disability white paper consultation: submission of inclusion bc, march 2014

8/12/2019 Disability White Paper Consultation: Submission of Inclusion BC, March 2014

1/20

ConsultationMarch 2014


2/20

1

BC Provincial Disability White Paper ConsultationSubmission from Inclusion BC

March 2014ContentsAbout Inclusion BCFramework of the submissionA Rights-Based ApproachCore values and principlesRecommendations:

1. Innovation in disability services and more freedom for persons living with disabilities2. Personal supports, aids and devices3. Work and contribution4. Housing and accessibility5. Social networks6. Asset accumulation through the Registered Disability Savings Plan

Conclusion


3/20

2

About Inclusion BCInclusion BC is a provincial non-profit organization of individuals, families and over 70 member

organizations committed to advancing rights, building awareness and inspiring action to ensure

full rights, citizenship and inclusion for people with developmental disabilities. We are a

federation working with partners to build community and to enhance the lives of children andyouth with special needs, adults with developmental disabilities, and their families.

Formerly the BC Association for Community Living, Inclusion BC reflects the long and proud legacy

of the community living movement in British Columbia of the parents who organized to educate

their children when the doors of public schools were closed to them, and of the families that

worked to shut down the institutions which labeled, marginalized and oppressed people with

developmental disabilities in British Columbia. The parents who dreamed of a better life for their

sons and daughters founded Inclusion BC. They wanted their children to learn in school, have

friends, and be welcome in their communities. A snapshot of key moments in the history ofindividuals, families and Inclusion BC can be seen in the Over the Years timeline, on page 18.

Over the past 59 years, Inclusion BC has grown to include numerous member agencies, families

and individuals, all committed to making sure that people with developmental disabilities are

supported to enjoy their right to lead active and productive lives in their communities. Advocacy

support, education and training, network support, systems change, advancing rights, social justice

and public awareness are the cornerstones of Inclusion BCs work. We are the provincial affiliate of

our national federation, the Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL), and through it,

Inclusion International reflecting the grassroots to global span of the community inclusion

movement, in British Columbia and beyond.

Framework of the submissionThis submission sets out Inclusion BCs response to the provinces Disability White Paper

consultation. The consultation aims to examine a framework which would enable British Columbia

to become the most progressive jurisdiction in Canada for people with disabilities and their

families, a goal that we share. The province has enumerated four key questions which we

examine in this submission:

1. Why do you think it is important that we reduce barriers and increase accessibility forpeople living with disabilities in BC?

2. What can British Columbians do to welcome the contributions of people with disabilitiesand what barriers can we remove?


4/20

3

3. What would make it easier for people with disabilities to work or contribute to thecommunity? What needs to be in place?

4. What would BC look like as the most progressive place in Canada for people and familiesliving with disabilities?

Participants are invited to examine up to six areas:

1. innovation in disability services and more freedom for persons living with disabilities2. personal supports and aids and devices,3. work and contribution, housing and accessibility,4. social networks and5. asset accumulation through the registered disability savings plan using these key

questions.

Inclusion BC welcomes the provinces consultation process and the opportunity to submit this

paper, as there are many critical questions and important issues to examine to ensure a truly

inclusive life for all people with disabilities in British Columbia.

A Rights-Based Approach: The UN Convention on the Rights ofPersons with DisabilitiesThere has been a significant paradigm shift over the last 20 years in attitudes and approaches to

persons with developmental disabilities. This is a shift away from segregation, institutionalizationand labeling towards recognizing human rights, prioritizing social justice and human potential,

centering on the individual person, full citizenship, community inclusion, contribution, and

deepening relationships and networks.

John Lord describes this as The New Story, with the person at the centre of their story and their

gifts and capabilities welcomed in their rightful place as a citizen. Their voice is strong and

supported to express what is most important to them. Approaches are person-centered and

systems are flexible and responsive. To the contrary, approaches that are deficit-based,

opportunity poor, institutional in structure and thinking, and disempowering fail individuals,families, and our society as a whole.

In 2010, Canada ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The UN Convention acknowledges a social model of disability, that it is constructed in an

interaction between a non-inclusive society and a person. Attitudinal and environmental barriers

hinder people with disabilities from full and effective participation in society on an equal basis

with others.


