Dear Friend,
Below are highlights of what you'll discover in the April 2023 edition of Inclusion BC’s E-Update:
- The First Community-Led Collaboration Engagement Sessions
- New Challenging Misconceptions Film in Fort St. John
- The Self Advocacy Leadership Institute 2023
- Rivers and Roads - A Family Leadership Series in the Lower Mainland
- Join the Marketplace at Inclusion Works!
- Children with disabilities put in restraints, secluded rooms at Canadian schools | CTV W5 INVESTIGATION
- British Columbia Nursing Support Services for Families - Call to Action
- British Columbia Poverty Reduction Engagement
- British Columbia Societies Act Important Update
- What Are Your Hopes and Dreams for Public Education in British Columbia?
- First Nations Child & Family Caring Society Award and Scholarship
- Join the Class Action Lawsuit for those detained under the Adult Guardianship Act Emergency Provisions
- Inclusion International on United Nations Resolution - Communication Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities
- The INfinity Prize - Canadian Enterprises Paving the way for - and with - Neurodivergent Individuals
- Our Work is Made Possible Thanks to You!
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The First Community-Led Collaboration
Engagement Sessions
The Community-Led Collaboration Project is supporting Community Engagement Sessions for communities in British Columbia to engage in meaningful conversations about how to create a better network of services and supports for children and youth with support needs and their families.
We've worked with the community in Campbell River, Kamloops, Castlegar, and Port Alberni to organize local sessions happening in May and June!
Check our project webpage soon for updates on upcoming Community Engagement Sessions.
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New Challenging Misconceptions Film in Fort St. John
Our Challenging Misconceptions Project is wrapping up their latest film in Fort St. John. This film follows the story of a young woman with a disability who lives and works in the community. It outlines how she leads a fulfilling life and career, how her community encourages her success, and her hopes for the future.
Stay tuned for the release!
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The Self Advocacy Leadership Institute 2023
This four-day event created by self advocate leaders is to support the learning and skill development of 25 of their peer self advocates.
August 14th – 17th, 2023
at the University of British Columbia Okanagan Campus in Kelowna
At this event, you will learn what is needed to be a leader and learn about topics that will help you to bring information back to your communities.
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Save the Date!
Rivers and Roads - A Family Leadership Series in the Lower Mainland
Join us online on May 17 and in-person or online on May 26-27 for our family leadership series in Richmond!
Families living in the Lower Mainland are invited to attend a series of FREE sessions. Learn ways to strengthen your advocacy and access resources to help build a good life for your loved one with a disability. Join other families in sharing knowledge and developing community support.
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Join the Marketplace at Inclusion Works!
Calling all entrepreneurs!
Sell your products/service to 600 international delegates at the 2nd World Supported Employment Conference in Vancouver, BC, on June 8, 2023.
This opportunity is open to entrepreneurs with disabilities.
Thanks to the Entrepreneurs Marketplace sponsors, Community Futures and the BC Employment Network, this opportunity is free for entrepreneurs.
Deadline to apply is Friday, April 28, 2023
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Children with disabilities put in restraints, secluded rooms at Canadian schools | CTV W5 INVESTIGATION
Physical restraint and seclusion should not be part of any student's experience in their educational years. Join our campaign to Stop Hurting Kids. We call on the Ministry of Education and Child Care to prohibit these practices. Keep school districts accountable with reporting mechanisms and reviews. Provide adequate training in positive behaviours supports and conflict de-escalation for teachers, support staff, administrators and district staff.
Read more about our Stop Hurting Kids Campaign here
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British Columbia Nursing Support Services for Families
Call for Action
BC Complex Kids Society, on behalf of families receiving Nursing Support Services (NSS) for their children with medical complexity, delivered an urgent letter to Adrian Dix, at the Ministry of Health, but there has been no meaningful response.
Nursing Support Services is a system of home care support that is a lifeline for children with medical complexity, many who have life-limiting conditions. These supports have eroded to a state of being harmful for both children and their caregivers.
You can help elevate the voices of families whose children need nursing support services today.
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British Columbia Poverty Reduction Engagement
The Government of BC is engaging with your communities to inform how they can reduce poverty in our province. Whether you have ideas about how to make more progress on poverty, or suggestions about how they can change laws to better serve British Columbians, they want everyone’s perspective!
