Before you start making buildings and outdoor spaces more accessible, it’s important to get support from senior leaders. Here are some tips to help you do that.
Accessibility in the Built Environment
Making it a Priority for Elected and Appointed Decision-Makers
- Invite council members and senior management to attend meetings of the accessibility advisory committee or public community consultations. Use these opportunities to explain the basics of universal design and how it benefits everyone, not just people with disabilities. Consider hosting a ceremony where the mayor and municipal manager sign a commitment to universal design.
- When talking about accessibility, emphasize that it’s about making buildings and outdoor spaces usable for everyone, including caregivers with strollers, delivery workers with carts, and more. This helps people see the broader benefits of universal design.
- Work with your existing accessibility advisory committee to identify and address accessibility issues. Have them regularly report to council and participate in delegations related to accessibility.
- Collect data and feedback from the community, such as letters, surveys, phone calls, and emails. Use this information to make a strong case for budget allocations to improve accessibility.
- Make accessibility appealing by linking it to popular initiatives such as sustainability and diversity. Align accessibility goals with other municipal plans, such as diversity and including strategies.