Council Endorses the Elk Valley Accessibility Plan

The City of Fernie is pleased to announce Council’s endorsement of the Elk Valley Accessibility Plan.  

The plan was developed jointly by the City of Fernie and Districts of Sparwood and Elkford. This collaborative approach promotes consistent support across all three municipalities and a unified commitment to accessibility throughout the Elk Valley.

The Elk Valley Accessibility Plan is a practical tool to identify, remove, and prevent accessibility barriers for individuals and focuses on six shared regional priorities: 

The plan was guided by the Elk Valley Accessibility Committee (EVAC), which was comprised of local advocates and municipally appointed representatives from Fernie, Sparwood, and Elkford. The committee worked with a consultant to assist with community engagement and provide guidance on plan development.   

The Accessible British Columbia Act requires public sector organizations to establish an accessibility committee, develop an accessibility plan, and provide a way to receive public feedback on accessibility.  The citizen-led committee provided invaluable insight and direction in the development of the Elk Valley Accessibility Plan in accordance with BC legislation. 

Elk Valley Accessibility Plan is in alignment with Council’s Strategic Goal of building a liveable community by advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion. It includes strategies to address current accessibility barriers and provides a roadmap to building inclusive and welcoming communities for everyone.

Moving forward, the Elk Valley Accessibility Plan will be used to inform capital planning, service delivery, and policy development to strengthen accessibility and inclusivity in the Elk Valley. 

Read the Elk Valley Accessibility Plan here.

Questions or concerns? Contact accessibility@fernie.ca