Website Links
If there is a link that you think should be on this page, please contact Danielle Kelliher at BCACL: dkelliher@bcacl.org
To find links to our member organizations that provide a range of supports and services for people with disabilities across B.C., visit our membership directory.
Advocacy
Advocate for Service Quality (BC) - helps adults with developmental disabilities and their families in B.C. get good quality services. The Advocate can help with services from the Ministry of Housing and Social Development, from other ministries, Community Living BC or from service agencies in the community.
Arc (US advocacy organization for developmental disabilities)
Broadreach Training and Resources
BC Coalition of People with Disabilities
BC Ombudsman - the office of the Ombudsman is responsible for hearing complaints against a government ministry or public agency and is independent from government.
Canadian Association for Community Living
Coalition Against No Fault Insurance
Mental Health Action Research and Advocacy Association of Greater Vancouver (ARA)
Moms on the Move - provincial all-volunteer network representing families of children and youth with special needs and adults with developmental disabilities in BC.
Povnet (resources on poverty issues)
TASH (US national organization for developmental disabilities)
Arts & Culture
Cool Arts - a fine-arts organization for adults with developmental disabilities living in the Central Okanagan
Out from Under - Disability, History and Things to Remember - a virtual museum of activist disability history
Kickstart Disability Arts and Culture - produces and presents works by artists with disabilities
Sprout Film Festival - brings innovative programming to people with developmental disabilities
Children's Advocacy
B.C. Representative for Children & Youth
Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada
Federation of BC Youth in Care Networks
First Call - BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition
Society for Children and Youth
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
Disabilities - Specific
Autism Community Training Society (ACT)
Canadian Down Syndrome Society
The Cerebral Palsy Association of BC
Tetrasomy 18P - a website created by a mother in Ontario to share information with persons and families with disabilities, including but not limited to chromosome abnormalities of Chromosome 18.
Voice of the Cerebral Palsied of Greater Vancouver (VCPGV) - For free resources, including "How to Create a Trust," "CSIL Handbook," and other links and resources.
Disabilities - General
Abilities.ca - The website for Abilities magazine
BC Coalition of People with Disabilities
Community Inclusion Initiative a national community development initiative funded by the Government of Canadavia its Social Development Partnership Program (SDPP). It allows BCACL, CACL, People First of Canada and provincial and territorial associations across the country to do vital work that promotes the inclusion, full participation and citizenship of Canadians with intellectual disabilities and their families.
Community Living Research Project - University of British Columbia - based in the School of Social Work and the University of British Columbia. In the fall of 2005, the Community Living Research Project began exploring Community Living supports and services for adults.
Council of Canadians with Disabilities
Disabled Peoples International
Diverse City Press - produces and distributes inspiring and informational books, audio CD's and video tapes, dealing with persons with developmental disabilities, and a range of social issues.
Diversity World - The website of Denise Bissonnette, an expert on issues of career development, diversity and employment and training for people with employment barriers.
Equipment and Assistive Technology Initiative (EATI) - If you're a person with a disability who has employment-related goals (or volunteer goals leading to employment), please visit the EATI website to learn more and to see if you are eligible for the project. This is a project offered through the BC Personal Supports Network.
People in Motion - a non-profit disability group based in Kamloops.
Persons with Disabilities Online (Government of Canada information on disability-related programs and services, includes Benefits Finder and Guide to services for people with disabilities. This guide is available in online, in large print, Braille, audio cassette, or computer diskette format - call 1.800.622.6232 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1.800.622.6232 end_of_the_skype_highlighting to order a copy.)
Inclusion Network - Resources on inclusion. Based out of Toronto, Ontario.
Education-Early to Grade 12
BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (BCCPAC)
BCTF Teaching to Diversity Site
Beyond the Box Basics - Professional Development for Educators and Parents Supporting Students with Diverse Needs
Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL) Inclusive Education site
CAST - A website that promotes the Universal Design of Learning. Provides resources and information for parents and educators.
Education Watch (Canadian Association for Community Living)
Inclusive Schools Network (Inclusive schools celebration ideas)
Individual Education Plans - A guide for parents. - By Catherine Abraham and Joyce Gram, in collaboration with the BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils.
