Dear Friend,
Below are highlights of what you'll discover in the February 2023 edition of Inclusion BC’s E-Update:
- Inclusion BC at Work
- February is National Inclusive Education Month!
- Important Update for Registered Societies
- Event - Getting Our Voices Heard! Self-Advocates Learning & Taking Action Together
- Event - Inclusion Works! Early bird pricing extended
- Join CanAssist's Youth Advisory Committee
- CanAssist's Focus Group Report on Employment Support for Youth with Disabilities
- Federal Budget Consultation Survey
- Autism Community Training Survey
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Inclusive Employment Stories from Campbell River, BC
As part of our new Employer Outreach and Challenging Misconceptions projects, we’re excited to release our first film, Inclusive Employment: Stories from Campbell River, BC.
This film explores the stories of employees, their families, community members, colleagues, and employment support professionals who are challenging exclusion in their community.
This film was created in collaboration between Inclusion BC and Rivercity Inclusion.
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Challenging Misconceptions
We know that with the right support, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities can be self-determined, gain significant independence, be successful employees, and live in their own homes.
For many, however, limiting beliefs imposed on them can stand in their way. This project will showcase a diverse collection of stories from around the province. We will feature stories that will expand our ideas about what the life of a person with an intellectual or developmental disability looks like, and what kinds of support they need to thrive on their own terms.
Read more about the project here
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Employer Outreach
The Employer Outreach Project is run by Inclusion BC’s Employment Team to increase awareness of inclusive employment and how hiring inclusively benefits everyone. We aim to expand our network of employers and spread knowledge to make inclusive employment common practice in British Columbia.
We will create and distribute videos focused on inclusive employment. Our goal is to increase our reach and interest from employers, service providers, and community members. Together we can increase employment opportunities in communities across British Columbia.
Read more about the project here
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February is National Inclusive Education Month! This is the time to highlight inclusive education, share ideas, and recognize efforts for inclusion in schools.
This month, take a look at our resources on inclusive education:
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Supporting Advocacy and Community Development
“Having our Inclusion BC advocate involved has made such a huge difference. Not only at school but at home as well. The impact of her help can be felt throughout our life. Having my child included and supported properly at school has eliminated many elements of stress in our lives, thus improving relationships and home life.” -Parent
Over 40% of the calls to our Community Inclusion Advocacy Program are related to advocacy for inclusive education including parents looking for help to support their child’s access to education.
This Inclusive Education Month, we need your help to ensure that people with disabilities and their families don’t have to wait to be connected to one of our friendly and knowledgeable advocates when they need support. With your help, we will be there to listen and build confidence and knowledge to advocate for inclusive education.
Become a Monthly Circle of Friends donor or make a one-time donation today!
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Important Update for Registered Societies
The BC Registry has stated that, resuming April 2023, if a Microboard or other registered society fails to submit an annual report for two consecutive years, the society’s status will be revoked.
To secure your society status, we strongly encourage you to submit any missing annual reports before April 2023.
Click here to visit the BC Registry website to learn more.
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Event - Getting Our Voices Heard! Self-Advocates Learning & Taking Action Together
This event is being hosted by BC People First Society (BCPF) and the BC Self-Advocate Leadership Network (BCSALN).
Saturday, March 4, 2023
9:00am - 4:30pm (Pacific Time)
Civic Autograph Hotel near Surrey Central Skytrain
Join this free event to learn leadership skills, enjoy presentations, share stories, play games, network, connect, and have lunch together. Self-advocates supporting self-advocates!
Register and read more here
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Event - Inclusion Works!
June 6 - 8, 2023
Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre | 1000 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2R9
Early bird registration for the World Supported Employment Conference, Inclusion Works!, has been extended to February 28th!
Join community leaders from public and private sectors, government officials, business representatives, and delegates from around the world for a conference about supported employment!
Read more and register here
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Join CanAssist's Youth Advisory Committee
CanAssist is recruiting for a Youth Advisory Committee! They are looking for youth between 15 and 30 who live in BC and self-identify as having a disability, mental health, or substance use challenge.
Committee members will advise on the BC Employment Strategy for Youth with Disabilities. Click here to view a short video introducing the project. Members will receive a $100 honorarium for each committee meeting they participate in!
Fill out an application here to join
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CanAssist's Focus Group Report on Employment Support for Youth with Disabilities
CanAssist at the University of Victoria hosted focus group sessions on Employment Support for Youth with Disabilities. These reports contain summaries of the opinions, experiences, and perspectives of youth with disabilities and their caregivers who participated.
Read the Youth Perspective Report here
Read the Caregiver Perspective Report here
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Federal Budget Consultation Survey
The Federal Government is looking for input, opinions, and ideas to help lead their decisions for the 2023 Federal budget.
This is your opportunity to share what is most important to you! What challenges do you see ahead of us? What should the government be focused on? What great ideas do you have?
We suggest writing to fund the Canada Disability Benefit and for targeted funding for inclusive early learning and child care.
For some ideas about important investments for the federal budget, read Inclusion Canada's recommendations for budget 2023
The survey will take about five minutes to answer and will be available until February 10, 2023.
Take the survey here
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Autism Community Training Survey
Autism Community Training (ACT) is in the process of developing a three-year strategic plan, which includes where to focus the training opportunities they offer. Their Board and Staff would appreciate your feedback. They are interested in the areas in which you note achievements, and more importantly, where, from your perspective, you would like them to focus more of their resources in the future.
Take the survey here
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Michelle Schmidt, Executive Director at Autism Community Training, at mschmidt@actcommunity.ca
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Updates & Alerts
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