Agenda Index City of Vancouver

REPORT TO COUNCIL

SPECIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DISABILITY ISSUES

DECEMBER 20, 1999

File: 3053-1/RTS: 1202
Council: February 15, 2000

RECOMMENDATION

1. Vancouver Building Code

In mid-1999, the Vancouver Building Code was revised in such ways as to make it more consistent with the Provincial Building Code. The Special Advisory Committee on Disability Issues is fully aware of the advantages that accrue from wide-spread uniformity in regulation. On the whole, the Committee supports this step toward uniformity. However, it should not be forgotten that the City of Vancouver has historically been in advance of Provincial regulation in some areas, particularly with regard to accessibility. It is the hope of this Committee that the City will not embrace harmonization to the degree that it will forego appropriate innovation.

This report is intended by the Special Advisory Committee on Disability Issues to bring to the attention of Council and staff that certain parts of the Code--particularly Section 3.8, the portion of the Code concerned with accessibility matters--can and should be improved for the current benefit of the substantial number of Vancouver residents who have disabilities and for future benefit of the inevitably increasing numbers of Vancouver residents of advanced age.

The Special Advisory Committee on Disability Issues

RECOMMENDS

INFORMATION

2. Consolidation of G.F. Strong and Pearson Centre Facilities

The Special Advisory Committee on Disability Issues has received a presentation from the Health Employees Union regarding the planned consolidation of the G.F. Strong and Pearson Centre sites, operated by Vancouver Hospital. These facilities provide rehabilitation and residential services to people with physical disabilities. These programs, formerly operated autonomously by the B.C. Rehabilitation Society, have been integrated into the acute health care system as part of the overall regionalization of health care.

Based on past experience, disability advocates are concerned that the consolidation of the two sites may erode rehabilitation and residential resources available for people with physical disabilities. The B.C. Coalition of People with Disabilities argues that services are currently being eliminated or reduced across the province, and that the planned closure of one of these two facilities will likely result in further reduction and loss of services.

With the consolidation of the G.F. Strong and Pearson Centre sites, one property will be redeveloped. At that time, rezoning or other development issues may arise, giving the City of Vancouver an opportunity to contribute to protecting rehabilitation and residential resources for people with disabilities.

The Special Advisory Committee on Disability Issues recognizes that Vancouver is unique within British Columbia in terms of providing an accessible and "disability friendly" city in which to live, work and be part of the community. Vancouver is also unique because it is the location of specialized provincial resources for the rehabilitation and residential care of people with disabilities, particularly those of G.F. Strong and Pearson Centre.

Therefore, the Special Advisory Committee on Disability Issues encourages Council to consider the positive reputation of the City and the resources that Vancouver offers to those with physical disabilities, and to contribute to ensuring that those resources are protected, preserved and enhanced by considering these issues as conditions of any re-development of the G.F. Strong or Person Centre lands.

(signed) “Ben Ostrander” (signed) “Katherine Taylor”
Co-Chair Co-Chair

CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS

The City Manager acknowledges the dedicated work of the Special Advisory Committee on Disability Issues in bringing forward these suggested changes to the Vancouver Building Code. In reviewing these considerations put forward by the Committee, staff will review the impact of such recommendations on design, regulation and cost implications. The City Manager will, if Council approves the request of the Committee ask the Chief Building Official to meet with the Committee, the Construction Industry and report back to Council on the implications of such measures.

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