At CISND, we are committed to providing a learning and working environment that supports all students and staff and provides equitable opportunities to support our diverse community. A key element to supporting our community is the development of a Three-Year Accessibility Plan. This plan identifies system needs, priorities, and action plans, and draws on feedback from our school community and the work of the Accessibility Committee to enhance equity of access to programming and our facilities.

Our Accessibility Committee is a diverse and multi-disciplinary team that meets regularly to affirm our commitment to identify priorities and develop and monitor action plans highlighted in the Three-Year Accessibility Plan. The plan identifies measurable actions across the pillars of the Accessibility Act, supporting equal opportunity for persons with disabilities by identifying, removing, and preventing barriers of access.

We recognize the importance of accessibility not only for those with disabilities, but also for the benefit of the entire community. We are committed to advancing the efforts of the Accessibility Committee to improve equity and ease of access to services, as well as access to our facilities. Through the actions in this Three-Year Accessibility Plan, we commit to continuous improvements in developing an environment that supports all students, staff and the larger school community.

Our team Accessibility team is composed of different school representatives and volunteers in our school community that sit on the committee and strive toward problem-solving. The committee strives to represent the different backgrounds and experiences of residents with children and/or youth in CISND schools. The committee will follow the principle of “nothing about us without us.”

The committee’s scope of work:

• Give input into the development of an accessibility plan based on the principles of Inclusion, Adaptability, Diversity, Collaboration, Self-Determination, and Universal Design.

•   Give input into CISND schools barriers to accessibility such as attitudinal, physical, sensory, information and communication, systemic, and technology issues.

• Review feedback from the CISND School Accessibility Tool.

• Advise the Superintendent on the school’s accessibility plan.

• Advise the Superintendent on rolling out the Accessible British Columbia Act and on the CISND school’s work on accessibility.

Our Committees members are:

• Pamela Guilbault, Superintendent of Schools

• Anita Halverson, Holy Cross School, Penticton

• Julia Mason, St. Michael School, Trail

• Catherine McIntosh, St. Joseph School, Nelson

• Rob Plaxton, Immaculata Regional High School

• Margo Rensby, St. Joseph School, Kelowna

• Paula Veldman, St. Mary School, Cranbrook