Commercial Accessibility Project

While AOA works with Municipal authorities on topics like accessible parking, sidewalk maintenance and accessibility of public buildings and parks, we are undertaking a new initiative to survey and improve the accessibility of commercial establishments in the Oceanside Region.

 

With support from the Parksville Downtown Business Association, the project started with the Parksville Downtown area which serves many residents of, and visitors to the Oceanside Region. Focus is on accessible parking, entry doors, aisle widths inside stores and the accessibility of washrooms and change rooms.  The initiative will gradually roll out to the rest of Parksville, Qualicum Beach and Oceanside.

 

Our surveys are recorded on the "AccessNow" app, founded in Canada and whose goal is to build a movement that celebrates access by connecting people to inclusive, welcoming places for all.  The searchable map functionality makes it easy to identify accessible service providers in our region.

 

The goal is not to simply survey accessibility, but to work with Oceanside business owners and their landlords to make what are sometimes just small improvements to improve their accessibility.  For example, simply installing a wireless doorbell to call for assistance to enter the business is an easy way to make a business more accessible.