The Regional District of East Kootenay Accessibility Plan has been formally adopted.

The process started in 2023 with the establishment of the East Kootenay Accessibility Advisory Committee, which was comprised of 11 regional representatives, Electoral Area G Director Roberta Schnider, and staff liaisons from the RDEK and partner municipalities: the City of Cranbrook, the District of Invermere, and the Village of Canal Flats.

“From the outset of this project, the Accessibility Committee recognized the importance of ensuring residents are able to access services and spaces in our region with dignity and ease. It was from this lens we worked to develop an Accessibility Plan Framework to help guide the RDEK and partner municipalities in the creation of their respective Accessibility Plans,” explains Advisory Committee Chair, Roberta Schnider.

The Framework was presented to the Board in early 2025 to ensure it aligned with the RDEK’s vision and long-term goals. Following the review and further consultation, staff prepared the RDEK Accessibility Plan, which was adopted by the RDEK Board on February 13, 2026.

“This Plan will have a lasting, positive impact on how people experience the RDEK for years to come. It gives us a roadmap to follow so residents of all abilities can access our programs, services, and facilities with dignity and confidence. I want to acknowledge and thank the Accessibility Committee for the time, care, and lived experience they brought to this work. Their contributions have been significant, and this plan is stronger because of it,” adds Schnider.

The Plan will be reviewed and updated at least every three years to maintain its relevance and effectiveness. In addition, a dedicated Accessibility page will remain active at engage.rdek.bc.ca/accessibility and features an online reporting link for feedback and issue reporting.