| Welcome to the November 2022 edition of CLBC’s Update for Individuals and Families. As a reminder, you can find all Updates (including past editions) posted on our website here. You can also check out CLBC’s Facebook page here and Twitter page here. If you know of anyone who would like to receive future Updates, please share the link to our sign up page with them. If you have a specific question, or feedback about this update, you can send an email to CLBCInfo@gov.bc.ca.
CLBC and Government News
Recognizing Indigenous Disability Awareness Month
Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (IDAM) is recognized each November to highlight and celebrate the unique contributions First Nations, Métis and Inuit  people with disabilities make to communities throughout the province. The month also brings awareness to the barriers and challenges that Indigenous people with the disabilities and their families face.
The British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS) first created Indigenous Disability Awareness Month in 2015 and it is officially proclaimed each year by the B.C. government.
CLBC is pleased to join our partners and government in recognizing Indigenous Disability Awareness Month. You can read a message here to learn about work CLBC is undertaking to better serve Indigenous individuals, families and communities.
Artwork: Forgotten Souls by Amber Rainshadow, CLBC Board Member and Indigenous Self Advocacy Leader.
Indigenous Disability and Wellness Gathering taking place in Victoria
On the eighth anniversary of Indigenous Disability Awareness Month, BCANDS / Indigenous Disability Canada (IDC) is hosting the 2022 Indigenous Disability and Wellness Gathering in Victoria on the ancestral lands of the Lekwungen People. The Gathering brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous governments, leadership, service providers, community members and others to learn, connect, and collaborate in addressing the unique barriers Indigenous people with disabilities face.
CLBC is proud to be a sponsor of The Gathering, and to take part as an exhibitor. CLBC’s CEO Ross Chilton will be delivering a keynote address and Joanne Mills, VP, Quality Services and Indigenous Relations, will be taking part in a fire side chat during the event.
Celebrating the work of the British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS)
The British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS) is an award-winning Indigenous not-for-profit, charitable society serving the unique and diverse needs of Indigenous people with disabilities. BCANDS provides a range of services to eligible individuals, families and organizations, both within Indigenous communities and urban and rural centres.
CLBC’s Indigenous Advisory Council is very lucky to have BCANDS Chief Executive Officer, Neil Belanger (Maluu’m Amxsiwaa), as the chair of our council. Neil is a very strong advocate and brings a lot of knowledge and expertise with him.
If you are an Indigenous person living with a disability, or a community or organization requiring disability or health information and support services, BCANDS may be able to assist. Learn more by visiting their website here or by contacting: bcands@bcands.bc.ca
Join CLBC’s November Open Board Meeting
Individuals, family members and service providers are invited to join our next CLBC open Board meeting from 9:00 a.m. to 11:55 a.m. (PST) on Wednesday, November 30.
To register to attend the meeting, please send your request to Padminee.Chundunsing@gov.bc.ca asking to attend the November open Board meeting. You will be sent a Microsoft Teams meeting link and an information sheet on how to use MS Teams.
The CLBC Board meets four times a year. Meetings are open to the public and information about the board schedule and joining a meeting remotely can be found on the CLBC Board Meeting Schedule website here.
Join the November CLBC COVID-19 Microsoft Teams video call
 CLBC will be holding another virtual call for individuals and families with Deputy Provincial Health Officer Dr. Daniele Behn Smith and CLBC CEO Ross Chilton and moderated by CLBC Board Chair Michael J. Prince. This call will be an opportunity to hear the latest COVID-19 related updates.
The call will be taking place on Friday, November 18 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.
An invitation with full details, including instructions on how to join, will be sent out at the beginning of next week. Self advocates and family members are invited to submit COVID-related questions in advance by sending an email to CLBCinfo@gov.bc.ca by noon on Wednesday, November 16 with the subject line: November COVID CALL.
CLBC welcomes two family members to the Board of Directors
CLBC is pleased to welcome J. Alain (Al) LeFebvre of Prince George and Stephen Lee of South Delta to CLBC’s Board of Directors. Mr. LeFebvre begins his term immediately and Mr. Lee begins his term on January 1, 2023.
The board’s two new members “bring exceptional leadership skills that will help CLBC to deliver its mandate. They also each bring lived experience as parents of individuals who live with disabilities. This makes them uniquely qualified to contribute to our efforts,” says Board Chair Michael J. Prince. Read more about CLBC’s newest Board members here.
