Title of Event:

Name of Organisation:

Date and time of the session:

Accessible Urban Space

Social Planning and Research Council of BC

June 20, 2006, 1:30 pm

Key Highlights

1. Estimated no of participants: 70 in-person, 18 on-line
2. Stakeholder group representation at the event: Stakeholders included people with disabilities, representatives of disability organizations, universities, urban planning students, and local and international governments.
3. What were the expected objectives:

• To increase understanding of accessible urban space in different cultural and economic contexts.
• To identify the links between best practices in accessible urban design and social inclusion.
• To facilitate connections between ordinary citizens and organizations focusing on accessible communities.
• To inspire the initiation and expansion of activities to promote accessibility.

4. What did the networking event achieve: The accessible networking event provided an opportunity for almost 100 participants from around the world, representing disability activists, academics, governments, and planners, to share ideas and best practice on creating accessible urban space. Despite different socio-economic contexts, the issues were clearly similar, both in terms of barriers and best practices. Speakers commented upon how lack of access to the opportunities enjoyed by most of society can lead to poverty and social exclusion. Almost 60 participants were keenly interested in continuing the dialogic process by becoming an on-going international network for accessibility issues.

2. What were the core issues identified in your event as they relate to the theme and sub-themes of WUFIII? This project links to the WUF III theme of Sustainable Cities: Social Inclusion and Cohesion and its sub-theme of Public Engagement: the inclusive approach, with its underlying assumption that social sustainability requires a broad participation to enable all urban inhabitants to contribute to urban prosperity and enjoy the benefits cities have to offer, and that civic rights have to encompass all.

Core issues identified were:

•  The impact of lack of knowledge of accessibility issues on 1) the ability to develop the infrastructure necessary for accessible urban space, and 2) the social exclusion of people with disabilities

•  The need for a more holistic approach to accessibility, which incorporates a broad spectrum of impairments and goes beyond the basic provision of physical access

•  The importance of persuading the private sector to create more accessible spaces by making it evident that accessibility can benefit not just a "niche market", but also people with young children, the elderly, and all the people who will be impaired at some point during their lives.

•  The role of governments in providing funding for programs, legislation and enforcement of accessibility.

3. What were the main points raised by panellists and participants in relation to these different issues ? What new ideas have been generated as a result of the discussion? Lack of accessibility leads to social exclusion and poverty for the 10% of the world's population who have a disability. However, accessible urban space can only be created when disability issues become part of the mainstream public consciousness. Contrary to popular belief, accessible environments benefit all of society, not just a select few, since most of us will at one point or another have an impairment. Participants identified three main players who had an important role. Firstly, the private sector needs to be become aware of the business case for making their services universally accessible. Secondly, governments should commit more resources to legislating and monitoring the level of access to services, as well as providing housing and programs that can lead to independent living. Thirdly, individuals have a vital responsibility in lobbying, campaigning, and making the voices of people with disabilities heard.

4. What process steps have been identified in your event that could help turn ideas into operational reality? Participants, particularly on-line ones, were overwhelmingly enthusiastic about this opportunity to engage in dialogue with stakeholders from around the world.

•  This eagerness will be channelled into an on-going information-sharing network that facilitates the further sharing of ideas and resources. Hosted by SPARC BC's website, the international network will be linked into the existing BC Community Accessibility Network, so that international perspectives can continue to inform the work of stakeholders.

•  The success of the event also indicates that the accessible dialogue can be turned into a tool that is used for further, ongoing civic engagement. This tool, which includes web-conferencing, will be developed by SPARC BC to be replicated by other organizations wishing to engage a broad spectrum of the community in participatory processes.

•  The Accessible Urban Space brochure includes an excellent resource guide for service providers which would like to become more accessible. In addition, there are examples of best practices such as the City of North Vancouver Adaptable Housing Guidelines which can provide a more concrete strategy.