Development of RMOW Accessibility Action Plan

The RMOW is committed to providing quality goods, services and facilities that are accessible to all persons the RMOW serves.

The RMOW’s commitment to accessibility is embodied in these vision characteristic statements within Whistler’s Official Community Plan (OCP):

Residents and visitors of all ages, identities, abilities and incomes are welcome and included.
Everyone is treated with fairness, respect and care.

The development of the Accesibility Action Plan provides actions to further the RMOW's efforts to make its workplace, services and built environment accessible and welcoming to everyone.

Further details on the development of the RMOW Accessibility Action Plan are provided in the Administrative Report to Council.

Focus areas for the actions

The Action Plan will focus on the eight focus areas listed below. Staff training and assessments of facilities and services are general focus areas that support the other six. The other focus areas align with six of the seven areas from the Accessible Canada Act.

Staff Training
Assessments of Facilities and Services
Service Design and Delivery
Built Environment
Employment
Communications and Engagement
Transportation
Procurement

Action development process to date

RMOW staff reviewed the state of accessibility legislation, standards, policies, plans, and best practices within Canada, the United States and Europe.
RMOW staff reviewed existing RMOW bylaws, policies, plans (e.g., the Whistler Age-Friendly Assessment and Action Plan), and accessibility initiatives in current departmental work programs.
RMOW staff analyzed the information gathered in steps 1 and 2 to determine the common themes and specifications that should be considered in the development of the actions. Key municipal staff were engaged in a review of the common themes to ensure their relevance and completeness, and staff feedback was integrated into the common themes.
Preliminary actions were developed based on the common themes, staff input and Accessibility Coordinator knowledge.
The Accessibility and Inclusion Committee provided initial action ideas and shared feedback on the preliminary draft actions. Their input has been integrated into the draft actions that will be presented to the community for feedback late May/early June.
Key partner meetings were held to review and refine the actions that the partners have a role in delivering.