ACCESS MATTERS: Practical Tools for More Accessible Hospice and Palliative Community Supports

BCHPCA Winter Lunch & Learn Series

December 1 - 3, 2026
11:30 am - 1:00 pm Pacific Time, daily
Virtual Zoom

MEMBER REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

BCHPCA members are invited to register ahead of our broader public promotion beginning next week.

Small Changes. Meaningful Impact. More Accessible Care.

Accessibility is about more than meeting standards. It's about ensuring that individuals, families and caregivers can find information, understand their options and access the compassionate support they need.

For community hospice organizations, even small improvements to websites, communications and language services can make a meaningful difference.

Join the BC Hospice Palliative Care Association (BCHPCA) for Access Matters, a three-day Winter Lunch & Learn series designed to help hospice societies strengthen accessibility through practical tools, real-world examples and achievable improvements.

Developed with the realities of smaller, community-based organizations in mind, this series brings together expertise in digital accessibility, language access and inclusive communications.

Whether you're an executive director, staff member, volunteer, board member or community partner, you'll leave with practical ideas and resources you can put into action.

DAY 1 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1

Website Accessibility: Making Your Hospice and Care Website Work for Everyone

Facilitator: Christie from  Rosemary Collective

For many families and caregivers, a hospice and care website is their first point of contact when seeking information, support or reassurance.

But how accessible is that experience?

This practical session introduces the fundamentals of website accessibility, focusing on the unique needs of individuals and families accessing hospice and palliative care services.

Participants will explore common accessibility barriers, learn how to recognize opportunities for improvement and discover practical changes that can make websites easier to navigate and understand.

What you'll explore:

• Website accessibility fundamentals and common barriers

• Accessibility considerations specific to hospice organizations

• Accessible images and alternative text

• Practical improvements for smaller organizations with limited resources

DAY 2 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2

Language Access as a Comfort Measure: Strengthening Equity, Communication and Compassionate Care

Presenters: Kathryn Wozny from Canuck Place Children's Hospice, with Lingotec

Language is fundamental to comfort, dignity and connection, particularly when individuals and families are navigating serious illness, caregiving, grief and loss.

This session explores language interpretation not simply as an administrative service, but as an important component of compassionate, equitable and high-quality care.

Drawing on practical experience and interpretation expertise, participants will consider how language services can be introduced as a comfort measure and how hospice organizations can better support families facing language barriers.

What you'll explore:

• Language access as a dimension of compassionate care

• Interpretation as a comfort measure

• Practical language interpretation tools and services

• Considerations for smaller and rural hospice organizations

DAY 3 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3

Accessible Communications: Creating Documents and Resources Everyone Can Use

Facilitator: Christie Rosemary Collective

Hospice societies create countless resources to support individuals, families, caregivers and communities. But are those materials accessible to everyone who needs them?

This hands-on session explores practical ways to improve the accessibility of everyday communications, including documents, PDFs, brochures, infographics and Canva designs.

Participants will learn how to create more accessible materials using familiar tools, recognize common accessibility barriers and make improvements without requiring specialized technical expertise.

What you'll explore:

• Creating accessible documents in Word and Google Docs

• Understanding and improving PDF accessibility

• Accessibility considerations when using Canva

• Alternative text and accessible visual communications

• A practical checklist for future materials

REGISTRATION FEES

One registration provides access to all three sessions.

Please note: Member, hospice volunteer and student rates require participants to sign in to their BCHPCA membership accounts.

Participants may attend one, two or all three sessions. Registration fees remain the same regardless of the number of sessions attended.

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

Your registration provides access to:

• Three 90 minute virtual learning sessions

• Practical examples tailored to community hospice organizations

• Presenter provided tools and learning resources

• Available session recordings following the series

ACCESSIBILITY

BCHPCA is committed to creating accessible learning opportunities.

Participants are encouraged to identify any accessibility accommodations they may require during registration so our team can follow up.

JOIN US!

Strengthening accessibility doesn't always require significant financial investment or specialized technical expertise.

Sometimes, the most meaningful improvements begin with practical knowledge, thoughtful changes and a commitment to ensuring everyone can access the support they need.

Register today and join us for three days of practical learning and connection.