Dear Friend,
Below are highlights of what you'll discover in the September 2022 edition of Inclusion BC’s E-Update:
- October 2022 is Community Inclusion Month
- Call on the Ministry of Health to meaningfully engage in addressing the barriers that children in the Nursing Support Services program experience
- Municipal Election Guide 2022
- Community Living Victoria's new Executive Director
- We Deserve to Work - A new play
- New Inclusive Economy - Inclusion Powell River
- Inclusion Matters Special Edition: The story about assisted dying has changed
- Join the Great BC ShakeOut!
- Disability Rights Groups Call for Public Hearing on Canada’s MAID
- ISS of BC's Free Digital Skills Tutor Training
- ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund
- Call for proposals under the Enabling Accessibility Fund
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October 2022 is Community Inclusion Month
The B.C. government has proclaimed October 2022 as Community Inclusion Month. In the month of October, communities across B.C. are promoting inclusion, celebrating diversity, and bringing awareness to the strengths and abilities of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Read the official Proclamation here and share with us how you will celebrate in your community.
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Call on the Ministry of Health to meaningfully engage in addressing the barriers that children in the Nursing Support Services program experience
The week before the beginning of this school year, families with children who need seizure rescue medication at school learned their children’s care plan had been put on hold, and school staff would not be trained to administer seizure medication. In a matter of days, families and the media rallied to bring attention to this issue, and had a dialogue with the Ministry of Health, who acted in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Child Care to provide answers or action plans. This resulted in an announcement on Friday, September 9, 2022, that there is a solution for children who need seizure and other rescue medications at school. Many of these students had already missed a week of education, and some will still miss more days while the plans and training are put in place. However, this demonstrated responsiveness and collaboration to provide solutions.
BC Complex Kids Society, BCEdAccess, Family Support Institute of BC, and Inclusion BC are now requesting the Ministry of Health take a more proactive approach to address the numerous barriers to access support that remain for families whose children receive Nursing Support Services. Read more
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Municipal Election Guide 2022
The municipal elections are on Saturday, October 15, 2022.
Inclusion BC has collected some resources so you can make sure that the leaders you vote for have disability inclusion as a priority in their platforms and you can make your own decisions on who to vote for.
Read our election guide to learn what local elections are about, what Inclusion BC hopes to achieve this election, what newly elected leaders can do for inclusion in our communities, and how to get involved with the elections.
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Community Living Victoria's new Executive Director
Congratulations to Community Living Victoria on their new Executive Director Mike Jensen. We wish Mike and Community Living Victoria much success and look forward to continuing our work together.
Read CLV's statement below
The Board of Directors of Community Living Victoria has been in the process of hiring a new Executive Director for Ellen’s upcoming retirement and engaged the services of an executive search agency to assist in the recruitment. There were a number of excellent candidates shortlisted. We are pleased to announce that Mike Jensen has accepted our offer for the position of Executive Director commencing January 1st, 2023. Mike has been with the organization since 1998 in a variety of capacities and is a Program Director and has been a part of the senior management team for the past 12 years. He brings a passion and commitment to advocacy for people with intellectual disabilities as well as sound financial and managerial expertise. His long tenure with the organization provides him with a clear understanding of CLV’s history, our success, and challenges. His knowledge and experience will guide progressive and effective leadership. We look forward to working with you, Mike!
Joanne Finnegan
President
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We Deserve to Work - A new play
Tickets for “We Deserve to Work” are officially on sale!
This new play was created by a collection of self-advocates and the team that brought you “Romance, Relationships and Rights.”
“We Deserve to Work '' (running from November 18-20 at Massey Theatre) will illustrate a whole gamut of highs and lows that people with disabilities face while navigating employment.
Get your tickets here
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New Inclusive Economy - Inclusion Powell River
As part of Disability Employment Awareness Month, a new research project is asking inclusive employers to share how they provide disability-inclusive employment options to British Columbians.
The New Inclusive Economy research project will produce a set of promising practices for employers and entrepreneurs who want to be more inclusive and equitable. The two-year project is hosted by Inclusion Powell River Society and brings together a research team of experts from inclusive employment including UBC’s Canadian Institute for Inclusion and Citizenship (CIIC) and the Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC).
All B.C.-based employers are encouraged to participate in the project and take the online survey:
Survey (newinclusiveeconomy.ca)
This survey will help them understand more about practices and structural conditions that are common or unique across employers who want to be inclusive in hiring and retaining employees with disabilities.
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Inclusion Matters Special Edition: The story about assisted dying has changed
Read Inclusion Canada's Newsletter on MAID and disability and where we stand in the fight to have everyone live with dignity. Read Here
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Disability Rights Groups Call for Public Hearing on Canada’s MAID Law at International Human Rights Body
A coalition of 20 Canadian disability rights groups has filed a request for a public hearing into the discrimination present in Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying legislation and its grave consequences for persons with disabilities. The request was made to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), an independent body that promotes and protects human rights throughout the Americas. The coalition is represented by ARCH Disability Law Centre.
Read the full news release here
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Join the Great BC ShakeOut!
Inclusion BC is joining in on the Great BC ShakeOut to make sure that we are prepared when the next earthquake happens.
Sign up to join in on October 20th
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ISS of BC's Free Digital Skills Tutor Training
The Immigrant Services Society of BC, recognized for their proven digital literacy training for newcomers, has developed online Digital Literacy Tutor Training for the community living sector. This training includes proven materials and successful strategies for teaching digital skills, including learning videos and practice activities for learners (see sample video here - Be Organized Part 1: Create and use folders).
The training provides all teaching materials and prepares employment service provider staff to teach individuals during support hours how to use technology step-by-step and at the learners’ pace.
The next training sessions are on:
Tuesday and Thursday, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm, October 4 and 6
Read more, register, and join in on their next session here
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ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund
The New Spaces Fund program has been updated this year to maximize the number of quality, inclusive community-based child care in areas with the greatest need and align with provincial priorities and commitments under the Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.
Read More on their website to learn about the changes and what organizations can apply for.
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Call for proposals launched to increase disability inclusion and accessibility in communities, workplaces and early learning and child care facilities
The Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, announced a new call for proposals (CFP) under the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) Small Projects component. Up to approximately $64 million is available to support infrastructure improvements such as, the renovation, construction or retrofit of ramps, accessible doors, accessible washrooms, elevators and lifts, accessible communications technology, accessible playgrounds, and multi-sensory rooms and stations. Read More
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Our Work is Made Possible Thanks to You!
Thank you for reading our E-update! Consider donating to help us continue working towards a future that's inclusive.
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Updates & Alerts
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