Destination BC Welcomes Two New Members to Accessibility and Inclusion Committee

Since September 1, 2023, Destination BC has had the privilege of working alongside an Accessibility and Inclusion Committee (AIC) towards the meaningful implementation of the Accessible British Columbia Act and Regulation. This work furthers our goal to authentically identify, remove, and prevent barriers to individuals in, or interacting with, Destination BC in the pursuit of a more inclusive and accessible tourism industry. To date, the committee has offered insights on policy and process improvements within our organization, actions to support inclusive marketing and events, and learning and development opportunities, to name a few.

We’re thrilled to welcome Don Monsour and Richard Marion to the committee. Their insights and lived experiences will be invaluable as we continue this important work.

Our current committee members include:

• Adedayo Alabi
• Don Monsour
• Karin Pasqua
• Laura Mackenrot
• Lexa Bergen
• Lori Slater
• Richard Marion
• Ryan Clarkson
• Sarah Tipler
• Sonja Gaudet
• Suzan Jennings
• Tamaka Fisher

Having members who represent a diverse range of identities and experiences, including those who are marginalized or underrepresented, leads to more thoughtful and inclusive decision-making, as well as more effective and equitable outcomes. Our goal for the composition of the AIC is to not only reflect the diversity of persons in BC but also specifically reflect and uplift the diversity of persons with disabilities in British Columbia.

An Inclusive and Accessible Tourism Industry

Inclusive and accessible tourism means eliminating and preventing barriers to ensure greater opportunities for equity deserving groups. Destination BC actively supports the development and improvement of accessible tourism products, services, and activities to help ensure every person can participate in BC’s transformative tourism experiences. Tourism can play a greater role in supporting a more inclusive society for women, Indigenous peoples, persons of colour, people with disabilities and/or the LGBTQIA2S+ community, all of whom continue to face systemic barriers. While continuing the work to improve accessibility and inclusion within the organization, Destination BC is also building greater capacity in the tourism industry by providing more tools and resources to support inclusion. For more information on Destination BC’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility work, please visit our corporate website DEIA page.

The Accessible British Columbia Act, 2021

The Provincial Act establishes a legal framework to identify, remove, and prevent barriers to the full and equal participation of people with disabilities in BC. According to Accessible BC, BC’s Accessibility Plan, over 926,000 people live with some sort of disability in BC, facing various barriers.