Snippet from article on Spinal Cord Injury BC website. Read full article
On September 25, 2013, Vancouver City Council unanimously passed bylaw changes that will enhance the accessibility and adaptability of new homes in Vancouver. Their decision also contained a commitment to look at an accessible path to all new houses, townhouses. The new bylaws will take effect in early 2014.
What does this mean? Once the bylaw changes take effect, all new housing (including single family dwellings, new apartments/condos, and multiple unit buildings) will have a barrier-free shower or an adaptable shower, wider doors/stairs/halls, lower light switches, higher outlets, 3 piece bathroom on the main floor with room for a person in a wheelchair to get in/close the door/use the toilet & sink/& get out, lower drainpipes under sinks so counters can easily be lowered, reinforcement in the bathroom walls, outlets for future stair glides. Multiple unit buildings will also be required to have better signage for persons who are blind or have partial sight, power door openers and other accessibility-related considerations.
During the decision making process, Council also asked questions that made it clear they will seriously consider additional accessibility improvements in the future.