5/20

4

The UN writes that the Convention takes to a new height the movement from viewing persons

with disabilities as objects of charity, medical treatment and social protection towards viewing

persons with disabilities as subjects with rights, who are capable of claiming those rights and

making decisions for their lives based on their free and informed consent as well as being active

members of society.

The Convention gives universal recognition to the dignity and rights of persons with disabilities.

The principles of the Convention include:

Respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy including the freedom to make onesown choices, and independence of persons;

Non-discrimination; Full and effective participation and inclusion in society; Respect for difference and acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of human

diversity and humanity;

Equality of opportunity; Accessibility; Equality between men and women; Respect for the evolving capacities of children with disabilities and respect for the right of

children with disabilities to preserve their identities.

Inclusion BC sees the UN Convention as a central, powerful and appropriate framework in line

with Canadas legal responsibilities and obligations to apply when examining and measuring the

current status of supports and services for people with developmental disabilities or envisioning a

truly inclusive and progressive future.

Core Values and PrinciplesInclusion BC is driven by organizational values and principles that focus on a rights-based, social

justice-oriented approach to building communities and societies that are truly inclusive of peoplewith developmental disabilities. These organizational values guide the work of Inclusion BC and

the policy recommendations made below in this paper. They include:

the assurance of life, dignity and respect for all that children are best nurtured by a family that knows, loves and honours them for who

they are


6/20

5

that all children have the right to be educated inregular classrooms with appropriate levels of

support

that adults have a right to choose where andwith whom they will make a home

that relationships and friendships are essential toenrich our lives

that all people have the dignity of taking risks that all individuals are entitled to enough money

to have a reasonable quality of life

that all individuals are entitled to the servicesand supports required to ensure their fullparticipation in our society

that real work means real pay that each person can determine their own needs and make their own decisions, and when

necessary, must receive the support to do so

that the involvement of families and support networks contributes to everyone's safetyand well-being

that services and supports must be delivered in a way that respects an individual's diversehistory, culture, race, religion and sexual orientation

that remembering and sharing our history will help guide and build our vision for thefuture.

We draw upon these core values and principles in determining and shaping our recommendations

to this consultation process.


7/20

6

RecommendationsInclusion BCs recommendations are informed by the social policy positions developed by its Board

of Directors and on resolutions passed by voting members of Inclusion BC, as well as current

thinkers and policy makers in the disability sector.

1.Innovation in disability services and more freedom forpersons living with disabilities.

Innovation, the practice of applying new learnings and strategies to change systems, issues,

problems and routines, is a key principle in developing modern, responsive and person-centred

supports and services for people with developmental disabilities in British Columbia. In our

province, innovation has always stemmed from the community: from the families who first

formed the community living movement when their children were excluded from school, and then

fought to free their children from institutions, to the self advocates who demanded to be heard in

their own voice and to determine their own future, to the community organizations that innovate

in practice on a daily basis and have shaped internationally ground-breaking supports in housing,

employment, and community inclusion.

People with developmental disabilities face challenges as a result of a myriad of factors, such as

an inflexible and discriminatory medical model disability system, societal attitudes, inappropriate

supports and services, lack of real accommodation and government bureaucracy and barriers.

Supporting innovation in British Columbia means supporting and empowering people with

developmental disabilities, families, and the community to innovate and move toward the future

with practices that are truly person centred and fully supported.

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) embraces the vision of the

community-based innovation that has driven the movement for disability justice in British

Columbia. Innovations can, should, and must, in the words of the Convention:

recognize the need to promote and protect the human rights of all persons withdisabilities, including those who require more intensive support;

recognize the diversity of persons with disabilities; Recognize the importance for persons with disabilities of their individual autonomy and

independence, including the freedom to make their own choices.


8/20

7

The General Principles of the Convention underlie the necessary approach:

Respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy including the freedom to make one'sown choices, and independence of persons;

Non-discrimination; Full and effective participation and inclusion in society; Respect for difference and acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of human

diversity and humanity;

Equality of opportunity; Accessibility; Equality between men and women; Respect for the evolving capacities of children with disabilities and respect for the right of

children with disabilities to preserve their identities.

