Northern Heritage Trails Society seeking support for virtual accessibility project

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — The Northern Heritage Trails Society is seeking grant funding to create an online accessibility project, using technology to map and display physical spaces in a virtual format through a new website.

Unique Places in Virtual Spaces aims to provide information in an inclusive format, with text featuring audio narration for the visually impaired, video content with closed captioning for the hearing impaired, and virtual tours to explore spaces that the physically impaired may not be able to experience.

A letter of support was requested from and approved by the City of Dawson Creek during their January 15th meeting. 

“In my days of supporting the historical society, I know the benefit of this,” said Councillor Charlie Parslow, who made the motion to offer a letter of support. 

“There are a number of publications that flow from this, or in previous years, and making it virtual will only enhance the spread of it,” he added. 

The society is a regional heritage non-profit organization, which connects all the museums in the Northeast B.C. 

“Heritage not only preserves our history but it increases the tourism sector, provides local history for school students and is a valuable resource for academic researchers and seekers of individual family histories,” wrote society vice-chair Robin Holstein in her January 8th letter. 

“Our goal is to make historical sites, interesting places, and unique Northeastern BC experiences accessible to anyone, from anywhere,” she added. 

The project will involve creating one website to curate individual virtual experiences. The website will be a hosting page for individual locations and destinations in Northeast BC, each with their own featured content.