Blog

Side view of a man in a wheelchair visiting the hairdressers in the North East of England. The hairdressers are braiding his hair while also dying the ends of it with different colours.

Accessible service delivery is good for your clients and your business

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Walk into any store or call any client service helpline, and you’ll likely be greeted by mottos like, “We put clients first” and “Your satisfaction is our priority.” However, if accessibility is not embedded in service delivery, the actual client experience can be far from satisfactory. You may think you’re… Read More

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

Purple background with text "Untapped's 2024 Impact Report"

Our 2nd annual Impact Report

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Since our launch in October 2022, Untapped Accessibility has become the leading accessibility consulting firm in BC. We’re honoured that public and private sector clients have invited us to help them improve accessibility for their members, employees, and communities. In two years, we’ve brought our expertise in inclusive employment, accessible… Read More

Remembering Mike Prescott, accessibility champion

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Many of our you will recognize Mike Prescott’s name, as he was the Project Manager working on the Accessible Organizations Project, and connected with most, if not all of the 780 public sector organization grappling with how to comply with the Accessible BC Act. In his role there, he worked… 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

social media graphic for webinar "What BC's Draft Accessibility Standards Mean for You"?

Webinar Summary: What BC’s Draft Accessibility Standards Mean For You

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With BC’s first two draft Accessibility Standards now open for feedback, Untapped Accessibility hosted an expert panel on June 26th, 2024 to explore what this means for BC organizations in the public, non-profit, and private sectors. Moderated by Robbie McDonald, panelists Anu Pala, Leanna Manning, Nora Loyst, and Trish Kelly… 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

Person in a virtual meeting on their laptop.

The Accessible Canada Act: Navigating Consultations with Disability Communities

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“Nothing about us without us.” The common adage captures the need to include the voices of disabled folks in policies that directly affect them. When it comes to accessibility planning, there’s no better expert on the subject than those who experience disability barriers on a daily basis. This is why… Read More

Team photo featuring part of the Untapped Accessibility crew.

Accessibility in Action: Celebrating Untapped Accessibility’s First Year in Operation

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In a world that’s increasingly recognizing the importance of accessibility, our first year in business has been marked by significant milestones and achievements. We’re bursting with pride to announce that we’re not just growing—we’re flourishing! Our team is expanding, our partnerships are multiplying, and our social impact is reaching new… Read More

Man reading braille book in library.

Inclusive Language and the Accessible BC Act: The Dangers of Euphemisms

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Clients often ask me if it’s better to use terms like “differently abled” or “diverse-ability,” instead of the word disability itself. As an accessibility consulting agency, we’ve supported over 120 organizations to comply with the Accessible BC Act. As we dig into the work of developing accessibility plans and committees,… Read More