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    • What We Do
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Accessibility for Historic Places

Accessibility and Historic PlacesAccessibility for Historic Places

Historic places are often seen as inherently inaccessible. While this is untrue in many ways, this attitude has led to a lack of access measures being implemented at historic places.

This guide, produced by Heritage BC on behalf of the Heritage Branch of the Province of British Columbia, seeks to arm the owners and managers of historic places with the tools to successfully enhance the accessibility of those places for persons with disabilities without damaging the heritage values and character-defining elements.

Download Accessibility and Historic Places

Download the Word version of Accessibility and Historic Places

 

 

 

Websites and Accessibility

Websites and Accessibility:
A Supplement to Heritage BC’s Accessibility for Historic Places

Websites often rely on images and rich, colour-based design. However, this type of design is inaccessible to people with visual impairments or those with cognitive disabilities who experience sensory overstimulation or have difficulty processing certain types of information. People with disabilities may use screen readers or text-only programs, which often miss or misinterpret image links or infographics, for example.

Download the supplement: Websites and Accessibility

Download the Word version of Websites and Accessibility

 

Access Basics

Access Basics:
A Supplement to Heritage BC’s Accessibility for Historic Places

A fundamental goal of heritage conservation is to ensure access for future generations and people of all ages and abilities.

Heritage sites, as they were originally designed, present barriers that disable people. But with awareness and thoughtfulness, improved accessibility is possible even for the smallest of heritage organizations. This brief introduction to accessibility will not provide all the answers, but it will help you in identifying the questions and will support you as you improve access to your historic site.

Download the supplement: Access Basics

Download the Word Version of Access Basics

 

Other Resources to Improve Accessibility for Historic Places

Accessible Design in Digital Media

Making Accessible Media: Accessible Design in Digital Media is a course of study from Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning designed to educate Canadians on the importance and relevance of inclusive design and accessibility in media.

» Visit the course.

Making Ontario’s Heritage Accessible for Persons with Disabilities

Information prepared by The Ontario Historical Society

» Visit website.

BC Building Access Handbook 2014

Commentary on BC Building Code access requirements.

» Visit website.

Historic England’s Easy Access Guides

Guides for creating access to historic buildings and landscapes.

» Visit website.

The Center for Universal Design

Center advocating for universal design at NC State University.

» Visit website.

Design for All Foundation

European organization providing accessibility resources and support.

» Visit website.

US National Park Service

Preservation brief on making historic buildings accessible.

» Visit website.

Historic Scotland’s Managing Change Series

Guide to managing accessibility in the historic environment.

» Visit website.

The Australian Heritage Council’s Improving Access Guide

Access guide focused on meeting the needs of persons with disabilities in the historic environment.

» Visit website.

New Zealand Historic Places Trust Pouhere Taonga

Guide to providing physical access to historic places.

» Visit website.

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As an organization of provincial scope, Heritage BC recognizes that its members, and the local history and heritage they seek to preserve, occupy the lands and territories of B.C.’s Indigenous peoples. Heritage BC asks its members and everyone working in the heritage sector to reflect on the places where they reside and work, and to respect the diversity of cultures and experiences that form the richness of our provincial heritage.