RMOW creates Measuring Up Select Committee of Council
“Access for all” has become a mantra for many in the Whistler as the community prepares for its role as Host Mountain Resort for the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. While accessibility has always been on the radar in Whistler, when it comes to the Paralympic Games, increased focus on accessibility and inclusion is simply part of the process of putting on a great event.
Considering this and Whistler’s larger accessibility goals, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is forming the community’s first ever Measuring Up Select Committee of Council, whose mandate will be to improve Whistler’s accessibility and inclusion. Council supported the goals and objectives of the committee at a regular meeting on October 6.
The committee will review accessibility issues that stretch into every access of community life from inclusive hiring practices to the built environment. The Measuring Up program is a framework developed by 2010 Legacies Now for communities throughout the province. Measuring Up deals with the concept of the active participation or inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life.
The RMOW has been granted Measuring Up funds of $20,000 to begin a study of how to improve accessibility and inclusion for both citizens and visitors. The funds will support a community-driven enhancement process as well as the formation of the committee.
“Active participation involves both accessibility by addressing barriers, and inclusion through welcoming and enabling participation. As the name suggests, Measuring Up provides means by which communities may evaluate their progress in enabling people with disabilities to enjoy active participation,” said Sarah Tipler, Measuring Up coordinator.
The Measuring Up Select Committee of Council will be available to advise all RMOW staff, council and community partners on how to become the most inclusive resort community in North America, and the world. Council will approve committee appointments and terms of reference at a future council meeting.
About Accessibility in Whistler
Whistler was selected as a pilot community in the provincial government's Measuring Up program, an initiative of 2010 Legacies Now, which provides funding and resources to help BC communities assess and improve how accessible and inclusive they are for people with disabilities and for the whole community.
Whistler has used its grant to hire a coordinator to support Whistler’s continued Measuring Up community assessment process with particular focus on universal design, infrastructure improvements, community inclusion, and accessible tourism. The Measuring Up coordinator works to implement accessibility actions recommended by Whistler2020 community task forces and tell Whistler’s accessibility story to the world during the 2010 Winter Games.
As the host of approximately 90 per cent of the Paralympic events in 2010, Whistler will have the opportunity to build substantially on the resort community’s international reputation as an accessible destination. The 2010 Paralympic Winter Games provide Whistler with an unprecedented opportunity to build upon accessibility initiatives, showcase exceptional adaptive sports programming, and establish the resort community as the world's premier destination for athletes with disabilities to compete and train. As a host of the Paralympic competitions, Whistler recognizes its heightened responsibility to continue providing guests from around the world a seamless resort experience that’s based not only on accessibility, but also inclusivity.
Source: http://www.whistler.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=843&Itemid=1