Richmond, BC's WIN
Public Sector: Yes
Member of: Prescribed Organization
The City of Richmond is committed to advancing accessibility and inclusion in Richmond. The City recognizes that advancing accessibility requires a holistic approach through collaboration with key partners across the community. The City has a long-standing history of working with local non-profit organizations, including Richmond Art Gallery. The Gallery is a non-profit municipal art gallery that produces a wide range of exhibitions and programs that connect, empower and promote dialogue among Richmond’s diverse communities.
In spring 2025, the Richmond Art Gallery presented Speak No (emergency), an exhibition by Persimmon Blackbridge. Developed in partnership with Tangled Art + Disability, a Toronto-based disability arts organization, the exhibition was intentionally designed to be accessible to people of all abilities. It featured a range of inclusive elements, including artwork labels with QR codes linking to audio descriptions, Braille labels, a video introduction in American Sign Language and a tactile art piece.
Members of the Richmond Accessibility Advisory Committee, with a range of lived experiences of disability, toured the exhibition and explored its accessibility features. Overall, feedback from the Committee was very positive. After the visit, they identified additional recommendations and learnings that could be applied to future exhibitions to help improve accessibility.
The City and its partners remain committed to building a community where residents of all abilities can fully and equally participate in all aspects of community life. Initiatives like this reflect that commitment by creating inclusive experiences that welcome everyone.