Dear Friend,
Below are highlights of what you'll discover in the November 2022 edition of Inclusion BC’s E-Update:
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On Wednesday, November 16th, Inclusion Canada's Krista Carr appeared before the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills, and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) to advocate for fast-tracking Bill C-22. You can watch Krista's appearance here.
Inclusion Canada recently submitted a brief to the committee to consider in its study of Bill C-22, the legislation to create the Canada Disability Benefit.
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Living a life free from violence is a basic human right, but Gender‑Based Violence continues to be a significant barrier to gender equality in Canada. It is one of the most deeply rooted human rights violations of our time.
For plain language resources on What is Gender-based Violence? Please find a Plain Language Guide for People with Intellectual Disabilities recently co-created by Inclusion BC, Disability Alliance of BC, and Ending Violence Association of BC.
The endorsement of a 10-year National Action Plan to End Gender‑Based Violence is a concrete step in fulfilling a long-standing commitment of governments to working together towards a Canada free of gender‑based violence.
See the action plan here
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Inclusion BC is proud to share that Brenda Lenahan, founder of BC Complex Kids Society, has been appointed as a member of the National Advisory Council on Early Learning and Child Care! BC Complex Kids Society is a member of Inclusion BC and a strong advocate for children with disabilities in BC. The advisory will be off to a strong start with Brenda at the table.
Read the full News Release here
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The Accessible Technology Program is investing in creating new technology that helps Canadians with disabilities overcome barriers that prevent their full participation in the workplace.
The program has been renewed and has a budget of $5.8 million in this second round. The program is accepting proposals for projects that will start no earlier than April 1, 2023, and will be completed by March 31, 2024.
Read more about the program
The call for proposals is now open and will close on December 9, 2022.
See Announced Projects for what they have funded so far.
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The Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence released its first policy whitepaper. The report aims to start a public conversation on the state of caregiving and offer potential solutions to address the many challenges and systemic issues experienced by Canada’s 8+ million caregivers and care providers across the country.
This is the first in a series of actions planned to gain support for a coordinated approach to caregiving. Over the course of the coming year, they intend to bring together stakeholders across the country and host a national caregiving summit. This will lead to the development of a national caregiver strategy created with organizational partners and people with lived experience from coast to coast to coast.
Read the report here
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This coming year, Inclusion BC is co-hosting a supported employment conference with the BC Employment Network and the Canadian Association for Supported Employment.
Inspire change, spark dialogue, generate new ideas, and deepen learning. We are seeking workshop proposals and presentations that align with these nine principles:
- Choice and control - Employment support is guided by the job seeker.
- Paid employment - All employees receive the same rate of pay and benefits.
- Partnership and mentoring - Inspiring employers and people experiencing disability to mutually benefit from workplace inclusion.
- Full inclusion - Job seekers are socially and economically included in their community.
- Job search - Successful employment is achieved through timely and appropriate support.
- Individualized - The specific needs of the employer and skills of the job seeker are considered.
- Natural supports - Employment supports are as unobtrusive as possible.
- Long-term support - Employment stability and career enhancement are valued.
- Continuous quality improvement - Stakeholders evaluate services and the service provider implements improvements.
Submit your proposal here
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British Columbia Premier David Eby has announced new measures to fix the lack of homes for people in our province.
Plans include a Housing Supply Act to prioritize construction for municipalities with the most need, reducing the minimum age for residency, and the removal of restrictions on rental units in strata buildings.
Read the article here
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Inclusion BC launched a Community Engagement and Partnership Mapping project to highlight the needs, barriers, and opportunities for inclusive housing in ten communities in B.C. for the next three years (2022-2025).
We hope to increase inclusive housing opportunities across the province and strengthen advocacy by empowering and supporting community leaders.
Read more about the Campaign here
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The Ladysmith Supported Housing Committee has filed a Human Rights Complaint citing the discrimination by BC Housing against people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in securing housing through Rent Geared to Income criteria. They are encouraging any families who have had adult children apply for, qualify for, or secure housing under the Rent Geared to Income criteria to contact them at ladysmithshc@gmail.com. The foundation of the complaint is that people collecting a Persons With Disability (PWD) Benefit are not eligible despite those with an extra income from working.
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Premier David Eby and Mitzi Dean, Minister of Children and Family Development recently committed to improving services for children and youth with support needs by:
- Keeping individualized funding for those with an autism diagnosis even after 2025, including those who are diagnosed in the future.
- An engagement process co-designed by First Nations leadership and leaders from the disability community.
- A pause on B.C.’s plan for family connections centres, with the exception of the four first locations to be launched.
- New investments to support children with disabilities and support needs.
Read the news release here
The Community-Led Collaboration project being co-led by Inclusion BC, BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, The Federation of Community Social Services, and the BC Association for Child Development and Intervention will be redesigned to align with the new path forward. More to come in early 2023.
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This year, CBC/Radio-Canada is developing its first National Accessibility Plan.
They want to hear from you about:
- People with disabilities in the media.
- The barriers faced when accessing content.
- How they can improve their relationship with the disability community.
For more information and to register, visit their page
Have questions? E-mail them at consultations-accessibility@cbc.ca
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Over half of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities experience social isolation, and up to a third report having had no contact with friends in over a year.
My Life, My Body, a homegrown initiative in the Yukon, offers training for parents, caregivers, and service workers to support people in their care to live fulfilling lives.
Read more
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Ella joined us this fall as our Accounting Assistant. She worked with us this summer as a Summer Student, and we are excited to have her join our team again! Ella has a certificate in Medical Office Administration from Douglas College and has worked in many different administrative roles. She also works as a barista at a local coffee shop, and in her free time, she enjoys going to concerts, crafting, and spending time with friends, family, and pets.
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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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