Signatories to the Convention, such as Canada, agree to take on the responsibility to:

undertake or promote research and development of universally designed goods, services,equipment and facilities...;

undertake or promote research and development of, and to promote the availability anduse of new technologies, including information and communications technologies.for

persons with disabilities

In addition, as the core of innovation is to be found in further developing and meeting the

standards of the UN Convention in all areas of life, the basis of innovation in British Columbia

should rest on key principles of the UNCRPD, including the right to education, to live

independently and be included in the community, the right to life, the right to quality and equal

health, the right to free and equal participation in employment, the eradication of poverty, and

the rights of children, women, and minority groups who also have disabilities.

RECOMMENDATIONS:1. Close all institutions. One of the primary achievements of innovation created by families

and self advocates, and the cornerstone of any vision of meaningful inclusion for people

with developmental disabilities in British Columbia, is deinstitutionalization and ensuring

that no new institutions, or institutional models, are used or built. This principle applies

equally to institutions operated by the Ministry of Health or Health Authorities (eg, George

Pearson Centre).


9/20

8

2. No new admissions. The Province of British Columbia must ensure that admissions toGeorge Pearson Centre and any similar institution are ended and that any redevelopment

on the site includes no institutional or congregate models in any form but that all residents

of George Pearson Centre are appropriately supported to live in the community.

3. Adequate and timely funding. In order for innovation to truly blossom, resources must beinvested to ensure people are fully supported. All children, youth, adults with

developmental disabilities and their families in BC should receive adequate and timely

funding and support to be fully included in their community regardless of the severity of

their medical support or other needs, as an equal citizen.

4. Support community agencies.Community agencies have been and remain centres ofinnovation since they were founded by small groups of parents seeking to break down the

barriers that denied their children education and locked them away in institutions.

Community agencies lead in developing truly person-centred, individualized, diverse

supports and services, and should be fully funded, honored and supported to do so by theprovincial government. Innovation must not be sacrificed to inappropriate and ineffective

procurement practices or other funding policies. This includes fully funding all current and

previous contracts in the sector.

5. Strengthen individualized funding.Individualized funding is a model that has a great dealof promise for truly individualized, person-centred planning and support. Yet relatively few

families and individuals take the opportunity to access individualized funding in our

province. Individualized funding should be available to all those individuals and families

who wish to use it and access must not be limited based on perceived capacity, or byoverly bureaucratic systems that create undue barriers.

Cross ministry collaboration must also be routinely applied and funding must bebased on meeting individual needs/demand-based, and not on pre-defined or

arbitrary limits, and should not hinder or prejudice the availability of services

traditionally provided by community based organizations.

Where needed, support should be provided to individuals and families receivingindividualized funding to manage financial and human resources.

6. End the use of restraint and seclusion in schools.Educational innovation is also key to agood life for people with developmental disabilities. Children are being hurt in British

Columbia schools due to the ongoing use of aversive practices, including restraint and

seclusion. The Ministry of Education must develop and implement:

a requirement that all forms of restraint and seclusion are documented andreported to the Ministry, and

a Ministerial Order stating that the use of restraint and seclusion in all BC schools isprohibited.


10/20

9

2.Personal supports and aids and devicesDespite the development in person centred and individualized planning in British Columbia in past

years, many families and people with developmental disabilities continue to struggle to negotiate

government bureaucracies, or do not receive adequate supports and services. Waitlists continue to

be a fact of life for too many individuals and families, including those who receive partial supportsor services. Planning has helped to shape and develop dreams for the future, but practical funding

is necessary to ensure that those dreams can become a reality.

Transitioning from youth to adulthood continues to be a time fraught with barriers and

bureaucracies for many young people and their families. Despite the development of the Cross

Ministry Transition Planning protocol, families and young people continue to face roadblocks, do

not receive adequate funding, and are not fully supported as they enter adulthood. Transition

navigation and planning continues to be a major concern for families of younger children as they

look forward to the future.

Waitlists and underfunding are a common, unfortunate and costly experience for families

throughout their lives. Indeed, for families of young children, many not only face concerns for

transitions in the future, but also for the present: waitlists for early intervention and other earlier

childhood services or supports continue to place barriers before one of the most effective and

important supports for a future of inclusion in the community.

