Our Commitment to Accessibility

Accessibility refers to the degree of ease with which people of all abilities can participate fully without encountering barriers. School District No. 5 (Southeast Kootenay) is committed to removing barriers and creating environments that provide accessible and empowering opportunities for all students and staff in our diverse community. 

Administrative Procedure 543

School District No. 5's Accessibility Plan 2024 - 2027

Terms to Know

Accessibility: The state of having programs, services and environments that allow all individuals to participate fully in society without encountering barriers.

Accessibility Committee: An official group formed by one or more organizations in collaboration with people with disabilities, to create an accessibility plan and feedback mechanism.

Accessibility Plan: A plan developed by an Accessibility Committee that identifies challenges and solutions for addressing accessibility barriers.

Disability: The state of being unable to participate fully and equally in society as a result of the interaction between an impairment and a barrier. 

Barrier: Anything that prevents a person with a disability from fully participating in all aspects of society because of their disability. This includes architectural, attitudinal, information, communications, policy or practice, and technological barriers. 

Impairment: A physical, sensory, mental, intellectual, cognitive limitation, whether permanent or temporary or episodic. 

Accessibility Reporting Mechanism As part of the Accessible BC Act, the District is inviting feedback from community members, students and staff regarding accessibility in our organization. We would appreciate hearing any recommendations you have to make our schools and facilities more accessible in the areas of built environments, attitudes, policies, practices, communication and technology. Please use this form to provide your input.

References and Resources

Accessibility Planning Resources for Schools and School Boards A Guide to Creating Accessible Play Spaces (Rick Hansen Foundation) Accessible Resource Centre – BC Auditory Outreach Provincial Resource Program BC Accessibility Hub Brain Injury Canada Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) Canadian Hard of Hearing Association Canadian Hearing Services Gifted Children’s Association of BC Kelty Mental Health (BC Children’s Hospital) Learning Disabilities Association of Canada Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada Provincial Inclusion Outreach Program (Complex Needs) Special Education Technology BC (SET BC) Spinal Cord Injury Canada Standards Council of Canada Tourette Canada Universal Design