The Prince Rupert and Area Accessibility Committee, established in the Spring of 2023, has been gradually working on the development of an Accessibility Plan and feedback mechanism, as per Provincial mandate. The Committee includes the City of Prince Rupert, North Coast Regional District, Prince Rupert Library and District of Port Edward, and has 7 community members as well as staff representation from the respective organizations who attend.
The Disability Alliance of BC has provided a guide for BC’s prescribed organizations to support capacity for developing an Accessibility Plan, which staff have used to guide the workshopping process with the Committee to develop actions, and also to inform the principles that will guide the plan. Since May, the Committee has identified their own guiding principles, as well as key priorities in the different areas where the removal and prevention of barriers is recommended by legislation that align with partner services– employment, delivery of services, the built environment, information and communications, and transportation. In 2024, the Committee will begin to engage with the community further on the different priorities for the Accessibility Plan, and will implement a feedback mechanism for the community to provide input on accessibility concerns. The Accessibility Plan below, was adopted at the October 28th, 2024 meeting of Council.
Prince Rupert and Region Accessibility Plan
Current Committee Members are listed below:
- Anne Falvo, Prince Rupert Representative
- Eleanor Skelton, Prince Rupert Representative
- Grainne Barthe, Prince Rupert Representative
- Val Wiley, Prince Rupert Representative
- Emma Kivisild, Prince Rupert Representative
- Terri-Lynn Huddleston, Prince Rupert Representative
-
Kaitlyn Kowall, Port Edward Representative
Staff representatives:
- Veronika Stewart, Committee Chair
- Howard Tsang, Committee Secretary, North Coast Regional District
- Mercedes Taylor, Library Representative, Prince Rupert Library
The Committee would like to recognize the contributions of past Committee representative, Sharon Small, who sadly passed away while sitting on our Committee. We dedicate the work that we do to her memory, and appreciate her advocacy and support.
Adopted Committee Meeting Minutes + Terms of Reference
Accessibility Committee Terms of Reference
May 2023 Minutes
June 2023 Minutes
July 2023 Minutes
August 2023 Minutes
September 2023 Minutes
October 2023 Minutes
November 2023 Minutes
January 2024 Minutes
February 2024 Minutes
March 2024 Minutes
April 2024 Minutes
More Information
For more information on Committee activities, please contact Veronika Stewart, Board Chair and City of Prince Rupert staff at veronika.stewart@princerupert.ca or call (250) 627 0976.
For more information on local accessibility-related resources, head to our directory.