While there are many important success stories for people with developmental disabilities in

British Columbia, and these must and should be celebrated, these success stories must also propel

the province to ensure that every individual has the support to achieve such success throughouttheir lifetime.

The UNCRPD notes that signatories have the responsibility to ensure:

Persons with disabilities have access to a range of in-home, residential and othercommunity support services, including personal assistance necessary to support living and

inclusion in the community, and to prevent isolation or segregation from the community,

and

An inclusive education system at all levels and lifelong learning directed tothedevelopment by persons with disabilities of their personal talents and creativity as well as

their mental and physical abilities, to their fullest potential.


11/20

10

RECOMMENDATIONS:1. Full funding is a necessity. Community Living BC must be fully and adequately funded to

meet the needs of people with developmental disabilities in British Columbia. Funding is a

barrier for far too many individuals and families to achieving the full potential of inclusion,

and this cannot be the practice in the most progressive jurisdiction in Canada.

2. Ministries must work together to support transition.Cross-ministry transition planningpractices must be further coordinated and strengthened to ensure that every young person

is fully and appropriately supported in this process. We support the expansion of the

mandate of the Representative for Children and Youth to include transitioning youth with

developmental disabilities until age 24, and it must receive ongoing allocation of resources

to ensure this mandate is truly supported.

3. No more waitlists. Ending waitlists and request for service lists must be at the top of theprovinces agenda for people with developmental disabilities, to ensure that all peoplehave access to full inclusion and citizenship.

4. Early intervention must be a priority.In particular, early intervention and early childhoodservices must not be waitlisted and must be fully funded so that each child eligible for

these services can receive the life-long benefits of early intervention for educational

success and an inclusive life in the community.

5. End the use of IQ for service eligibility. IQ is an arbitrary measure of support needs forpeople with developmental disabilities. The IQ 70 requirement to receive services funded

by CLBC should be replaced in favor of an individual needs-based model.

6.Fully support inclusive education. Inclusive education for children and youth with specialneeds is a personal service to every student in British Columbia. All students should receive

the help and support they individually need to achieve meaningful educational outcomes in

inclusive settings in our schools; a cornerstone to inclusion throughout ones life.

3. Work and contributionPeople with disabilities face serious systemic and attitudinal barriers to accessing employmentopportunities and earning an independent income. People with developmental disabilities want to

work, yet they are significantly under-represented in today's workforce. The province has

dedicated significant resources to the Community Employment Action Plan and other employment

initiatives, important steps toward supporting real work for real pay and truly inclusive workplaces

for people with developmental disabilities.


12/20

11

Employment is a route out of poverty and a mechanism of inclusion and contribution for all

people, including people with developmental disabilities. The provinces support and leadership in

essential employment initiatives is critical in changing attitudes and opening employers doors.

Adequate investment must be made at all levels to ensure employment initiatives like the CAEP

are successful in creating real, sustainable employment for people with developmental

disabilities.

Many adults with developmental disabilities, facing barriers to employment, require income

support to meet basic living costs. BCs current income assistance rates for people with disabilities

fall well below the poverty line, resulting in many people with developmental disabilities in BC

living in poverty. This is unacceptable.

Furthermore, programs that keep people with developmental disabilities poor is a false economy.

Living in poverty increases the risk of physical health problems due to inadequate nutrition,

housing and access to health care. The social effects of poverty, including isolation, loneliness, and

alienation from community life, contribute to both physical and mental health problems. Thesavings created by limiting access to disability supports create greater costs in other parts of the

social service system and exacts unacceptable human and social costs

Employment is central in the UNCRPD; it forms Article 27, which notes that people with disabilities

have the right:

to work, on an equal basis with others; this includes the right to the opportunity to gain aliving by work freely chosen or accepted in a labour market and work environment that is

open, inclusive, and accessible to persons with disabilities, and

to just and favourable condition of work, including equal opportunities, equalremuneration for work of equal

value, safe and healthy working

conditions, including protection from

harassment, and the redress of

grievances, and

to exercise their labour and tradeunion rights on an equal basis withothers, and

to promote opportunities for selfemployment, entrepreneurship, the

development of cooperatives and

starting ones own business, and


13/20


14/20

13

Income support for people with disabilities in British Columbia should be increasedto at least $1200 monthly;

Income support for people with disabilities should be indexed to the cost of living; Child support funds should not be clawed back from monthly PWD benefits.

