BCACL is a federation working with partners to build community and to enhance the lives of children, youth and adults with developmental disabilities and their families by supporting abilities, promoting action and advancing rights, responsibilities and social justice.
March 12, 2010 - Canada ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities yesterday, marking a historic and profound moment in our country’s history. "It is Canada’s declaration to Canadians and the international community that disability is at last to be recognized as a matter of fundamental human rights – at home in Canada and internationally" (Press release from the Canadian Association for Community Living).
March 3, 2010 - The provincial government tabled its 2010/11 – 2012/13 budget and fiscal plan yesterday, revealing flat-lined budgets to Community Living BC (the Crown Agency responsible for supports and services for adults with developmental disabilities) and the Ministry of Children and Families (the ministry responsible for supports and services for children and youth with special needs).
At a time when new investments are crucially needed to keep people off of waitlists, this budget is empty of any commitment towards improving the lives of children and youth with special needs and adults with developmental disabilities in BC. Read the press release here.
Visit the BC Budget section of this website for details.
The 2010 Joint British Columbia Association for Community Living (BCACL), Family Focus Society (FFS) and Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL) Conference - "Families, a Journey of Generations Moving Mountains" - is seeking workshop topics and presenters for our 2010 Conference which will take place October 22-24 at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler in Whistler, B.C. If you are interested in presenting or co-presenting a workshop, please submit your proposal online. If you would like to fax your proposal, please contact BCACL (lhaggart@bcacl.org) for a printable copy of the form.
Visit the conference section of this website for more information.
In celebration of Inclusive Education Week (February 15 - 22), two awards have been announced in the areas of K-12 and post secondary education.
2010 Inclusive Education Award Winners:
Brian Silzer - for his instrumental role in making post secondary education inclusive of people with developmental disabilities as Registrar at the University of British Columbia. Read the press release here.
Dr. Beth Sparks - for pioneering the use of technology to support inclusive learning environments at Cougar Canyon Elementary School in Delta, B.C. Read the press release here.
The Province of B.C. has negotiated a proposed settlement in a class action brought by former residents of Woodlands institution. While the settlement agreement approves compensation for approximately 1100 former residents, over 500 former residents will be excluded merely because they lived at Woodlands prior to 1974.
The Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL) joins the BC Association for Community Living (BCACL) in calling on the Government of BC to do the right thing and recognize the abuse suffered by former residents of the Woodlands institution before August 1, 1974.
For more information on institutions and Woodlands, visit the institutions section of the BCACL website.
Read the joint press release here.
Read BCACL's letter to Premier Campbell here.
Visit the BC Coalition for People with Disabilties website for more information.
BCACL has launched a petition to Premier Campbell urging his government to reverse recent changes made to the Community Living Authority Act that remove the legislated requirement that people with developmental disabilities and family members are guaranteed a place on the CLBC Board of Directors.
We ask that you please sign the petition and forward it to your family, friends and coworkers.
Read and sign the petition here
Other resources:
BCACL press release
BCACL letter to the Premier
OpEd printed in the Vancouver Sun from BCACL board member Tim Stainton
What else can you do?
Letters:
December 3, 2009 letter to Minister Coleman from the Mission Association for Community Living.
December 3, 2009 letter to Minister Coleman from the Mission Self Advocacy Group
January 11, 2010 response letter from Minister Coleman
Visit this link (http://www.bcacl.org/documents/WebAnnualReport.pdf) to download our 2008/2009 annual report. If you would like a paper copy of our annual report, please contact BCACL: info@bcacl.org
For current information and updates, click here to view our web page on the Registered Disability Savings Plan.
