Advisory Committee on Accessibility
The Advisory Committee on Accessibility aims to remove any physical or social barrier which prevents full participation by residents in all aspects of community life. The Committee seeks to advise Council, increase public awareness, and collect feedback on accessibility issues including those affecting people with mobility devices, seniors, and the general public.
In addition, the City is developing an Age-Friendly Plan that aspires to create a community where people of all ages have a sense of belonging and live safely, actively, affordably, and barrier-free.
Accessible Website
The City of Prince George's site is accessible in three separate formats - desktop, tablet, and mobile - so residents can easily access and look for information on their preferred devices. In addition, external resources and tips are available to help improve navigation on the municipal website - and on the Internet in general - for users who have visual or hearing impairments.
Zoom In and Out of a Webpage
Magnify Browser Window or Tab
Adjust image and text sizes in a browser tab or window to make them easier to see by zooming in and out of webpages.
-
Windows
- Hold the "Ctrl" key and press "+" (plus) to zoom in.
- Hold the "Ctrl" key and press "-" (minus) to zoom out.
-
Mac
- Hold the "Cmd" key and press "+" (plus) to zoom in.
- Hold the "Cmd" key and press "-" (minus) to zoom out.
Make Mouse Pointers Easier to See
Change the Mouse Pointer's Colour and Size
-
Windows 7
- Click the
Start (Windows logo) button at the bottom left of the screen.
- Select
Control Panel > Ease of Access Center >
Change how your mouse works (or
Make the mouse easier to use)
-
Windows 8.1
- Move the mouse to the top right hand corner of the screen.
- Click in the Search box and type in Ease of Access Center and press "Enter" or click on the magnifying glass icon.
- Click on the
Ease of Access Center button >
Make the mouse easier to use
-
Windows 10
- Click the
Start (Windows logo) button at the bottom left of the screen.
- Select
Settings >
Ease of Access Center >
Make the mouse easier to use
-
MacOS 10.8+
- Choose the Apple menu and select
System Preferences >
Accessibility
- Click
Display and drag the
Cursor Size slider left or right to adjust the pointer to the desired size.
-
MacOS 10.4 to 10.7
- Choose the Apple menu and select
System Preferences >
Universal Access
- Click on the
Mouse & Trackpad tab and drag the
Cursor Size slider left or right to adjust the pointer to the desired size.
Add Pointer Trails (Windows only)
-
Windows 7
- Click the
Start (Windows logo) button at the bottom left of the screen.
- Select
Control Panel >
Ease of Access Center >
Change how your mouse works (or
Make the mouse easier to use) >
Mouse Settings at the bottom.
- Click on the
Pointer Options tab and click on the
Display pointer trails checkbox.
-
Windows 8.1
- Move the mouse to the top right hand corner of the screen.
- Click in the
Search box and type in
Ease of Access Center and press "Enter" or click on the magnifying glass icon.
- Click on the
Ease of Access Center button >
Make the mouse easier to use >
Mouse Settings at the bottom.
- Click on the
Pointer Options tab and click on the
Display pointer trails checkbox.
-
Windows 10
-
Click the
Start (Windows logo) button at the bottom left of the screen.
-
Select
Settings >
Ease of Access Center >
Make the mouse easier to use >
Mouse Settings at the bottom.
- Click on the
Pointer Options tab and click on the
Display pointer trails checkbox.
Web Browser Screen Readers
Visually impaired users have a number of accessibility options available to them to make browsing the Internet hassle-free. Popular browsers like Google Chrome, Firefox, and Safari either have built-in screen readers, free add-ons that can be downloaded to include the function, or the ability to integrate with standalone screen reader software.
Windows users can also download an open source - and free - screen reader named NVDA, which can be set up to work with Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer.
