Sunnybrae area: grant to Mascon Cable Systems Inc. Chilliwack remote areas: grant to Lookieloo Peace Region areas: grant to Peace Region Internet Society Granisle: grant to Village of Granisle Okanagan and Shuswap grant to MYBC Datacom Lytton rural areas: two grants to Lyttonnet Chilcotin rural areas: grant to Tatlayoko Think Tank Chilliwack rural areas: grant to Network Integrated Communications Tsaxana: grant to Conuma Cable Systems Poole Creek: grant to Base Technology Ltd. 100 Mile House (rural): grant to ABC Communications Gulf Islands: grant to Beacon Wireless Inc. Copper Creek: grant to ABC Communications Kootenay Lake: grant to Columbia Basin Broadband Corporation Lake Kathlyn and New Hazelton: two grants to CityWest of rural Okanagan: grant to ispeed Communications Sunshine (Gambier Island, Keats Island, Port Mellon): grant to Base Technology Ltd. Upper Slocan Valley (Hills): grant to Red Mountain Internet Society Williams Lake (rural) (Dugan Lake and McLeese Lake): grant to ABC Communications In Budget 2017, the Province committed an additional $40 million to expand the program. Government Connections: BC Broadband Satellite Initiative Over 4,500 households in B.C.’s most remote areas were connected for the first time through the initiative. Business Matters: Internet for Good Pilot Program In this increasingly dynamic and digital world, access to the internet is becoming a necessity and low-income single parents often face barriers to obtaining internet access, including price, hardware, and education. TELUS is committed to overcoming the digital divide and has introduced the TELUS Internet for Good pilot program which addresses these barriers by offering low-cost Internet service to low-income single-parent families on disability or income assistance across the province. Approximately 18,000 families currently receiving assistance were provided coupon codes, allowing them to activate TELUS’ offer of Internet service for only $9.95 a month. To ensure a great experience, TELUS is offering participants speeds of up to 25 Mbps. In addition, through collaboration with BC Technology for Learning Society, families who cannot afford a computer can purchase a refurbished desktop computer for $100 or a refurbished laptop for $150. TELUS also partnered with Decoda to ensure that participants had access to free digital literacy programs to become comfortable using the Internet. Furthermore, to ensure that
with Disabilities. In particular, all passenger areas of new ships are fully accessible by persons with disabilities including viewing galleries, and lounges and washrooms (when available). By 2023, all Inland Ferries will fully comply with the CTA code. Expanding and Reviewing handyDART handyDART is an accessible, door-to-door transit service for people who have disabilities that prevent them from conventional fixed-route transit. This service is provided in both Metro Vancouver and across British Columbia and government and communities are working together to expand handyDART service hours. BC Transit partners with local governments outside of Metro Vancouver to provide handyDART service in over 40 communities. In 2017, Victoria, Chilliwack, Merritt and Kamloops are cost-sharing with government to provide expanded service of 8,000 annual service hours, helping people stay connected with their community and family and friends. In Metro Vancouver, TransLink is adding 85,500 trips in 2017 as part of the Mayors’ Council’s 10-Year Vision. A total of 171,000 trips will be added over the next three years, which represents a 15% increase in service over 2016 levels. In early 2017, TransLink completed a review of its handyDART policies and service delivery to improve responsiveness to customer concerns, service standards and quality, and the way the service is delivered. A Stakeholder Advisory Committee, comprised of handyDart customers, health and advocacy agencies, and frontline staff informed the development and assessment of handyDART service delivery models and policies. Recommendations from the review were endorsed by the TransLink Board on March 30, 2017, and include: Improving reservation convenience Reducing wait times and travel times Enhancing handyDART taxi service quality and accountability Ensuring trips are available when customers need them Ensuring handyDART is appropriately funded Implementation of these recommendations is now underway. The Review and Recommendations to the TransLink Board (PDF) can be found on the TransLink website at: The Seniors’ Advocate recently surveyed user’s experience with various aspects of handyDART service. The survey included handyDART service provided province-wide by both TransLink and BC Transit. While the project was undertaken by the Seniors’ Advocate, almost 7,500 users of all ages responded. The survey results suggest that while most clients are satisfied with the service when received, there are aspects of the service (e.g. ride
Current access to the beach is very steep and limits accessibility. Part of this project will include an accessible trail to the Big Beach area. Expected completion: 2017 Beach Access Mats The District of Ucluelet will install wheelchair/stroller accessible beach mats for persons with mobility issues to provide an opportunity for accessibility at Big Beach. There will also be a signage component to the project to identify the accessibility feature. Expected completion: 2017 Terrace Beach Access Project The current trail to Terrace Beach is difficult to find and accessibility is poor. This project will rework the trail to Terrace Beach focusing on making it accessible and will include way-finding for tourists. Expected completion: 2017 Resort Municipality of Whistler Conference Centre Improvements Recent improvements have included the construction of an accessible lift to enable use of the stage area by people with disabilities. Other potential projects focused on accessibility improvements will be considered. Expected completion: 2017 Village Square Mall Rejuvenation This has been a multi-project undertaking which has included the construction of an accessible ramp from the Whistler Village Day lots to the Village entry at Village Gate Boulevard and accessibility improvements on the Cultural Connector. Future projects will include access gate improvements to facilitate pedestrian access and for those with disabilities, ramp improvements adjacent to the Whistler Conference Centre as well as to other areas. Expected completion: 2017