• Get Involved
• Be Active
• Explore Arts
• Embrace Learning
• Include Everyone
• All Programs

During an accessibility assessment, an assessor measures certain aspects of the business to assess for mobility, hearing and visual accessibility. These measurements include, but are not limited to, parking lots, entrances and exits, pathways, washrooms and elevators. The assessor will also ask questions about business policies, communication products, emergency procedures and staff training. The entire process takes approximately 10-20 minutes to complete.

The following information details the criteria by which each business is assessed. These standards are based on international best practices, the Canadian Standards Association and the B.C. Building Code. Please refer to the end of this document for a list of definitions to assist in understanding the criteria (phrases with a written definition are indicated by *).

In order to achieve a partially accessible wheelchair rating, a business must meet all of the following criteria (where applicable to the business):

Path to main entrance

• Path to the entrance is at least 920 mm wide (with 1.5 m x 1.5 m turning space, if necessary) on a hard surface that is barrier-free*

Main entrance

• At least one entrance door is a minimum of 810 mm wide

Activities and attractions

• If applicable, viewing areas have clear sightlines and designated accessible seating
• If equipment required, business allows adapted equipment to be used

Accommodations

• Paths to accessible guest rooms are 920 mm wide on a hard, level surface that is barrier-free*
• Main guest room doors are at least 810 mm wide
• Bathroom door in the guest room is at least 810 mm wide

Transportation

• Some rental vehicles have hand controls or have a ramp/lift
• Someone using a manual wheelchair can get to and on the mode of transportation (Rail, marine, air) and have a place to store their chair while in transit

In order to achieve a fully accessible wheelchair rating, a business must meet all of the following criteria (where applicable to the business):

Parking

• Where parking is provided for customers, at least one out of every 100 stalls is a designated spot that is 3.9 m wide and on a hard, level surface

Path to main entrance

• Paths from parking, or the street, to the accessible entrance are 920 mm wide on a hard surface that is barrier-free*
• If turning is necessary, those areas are at least 1.5 m x 1.5 m wide

Main entrance

• Door at the main entrance is at least 810 mm wide
• If there is a slope to the entrance, there is a flat landing of 1.5 m x 1.5 m at the top and bottom of the slope
• Door is easy to open for someone with limited power or hand function

Pathways to services and amenities

• Internal and external pathways to key services and amenities are at least 920 mm wide and on a hard, barrier-free* surface, with 1.5 m x 1.5 m turning space where required

Elevators

• Elevators to key services and amenities have at least 750 mm x 1200 mm of clear floor space with handrails on all walls (not including the doors)

Public washroom

• Main door to washroom is at least 810 mm wide with an easy-to-use handle and a threshold less than or equal to 13 mm
• Sinks are 680 mm high, 750 mm wide and 480 mm deep with easy-to-use faucets
• Total clear floor space inside the washroom (or stall) is at least 1.6 m x 1.5 m with 900 mm of clear space beside the toilet and 760 mm in front of the toilet
• Height from the floor to the top of the toilet seat is between 400 to 460 mm high
• There is at least one grab bar on the side wall
• Stall has at least 1.5 m x 1.5 m maneuvering space in front of it
• Stall door is at least 760 mm wide with an easy-to-use handle on the outside and lock inside

Business practices

• Business adheres to the appropriate B.C. Fire Codes to ensure that people with disabilities can get out of the building safely during an emergency, and this plan is incorporated into staff safety training

Transportation

• Rental vehicle companies have some vehicles that have hand controls and some vehicles that have a ramp or wheelchair lift
• With other transportation business (rail, marine, air), people in manual or power chairs are able to board, and have a place to store their chair while in transit

Attractions and activities

• Viewing areas have designated seating with clear sightlines and companion seating beside
• Business allows the use of adapted equipment and has it available to rent

Dining

• Some tables are available with the minimum dimensions of 730 mm high, 680 mm knee clearance, 750 mm wide and 480 mm deep

