By Sebastian Kanally, Times Chronicle

Oliver’s foundational document to make the town more accessible and age-friendly is now in place. 

The town’s first-ever accessibility plan, which sets a plan for the next three years, will also be a starting point for the town for the next several decades. 

Pat Hampson, chair of the Accessibility and Age Friendly Committee, and Adam Goodwin project coordinator for the town presented to council the process of completing the Accessibility Plan 2024-2026 and some of the ideas behind it. 

“There was a shift in thinking that this plan was for the elderly or frail only, to this will have an impact on many people in our community. Individuals who use wheelchairs, walkers, parents using strollers, and individuals who need support to take advantage of everything we have to offer in Oliver,” Hampson explained. 

The beginning of the document places emphasis on it being a living document and not “written in stone”, and will need to be continuously updated to adapt to emerging opportunities and feedback. 

As part of the three-year plan, there are two recommendations for the remainder of 2024, seven recommendations for 2025 and six for 2026. 

Each year has different specific recommendations but some include town staff training, improving crosswalks by adding audible signals, and working with locals to ensure sidewalks are clear after snow events. 

For the rest of 2024, there are two actions recommended which include evaluating transit infrastructure and evaluating opportunities to improve accessibility at traffic islands, crosswalks, and trails and paths. 

For 2025, some recommendations include enhancing building evacuation plans and drills to include processes (visual and audible) and instructions for the evacuation of employees and visitors of all abilities. 

A few other priorities for 2025 include incorporating accessible parking at town facilities, upgrading all town crosswalks with audible signals, and adjusting bathroom and toilet heights. 

The total financial cost for 2025 will be $37,000, but the town has already identified a $25,000 grant to cover most of the cost leaving around $12,000 for the town to cover.

The recommendations for 2026 will see a few projects that require higher resource requirements, meaning that the costs would be higher coming in at $24,500. But the town is still looking at grants to cover some of the cost. 

One of these recommendations is to consider incorporating the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification for new municipal buildings, which is a rating system that measures the accessibility of buildings and sites. 

The overall plan was approved and adopted by the town, but the adoption does not guarantee approval for the financial considerations laid out, these costs will come back at budget time to either be approved or not. 

The overall plan is built on the foundational priority of being ‘important for individuals with all levels of abilities, families, older adults and everyone in the community.”

On top of this foundation then sits six principles of the plan. These principles are:

  • Inclusion: All residents of Oliver can fully and equitably participate in the community.
  • Adaptability: The Accessibility Plan will evolve as there are new services, technology, and as attitudes and beliefs change.
  • Diversity: Every person is unique, and the Town acknowledges the diversity within the disability community.
  • Collaboration: Everyone has a role to play, and the Town will work with community partners on accessibility, where possible.
  • Self-Determination: The Town will empower people with disabilities to make their own choices and pursue the lives they wish to live.
  • Universal Design: “The design and composition of an environment so that it can be accessed, understood, and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of their age, size, ability or disability” which was adapted from the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design.

On the basis of these priorities, the committee has established five priorities for action for the Town of Oliver: 

  • Incorporating accessibility: Improvements to Town facilities, infrastructure, and public spaces.
  • Information: Actions that provide stronger connections to Town information (e.g., education, communication, information).
  • Employment: Actions expected from the Town of Oliver as an employer.
  • Work with community partners: Actions with community partners focused on improving access in the community of Oliver.
  • Continuous improvement: Create a core principle of continually improving the accessibility of the Town’s infrastructure and services (e.g., Town staff learning and training, new programs/services).

This accessibility plan was developed as a result of the Accessible British Columbia Act which now requires all municipalities to be engaged in developing a plan. The Town of Osoyoos has had a Acessibility and Age friendly Committee in place for over a decade. 

The Town of Oliver Accessibility Plan 2024-2026 can be found on the town’s website under the Town Services drop-down menu, or a physical copy can be acquired by contacting the Town of Oliver at 250-485-6200.