New plan aims to improve accessibility throughout the North Okanagan

Jul 24, 2025 | 1:02 PM

Efforts are being made to break down barriers and make the North Okanagan more inclusive and accessible.

The Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) Board of Directors has endorsed the region’s first accessibility plan. The district said local municipalities have signed on to it and will be participating in a collaborative, regional approach.

“This plan is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together,” Shirley Fowler, RDNO Board of Directors Chair, said.

“It reflects the voices of our residents and staff and sets a clear path forward to remove barriers and build a more inclusive North Okanagan.”

The plan, developed in partnership with the Intermunicipal Accessibility Advisory Committee and including input from local residents and staff, has six key action areas:

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Accessible built environment and outdoor recreation:
- Ensuring accessible washrooms, entrances, wayfinding, and parking is available at facilities and public places
- Improving access to outdoor spaces such as parks, picnic areas, and beaches
Safe and user-friendly transportation networks:
- Enhancing year-round access to the transportation network by improving sidewalks, bike lanes, maintenance, and other transportation options
- Identifying ways to improve road user safety and route connectivity to key locations such as schools and business areas
Inclusive programs and services:
- Enhancing user experience through adaptive technology and programming, scheduling adjustments, staff and customer service education, and affordability
Accessible communication and access to information:
- Ensuring multiple forms of communication are used
- Addressing web accessibility barriers
- Providing customer service training to efficiently connect people to the information they need
Collaboration and leadership to remove barriers:
- Establish a formal approach to include people with lived experience of disability in decision-making processes
- Ensure diverse voices and experiences are reflected when engaging with businesses, healthcare, and the development sector
- Improve relationships with providers and people with lived experience to inform accessibility improvements
Educated and aware civil servants and community members:
- Provide education and training opportunities to local governments to enhance awareness of how barriers are created and how they can be removed
- Provide learning opportunities for members of the public to learn about accessibility barriers

Each municipality will be responsible for implementing the Accessibility Plan’s actions within its community. The Accessibility Advisory Committee will work collaboratively with the municipalities to ensure the targets within the plan are hit.

The development of the North Okanagan Accessibility Plan was supported by grant funding from Disability Alliance B.C.

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by Liam Verster

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