Retail

• Retail businesses have aisles that are at least 1100 mm wide
• Fitting rooms have a 760 mm wide door and 1.5 m x 1.5 m of clear floor space with at least one grab bar

Accommodation

• Internal and external pathways to accessible guest rooms are at least 920 mm wide and on a hard barrier-free* surface, with 1.5 m x 1.5 m turning space where required
• Accessible rooms are located within 10 m of the elevator
• Door to accessible rooms is at least 810 mm wide with a threshold of no higher than 13 mm, and the door can be operated using one hand without tight grasping, pinching or twisting of the wrist (including the locking mechanism)
• Clear floor space beside the bed is 760 mm wide x 1370 mm for parallel approach to the bed
• Door to the guest room washroom is at least 810 mm wide, with an interior floor space of at least 1600 mm wide x 1500 mm deep
• Sink, toilet, tub and shower controls are can be operated without tight grasping, pinching or twisting of the wrist
• Clear space below the sink is at least 680 mm high x 750 mm wide x 480 mm deep
• Toilet height (from the floor to the top of the seat) is between 400 mm and 460 mm
• There is at least 900 mm of clear space beside the toilet and 760 mm clear space in front of the toilet
• There is at least one grab bar located on the wall beside the toilet
• Clear space in front of the tub is at least 750 mm wide along the entire length of the tub
• There are handheld nozzles in the shower and a grab bar located on the wall of the tub and shower

In order to achieve a visually accessible rating, a business must meet all of the following criteria (where applicable to the business):

Path to main entrance

• Hazards along the pathway to the main entrance (from parking or from the street) are appropriately protected*
• Signs directing people to the accessible entrance are clearly-marked*

Pathways to services and amenities

• Internal and external pathways to key services and amenities are hazard-free, or hazards are appropriately protected*
• If needed, signs directing people to the accessible entrance are clearly marked*

Elevators

• Signs at elevators are clearly marked*, and include Braille on the call button and internal panel

Public washroom

• Washroom has large, clearly marked* signs with Braille in front of the doors

Business practices

• Visual communication material that is important to the customer experience is offered in alternate formats (large print, audio description, Braille, personal guides)
• Business adheres to the appropriate B.C. Fire Codes to ensure that people with disabilities can get out of the building safely during an emergency, and this plan is incorporated into staff safety training

Dining

• Menu is available in alternate formats (large print, Braille)

Accommodations

• Hazards along the paths to guest rooms are appropriately protected*

In order to achieve a visually accessible rating, a business must meet all of the following criteria (where applicable to the business):

Business practices

• Audio communication material that are important to the customer experience are offered in alternate formats (captioning for key information, TTY* for booking or registration, printed scripts* of key information, assistive listening devices*, sign language interpreters)
• Flashing alarms* are present to alert people with hearing impairments in the case of an emergency.
• Flashing alarms* are present in public areas and guest rooms

Activities and attractions

• Captioning for key information is available

The following definitions may assist in understanding the accessibility criteria:

• Barrier-free: Free of steps, stairs, thresholds or obstructions that are over 13 mm high or have a slope greater than 8.3° (rise of 1’ for run of 12’)
   
• Hazards appropriately protected: Includes contrasting colors to indicate where the ground changes height (at a step or drop-off), detectable warning surfaces, such tactile warnings to indicate potentially hazardous areas ahead (raised bumps before stairs, street or edge of pool)
   
• Clearly marked: Includes using large font (minimum 14 point) or symbols with high-contrast between text/symbol and background; sign to key services and amenities have Braille and do not reflect light
   
• TTY: Communication is available via a teletypewriter (TTY), which transfers typed messages over phone lines.
   
• Printed scripts: Written documents of the business’s main services
   
• Assistive listening devices: Electronic devices that amplify sound for people with hearing disabilities
   
• Flashing alarms: Visible devices that emit a flashing or strobe light to alert people with hearing disabilities; the strobe light is xenon with a flash rate of 60-120 flashes per minute, and a minimum intensity of 100 candela

<< back to Accessible Tourism