Accessibility means different things to different people. Often, people think about accessibility as removing barriers for people with disabilities. However, accessibility is an important part of how we all navigate through our communities and the world, including housing, public transportation, accessing health services, attending community events and more.
First Nations Perspectives on Accessibility
The goal of this research project is to learn what accessibility means to First Nations people, families and communities in BC. This is important because First Nations people can experience unique barriers to accessibility. First Nations Peoples in Canada experience a 30-50 per cent higher rate of disability compared to the general Canadian population. This project is an opportunity for First Nations to talk about what is important to them about accessibility, and how services, organizations and policies in BC can be improved.
The First Nations Health Authority, along with partners at the Rick Hansen Foundation and DIALOG, have been awarded $500,000 over two years by Accessibility Standards Canada to do this work. We are speaking with First Nations individuals, families and organizations across the province to learn about what accessibility means to them.
Eligibility
We are interested in speaking with people and families who:
- Identify as a First Nations person living in BC with a disability, or who has a family member or loved one living with a disability, and/or;
- Have professional experience working with First Nations living with disabilities in BC.
Options for Participating
We offer three options for participating in this study:
- Complete an individual, open-ended interview, either in-person or virtually;
- Participate in a focus group (permitting others' interest and availability);
- Complete an in-person interview, and take our project team on a tour of a building that you are familiar with to discuss accessibility features that were (or were not) made in the construction of the facility.
All options will take approximately one to two hours to complete. Participation is completely optional and we will ask for your consent before completing the interview. To honour your time, knowledge and perspectives, we are able to provide you with honorarium in the form of a mailed cheque or a pre-loaded Visa gift card. Please note that FNHA staff who are participating in this study are not eligible to receive honorarium.
Next steps
If you are interested in being a part of this work, or if you have questions about the BC First Nations Perspectives on Accessibility project, please email Kate Checknita at Kate.Checknita@fnha.ca.
