Measuring Up

Helping communities improve accessibility

Measuring Up is a process to help communities assess and improve local accessibility and inclusion for persons with disabilities and others, including older persons, parents pushing baby carriages, tourists carrying luggage, and people with injuries.

What is Measuring Up?

From 2006 to 2009, 2010 Legacies Now led the Measuring Up community development initiatives with critical support from partners in B.C. communities. Measuring Up fostered the active engagement, participation and contribution of persons with disabilities in their communities. By increasing accessible employment opportunities and improving public spaces, recreation facilities, restaurants and shops, Measuring Up assisted communities to become more accessible and inclusive.

Measuring Up grew from eight communities involved to more than 100 communities across the province. Eighty-eight of these communities received grants totaling $2 million from the Measuring Up Accessibility and Inclusion Fund (Measuring Up Fund), established with financial support from the BC Ministry of Housing and Social Development. This Fund supported the implementation of the Measuring Up program in B.C. communities, so they became better places for people of all abilities to live, work and visit.

As a legacy of the 2010 Winter Games, 2010 Legacies Now is pleased to announce that it has transferred management of the Measuring Up program to The Social Planning and Research Council of BC (SPARC BC). Since 1966, SPARC BC has provided valuable services for people with disabilities in B.C. and it will ensure Measuring Up continues to develop accessibility programs to benefit communities well beyond 2010. To learn more about Measuring Up best practices, resources or past initiatives, please contact SPARC BC by visiting their website at www.sparc.bc.ca

Additional information and resources

Measuring Up FAQ
Past Measuring Up grant recipients (2007-2009)
Past Measuring Up funded projects (2007-2009)
Additional funding opportunities
Related links

Measuring Up was created in partnership with the Vancouver Agreement, representing the provincial and federal governments and the City of Vancouver; the Vancouver Foundation; and over 80 disability organizations throughout BC.