Ways to participate:
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British Columbia Societies Act Important Update
From Vela Microboard Association of BC's website
BC Registries and Online Services has sent an email to all active Societies in BC to inform them of some upcoming changes to the BC Societies Act. Most of the changes will not have a significant impact on Microboards, but you should be aware of the changes.
These changes will be coming into effect April or May 2023.
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What Are Your Hopes and Dreams for Public Education in British Columbia?
What are your hopes and dreams for public education in BC? What do you think BC public schools need? What would an equitable, inclusive, and diverse public education system be like?
“Our Hopes and Dreams for Public Education” is a project of the Institute for Public Education British Columbia IPE/BC. They will facilitate a community-based discussion and collect data from you that is collated, analyzed, and shared across the province to inform public policy and decision-making.
Here are some ways to have your share your hopes and dreams with IPE/BC:
- Use this handy form to submit your thoughts
- Email them at hopesanddreamsipe@gmail.com
- Send a direct message to IPE through Facebook or Twitter (@PublicEdBC)
- Use the hashtag #hopesanddreamsIPE on Facebook or Twitter.
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Spirit Bear Award 2023
Text from First Nations Child & Family Caring Society
Created in 2019, the Spirit Bear Award is named in honour of Spirit Bear, who is a symbol of reconciliation and equity for kids. Nomination Information:The Spirit Bear Award goes to a group of young people who demonstrate their commitment to reconciliation and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. This year, three awards of $500 will be given to groups of young people to use as they would like toward their activities or simply to celebrate!
Deadline: April 30,2023
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Jordan's Principle Scholarship
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Named in loving memory of Jordan River Anderson, the Jordan's Principle Scholarship will be awarded to First Nations students studying children’s holistic health and wellbeing. Learn more about Jordan and the importance of Jordan's Principle here.
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Text from First Nations Child & Family Caring Society
Are you a First Nations student studying children’s health or children’s disabilities at a Canadian post-secondary institution (returning Fall 2023)? Do you demonstrate a commitment to Indigenous children’s health and community service as well as academic commitment and achievement? Apply for the Jordan's Principle Scholarship!
Deadline: April 30,2023
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Join the Class Action Lawsuit for those detained under the Adult Guardianship Act Emergency Provisions
On November 25, 2022, Klein Lawyers filed a class action lawsuit for people who were illegally held against their will under the Adult Guardianship Act Emergency Assistance Provisions.
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"Under these emergency assistance provisions, the designated agency has the authority to enter any premises where the adult is located. The agency may do so without a warrant, use any reasonable force, remove the adult to a safe place, and provide emergency health care." — Psych DB
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The lawsuit claims that certain agencies in British Columbia have been illegally holding people from leaving. These detentions are a violation of their rights and go against the purpose of the Act, which is to protect the well-being of adults.
Have you been kept from leaving an agency against your will? Join the lawsuit to hold the agencies accountable and make sure that everyone's rights are protected.
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Inclusion International on United Nations Resolution - Communication Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities
The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a new resolution about promoting Easy to Understand Communication for accessibility for Persons with Disabilities.
The resolution is for Governments to make their communication more accessible through using plain language and involving people with disabilities in developing policies.
The United Nations General Assembly is meeting on June 12 in New York to write a report. This report will give Governments specific recommendations on how to use the resolution.
Let's make sure that this report is done right!
What you can do:
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The INfinity Prize
Canadian enterprises paving the way
for - and with - neurodivergent employees
Text from the Azrieli Foundation
Established in 2023 by the Azrieli Foundation, the INfinity Prize is the first competitive award to recognize Canadian social enterprises that employ people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The prize will be awarded to a Canadian social enterprise that has demonstrated best practices in creating meaningful and sustainable inclusive employment for people.
The winner will receive a $100,000 cash award, two years of professional coaching, and support from the Azrieli Foundation. This prize winner will be announced during a gala event in October.
The deadline to apply is on May 19, 2023
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Our Work is Made Possible Thanks to You!
Once again, our Advocacy Line saw a 21% increase in the demand for our support over the past year. More people and families than ever before have requested our support to navigate complex systems and relationships and advocate for their rights. With our friendly advocates in their corner, people feel more knowledgeable and confident in ensuring they have what they need to thrive.
This program operates thanks to the generous support of donors like you. With your help, we can ensure that everyone has the tools and skills needed to advocate for their needs.
Join our community today as a Circle of Friends donor, or make a single donation here
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Updates & Alerts
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