In response to public interest, an additional consultation session is being offered in Kelowna next Thursday as part of a comprehensive, provincewide consultation underway on issues facing people with disabilities in B.C.

Date: Feb. 6, 2014
Location: Holiday Inn Express, Kelowna Conference Centre
2429 Hwy 97 North
Time: 1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Time: 7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Registration for both sessions is available online at: www.engage.gov.bc.ca/disabilitywhitepaper/about/community-consultation

Participants will provide input on six themes: innovation, housing and accessibility, work and contribution, social networks, asset accumulation and personal supports.

The consultations in Kelowna follow well-attended sessions that have been held in communities on Vancouver Island, Northern B.C. and the Lower Mainland.

More than 21 in-person consultations, guided by representatives of government and the disability and business communities, are happening across the province to provide an opportunity for people with disabilities, their families and communities to discuss what can be done as a society to remove barriers and increase accessibility in British Columbia.

There are a number of ways to participate. People unable to attend can visit www.engage.gov.bc.ca/disabilitywhitepaper to take part in the online discussions underway and learn more about the consultation process.

To date, there have been more than 16,000 visits to the online consultation site.

B.C.'s disability consultation continues until March 11, 2014. Comments and ideas submitted will inform the development of a white paper - a document that will reflect the voice of British Columbians. The paper will form the foundation of a summit to be held in June 2014.

To follow the conversation on twitter, search #disabilitybc

Media Contact:

Joanne Whittier
Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation
250 387-6490