The City of Kimberley, working alongside the Accessibility Advisory Committee, is currently working on an Age-Friendly Accessibility Plan, which will suggest ways the City can improve the physical environment and its services for residents, particularly those 55 and older and those living with disabilities.
According to a City press release, Accessible and Age Friendly cities are those which "prioritize both social and physical environments, focusing on:
- Land use and street connectivity;
- Access to green spaces;
- Safe and inclusive neighbourhood design; and
- Features that help maintain social connections with family and friends."
Focusing on making these types of improvements, the City continues, can, "benefit everyone by fostering a sense of belonging, attachment, and identity in the community."
One of key features of the City's Age-Friendly Accessibility Assessment is broad community engagement, and the process will involve gathering input from people with various accessibility needs, older adults, caregivers, service providers and the community as a whole.
This engagement process will occur starting February and run through mid-March.
One of the ways the community can stay involved is through updates posted to engagekimberley.ca/accessibilityplan
Here a short online survey will be accessed starting Feb. 3. The site will also include a mapping tool, where residents are able to drop a pin to highlight locations they feel are good examples of accessibility and ones that need improvement.
There will also be opportunities for in-person engagement. There will be a public open house on Thursday, Feb. 27 between 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Centennial Hall.
There will also be focus groups at the wheelchair-accessible Aquatic Centre Meeting Room, located at 520 Archibald St on the following dates:
- Monday, Feb. 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Tuesday, Feb. 25, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Wednesday, Feb. 26, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. — for service providers only — and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Residents can also sign up for 30-minute one-on-one interviews, which are available Feb. 3 to March 7. These can be done in person or online.
To participate in a focus group, or register for an interview, visit bit.ly/KimberleyBooking
"The City welcomes participation and feedback from all community members, particularly individuals with accessibility needs, older adults, and caregivers. Both positive and constructive input will help shape a more inclusive Kimberley.
"Thank you for supporting this important initiative to make Kimberley a more inclusive and accessible community for everyone."