Purpose

We bring people together to remove barriers, shift attitudes, and champion equitable access. Through collaboration and community partnerships, we create spaces, systems, and opportunities where people with disabilities can participate fully and independently.

Aspiration

A connected community where accessibility is everywhere, inclusion is natural, and every person is respected and empowered to lead the life they choose.

Values

Accessibility

· Remove physical, digital, and attitudinal barriers

· Support independence, safety, and usability for all

Inclusion

· Ensure full participation, voice, and leadership

· Foster belonging and challenge discriminatory attitudes

Collaboration

· Share knowledge and work together across teams and partners

· Strengthen advocacy and expand collective impact

Nothing about us, without us - In Action

Who We Are

We come from different walks of life, with different life experiences but one common goal - to make this world a more accessible place.

Susan Bains

Advocacy became Susan’s calling after a spinal cord injury revealed the daily challenges of navigating community spaces. With over 20 years of HR experience, she uses her expertise in legislation and relationship-building to drive actionable change. Susan is dedicated to ensuring human rights become a reality, working to create a future where every individual can thrive without barriers

Director
Close up photograph of Rod Bitz

Rod Bitz

Secretary

As the Peer Support Coordinator for Spinal Cord Injury BC (SCI BC) in the Fraser Health Region, Rod sees firsthand the barriers that prevent full community inclusion. He focuses on identifying and removing obstacles within the built environment. Through the Collective, Rod works to eliminate systemic hurdles that impede the independence and participation of individuals with physical disabilities

Close up photograph of Kim Vlchek Egger

Kim Vlchek Egger

EAC Member

Kim is a social worker and rehabilitation consultant dedicated to helping people with disabilities maximize their potential. She has collaborated with the Rick Hansen Foundation and co-founded South Fraser Active Living to foster community through adapted outdoor activities. As an EcoWisdom guide-in-training, Kim is passionate about making nature-connection inclusive and accessible for the well-being of all

Vikram Bubber

EAC Member

Vikram is a highly engaged patient partner who advocates for those facing physical and mental challenges across local and national health committees. A member of Delta’s mobility and accessibility committee, he is driven by a desire to challenge the status quo and remove social stigmas. Vikram believes in treating everyone as equals to create a more inclusive community

Maninder Sanghera

EAC Member

Renuka Senaratne

EAC Member

Ryan Lachance

EAC Member

Russ Dolton

EAC Member

Dolly House

Treasurer

Dolly is a Surrey-based entrepreneur and CPA who has navigated the world using crutches and a wheelchair since contracting polio as a toddler. She is passionate about breaking both cultural and environmental barriers to inclusion. An avid outdoors enthusiast, Dolly advocates for the accessibility of natural spaces, ensuring everyone can enjoy camping and strolling by the water

Kiran Aujlay

Founder and Member

It was during Kiran’s Masters degree in 2022 that the idea of Equal Access Collective came to her.  After being inspired by the incredible advocacy work of Judith Heuman, a disabled rights activist,  Kiran realized the importance of mobilization in advocacy work and thus, Equal Access Collective was born.  Kiran’s advocacy work has spanned over 25 years, and taken her across the globe to exact change in places like Amritsar, India and Washington, D.C. in the US.  She hopes that the work EAC does, encourages advocates and allies alike, to join the disability pride movement and work towards a barrier-free world where everyone is welcome to enjoy public spaces.  Outside of EAC, Kiran is a certified educator who champions social justice in the classroom and hopes to inspire young people to advocate for human rights.

Marney Smithies

EAC Member

Sheldon Guy

Vice President

EAC members at the Bright Walk Tree Lighting ceremony in White Rock (December 2023)

EAC's inaugural meeting (October 2023)