Reflecting on the past year of these partnerships, it becomes clear that the journey towards accessibility isn’t just about compliance. It requires a cultural shift in how organizations perceive and… Read More

Happy blind person reading Braille on park bench, with cane next to him

What Libraries need to know about the Accessible BC Act from a Librarian

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As a librarian with a disability, I’m excited to see how the Accessible BC Act opens the door for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in our sector. After attending Untapped Accessibility’s recent webinar, Accessibility in 2023: Trends and Legislation You Need to Know, I reflected on the various types of libraries… Read More

webinar panelist promo graphic featuring moderator Anu Pala and panelists Panelists • Anita Huberman- CEO for Surrey Board of Trade and Co-chair of the newly formed National Business Disability Inclusion Council) • Christine Buchanan- Regional Director of Employment Services and Training for Open Door Group and Chair of BC’s Accessible Employment Standards Development Committee • Sheri Byrne-Haber - Linkedin Top Voice for Social Impact and Senior Staff Architect, Accessibility at VMware

Accessibility in 2023: Trends and Legislation – Webinar Summary

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 On January 26th, 2023, Untapped Accessibility and the Surrey Board of Trade co-presented a successful webinar on accessibility trends and legislation.   The 300 plus registrants gained timely and robust insights from a panel moderated by Anu Pala and featuring Anita Huberman, Christine Buchanan, and Sheri Byrne-Haber. Here are a few… Read More

Webinar Questions and Answers

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The following is a list of the questions posed in the Q+A box at the Accessibility in 2023: Trends and Legislation You Need to Know webinar on January 26th, 2023 Question 1- Encouraging Disclosure         I am interested to hear about the different approaches to gather information from people from within… Read More