Accessibility at North

2021–Due to ongoing school construction, some access may change with little notice.

We often welcome guests and visitors to North for conferences, special events, parent events, and community events.  While we strive to be a welcoming space for all our students, staff, and guests, the age of our facilities does present some challenges.  While both buildings that comprise Burnaby North Secondary are very old, adaptations have been made to improve its accessibility from its original designs.  If you benefit from mobility/accessibility features, these notes may help you plan your visit.

Visiting Burnaby North

Visitors to North are asked to sign-in upon arrival at the Main office which is located in the North Building (in 115).  If you are attending events that occur only in the South Building, your staff host can make alternate sign-in/visitor badge arrangements to save you extraneous travel.  Please request this service via phone or email from your staff host in advance.

North Building Accessibility

• Accessible parking is available
  • in the north staff/student lot; enter from the North Horseshoe (closest parking for the office/100 level)
  • at the top of the Horseshoe (parallel only–closest parking for the 200 level)
• Level-access entrances are available to
  • the Offices & 100s (entrance nearest the elevator);
    • access from the northern door to the main wing (from the entrance ramp to the staff lot–ring the doorbell if you require assistance with the door)
    • access from the south-facing door west of the covered walkway; this is the entrance nearest the Vision Support office.
  • the 200s, North Gym, North Caf & 400s; access from the North courtyard/horseshoe
  • the North Gym (balcony) and Aux. Gym; access has no stairs from the turf field door/Fell Ave. parking but guests may need assistance over the door sill.
  • rooms 412, 414, 416, 418 have level access only through the auto-shop access at the rear of the building.  As the auto-shop is not staffed full-time, prior arrangements are required to enter here.  The entrance from the horseshoe has a large sill from the walkway.
• Auto-assist door openers are available at
  • The south door to the first floor; access from North staff parking lot (next to the offices)
  • One of the main doors to the 200s; access from the North courtyard/horseshoe
  • The door to the Aux Gym and North Gym balcony; access from the turf field door/Fell Ave. parking.
• Floor to floor access
  • This building is equipped with a (keyed-access) elevator at the east end of the main hall.  Keys are available from the office in 115 (or via your staff host with prior arrangement).
• Accessible Washrooms
  • Due to the age of the building, the North building has few stalls in regular student washrooms that are designed to be accessible, however, the following facilities have some accessible features which may suit your needs
    • 100s: the staff washroom within the office (115) has a wide doorway and lots of space (it’s is a large room not a stall).  It does not have grab bars. Reception can direct you to the room/key.
    • 200s:
      • the Universal washroom (at 216) does not have a wide entrance (narrow door), but is a private room and larger than a stall (not big enough for a wheelchair, but may have interior space for a walker).  No grab bars.
      • a keyed-access fully-accessible washroom is available inside 216A; keys are available from the Office (115); all North building staff can also provide access (standard key).
    • 300s: a private toilet (in a small room; the sink is outside) is available in Student Services.
      • NOTE: the women’s staff washroom on the 3rd floor (in the staff room) has only regular stalls and requires users to step up into the stalls.
    • 400s: student washrooms in the 406/408 hallway have level access from the main outside pathway.

South Building Accessibility

• Accessible parking is available
  • in the south staff-only lot (between the buildings); access from the driveway on Hammarskjold closest to Kensington
  • in the Continuing Education lot (next to the South Gym); enter from Kensington
• Floor to floor access
  • This building is equipped with a stair lift to access rooms 13-24 (east stairs). They require keys; please verify access with your staff host prior to arrival.
    • There is no level interior access to the South Gym or weight room (small stairway only); they must be accessed via the door on the west side of the South Gym (the entrance to the North Burnaby Adult Education Centre).  Access from this door will require advanced arrangements with your staff host as the gym and weight room are locked off from the NBAEC.
• Auto-assist door openers are available at
  • The main door at the front of the South building (facing Kensington; also has a ramp).
  • The northeast door facing Kensington adjacent to the driveway & accessible via the paved pathway from the main entrance on Kensington.  Level access (sloped floor inside).
• Level-access entrances are available to
  • the South Gym & Weight Room; access from the door behind the South Gym (door will be in an alcove on your right; official entrance to NBAEC.  Arrange room access in advance.).
  • the main floor of the South Building (rooms 3-12, 25-29, Library, & Sports Centre); access from
    • the main door at the front of the South building (facing Kensington).
    • the northeast door adjacent to the driveway closest to Hammarkjold/Union
  • Continuing Education; via the interior door from the secondary school section of the south building or via the back (exit) door off the driveway behind the south building.  Both require special advanced arrangements with your staff host or the NBAEC office.
• Accessible Washrooms
  • Due to the age of the building, the (older) South building has no stalls in regular student washrooms that are designed to be accessible, however, the following facilities have some accessible features which may suit your needs
    • Main floor:
      • there is a fully-accessible washroom located at the north end of the main hall.  It is keyed-access only; please see the staff in room 12 (Access programme) for access.
      • The staff washrooms within the staff room are not accessible (regular stall; little clearance between doors), but do have more privacy than student facilities.  Visitors with passes are welcome to use these facilities.  No key required.
      • The staff washroom within the Sports Centre is a large room and is more suitable to those requiring space for mobility aids.  There are no grab bars.  Any South Building staff can provide access if the Sports Centre is closed/unattended.
    • English floor (rooms 13-24):
      • the Universal washroom (at the north end of the hall) is a multiple stall washroom.  The keyed staff-only stall ihas are no grab bars, but there is lots of room for mobility aids and care aides.  Any staff member can provide keyed access