Accessibility

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Contacts

Planning & Development Dept

Email Us

Phone: 250-561-7657
Fax: 250-561-7724

Hillary Morgan
City Hall-2nd Floor
Prince George, BC
V2L 3V9

Enjoying the accessible trails along Ginter's Meadow Park

The City of Prince George is committed to ensuring all residents have equitable accessibility to participate in services, programs, and community life. The City offers a variety of initiatives, aiming to make our community more inclusive for people of all ages and abilities.

Age-Friendly Action Plan

The City of Prince George 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.

Advisory Committee on Accessibility

The City of Prince George's Advisory Committee on Accessibility aims to remove physical and social barriers, which impede the full participation of all citizens in every aspect of community life. The Committee seeks to advise Council, increase public awareness, and solicit feedback about accessibility issues, including those affecting people with mobility devices, seniors, and the general public.

View more details on the City's Advisory Committee on Accessibility.

Accessible Website and Online Browsing Resources

The City of Prince George provides accessible options when browsing our website from a computer or mobile device. Additionally, the web offers an unparalleled opportunity for people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive disabilities to access information and resources.
You can also install programs or adjust the settings on your computer to make your web browsing experience more accessible.

Tips for accessible website browsing

Some accessibility features are built into computer operating systems and web browsers. Try the following methods to simplify your web browsing experience:

Magnify the screen

Many web browsers allow you to zoom in on web pages using simple keyboard controls. The magnifier feature allows you to focus on specific parts of the screen, and enlarge the text and other page elements.

For Windows operating systems, press Ctrl and + to zoom in on a web page (or Ctrl and – to zoom out).
For Mac operating systems, press Cmd and + to zoom in on a Web page (or Cmd and – to zoom out).

Customize the pointer on your mouse

You can customize the pointer on your computer mouse (the arrow on your screen when you move your computer mouse). For example, you can slow down the speed of the mouse pointer for easier handling. You can also change its appearance so the mouse pointer contrasts more with the screen content.

Learn how to change mouse settings for Windows operating systems:

Learn how to change mouse settings for Mac operating systems:

Make your computer speak aloud

Many computers have text-reading features, although some can be limited. For example, Windows Narrator reads only menus and dialogue boxes but not blocks of text.

Software is available that offers more advanced screen-reading capabilities (both free and commercial). View a listing of possible screen reading software options.

Learn how to use Windows Narrator:

Learn how to use Mac OS X Voiceover

Resources for web accessibility

View the following external links to learn more about web accessibility:

W3C-Web Accessibility Initiative

The international body W3C assists in developing web accessibility guidelines, strategies, and resources, where their website outlines the internationally recognized web accessibility guidelines.

WebAIM

This non-profit organization provides resources, helping to explain and address web accessibility issues.

Accessible Garbage Collection

For those people who have a permanent physical disability, have difficulty moving their cart to the curbside or collection point, and do not have another person to assist them, the City may be able to provide assistance. City crews will move your cart to the collection point and return them at the end of the collection day.

To apply for this service or to view more details on how to qualify for this service, use the Set Out/ Set Back Garbage Collection application.

Accessible Housing

The City of Prince George has a variety of programs and resources for developers and homeowners wishing to construct more accessible housing.

View more details on accessible housing incentives, resources and programs.

Accessible Recreation Programs

The City of Prince George aims to provide a variety of accessible recreation opportunities for all residents, including programs for seniors, children, people with disabilities, and people with mobility devices.

View the descriptions and contact information below of all accessible recreation programs available.

Basketball

People in wheelchairs can shoot some hoops at a nearby basketball court. From September to April, for youth and adults within wheelchairs, there are accessible basketball games and programs available.

Contact Pat Harris at 250-563-6942 for more details or to register.

Bocce

Bocce is a sport similar to lawn bowling. Accessible bocce programs are available in the wintertime for children, youth, and adults with mobility devices and/ or disabilities.

Contact Judy Dix at 250-563-6749 for more details or to register.

Curling

People in wheelchairs can have some fun with their friends at the curling rink. For youth and adults within wheelchairs, from September to April, there are accessible curling games and programs available.

Contact Joe at 250-962-8470 (home) or 250-962-3704 (work) for more details or to register.

Skating

For children who are clients of the Child Development Centre, accessible options are available for skating. Program and recreation leaders at both the Family Y and the Child Development Centre have participated in specialized training, ensuring programs are accessible by all children and youth, regardless of ability.

Contact Angela Neath at 250-563-7168 for more details or to register.

Skiing

Downhill skiing is accessible for all people of different ages and abilities. The Disabled Skiers of BC offers a program at the Purden Ski Village, 40 minutes east of Prince George, off Highway 16.

