| Dear BC Self Advocacy Community and Supporters,
From Ross: It is my pleasure to send you my first update as Community Living BC’s (CLBC) new CEO. I began with CLBC on August 12, and I am thrilled to be in this new role and will be visiting individuals and self advocacy groups over the coming months. If you would like to learn a little more about my background, please read this story on our web site.
Today we are pleased to share these important updates:
- Calling self advocates: Have your say in new accessibility law
- October is Community Inclusion Month
- 2019 WOW (Widening Our World) Awards
- Inclusive housing project update: Please take survey
- Upcoming Welcome Workshops
- CLBC Open Board Meetings
- 20th Anniversary Self Advocacy Leadership Retreat
Calling self advocates: Have your say in new accessibility law
The Government of B.C. is making a new law about accessibility and inclusion. Read the government announcement here.
You can have your say through an online survey, via email or telephone, through nine community events or through a virtual townhall meeting. Learn about these opportunities here.
October is Community Inclusion Month
In October, we are proud to celebrate the contributions of people who live with diverse abilities.
Let us know about events or activities happening in your community to build awareness about the importance of inclusion for all. Send your information to Christopher.Rae@gov.bc.ca.
Want to proclaim Community Inclusion Month in your community? Here is a cover letter template and a proclamation template to help work with your municipality.
2019 WOW (Widening Our World) Awards
We are pleased to announce that inclusion champions from Princeton, Surrey, Kamloops, Salt Spring Island and Vernon have been selected as this year’s Widening our World (WOW) winners.
Learn about the winners by clicking here.
Inclusive housing project update: Please take survey
We need your voice!
The Inclusive Housing Task Force is collecting information about what people with diverse abilities want and need for housing.
This information will help make more inclusive housing for people who need it. You can help by filling out the survey here.
Upcoming Welcome Workshops
CLBC is excited that more people are attending Welcome Workshops to learn about CLBC and how we connect people to community and to supports and services. Workshops are led by a self advocate, family member and a CLBC staff member. You can find out more on the CLBC web site here.
Contact your local CLBC office to learn about workshops near you. The next series of Welcome Workshops is happening in October in the following communities:
- Abbotsford
- Chilliwack
- Langley
- Penticton
- Richmond
- Vancouver
- Vernon
CLBC Board open meetings
The CLBC Board welcomes anyone to attend board meetings and has set aside time at the beginning of each board meeting to answer questions from the public. You can find out about the open part of board meetings and how to do this here.
The next meeting will be on November 20, 2019 in Vancouver.
20th Anniversary Self Advocacy Leadership Retreat
Come to learn more about: Self Advocacy; community safety; YOUR Rights; healthy relationships; becoming leaders in your own Community.
Date: November 1st – November 3rd, 2019
Location: Camp Luther Retreat Centre, Mission, BC, Fraser Valley
If you have any questions, please call and register with the Coordinator Gregg Schiller at 604-868-7001 or by e-mail at: GreggSchiller@shaw.ca.
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Thank you for everything you do to make our communities stronger and more inclusive. We wish everyone well with your plans to celebrate Community Inclusion Month.
Sincerely,
Ross Chilton
CEO, Community Living BC
Jessica Humphrey
Self Advocate Advisor, Community Living BC |
