Independent Living Vernon Uses Measuring Up

Created in 1993, Independent Living Vernon offers programs and services to persons with a variety of disabilities living in the interior of British Columbia. Independent Living Vernon creates sustainable community links, working towards making change in society to remove barriers for persons with disabilities and helping these individuals to reach their full potential.

In 2007, Independent Living Vernon received $20,000 from the Measuring Up Fund.  This funding enabled the organization to partner with the City of Vernon to complete a community assessment report that identified access and inclusion priorities in the community. Recommendations for action now working to implement a number of the action items. By completing this community assessment, Independent Living Vernon increased local government awareness of access and inclusion issues, and provided an opportunity to celebrate the many inclusive community opportunities that Vernon already had to offer its citizens.  

Measuring Up helps communities assess and improve how accessible and inclusive they are for people with disabilities, seniors and others with similar needs. The program includes a fund, established by the Province of British Columbia, which offers grants to communities to complete accessibility-related projects.