Moms on the Move Education Updates - an advocacy blog
Paula Kluth (a website dedicated to promoting inclusive schooling and exploring positive ways of supporting students with autism and other disabilities)
Vancouver Sun's Education Blog - maintained by Vancouver Sun reporter Janet Steffenhagen, this blog reports and comments on current events that relate to education in B.C.
Education-Post Secondary
Disability Resource Network - provincial organization that represents individuals who provide programs and services for individuals who have disabilities, in the British Columbia Post Secondary Education system.
BC Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development
STEPS Forward Inclusive Post Secondary Education Society - The mandate of STEPS Forward is to transform post-secondary education in B.C. by modelling inclusion for students with intellectual disabilities, starting at UBC (STEPS-Campus) and eventually expanding to other colleges and universities throughout the lower mainland and the rest of the province.
Universal Design For Learning: Reaching All Learners program (Harvard Graduate School)
Employment
AccessWORKS - a broad group of disability organizations and service providers dedicated to advancing the economic inclusion of persons with disabilities in British Columbia.
Association of Service Providers for Employability and Career Training (ASPECT) - an association of community-based trainers that represents and promotes the interests and activities of members to strengthen their capacity to provide services to people with barriers to employment.
BC Employnet - a network of people providing employment support services to people with developmental disabilities in BC.The website has current events, resources and other information.
BC Ministry of Housing and Social Development Employment and Labour Market Services
Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE)
Community Living BC - Employment Initiative
Disability Resource Network - provincial organization that represents individuals who provide programs and services for individuals who have disabilities, in the British Columbia Post Secondary Education system.
Diversity World is a site built on the creative tradition of Denise Bisonnette. Denise has written many books on supported employment, including many on the topic of non-traditional job development.
Disabilities Work - a website with videos featuring the employment success stories of people with disabilities.
familyWORKS - is governed by families who are trying to find innovative ways to create or find employment for loved ones that have intellectual disabilities.
IAM CARES Society (Employment assistance and placement services)
Institute for Community Inclusion is an online resource out of the University of Massachusetts in Boston. It provides a thorough collection of research, online training, and access to articles related to employment for people with disabilities.
Minister's Council on Employment for Persons with Disabilities
ORW - Opportunities through Rehabilitation and Work - is a non-profit, independently funded resource base, serving organizations, business and government involved in the employment of persons with disabilities in British Columbia.
The Provincial Networking Group Inc. - Professional support, training and employment services.
The Training Resource Network is a one-stop shop for books and booklets, worksheets and practical tools to increase the capacity of organizations to deliver quality employment services.
WorkSupport.com provides information, research and resources about work and disability issues. VCU is home to Dr. Paul Wehman, the founder of the supported employment model in the United States.
WorkAble Solutions is an online resource connecting job seekers with disabilities and employers in British Columbia.
Family Support & Advocacy
Adoptive Families Association of BC
Autism Community Training Society (ACT)
BC Association of Child Development & Intervention (CDC)
BC Council for Families - provides education, training, advocacy and research for the healthy development of families.
BC FamilyNet - an independent provincial network that provides a provincial voice for children and youth with special needs, adults with developmental disabilities and their families.
BC Ministry of Children and Family Development
Canadian Down Syndrome Society
The Cerebral Palsy Association of BC
Community Living British Columbia
Infant Development Program of BC (IDP)
Family Caregivers Network Society - BC caregivers' network
Family Support Institute is a province-wide organization whose purpose is to strengthen and support families faced with the extraordinary circumstances that come with having a family member who has a disability.
familyWORKS - is governed by families who are trying to find innovative ways to create or find employment for loved ones that have intellectual disabilities.
First Call - BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition
F.O.R.C.E. (Families Organized for Recognition and Care Equality) - Provides information for families on mental health issues for children and youth. Includes a section for parents called "Dealing with a Crisis."
The Giving in Action Society - provides grants to families living in the province of British Columbia through two funds - the Family Independence Fund and the Children and Youth with Special Needs Fund. Giving in Action is also on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkGtfYwkYgs
Here to Help - Resources on mental health and addiction issues, created by BC Partners for Mental Health and Addiction Information. Includes online interactive toolkits.
Moms on the Move - provincial all-volunteer network representing families of children and youth with special needs and adults with developmental disabilities in BC.
Parent Support Services Society - a volunteer-driven organization that provides parent support circles and parent education initiatives. Its mandate is to prevent child abuse and to promote healthy relationships by supporting parenting, families and communities.
