In Machine, a science-fiction novel by Elizabeth Bear, the main character Llyn is a space-faring trauma doctor and rescue specialist who happens to live with a chronic pain condition.
She copes with her disability using an assistive suit and some help from her ambulance crewmates. Amid medical dramas and close encounters, Llyn lives a dignified life, has a satisfying career, forms meaningful relationships, and even does a daring rescue or two.
Bear’s depiction of chronic illness stuck with me because she treats disability as a normal part of the universe, like gravity or sunshine.
Llyn’s pain isn’t an object of pity or even special accommodation. It’s simply part of her life in a time and place where she can access effective tools and a supportive network.
Disability is normal on Earth, too.
There’s a high chance you or someone you love is disabled now or will be later. A 2022 Statistics Canada survey shows 27 per cent of Canadians aged 15 years and older, or eight million people, had one or more disabilities that limited them in their daily activities.
That is a five per-cent increase since 2017. The rise is due in part to an ageing population and mental disabilities that are increasingly identified among youth.
Given this trend, the stories we tell ourselves about accessibility are becoming more important.
The good news is Haida Gwaii communities are advocating for an accessible future. On May 24, the Haida Gwaii Gwaii Accessibility Plan was adopted by the North Coast Regional District (NCRD).
The plan stems from collaboration between NCRD and the newly formed Haida Gwaii Accessibility Committee. It outlines actions the district will take in several areas, including the built environment, transportation, and communications.
The plan can also serve as a guide for the villages of Daajing Giids, Masset, and Port Clements as they develop their provincially-mandated plans.
As chair of the Accessibility Committee, and as someone with a chronic, disabling illness, it has been exciting to feel the enthusiasm and imagine the potential for positive change.
We’ve learned a lot about several types of disability, including physical and mental conditions, chronic illnesses, and neurodivergence.
Here are a few things we heard from the community and discovered through research:
1. Haida Gwaii needs public, accessible washrooms. This was the most common piece of feedback we received, and it came from many communities.
2. Remote-meeting options need to become the norm. Making this standard ensures no one is forced to disclose their disabilities to participate in public discussion.
3. Facade improvement grants from municipalities can be used for accessibility-friendly signage and storefronts. The $5,000 matching grants are currently available from the Village of Masset and the NCRD.
4. Haida Gwaii needs accessible transportation options. This includes improvements to BC Ferries, accessible shuttles or buses, and emergency-evacuation planning that accounts for those with disabilities.
We need to celebrate the positive examples. Many people have done great work in this space already, and they need to be recognized more often.
Disability and accessibility aren’t just science fiction, they’re part of Haida Gwaii’s future.
The best way to make progress is simply to ask disabled people what they need, and take action.
That process will need to continue to make sure that no one is left behind.
What needs are you seeing in local communities? Contribute your ideas and read the plan on the NCRD website.