4. Housing and accessibilityHome is much more than "where we live". Home is a place where we like to be, a place where

we feel comfortable, safe and in control. It is a place where we can create our own personal

environment and enjoy family and friends. Our homes root us in community and add to our

identity and are the foundation of our work, recreational and social connections.

People with developmental disabilities have the same right to a home as everyone else. This

includes the right to choose where and with whom to live, the right to own or rent a home and

the right to create a personal home environment, where choices, possessions and privacy arerespected.

The right to housing and choice is embedded throughout the UNCRPD. Article 17, Living

independently and being included in the community, notes:

States Parties to the present Convention recognize the equal right of all persons withdisabilities to live in the community, with choices equal to others, and shall take effective

and appropriate measures to facilitate full enjoyment by persons with disabilities of this

right and their full inclusion and participation in the community, including by ensuring

thatPersons with disabilities have the opportunity to choose their place of residence and

where and with whom they live on an equal basis with others and are not obliged to live

in a particular living arrangement.. and further notes that

states must ensure access by persons with disabilities to public housing programmes.RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Choice, not institutions.Individuals with disabilities must be supported to decide whereand with whom to live. The opportunity to choose where and with whom to live should not

be forfeited due to personal care requirements or arbitrary assessments of capacity. As

noted above, this applies equally to the Ministry of Health and health authorities. People

with developmental disabilities, or disabilities of any kind, must not be living in institutions

like George Pearson Centre. The province has a responsibility to ensure that no new

institutions are constructed on that site or elsewhere in the province, and that no new

admissions are permitted. In addition, the province must create a plan to close all similar

institutions.


15/20

14

2. Affordable housing is a necessity.Affordable housing and a wide range of qualitycommunity living options with individualized supports must be developed.

3. Rent subsidies help to end poverty.Access to rent subsidies and rental assistance similarto the SAFER program for people with disabilities in British Columbia promotes housing

security and helps to fight poverty.

4. Community investment is needed.Government funding and partnerships withcommunity agencies for housing should be used to build assets that continue to be

available to the community and cannot be sold for private gain.5. Accessibility is for everyone.Broadening the term accessibility to include cognitive

accessibility thus encouraging developments in how print and web based materials are

created.

5.Social networksCommunity involvement and the presence of support networks play a key role in the promotion

of health, well-being, and community inclusion. They involve families, friends, colleagues, co-

workers, and community supports.

Families are more often than not the mainstay of caring relationships for their family members,

and may require support or respite, not to replace, but to enhance and supplement what they

provide to their family member with a disability.

Many individuals with developmental disabilities have a disproportionate number of paid staff intheir life. This is of particular concern for many people with developmental disabilities who are

aging, particularly those for whom their natural support network development was disrupted

through years of segregation or institutionalization.

The importance of social and personal networks flows from the UNCRPDs focus on inclusion in all

aspects of society, including political, social, and cultural life. It emphasizes:

The importance for persons with disabilities of their individual autonomy andindependence, including the freedom to make their own choices, and

Persons with disabilities should have the opportunity to be actively involved in decision-making processes about policies and programmes, including those directly concerning

them, something directly supported by the development of personal support networks.


16/20

15

Further, the Convention urges a full community life, requiring state signatories to encourage and

facilitate social participation, including:

To ensure that persons with disabilities can effectively and fully participate in politicaland public life on an equal basis with othersincluding the right and opportunity for

persons with disabilities to vote and be elected, and

Encouraging Participation in non-governmental organizations and associationsconcerned with the public and political life of the country, and in the activities and

administration of political parties; and

Forming and joining organizations of persons with disabilities to represent personswith disabilities at international, national, regional and local levels.

RECOMMENDATIONS:1. Full funding for respite.Supporting families to strengthen their own capacity, and at the

same time, to broaden their loved ones network by ensuring full and adequate funding for

respite. The provinces $2800 annual commitment to basic respite is insufficient to meet the

needs of many families and often must be apportioned to other services.

2. Support network development.Supporting agencies to examine barriers to friendship andsocial networks, plan for the development of natural social networks; and to invest in the

training of their workforce as it relates to the development and sustainability of support

networks across the lifespan.

