On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with Substance Group chief accessibility officer Mark DeMontis about how accessible buildings in B.C could be a new and lucrative market for developers.
DeMontis said while there has been some resistance to BC Building Code changes that increase accessibility in new buildings, he thinks those attitudes focus on the short term rather than viewing those with disabilities as an untapped new market for residential units.
He also said there is a common misconception that disabled people are also receiving assistance when not only are many disabilities invisible but the majority of disabled people have significant purchasing power, and said as the general population ages accessibility becomes more important.
You can listen to our recent podcast with TAS CEO Mazyar Mortazavi and Creative Fire managing director Jordan Baptiste about the TAS Reconciliation Plan here and our episodes are available at the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites, on Libsyn and at Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music’s podcast section. Thanks for listening.