Our commitment to accessibility
BC Housing is part of the first group of public sector organizations required to follow the Accessible British Columbia Act (ABC Act).
According to the ABC Act, BC Housing must:
- Create an accessibility plan
- Put a public accessibility feedback process in place; and
- Put an accessibility advisory committee in place
Our Accessibility Plan
Creating a BC Housing Accessibility Plan is the first step toward developing our strategic framework for accessibility. This document will explain our current situation and how we are working to prevent and remove accessibility barriers for:
- Tenants, residents and community members
- Housing and government partners; and
- Our staff
To ensure accountability and transparency, BC Housing will provide updates on our plan and accessibility progress.
Download our Accessibility Plan (PDF, 3.6MB)
We want your feedback
Have you experienced or seen accessibility barriers when interacting with BC Housing? Do you have any ideas about how we can make our next Accessibility Plan better? We welcome your feedback using our accessibility feedback form. There is an option to submit your comments anonymously.
You can also email your feedback to [email protected].
BC Housing Accessibility Advisory Committee
Started in June 2023, the Committee supports our implementation of the Accessible BC Act and plays an ongoing consulting role.
They give BC Housing feedback on:
- Accessibility barriers at BC Housing
- How to prevent and remove barriers to access for tenants, applicants, staff, visitors, and partners
Approximately 1 in 2 of our committee members have lived experience of disability, and half have lived experience of poverty and social housing. In addition, our committee members include:
- People with diverse experiences of gender and from 2SLGBTQIA+ communities
- People from racialized and Indigenous communities
- People working in disability-serving organizations and the non-profit housing sector
- People from different regions across BC
We are grateful to the Committee for sharing their commitment, expertise, and passion for accessibility.
Committee Members
Alexandra Colombo
Alexandra has a background in the social sciences and many years of experience working with and advocating for marginalized people, both in a professional and volunteer capacity. She currently resides in the beautiful and diverse community of East Vancouver.
Ben Postmus
Involved in the disability world since my daughter was born 35 years ago. The father of 3 Adult sons. This year marks 40 years of marriage to Debbie. We have spent a lifetime seeking ordinary, what a journey it has been while living in the Kootenays. An extensive background in supporting families and individuals and advocating for my own.
Volunteering with:
- Special Olympics
- Family Support institute- FSI
- CLBC Community Council
Debora Delyzer
Debora is the Executive Director for the Kamloops and District Society for People In Motion. A nonprofit organization since 1989 who “together is creating a better tomorrow for people living with disabilities” and a “Community where everyone can go everywhere”.
Debora is renowned in the community of Kamloops, BC for her advocacy for Accessibility and Inclusion and is proud to live, work and play on the unceded territory of the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc.
Donna Dykeman
Francesca Tan
Karla Verschoor
Karla Verschoor has over 15 years of experience working alongside people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and the community organizations that provided disability-related support.
Karla co-led the Inclusive Housing Task Force and continues to co-chair the Reimaging Community Inclusion Initiative with the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction and CLBC.
Katt Cadieux
Julianne (Jewels) Cressman
Jewels is passionate about advocacy! Jewels currently serves on two committees for accessibility. She is a Citizen Representative on the Coquitlam City Council's Universal Access Ability Advisory Committee.
Jewels strives to embody the quote: "Everybody can be great because everybody can serve." Martin Luther King
Jonquil Hallgate
Madison Hansen
Madison has profound lived experience including homelessness, single parenthood, and lifelong struggles with poverty while navigating comorbid health challenges. This has cultivated deep empathy and a commitment to dismantling public sector barriers as they advocate for informed change.
Madison is currently a Dean's List BA Psychology student with specializations in political science and philosophy.
Melanie Cox
Rebecca Bradley
Shari-Lyn Rougeau
Shari has been a champion for at-risk woman and children, trying to break down the bias, barriers, and stigmas imposed on individuals by society. Shari’s passion is driven by the belief that everyone, no matter what their circumstances should have a “Voice and a Choice”.
Tabatha Berggren
Tabatha (she/her), her husband, and three children are settlers on the traditional territory of the Tla'amin Nation. She is British, Scottish, and Métis, with family names Bélanger and St. Germaine. She enjoys forest walks with her family and, as a parent of a child with disabilities, advocates for inclusive spaces.
Thais Rocha
Thais is currently an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion student at UBC, and a passionate anti-racism activist. She moved to Canada fifteen years ago, and today is proud of calling Vancouver her home. As an immigrant, she understands how collaborative work can transform and improve communities.
Uli Egger
Uli Egger lives in Surrey BC and is an accessibility industry expert with lived disability experience. He has had conductive hearing loss since childhood. His spouse Kim, has a mobility disability (C6/7 Quadriplegic).
Uli works at the Rick Hansen Foundation and is highly aware of the barriers faced by people with disabilities, including those related to the built environment.