The City of Richmond is committed to incorporating principles of accessible design in all buildings and open spaces in the City. This is especially true for City-owned facilities, and ongoing efforts are made to ensure that the design and construction of Richmond’s public infrastructure reflects a strong commitment to accessible design requirements.

Across Canada, there is a growing trend for more and more provinces and municipalities to go beyond minimum standards and to establish new guidelines and regulations that enhance accessibility, particularly in public buildings and open spaces. Generally, this shift in attitude is in response to the changing needs of an aging society, which has greater numbers of people who are experiencing changes to their abilities, and who require more design supports in the built environment to assist them to live a healthy and independent life as possible.

The City of Richmond Building Bylaws and the Provincial Building Code typically provide for the minimum requirements for accessibility in buildings and public spaces. These regulations are informed by the BC Office of Housing and Construction Standards “BC Access Handbook (2014)”, which provides an illustrated commentary, describing and suggesting how many of the Code requirements can be implemented. Across Canada, there is a growing trend for more and more provinces and municipalities to go beyond minimum standards, and to establish new guidelines and regulations that enhance accessibility, particularly in public buildings and open spaces. Generally, this shift in attitude is in response to the changing needs of an aging society, which has greater numbers of people who are experiencing changes to their abilities, and who require more design supports in the built environment to assist them to live as healthy and independent lives as possible.