Legislative Background
In June 2021, the Government of British Columbia passed the Accessible British Columbia Act which aimed to provide a framework to identify, remove and prevent barriers to accessibility. As a result, public sector organizations, including school districts, are required to create an accessibility committee, an accessibility plan, and a mechanism with which to receive public feedback by September 2023.
The Langley School District is committed to fostering a learning and working environment that supports all students and staff and provides opportunities for everyone in our school community. In compliance with this act, the District has taken the necessary steps to meet the province’s new requirements, which will be explained in the Accessibility Plan 2023-2026.
We are pleased to share this plan with all students, staff, and families. A PDF version of it can be viewed at left and a web version can be viewed below.
In accordance with legislation, the plan should be reviewed and updated at least once every three years.
Guiding Framework
In alignment with the province and other public-sector organizations, the District and its accessibility committee will consider specified principles: Inclusion, Adaptability, Diversity, Collaboration, Self-determination and Universal Design.
The District believes that every child matters and its Strategic Plan outlines a continuous improvement process. Through the Ensouling Our Schools process, the District is committed to ensuring all students have equitable access to compassionate learning communities that are socially and academically inclusive.Students, caregivers, and staff with disabilities are indispensable and their gifts and strengths must be nurtured for the community of Langley to reach its full potential.
To create systemic change, the District will use a social innovation approach to address inaccessibility:
- Examine the District holistically, centering the viewpoints of people with disabilities.
- Identify a new strategy for impact.
- Realign the District around the strategy.
- Design a District-wide change process.
- Lead, communicate and continue to engage.
The District will consult with the Accessibility Committee and the public through the District Strategic Education Team and the District Strategic Operations Team through formal meetings.
Accessibility Committee
The District believes that people with disabilities are best able to identify barriers that stop them from fully accessing and/or serving the District. The formation of the first version of the Accessibility Committee is guided by this core belief.The Inclusive Education Committee and Learning Support Services Department have advocated for, equipped, and supported students with disabilities and their families for several decades. Learning Support Services staff recommended that people with disabilities make up the majority of the Accessibility Committee.
Community is one of the District’s core values. Learning Support Services staff have built relationships with self- advocates while serving them. The Director of Learning Support Services connected with potential committee members through these pre-existing relationships. The first version of the committee was intentionally kept small, and one of its first objectives is to review its composition. The District welcomes feedback on the selection process and future composition of the committee.
As of September 1, 2023, members of the Accessibility Committee include:
Allaya A
Lisa Davidson
Ben Fullerton
Terry Maloney
Michael Morgan
Sandy Morgan
Jinnie SaranConsultation Conducted
Feedback Mechanism
Identifying Barriers
The Accessible British Columbia Act recognizes barriers caused by environments, attitudes, practices, policies, information, communications, or technology.The Accessibility Committee and the public will be offered the opportunity to examine the District from the above lenses with a particular focus on how they impact:
- Access to Education and Delivery of Service
- Employment
- The Built Environment
- Information and Communications
Actions to Date
Facilities
Annual Facilities Grant (AFG) Accessibility Fund Five-Year Plan
The District’s Facilities Department has collaborated with Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist staff members in the Learning Support Services Department to prioritize changes to the physical structures of schools. Using funds allocated specifically to make schools more accessible, the plan is currently in its fourth year, and has led to the completion of 21 projects at 16 schools.
Human Resources
Hiring to Diversity Program
In January 2023, a letter of understanding (LOU) was established between the Langley Board of Education, School District, and employee partner group CUPE 1851 confirming work to facilitate employment opportunities and placements for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Access to Educational Programming
Ensouling our Schools
The Aboriginal Program, Instructional Services, Learning Support Services and Student Support Services have collaborated to use a three-block model to ensure that every learner has academic and social access to compassionate classroom communities.
Three-Year Plan
Monitoring, Evaluation and Celebration
How to Give Feedback
