VICTORIA, April 6, 2016 /CNW

A grassroots movement of organizations and individuals representing British Columbia’s residents with disabilities officially launched a province-wide campaign on the steps of the Legislature today. Barrier-Free BC called on the provincial government to ‘Just Say Yes’ and enact a British Columbians with Disabilities Act.

More than 600,000 people in BC have some form of disability and that number is expected to rise dramatically over the next 15 to 20 years as the population ages.

“BC is woefully behind in honouring its commitment to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,” said Barrier-Free BC spokesperson, Rob Sleath. “Ontario and Manitoba have already passed legislation, and Nova Scotia will enact its bill later this year. It’s time for this government to commit to passing strong and effective legislation that will enable people with disabilities to live to their full potential,” Sleath continued.

Introducing formal legislation would secure the rights for persons with disabilities around issues of accessibility, inclusion and equal opportunity.

“We strongly urge all parties to support the enactment of legislation to make accessibility a priority for BC residents with disabilities to build a stronger, equal British Columbia for all,” said Sleath.

About Barrier-Free BC

Volunteer-driven, Barrier-Free BC is a non-partisan, grassroots campaign advocating for the enactment of a strong and effective British Columbians with Disabilities Act, ensuring a truly barrier-free province for all persons with disabilities.

SOURCE Barrier-Free BC

Image with caption: “Supporters of Barrier-Free BC gathered on the lawn of the Legislature on Wednesday to urge the government to enact a British Columbians with Disabilities Act to secure the rights of persons with disabilities around issues of accessibility, inclusion and equal opportunity. (CNW Group/Barrier-Free BC)”. Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160406_C1495_PHOTO_EN_659662.jpg
For further information: Rob Sleath, Barrier-Free BC, T: 604 241-7499, E: barrierfreebc@gmail.com, Online: http://www.barrierfreebc.org, Twitter: @barrierfreeb

Reproduced from http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/cnw/release.html?rkey=20160406C1495&filter=5611