PLAN - Planned Lifetime advocacy network. a family-led organization founded to secure the future for people with disabilities. A great resource for information on the Registered Disability Savings Plan.
Representative for Children & Youth - an independent office of the legislature that supports children, youth and families who need help in dealing with the child welfare system and advocates for changes to the system itself.
The Respite Learning Portal - This site is devoted to those who are interested in learning more about respite work and those already providing respite support services who want to access more information or simply share ideas.
Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children Resource Centre (Part of BC Children"s Hospital)
Support Worker Central - an online database designed to match individuals, families and agencies with support workers in their communities.
UNTAPE is a site where people come to share practical tips for cutting through red tape and getting the help you need.
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
Western Society for Children - assists parents in advocating for disability resources needed by their children.
Variety The Children's Charity
Financial Planning
*See below for resources on the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)
Canada Revenue Agency - Tax and Disabilities issues
Housing
Cooperative Housing Federation of BC
Guide to Housing and Mortgages for people with disabilities
Income Security
BC Coalition for People with Disabilities
Ministry of Housing and Social Develoment
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
Canadian Council on Social Development
Legal Services Society of BC (legal aid & information)
Poverty and Human Rights Centre (online library)
Povnet (resources on poverty issues)
Social Planning and Research Council of BC
Individualized Funding
Community Living British Columbia - information on direct funding and host agency funding.
Vela Microboard Association - a non-profit organization that provides support to families and individuals regarding individualized funding through microboards.
Institutions
Institution Watch - CACL Deinstitutionalization Initiative
Woodlands Campaign - BC Coalition of People with Disabilities
International
Disabled Peoples' International
United Nations - Persons with Disabilities Resources
Justice System
Centre for Restorative Justice - Simon Fraser University
BC Ministry of Attorney General
BC Ministry of Children and Family Development
BC Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
Equality Rights Central - a site that keeps an eye on equality cases "through their formative stages, at courts or tribunals of first instance, in provincial Courts of Appeal, as well as the Supreme Court of Canada."
Mental Health
BC Mental Health and Addiction Services - is an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), providing mental health services to people across the province. Check out their resources section for a list of mental health weblinks in BC.
Mental Health and Addiction Services:
F.O.R.C.E Society for Kids' Mental Health - Provides support, education, advocacy and navigation for families and professionals to help address the mental health needs of children and youth.
Provincial Assessment Centre - provides multi-disciplinary mental health services for referred individuals ages 14 and up with a developmental disability and a concurrent mental illness, or behaviour issue. It is part of Community Living BC (CLBC).
Multicultural
SUCCESS (United Chinese Community Enrichment Services society)
Research
The Centre for Inclusion and Citizenship's Community Living Research Project is based in the School of Social Work and the University of British Columbia. It explores Community Living supports and services for adults (19+) with developmental disabilities.
Social Planning and Research Council (SPARC) is a non-profit organization that conducts research and advocacy on social issues, and delivers community development education and consulting services to communities.
Self Advocacy
101 Ways to Make Friends blog - shares strategies for creating, expanding and deepening networks of support for people with disabilities, their supporters, friends and families.
Disability Rights in Canada - a Virtual Museum - This virtual museum is a member Canadian Network for Inclusive Cultural Exchange. It is funded in part by the Department of Canadian Heritage.
Out from Under - Disability, History and Things to Remember - a virtual museum of activist disability history
Parallels in Time: A History of Developmental Disabilities - Site based in Minnesota.
People First (international links)
The Riot - website for the self advocacy newsletter called the Riot.
Self Advocacy Resource Network (ACT – Advocating Change Together), US
Registered Disability Savings Plan
PLAN (Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network) - PLAN has been instrumental in seeing the implementation of the RDSP in Canada. Visit PLAN's website and the links below for more information on the RDSP.
The RDSP Blog - provides families across Canada with up-to-date information on the RDSP and a forum for discussion on the RDSP.
RDSP.com - a website dedicated to providing you with information and resources about the RDSP.
Seminars on the RDSP - PLAN offers in-person, online and telephone seminars.
Sports/Recreation
Developmentally Challenged Youth Basketball Association
Training / Professional Development
Broadreach Training and Resources
CBI Consultants - Training for support agencies
Douglas College, New Westminster, BC - Classroom and Community Support Program
Kwantlen University College, Langley, BC - Community Support Worker Program