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"Let's design all things, all the time, for everyone."
—Ronald L. Mace, 1941-1998, former Program
Director for the Center for Universal Design,
June 1, 1997, New York Time
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Over 40 Cities, towns, villages and districts in Northern BC are working to make their communties livable, age-friendly, disability-friendly, universally designed, inclusive for all citizens and visitors. Great things are happening due to partnerships between local governments, community members and organizations, businesses and industries. This project just started in 2007 and already has many sucess stories. Please visit our communities here, use our resources, learn about upcoming events, share your thoughts and share with us on the MUTN Forum.
Measuring Up The North Project in Northern British Columbia is a partnership between the North Central Municipal Association and the BC Paraplegic Association along with supporting partners: 2010 Legacies Now , BC Healthy Communities Initiative, Northern Health: Healthy Community Development Program, Age-Friendly Communities Initiative, and BC Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport.
The goal of the project is to assist over 40+ communities and regional districts to develop livable, senior-friendly, disability-friendly, universally designed, inclusive communities for all residents and visitors.
The project addresses both accessibility and inclusion and uses several relevant tools, methods and concepts including the "Measuring Up" guide and tool created by 2010 Legacies Now, the Age-Friendly Guides, active-living by design perpectives, BC Healthy Communities perspectives, universal design, sustainable design, accessible tourism concepts and others.The intent is to build better communities for all citizens and visitors.
The project engages local governments, disability and seniors organizations, businesses, and citizens in active dialogue, assessment and planning for their community. Each community has a NCMA Liaison, a Community Liaison and a Measuring Up The North (MUTN) Committee. Each MUTN Committee is determining priorities and seeking input from local citizens.
The Project uses a community participatory action, community development approach. Each participating community has two Project Liaisons - an NCMA Liaison who is a representative of the city, town, village (i.e. planner, recreation director, engineer, or councillor) and a Community Liaison who is a person with a disability or a senior. (In come cases, communities have both)These two individuals work in partnership and ensure that a local Measuring Up The North Committee is formed.
The Committee consists of a variety of individuals including seniors, persons with disabilities and representatives from First Nations, youth, building/planning officials, the business community, tourism, homebuilders, recreation, transportation, employment, education, parks, arts and culture, sustainability, and other interests. The intent is that the Committee will assess its own community and determine areas of priority to make improvements. The community then seeks funding through a variety of sources to carry out a variety of projects and also incorporates the principles of accessibility and inclusion into their community vision, official community plans and community strategic plans.
Empower and Build Capacity in the Communities
The Project operates under the following principles:
- The Project was established in the North for the NorthInitiatives are locally controlled and include Project Liaison Partners
- The Project strongly promotes dignity, respect, inclusion and participation in civic life and intergenerational approaches
- The Project uses a universal design approach
- The Project facilitates and supports the planning of accessibility and inclusion in information/communication, transportation, buildings, spaces, housing, leisure, cultural, social and spiritual activities
- The Project brings together code officials, urban/social planners, politicians, disability and seniors groups, tourism and hospitality industry, realtors, health professionals, developers, builders, business and more
- The Project supports the principles of its partners and supporting partners
Measuring Up The North also emphasizes the economic benefits of developing inclusive communities in regard to
- Increased use of retrail and business
- Increased employment and volunteerism by people with disabilities and older adults
- The economic benefits of accessible tourism.
Expected Outcomes
The expected outcomes are increased participation and inclusion of persons with disabilities and older adults in all aspects of the community including education, employment/volunteerism, economic and business aspects, tourism, recreation, cultural, social, spiritual activities and local government affairs.
Strong Support
With strong support through Northern BC, the project assists communities through locally controlled initiatives that will potentially increase participation of seniors and people with disabilities, employment rates, tourism opportunities, economic development, sustainability, retirement living and cooperative ventures.
The project is lead by the Project Director Laurie Ringaert, internationally known universal design consultant and researcher as well as a strong Steering Committee consisting of representatives of the MUTN partnership.
The project is funded by the Real Estate Foundation of BC, the Nechako Kitamaat Development Fund, United Way Prince George , 2010 Legacies Now, the Vancouver Foundation and the NCMA members themselves.
Contact the Measuring Up The North Project Director, who will guide you and your community to benefit from the Measuring Up The North experience and provide general information on the project. Also contact members of the Steering Committee and the Project Liaisons listed under Participating Communities or join our MUTN Forum!