*Website links and resources - related to issues that we work on.
Inclusive Education
Employment
Supports to Children and Families
Income Security
Disability Supports
The following materials are available from BCACL and are listed by subject area. The materials are free, but we welcome donations to cover the costs of shipping and reprinting. To order any of these materials, please fill out an order form and send it, along with your donation should you wish to make one, to BCACL. For further assistance, please call the BCACL office at 604.777.9100.
BCACL Membership Directory
Contains information on programs and services provided by BCACL and its member associations.
BCACL Brochure
Provides a brief introduction to what a developmental disability is, what community living means, and what the BC Association for Community Living does.
BCACL Posters - see Community Living Month
Click here for BCACL publications for Community Living Month, including an organizing toolkit.
Restorative Justice and People with Developmental Disabilities: A Booklet for Family Members, Advocates and Community Living Service Providers - 2006. This 16-page booklet aims to help family members, advocates and community living service providers understand restorative justice and how it can help resolve conflicts involving individuals with developmental disabilities. Restorative justice offers a healing approach to harm done in the community. It accommodates an individual's needs and responsibilities, whether they are the person harmed or the person who caused the harm. It also recognizes the role of the individual"s support network and the community in resolving conflict. This booklet includes useful information on restorative justice print and web-based resources. Available in print and online.
Restorative Justice and People with Developmental Disabilities: A Booklet for Restorative Justice Facilitators - 2006. This 11-page booklet is designed to help restorative justice facilitators understand the unique abilities and challenges of individuals with developmental disabilities involved in a restorative justice process. It underscores the need to support the individual and emphasizes the advantages of collaborating with a community living organization. The booklet also includes useful information on restorative justice print and web-based resources. Available in print and online.
Everyone Belongs in Our Schools: Making the case for inclusive education in British Columbia
BCACL, 2002, 20 pp.
This booklet makes the case for inclusive education by shattering myths, presenting research findings on the positive impact of inclusive education, and telling the stories of five young people who, with the support of their teachers and families, are a testament to the value of inclusion. Includes references and ideas for how to support and advocate for inclusive schools. A useful information tool for teachers, school boards, families, advocates and community organizations. Available in print and online.
Everyone Belongs in Our Schools: A Parent's Handbook on Inclusive Education
BCACL, 2006, Edition 3, 3-hole punched for binder, 145 pp.
This new and improved handbook for parents of children and youth with special needs provides information about how the school system works, the roles of school personnel, the rights and responsibilities of parents, and tips on how to advocate effectively for your child"s education. Also useful for advocates, advisors, caregivers and planners. Available in print and online.
Learning Together
By Donna Bracewell, BCACL, 1991, 48 pp.
A collection of stories about children who have successfully integrated into regular classrooms in their neighbourhood schools. Includes a resource list of people, books, and films that speak to the issues and challenges of inclusive education. This publication is not available online. Please email BCACL (info@bcacl.org) to order a copy.
See Self Advocacy below.
Friends Make the Difference
By Annie Rousseau, BCACL, 1995, 48 pp.
A practical guide providing inspiration and information to assist the efforts of parents, teachers, community members, or anyone who wants to help someone with a disability make connections. This publication is not available online. Please email BCACL (info@bcacl.org)
Possibilities! (newsletter)
Family Support Institute (FSI), 4/year, $25/year includes membership.
Contact FSI at fsi@fsibc.com to subscribe.
This is a quarterly newsletter produced by and for family members of people with disabilities, providing information on a variety of issues important to families.
Fact Sheet on Individualized Funding (download file)
BC Self Advocacy Foundation, November 2005, 4 pp
This fact sheet explains everything you ever wanted to know about Individualized Funding in plain language.
Assertiveness Training Manual: A Five-Week Course for Self Advocates
BC Self Advocacy Foundation, 1995, 178 pp. in 3-ring binder
This book is about helping self advocates learn how to speak up for themselves and be more assertive. It shows self advocates how to lead a group through five assertiveness lessons. It has handouts for group leaders about what to do for each lesson. It also has handouts for everyone in the group to take home. There are fun exercises included to help people learn to speak up for themselves. This publication is not available online. Please email BCACL (info@bcacl.org) to order a copy.
