The Construction Record Podcast – Episode 355: Building accessibility with Mark DeMontis

07/19/24 • 16 min

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 mor and 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.

DCN-JOC News Services

DCN-JOC News Services

Previous Episode

The Construction Record Podcast™ – Episode 354: The TAS Reconciliation Plan

On this episode of The Construction Record PodcastTM, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with both TAS CEO Mazyar Mortazavi and Creative Fire managing director Jordan Baptiste about the TAS Reconciliation Plan, a document intended to guide company actions as they engage with Indigenous communities to further development.

Mortazavi described as an impact platform which uses real estate to drive positive change operating as developers, asset manages and through private equity. He said the firm released its plan is an evolution of their impact framework and work off od its interactions with Indigenous communities to create a “framework of accountability.”

Baptiste said Creative Fire is a community owned advisory and consultancy and he said any significant development going forward will involve Indigenous communities, and that TAS’s value system aligns with a desire to be “keepers of the land” which made developing the plan together a natural fit.

You can listen to our recent podcast about the twin forces of immigration and addressing the labour shortage 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.

DCN-JOC News Services

Next Episode

The Construction Record Podcast™ – Episode 356: Site safety trends with Terry Dussault

On this episode of The Construction Record PodcastTM, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with Yellowknife Consulting Services president Terry Dussault about emerging trends and safety risks on worksites.

Dussault highlighted rising risks such as struck-by incidents and the need for better respiration masks to deal with threats such as potential silica inhalation. He also said more awareness is needed about biological risks, such as harmful plant life on a site which can result in workers developing allergies or reactions to the environment.

He also said supervisors should be equipped with essential steps for prevention and dealing with accidents when they occur such as understanding the incident, identifying causal factors, digging deeper into root causes, devising effective solutions, and verifying outcomes.

You can listen to our recent podcast with Substance Group chief accessibility officer Mark DeMontis 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.

DCN-JOC News Services