Surrey accessibility committee creates inclusive city for people with disabilities

The Surrey Accessibility Leadership Team (SALT) outlined several accessibility improvements, including technology upgrades and more accessible parking, in its annual report presented to Surrey city council. 

In 2023, SALT was re-established under the Accessible British Columbia Act, which was created in 2021. The primary goal of the act is to create inclusive spaces for people with disabilities to enjoy everyday community life.

The Accessibility Action Plan is a three-year strategy that guides SALT’s work in the community. The plan used surveys and community feedback to determine what is most important relating to accessibility. 

SALT Accessibility and Inclusion Manager Jessica Danyk said the plan is crucial to the team’s work. 

Areas addressed in the Accessibility Action Plan include communication and engagement, employment, finance, and the built environment. 

Danyk says the built environment component of the action plan will remain an area of focus for SALT.

“The built environment has a direct impact in terms of being a barrier or not for somebody to be able to access the space,” Danyk says. “So naturally, I think that’s the area that we’ve had the most progress on.”

While the built environment has had a direct impact on accessibility, Danyk says employment is another key component. 

“[SALT has to] review and update recruitment processes to incorporate best practices, advocate for inclusive and accessible work environments, support universal design principles, and develop an accessibility and inclusion training plan for staff,” she says. “All of that is in stages, either been done already or actively being worked on.”

SALT has achieved significant accomplishments in the past year, including successfully upgrading city infrastructure with features, such as pool lifts and curb let-downs, and publishing accessibility audits for all civic facilities. 

The accessibility leadership team has also improved the provision of accessible technology and leadership of accessible park projects at Crescent Beach and Bear Creek Park.

“[SALT has been] replacing PDFs with accessible web content…. It’s a lot of creating awareness for staff that PDFs are not accessible,” Danyk says. 

She adds that SALT installed a hearing loop, accessible podiums, and microphones in the council chambers at city hall. 

SALT will also launch a machine-based speech-to-text captioning system for livestreams.

The team was awarded the 2025 Community Leadership Award of Excellence in May from the BC Recreation and Parks Association for their accomplishments and commitment to providing accessibility improvements across Surrey.

“The award is amazing for SALT in terms of validating and honouring the work they’re doing. I think it creates a lot of awareness about the importance of engaging with individuals who have lived experience,” Danyk says.

For more information about the Accessibility Action Plan, visit www.bit.ly/3MaCy45. To learn more about SALT, visit www.bit.ly/4iDs757.