Six and a half years. That’s how long Vernon residents have waited for a cultural centre to finally break ground — a building meant to celebrate our history and support our creative community. Yet missing our archives but that’s another post. So why does the design feel like accessibility was an afterthought?
Everyone enters through the same door, yes. But once inside, the elevator is tucked at the back of the building while stairs dominate the entire experience. That’s not universal design. That’s accommodation — and there’s a big difference. True inclusive design means people of all mobility levels can move through a public space with equal ease and dignity, not navigate around it. Our new ALC will have inclusive design. Why the big difference I wonder?
The people who will struggle most with this building are often the same ones who hold the most of our history. Our elders. Our community members with disabilities. They deserve better than to be an afterthought in a building that belongs to all of us.
This is a publicly funded building — OUR building. Six and a half years of planning. The time was there. The funding was there. The intention, apparently, was not.
Has anyone else been following this build? I’d love to hear your thoughts. 
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