Accessible Garbage Collection
Residents who have a permanent physical disability and have difficulty moving their bin to the collection point without help from another person may contact the City of Prince George to apply for the Set Out/Set Back service. City Crews will assist by moving bins to the collection point and return them once they have been emptied. Complete following the application form and return it to City Hall.
Accessible Recreation Programs
The City has a number of accessible recreation activities for residents of all ages and groups, including programs seniors, children, people with disabilities, and people with mobility devices.
Activities and Programs
Basketball
Wheelchair basketball games and programs are available from September to April for youth and adults. Contact
Pat Harris at 250-563-6942 for details and registration.
Bocce
Bocce is a sport that is similar to lawn bowling. The City offers winter bocce programs for children, youth, and adults with mobility devices and/or disabilities. Contact
Judy Dix at 250-563-6749 for details and registration.
Curling
Wheelchair curling games and programs are available from September to April for youth and adults. Contact
Joe Rea at 250-962-8470 (home) or 250-962-3704 (work) for details and registration.
Skating
Program and recreation leaders at the Child Development Centre and the Family Y have been trained to provide accessible skating programs to children and youth of all abilities. Contact
Angela Neath at 250-563-7168 for details and registration.
Skiing
The Disabled Skiers Association of BC offers a program at
Purden Ski Village for people of all ages and abilities. Contact
Joan Lasure at 250-564-6293 for details and registration.
Swimming
The Prince George Aquatic Centre and Canfor Leisure Pool are fully accessible.
Therapeutic Horseback Riding
Accessible therapeutic horseback riding programs are available for children, youth, and adults from May to October. Contact
Barb Warkentine at 250-962-5082 for details and registration.
Family Y Programs
Contact Information
2020 Massey Drive
Prince George, BC V2L 4V7
Canada
Phone: 250-562-9341
The YMCA of Northern BC provides fitness programs for all ages and abilities, including specific programming and instruction for seniors. Contact the YMCA of Northern BC for program and registration details.
Financial Assistance
Aquatics: A caregiver who provides physical support to an individual with a disability (who cannot swim independently) is admitted free while remaining within arm's reach of their dependant. Aquatic staff may request an assessment to determine whether the courtecy visit should be extended.
KidSport
Call 250-561-7600 for more information and to receive an application.
Leisure Access Program
Pick up an application at City Hall, the Aquatic Centre, or Four Seasons Leisure Pool.
The Family Y
Call 250-562-9341 for more information.
Accessible Housing
Prince George offers programs and resources for developers and homeowners wishing to construct housing with accessible features.
Accessible Transportation
Two transit options are available in Prince George for disabled residents:
handyDART
The handyDART is a door-to-door, shared transit service for people with permanent or temporary disabilities that prevent them from using regular transit services without assistance. The handyDART picks passengers up from and drops them off at accessible points.
BC Transit Fixed-Route Buses
BC Transit's fixed-route buses provide scheduled service to major destinations and residential areas at scheduled times. The buses can accommodate people with mobility devices in the form of courtesy seating and ramps to ensure disabled passengers can get on and off the bus safely. Low-floor buses are also able to "kneel" to lower the entry point while smaller "Community Buses" can accommodate up to two mobility devices on-board, including wheelchairs and most types of scooters. Benches at the front of fixed-route buses can also be raised to allow mobility devices to safely strap in.
Accessible features on a bus can only be used at designated bus stops. These stops are identified by a white and blue decal featuring the International Symbol of Access. Passengers using wheelchairs and scooters may board and exit only at accessible bus stops. To check if a stop is accessible, call the local transit info line at 250-563-0011.
Accessible Voting
All voting locations are accessible for people with disabilities or mobility devices. Voters who find it difficult to enter a voting location may request a ballot brought to them in the parking lot or curbside by an Election Official.
Voters unable to mark their own ballot or who require translator may ask an Election Official, friend, or relative for assistance. Anybody assisting an elector will filling out a ballot will be required to sign a Declaration of Persons Assisting an Elector to Mark a Ballot Form.