Accessibility barriers

Share your experiences with accessibility barriers

We want to hear from anyone in Vancouver who:

• Experiences a barrier
• Witnesses someone experiencing a barrier

Share your accessibility experiences

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  Types of barriers you should report

  In Transforming Attitudes, Embedding Change: Vancouver’s Accessibility Strategy PDF file (2.5 MB), a barrier is defined as “anything that hinders a person with a disability from full and equitable participation in society. Barriers are caused by many factors and may be emphasized by intersecting forms of discrimination”.

  Some barriers could be:

  • Physical
    • A sidewalk not having a curb cut
    • A round door knob
    • Narrow doorways
    • No strobe lighting in meeting rooms 
  • Attitudinal
    • Rude customer service
    • Someone talking to the support person rather than you
    • Belittling comments
    • Recognizing how inspirational you are
  • Communication
    • Difficulty understanding written language
    • Inability to read a sign
    • Not having the space to contribute to conversations 
  • Policy
    • Not being able to vote
    • Not being able to attend programs because of your disability
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  How to share your experiences

  You can:

  • Submit your comments online. You can attach files, photos, or video recordings.
  • Phone 3-1-1 and they will complete the feedback form on your behalf.
    • 3-1-1 is open Monday to Friday from 7am to 7pm, and on weekends and holidays from 8am to 5pm.

  Information icon Comments are monitored from 8:30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. We will let you know that we have received your feedback.

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  Information icon We are using 3-1-1 as a temporary solution to receive feedback from the community about accessibility, in accordance with the provincially mandated BC Accessibility Act. We are actively engaged in the development of a comprehensive, long-term solution aimed at optimizing the efficiency and effectiveness of provided feedback. Feedback gathered by 3-1-1 will be provided to the Accessibility Committee, the Accessibility Planner, and the Equity Office.

  Individual questions or concerns will be acknowledged and all feedback will be used to inform policy and City decisions to address accessibility in Vancouver.

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  What to include in your feedback

  Provide as much detail as possible, such as:

  • What you were trying to access
  • Where the barrier happened and what the barrier was
  • Any recommendations you might have
  • A photo of the barrier (if possible) 
  • Your contact information
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  Where your feedback will go

  Your report will be shared with the Accessibility Planner, the Accessibility Committee, and the Equity Office. This will influence Transforming Attitudes, Embedding Change: Vancouver’s Accessibility Strategy PDF file (2.5 MB).

  Your report will also be directed to the appropriate department so they can work on the issue you had difficulty accessing.

  Collecting your feedback is part of our requirement to align with the Accessible BC Act External website, opens in new tab. We will need to report our accessibility issues back to the BC government.

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  How we define accessibility and disability

  We are using the same definitions outlined in Transforming Attitudes, Embedding Change: Vancouver’s Accessibility Strategy PDF file (2.5 MB).

  Both terms are complex and have many meanings. It is necessary to define them to support understanding and awareness in uncovering the issues faced by persons with disabilities. 

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  How feedback will be addressed

  We have an Accessibility Committee that will regularly monitor and review each submission. This will help us to be more accountable to increase accessibility for persons with disabilities around Vancouver. 

  The feedback is also required by the Accessible BC Act External website, opens in new tab. Your feedback along with our response will be shared in our reports to the BC government.

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  How your privacy will be protected

  The questions in the feedback survey are optional. Any personal details you share will be kept safe as required under section 26(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act External website, opens in new tab.