3. Support inclusive recreation.There is a lack of inclusive recreational opportunities forpeople with developmental disabilities in our province. Government must foster the

creation of truly inclusive, rather than segregated, recreational opportunities as a key

means of network development and social participation.

6.Asset accumulation through the registered disabilitysavings plan RDSP)

In 2008, Canada began to offer a government-assisted savings plan specifically to provide for thefinancial security of people with disabilities (RDSP). It was the first country in the world to

introduce such financial planning. According to recent Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reports

only 11% of the half million Canadians who are eligible for an RDSP have taken advantage of the

plan. Many families have also reported bureaucratic issues when establishing a fund for a family

member.


17/20

16

The creation of the RDSP is in line with the UNCRPDs mandate that people with disabilities have

the right to adequate standard of living for themselves and their families, including adequate

food, clothing and housing, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions, and

requiring state signatories to take appropriate steps to safeguard and promote the realization of

this right without discrimination on the basis of disability.

RECOMMENDATIONS:1. RDSP familiarity is key.Financial institutions ensure their staff is familiar with the

application process, individuals with disabilities and families.

2. Application must be easy.Financial institutions, in concert with families and the federalgovernment, streamline the application process.

3. Educate families about benefits.Families and individuals are educated about RDSP andits potential benefits.

4. Plain language and translation is a priority.Plain language materials are created, withversions translated into multiple languages reflecting BCs diverse population.

ConclusionWe believe that British Columbia has the potential to live up to, and to exceed, the mandate of

the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The fact that this consultation is

occurring, with a vision of making BC the most progressive jurisdiction in Canada for persons with

disabilities, indicates that the province recognizes our responsibility to do exactly that. We are allpart of making this happen in our communities.

It is time for significant and meaningful action that leads to substantive and long-lasting changes

in the lives of people with developmental disabilities, their families, and our communities. In the

next five years, we can build a British Columbia that fully recognizes and implements the human

rights of all who live here, a British Columbia that lives up to the promise of the UN Convention,

and the promise of this consultation. We look forward to working together to make that not

simply a vision, but a concrete reality.


18/20

17

ReferencesThis paper makes use of the insights, writings and experiences of current literature on inclusion

and people with developmental disabilities in Canada and internationally. Sources consulted in the

drafting of this paper include the following:

Calgary Region Community Board Persons with Developmental Disabilities. (2012). Supports and

services for older adults with developmental disabilities study.

Canadian Association for Community Living. (2012). A national report card 2012.

Canadian Association for Community Living. (2013). A national report card 2013.

Inclusion BC (2013). Annual report 2012-13.

Lord, J. and Hutchison, P. (2007). Pathways to inclusion. Concord, ON: Captus Press.

Prince, M. (2009). Absent citizens. Toronto, ON: University of Toronto Press.

Schalock, R. and Verdugo, M. (2012). A leadership guide for todays disabilities organizations

overcoming challenges and making change happen. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.

Schalock, R. (2011). Six critical factors organizations need to think about when providing services

and supports to older individuals with developmental disabilities.

United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.

Westley, F & Antadze, N. (2009). Making a difference: Strategies for Scaling Social Innovation for

Greater Impact. The Innovation Journal: The Public Sector Innovation Journal, Vol. 15(2).


19/20

Visit the Inclusion BC website to see a more detailed hwww.inclusionbc.orgclusion BC

New Bylawsmembership

and strengthe voic

community

BC closes thelast of its large

institutions,Glendale andWoodlands.

BCACLspeaksout on

institutionalabuse.

Canada ratifies theUN Convention on

the Rights of Personswith Disabilities on

March 11, 2010.ARC BC successfully lobbies forcommunity supportsadult dayprograms, job skill training and

small homes instead of institutions.

UN Declaration on theon the Rights of

the Mentally RetardedPersons affirms the

right to marry, to voteand to work.

The Supreme Courtof Canada requiresschools to provide

support for studentswith special needsin Emily Eaton case.Supreme Court

of Canadaorders health

care for child withdisabilitiesin Stephen

Dawson case.

Legislationgives childrenwith specialneeds theright to beincluded

public schoolclassrooms.

