Accessibility at WCAT

If you are facing a barrier when participating in an appeal because of a disability, or another protected personal characteristic, you can ask for an accommodation. An accommodation is an arrangement to help remove the barrier so you can fully participate in your appeal. WCAT must provide reasonable accommodations related to disability or other protected characteristics.

The BC Human Rights Code protects the following personal characteristics from discrimination: Indigenous identity, race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or age.

You can ask for an accommodation:

• By calling us at (604) 664-7800 or toll-free at 1 (800) 663-2782
• By emailing us at appeals@wcat.bc.ca
• By sending us your request by mail, fax or through WCAT Online Services

If your request relates to an active appeal, please make sure you give us your appeal number. For accommodation requests outside of the appeal process (for example, if you are a service provider) please contact WCAT using one of the methods above.

You can ask for an accommodation at any time, but if you ask earlier in the process, we will be able to support you better. Some accommodations may require more preparation, and in some cases could impact others. We may ask you for more information about your accommodation request so we can understand how to support you.

When communicating with WCAT

• We can communicate with you in different ways that best meet your needs – in writing, by telephone or in person.
• We can arrange for an interpreter if needed.
• We can assign a navigator on your appeal who will provide you more detailed information about how your appeal will proceed, and who will help set up accommodations you need.
• We can provide you extensions of time to provide us your materials if your disability impacts how you can proceed.
  • Short extensions of time can be requested from your appeal owner. Short extensions of time are those that are less than 45 days, for the person starting the appeal.
  • Requests for longer extensions of time will be decided by a vice chair.
• We can provide you documents in different formats. For example, we can provide paper copies of your disclosure material.

When you are providing submissions or preparing for a hearing

• We can change the format of the appeal. For example:
  • If you have trouble writing, we can arrange for an oral hearing instead of written submissions.
  • If you have trouble travelling to the hearing, we can arrange a virtual or phone hearing, or we may be able to hold the hearing at a location that is closer to you.
  • If you need breaks, we can arrange frequent breaks or spread the hearing out over more than one day.
• We can provide you information about how the hearing rooms at WCAT look.
• We can arrange a pre-hearing conference to discuss the accommodations WCAT can provide and share information about the haring process.

At the oral hearing

• You can bring a support person to the hearing. Please let the appeal owner know if you will be bringing a support person.
• We can arrange an interpreter (including a sign language interpreter) at the hearing.
• We can change the way the hearing room is set up. For example.
  • We can make sure the lighting is dimmed.
  • We can make sure the room is set up in a way that accommodates your wheelchair or mobility equipment.
• We can arrange a private space outside the hearing room for your needs, for example if you need to take medication.
• You can bring a service dog to the hearing. Please let the appeal owner know if you will be bringing a service dog.
• We can help give you information about the accessible features (such as ramps, wheelchair-accessible washrooms, parking or other facilities you might need) at the Richmond office or wherever you hearing is being held.

If you have general comments about WCAT’s accessibility, you can also provide information to us using our [feedback form link.] You can also find out more about how WCAT is working to be more accessible in our Accessibility Plan (PDF, 267 KB).

In 2021, the province passed the Accessible British Columbia Act. The Accessible British Columbia Act provides a framework for organizations to identify, remove and prevent barriers to individuals who are interacting with that organization. Under the Accessible British Columbia Act, many government bodies are required to establish an accessibility committee, develop an accessibility plan and develop a feedback tool so people can comment on accessibility.

WCAT’s Accessibility Plan (PDF, 267 KB) was issued in May 2025. It identifies six key areas of focus:

1. Ensuring parties know they can ask for accommodations at the start of the appeal process or during the appeal. We will also develop a process around responding to requests for accommodation.
2. Working to improve the accessibility of our website and communications
3. Ensuring that we consider accessibility implications on all major projects and initiatives by improving our policies, practices and procedures. This would include expanding our Navigator program to serve people with disabilities.
4. Looking for ways to improve the accessibility of our physical environment when we hold hearings or meetings at our headquarters, or elsewhere in the province
5. Ensuring ongoing education and training for all WCAT staff and vice chairs
6. Developing a feedback mechanism so members of the public can provide feedback on accessibility at WCAT, and so that WCAT can work to improve any systemic issues

WCAT will review and update its plan every three years, and through our feedback mechanism and internal reporting, we will follow up on and report back on our progress in our annual reports.

We want to understand the barriers people with disabilities may face at WCAT. Please send us your suggestions on how we can improve accessibility.

Feedback options

You can submit feedback through the online form below or:

• Email us at accessibility@wcat.bc.ca
• Mail your feedback to Accessibility at 150-4600 JACOMBS RD, RICHMOND, BC V6V 3B1
• Fax your feedback to Accessibility at (604) 664-7898
• Call us and leave a voicemail at (236) 235-1575

Your feedback will be shared with our Accessibility Committee and will support our accessibility planning.

Privacy statement

You do not need to provide us your name or any other personal information that identifies you. If you do, we will only use it for the purpose of assessing and improving accessibility at WCAT. If your request is about a specific appeal, please contact the appeal officer or other individual who is named on our most recent letter to you. When you send us personal information, we will follow the rules set out in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) to plan and evaluate accessibility at WCAT. For more information about your rights and about how public bodies use personal information, please contact WCAT or visit the website of the Office of the Information & Privacy Commissioner.