2025 National AccessAbility Week
Join us online and in-person for a week of accessible solution sessions.
Course Descriptions
Presenter Information
National AccessAbility Week RSVP
Scroll below for course descriptions and presenter information.
Unwin Park: Discovering Joy Through Inclusive Play
Presented by Melody Smale
May 26
1:00PM PST/2:00PM MST
As a mom to a young child with a disability – and a BCSLA Intern – I’ll be sharing my personal perspective on the power of inclusive play through the lens of Unwin Community Park in Surrey. This Canadian Tire Jumpstart playground is designed to welcome children of all abilities, and in this presentation, I’ll highlight the joy and connection that inclusive design can foster. Using my daughter’s story, I’ll explore key features of the park – like sensory-rich elements, tactile panels, accessible surfacing, and wide ramps – and reflect on how thoughtful design can create not just access, but moments of belonging.
Accessibility Into Practice: Creating Inclusive Outdoor Spaces and Washrooms
Presented by Julie Sawchuk
May 27
Langley Session
10:00AM – 11:00AM PST
Sandman Signature Langley Hotel, 8828 – 201 Street, Langley, BC
Vancouver Session
2:00PM – 3:00PM PST
Heritage Office Furnishings, 295 W 5th Avenue, Vancouver, BC
Julie Sawchuk of Sawchuk Accessible Solutions is hosting two in-person sessions – choose the time/location that works best for you.
The world of accessibility does not need to be complicated and overwhelming. Nor is it an abstract concept or a box to check. Bring your team together to discuss, learn, and gain real-life insights into what is needed to create accessible spaces that honour the needs of everyone. We will address the issues that have serious implications for the lives of more than 28% of the population.
Insights from your time with Julie will allow you to step into the future with pride, confidence and clarity to embed best practices in all your future work.
Al LeQuesne Park (City of Langford) Tour With Jill Moore
Presented by Jill Moore
May 29
11:00AM – 12:00PM PST
Al LeQuesne Park, 2980 Humpback Rd, Victoria, BC
Join us for a tour of Langford’s Al LeQuesne Park with Jill Moore. Jill’s firsthand experience provides insight into the creation of inclusive and accessible play, and also in planning park amenities like access and egress, parking, seating, shade, and more.
Lobley Park (City of Burnaby) Tour With Jill Moore
Presented by Jill Moore
May 30
10:30AM – 11:30AM PST
Lobley Park, 6511 Marlborough Ave, Burnaby, BC
Join us for a tour of Burnaby’s Lobley Park with Jill Moore. Jill’s firsthand experience provides insight into the creation of inclusive and accessible play, and also in planning park amenities like access and egress, parking, seating, shade, and more.
Our Presenters
Melody Smale
Parks Landscape Designer
Parks Planning, Research, and Design
City of Surrey
Melody Smale is a landscape designer with the City of Surrey, where she works on the design of public parks. She holds a BA in Art History and a Master of Landscape Architecture from UBC. Melody is also a Canadian Certified Playground Inspector (CCPI) and recently completed the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC) Professional Training through Carleton University. Melody is also the parent of Linnea, a four-year-old with a disability whose everyday experiences in parks have reshaped how she approaches design. Her work is informed by lived experience – both the barriers and the moments of connection that thoughtful design can make possible. Outside of work, Melody spends time exploring playgrounds with Linnea and her younger daughter, gardening, and getting outside as much as possible.
Julie Sawchuk
Sawchuk Accessible Solutions
https://www.juliesawchuk.ca/
International Speaker, Best Selling Author and recipient of the King’s Coronation Medal, Julie is committed to helpingeveryone simplify accessibility.
After sustaining a spinal cord injury in 2015, Julie became intimately aware of the everyday challenges of living in aworld not built with accessibility in mind. Since then, she has become an industry leader, helping stakeholders understand how accessible spaces and services maximize safety, maintain dignity and allow independence through practical solutions. Using storytelling, expertise and humour, Julie reminds us that we all have a part to play in creating a world where people with disabilities don’t have to expend extra energy to simply do life.
Jill Moore
Paralympian and Inclusive Play Specialist
Landscape Structures
Jill Moore works with the Landscape Structures team to aid in product development and promote the importance of inclusive play. By traveling the country as a presenter, Jill speaks with all sorts of communities to teach best design practices to create parks and play spaces that invite all to join.
During her college career at the University of Illinois Jill competed on two occasions representing the United States on a world stage. Through an active life, Jill constantly strives to not only employ a lifetime of experience, but to promote the importance of play as it truly shapes us all, and allows us to overcome some truly incredible things.