SupremeCourt ofCanadaupholds

convictionof RobertLatimer.

BC funds educationfor special needs

children through ARCBC members.

Normalizationand integration

become keyBCAMR goals.

BC adoptsOctober asCommunity Living

Monthotherprovinces and

territories follow.

Communityputs up

blockade atTranquille tofight for allresidentsright to

move intocommunity.

Barb Goodebecomesthe first

Canadian witha disability tospeak at theUN GeneralAssembly

BCACL andthe Self Advocacy

Foundationcreate WoodlandsMemorial Garden.

Special Educationteacher trainingbegins at UBC.

Self advocatesspeak for the firsttime at an AGM

and serve on theboard.

From theInside/OUT! artshow breaks

silence about lifein institutions.

Emphasison family

support leadsto the birth ofFamily Support

Institute.

BCACLcelebratesits 50th

anniversaryin 2005.

School Actfunds educationin public schoolsfor moderately

retardedchildren.

InfantDevelopment

Programstarted. BCACL joins other

groups to lobby forbetter disabilityincome support.

Children withspecial needsfirst attend

neighbourhooddaycare centres.

BCACL advocatesfor individualized,

well fundedsupports that

make it possiblefor people to livegood lives in the

community.

Formation ofWoodlands parents

group.

Newguardianshiplaw makes

representationagreements

legal.

BC Self advocacyFoundation andBCHMPs Self

Advocacy Caucuscreated.

Three majorcampaigns

over nine yearsaddress the

long waitlistsfor community

supports.

Canadian Association forRetarded Persons founded(now Canadian Association

for Community Living)

Death of 12-year-old TracyLatimer at the hands of herfather galvanizes disabilityrights movement across

Canada.

Supportedemployment

and vocationalprojects

increase jobskills and

opportunities.

BCACLsOpening Doors

to Workinitiative kickstarts a new

provincialconversation

aboutemployment

for people withdevelopmental

disabilities.

Advocacy forintegrated

education begins.

BCACL, with otherCommunity partners,helps develop and

launch the Centre forInclusion and Citizenship,

housed at UBC.

Supreme Courtof Canada (SCC)

stops sterilizationof woman withdisabilities in

Eve case.

40 climbersreach the peak of MtKilimanjaro in 2006as part of the Climb

for Community Living.

950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2

Self Advocates SeedingInnovation (SASI) project

funds 25 self advocateledprojects. The initiative

leaves a legacy of existingindependent projects

such as ESATTA trainingco-op and the Vancouver

Island annual regional selfadvocacy conference.

BCACL begins itstransitions project

to improve thetransition out of highschool for studentswith special needs.

BCACL starts the Roadto Inclusion,touring the

province and meeting withindividuals, families and our

member organizations.

BCACL joins othercommunity organizations,people with disabilities,families and members tofight back against service

cuts.

A 30-person workshopat the 2012 BCACL

conference in Pentictonlaunches a collaborativeprocess to relook at whowe are and who we want

to be.

Focus groups,interviews and surveysask our stakeholderswhat they see as the

vision of our federationand movement.

The message isloud and clear: itstime for change.

Supreme Court ofCanada rules in

favour of Rick Moore,establishing right of

equal accessto education.

2013The votes to ch

Inc

The final structure ofWoodlands institution isdemolished. BC People

First Society host a publicdemolition ceremony.

By the end of the 60s,ARC BC has 60 chaptersand has started its first

newsletter, Our Children.

Six families persuadegovernment tosupport their

institutionalized sonsand daughters to live

in community.

1989The BCHMPfederation votes tochanges its name tothe BC Association

for Community Living(BCACL).

ARC BC fightsfor the right

of children labelledmentally retarded

to be educated.

57 local parentsociations joingether to formAssociation forrded Children ofBC (ARC BC).

1983The BCAMRfederation votes tochange its name

to British Columbiansfor Mentally

Handicapped People(BCMHP).

1969The ARC BCfederation votes tochange its name

to the BC Associationfor the Mentally

Retarded (BCAMR).

VER THE YEARSA TIMELINE


20/20

227 6thStreet New Westminster, BC V3L 3A5 | 604-777-9100 | www.inclusionbc.org

disability white paper consultation: submission of inclusion bc, march 2014

Documents