Being Safe: A Safety Guide for Self Advocates - In Your Home and in Your Community (1996)
BC Self Advocacy Foundation, 1996, 12 one-page tip sheets in a pocket folder
This kit gives tips on how to be safe at home, when you go out, and when you go on holidays. This publication is not available online. Please email BCACL (info@bcacl.org) to order a copy.
Real Work for Real Pay; A booklet by self advocates, for self advocates
'Real Work for Real Pay' describes the learning and success of six self advocacy groups in British Columbia who completed employment projects in their communities. The booklet also explores the dreams, rights and responsibilities that self advocates shared, in their words, about working. Click here to download the booklet.
Self Advocacy Group Start-Up Kit
BCACL, 1992, 40 pp. Updated 2008.
This is a plain language package of information to help self advocates start a self advocacy group in their community. It talks about how to get people together and what a self advocacy group can do. It includes a section on group advisors - what advisors can do for the group, how to find one, and how to work with an advisor. Available online.
This Book Is About Children, Parents and Child Protection
By Fred Ford, BC Self Advocacy Foundation, 1999, 47 pp.
This booklet explains some of the things that happen when parents deal with child protection services. Written for parents with exceptional learning needs and those who support them, it talks about the responsibilities of parents under the law, what child protection services do, and what parents can do if child protection services get involved with their family and a parent has to go to court. This booklet gives general information and is not intended to give legal advice on a particular situation. Published with financial and research assistance from the Public Legal Education Program of the Legal Services Society of B.C.
This Book Is About Going to Court If You've Been Abused
BC Self Advocacy Foundation, 1995, 47 pp.
This booklet explains what abuse is. It explains what you can do if someone has abused you and how to get support. It also tells you what happens if you press charges and if you go to court to tell what happened. Published with financial and research assistance from the Public Legal Education Program of the Legal Services Society of B.C.
This Book Is About Your Rights
BC Self Advocacy Foundation, 1997, revised edition, 21 pp.
This booklet talks about your right to make choices and speak up for yourself. It explains your rights when you are with other people like friends, family, caregivers, professionals, or people you pay for services. It explains what you can do if someone is taking away your rights. Published with financial assistance from the Public Legal Education Program of the Legal Services Society of B.C.
This Book Is About Your Rights as a Young Adult
BC Self Advocacy Foundation, 1999, 38 pp.
This booklet talks about the rights, choices and responsibilities of young adults with developmental disabilities who are turning 19. Illustrated with many cartoon-style drawings, it covers issues such as privacy, safety, dating, independence, jobs and school. Published with financial assistance from Human Resources Development Canada.
The Voice (newsletter)
BC Self Advocacy Foundation, 4/year, $10/year, FREE for self advocates
A newsletter produced by and for self advocates, providing news and views on issues that are important to people with developmental disabilities.
June 2005 issue (download file)
December 2005 issue (download file)
March 2008 issue (download file)
Spring 2008 issue (download file)
You, Me and Us: A Relationships Roundtable for Self Advocates (download file)
BC Self Advocacy Foundation and BC People First, March, 2004.
A report on a day of discussion about relationships.
12 Inclusive Activities: A Guide for Youth Group Leaders
BCACL, 2004
This is a 35-page booklet produced by the VOICES youth group at the BC Association for Community Living. VOICES is a leadership development group that includes youth with and without disabilities who are working together to show their peers, parents, teachers, and communities that inclusion works. 12 Inclusive Activities is a tool that helps BCACL share our enthusiasm about building communities where all youth are celebrated and included. The booklet provides tips on facilitating inclusive groups, as well as 12 activities that help build groups and prompt discussion about inclusion. It also has individual stories from VOICES participants sharing their thoughts and feelings about being in an inclusive group.
North Shore Disability Resource Centre 30th Anniversary Cookbook 2007 Calendar
This desktop calendar is a wonderful rendition of pictures, ethnic recipes, information about the agency and health tips all for a mere $5.00. This project was undertaken by staff and people supported by the North Shore Independent Living Program. Drop by their office if you would like a copy - 3158 Mountain Highway, North Vancouver, BC or call 604-985-5371 for more information.