Contact Joan Lasure at 250-564-6293 for more details or to register.

Swimming

All ages and abilities can enjoy leisure opportunities and programs at the pool. Care providers are provided free admission at the Four Seasons Leisure Pool or P.G. Aquatic Centre, when accompanying a customer with a disability or mobility device.

Adapted Aquatic Sunday Swim

This Sunday swim is FREE for anyone with a disability, and their immediate family. The program runs from the first Sunday after Labour Day to the last Sunday in June, from 10:00am to 11:30am, at the Four Seasons Leisure Pool.

Accessible Facilities

Each aquatic facility has a zero depth entry into the leisure/wave pool, water wheel chair and a main pool chair lift, assisting in uninterrupted pool access. The P.G. Aquatic Centre provides ramp access into the hot tub and disabled change rooms ensuring an enjoyable aquatic experience.

For more information on pool features, please call 250-561-7787.

Therapeutic Horseback Riding

Horseback riding is not only therapeutic; it provides an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of nature along the trails in the City. For children, youth and adults, from May to October, an accessible program for therapeutic horseback riding is available.

Contact Barb Warkentine at 250-962-5082 for more details or to register.

The Family Y Programs

The YMCA of Northern BC provides fitness programs for all ages and abilities, including specific programming and instruction for seniors. The Family Y is also in close proximity to the Prince George Community Seniors Park located beside Masich Place Stadium.

Program and recreation leaders at both the Family Y and the Child Development Centre have participated in specialized training, ensuring programs are accessible by all children and youth, regardless of ability.

Contact the YMCA of Northern BC at 250-562-9341 for more details or to register.

Financial Assistance

Did you know any person assisting a customer with a disability or mobility device is provided free admission to the City's recreation facilities? This does not include a personal or rehabilitation trainer.

Additionally, the following organizations will provide financial help to ensure all children have the opportunity to participate in sports and recreation:

KidSport

Call 250-561-7600 to receive an application or ask more information.

Leisure Access Program

Pick up an application at City Hall, the Aquatic Centre, or Four Seasons Leisure Pool.
View more information on the Leisure Access Program.

The Family Y

Call 250-562-9341 to receive more information.

Accessible Transportation

The handyDART shared, door-to-door service

The handyDART is an accessible, door-to-door, and shared transit service for people with permanent or temporary disabilities, preventing them from using fixed-route transit services without assistance from another person. The handyDART picks you up at your accessible door and drops you off at an accessible door of your destination.

View more details on handyDART, including information on service hours and how to register for this service. Book a subscription or reservation trip with handyDART.

BC Transit's Fixed-Route Buses

Other transit options include BC Transit's fixed-route buses, providing scheduled service to major destinations and residential areas at fixed scheduled times. BC Transit's fixed route buses accommodate people with mobility devices through providing courtesy seating and ramps to ensure people using mobility devices can get on and off the bus safely. Low-floor busses can kneel to lower the entry level of the bus, while smaller buses, identified as the "Community Bus" in the Rider's Guide, can accommodate up to two mobility devices on-board, including wheelchairs and most types of scooters. Each bus also has a loading ramp to help you get on and off the bus.

Benches at the front of these fixed-route buses can be raised, allowing mobility aids to strap in. For those who need help finding the right stop, the bus driver will call it out. When you get on the bus, please let the driver know what you need.

The accessible features on a bus can only be safely used at designated bus stops. These stops are identified by a white and blue decal featuring the International Symbol of Access. Customers using wheelchairs and scooters may board and exit from the bus only at accessible bus stops. To check if a stop is accessible, call the local transit info line: 250-563-0011.

View more details on BC Transit's accessible features on fixed-route buses.

View more information on BC Transit's Transit System in the City of Prince George.

Accessible Voting

When voting for your local City Council representatives, all voting locations are accessible for people with disabilities or mobility devices. If you find it difficult to enter a voting location, you may request an Election Official to bring a ballot to you in the parking lot or at the curbside.

If you are unable to mark your own ballot or require a translator, you may ask an Election Official, friend, or relative to help you. Anyone assisting an elector with filling out a ballot will be required to sign a Declaration of Persons Assisting an Elector to mark a ballot form.

For advance voting opportunities, the City uses an AutoMARK voting machine at City Hall, which can assist people with a wide range of disabilities or impairments to vote independently, rather than using an assistant to help them vote. The AutoMARK ballot-marking machine provides autonomy to voters who are blind, visually impaired, or who have another disability or condition making it difficult for them to traditionally mark a ballot.