UNBC launches new accessibility initiative

Jun 1, 2022 | 4:20 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – For most people, moving about the community comes without hindrance. But it’s not the case for many. Those with a disability.

“I don’t look like I’m visually impaired because I don’t use a white cane and I don’t use a dog, but I’m visually impaired,” explains Heather Lamb, who was the keynote speaker at a special event at UNBC for Accessibility Awareness Day. “So that impacts how I move around the community, how I work and it definitely impacts how people interact with me when they see the very few things that i have difficulty with.”

Lamb is a spokesperson for Spinal Cord Injury BC. But the definition of “disability” is very broad. In addition to a visual disability, there is a physical disability, cognitive disability and the list goes on. And the University of Northern BC is taking steps on that front, creating a new Asscessibliity Ambassadors Initiative.

“Essentially its a grassroots movement that’s starting to evolve,” explains Dr. Rheanna Robinson, who is one of the inaugural members of British Columbia’s Provincial Accessibility Committee. “The intention is to mobilize and bring together the different departments and people and activities that are happening on campus.’

Dr. Robinson is one of the inaugural members of British Columbia’s Provincial Accessibility Committee. She is also She is a director and an ambassador for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.

This is the 25th anniversary of Access Awareness Day in BC and the theme to this year’s event is “Accessibility is Inclusion.’

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