Housing Central conference coming up in November
The annual Housing Central conference, hosted by the BC Non-Profit Housing Association (BCNPHA) and the Co-operative Housing Federation of BC (CHF BC), aims to strengthen and grow the community housing sector so all British Columbians have a safe, secure home they can afford.
From November 21 to 23, the conference will draw delegates from throughout B.C. and across Canada for three days of learning, networking and engaging with colleagues in the community housing sector.
CLBC is a proud sponsor of this event and will also be sharing information and connecting with attendees as an exhibitor. CLBC staff are involved in a number of sessions at the conference, including a plenary address by CEO Ross Chilton featuring a new video that highlights an innovative housing partnership in Kamloops.
Share your feedback on the accessibility of government services
As part of its work to implement the Accessible B.C. Act, the B.C. government has launched a new government feedback tool for accessibility. The tool is for people with disabilities to share their experiences accessing provincial government services. It will support efforts to identify, remove, and prevent barriers to the full and equal participation of everyone in B.C.
Click here to find the feedback tool, and learn how to provide your input on government accessibility through an online form, by phone, by email or by mail. You will also find answers to frequently asked questions at this link.
Self Advocate Corner
Upcoming self advocate led events open to everyone
 Join one of the upcoming self advocate led events below or visit the Calendar for Connection to learn about other fun ways connect with others.
Healthy Cooking with Geoffrey, hosted by Speaking Up for Self-Advocates (SUSA)
Come join Geoffrey as he teaches how to cook healthy food.
- When: November 16, 1pm-2pm PST/ 2pm-3pm MST
- Where: For more information you can email: speakupkamloops@gmail.com or call (250) 572-6009
Creating Connections, hosted by Speaking Up for Self-Advocates (SUSA)
Join Tracy Jo for a fun hour of get down and boogie.
- When: November 21, 11am-12pm PST/ 12pm-1pm MST
- Where: For more information you can email: speakupkamloops@gmail.com or call (250) 572-6009
Music Trivia, hosted by Speaking Up for Self-Advocates (SUSA)
Join Andrew, Tami and Vicky for music trivia.
- When: November 30, 1pm-2pm PST/ 2pm-3pm MST
- Where: For more information you can email: speakupkamloops@gmail.com or call (250) 572-6009
BC People First shares ways to get your voice heard
 Self advocacy is all about getting stories heard and raising awareness to make positive change. BC People First shares ways to have your voice heard including:
For more tips and information about rights and self advocacy, visit the BC People First website here and learn about becoming a BC People First member here.
Staying Supported and Connected
Training sessions support self advocate-led planning
People Planning Together is a free training session for people with developmental disabilities who are interested in taking a leadership role in planning a life they desire. It is led and facilitated by Empowering Self Advocates to Take Action Co-operative (ESATTA), made up of people who experience life with disabilities. The training is a hands-on discovery of the things that matter most to people and how they want to be supported in their life.
ESATTA is proud to announce two upcoming in-person sessions as well as four provincial virtual People Planning Together sessions:
Vancouver on November 28 & 29
Victoria on November 23 & 24
Provincial Virtual Sessions on November 30 & December 1, 7 & 8
For more information, or if you have questions, please contact James White at jamesdwhite31@yahoo.com or 604-803-1745.
Learn what makes a Representation Agreement legal at upcoming Nidus webinar
Nidus is a non-profit charitable organization that provides education, assistance  and support around personal planning. You can learn more about their work here.
Through grant funding from CLBC, Nidus is providing foundational information about legal concepts, as well as legal tools and procedures available to B.C. adults for planning, particularly Representation Agreements.
Nidus will be hosting an upcoming webinar What makes a Representation Agreement (RA7) legally valid? along with time for Q&A on:
First Nations Health Authority compiles COVID-19 news and resources
The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) has created a compilation of the latest information and resources about COVID-19 as well as other important health news for First Nations people in B.C.
Click here to see this collection of resources and information.
 Learn how to support the financial security of a sibling with a disability
Savvy Siblings: Strengthening the Financial Security of Your Sibling with a Disability is a free online course for adults who want to play a role in improving the financial security of their siblings with disabilities, both today and in the future.
The self-paced course is presented by Siblings Canada in partnership with PLAN. You can learn more about this course and register here.
Stories and Celebration
Looking back on an eventful Community Inclusion Month
During October, CLBC joined the Province, Inclusion BC and many people and communities across B.C. in recognizing October as Community Inclusion Month. The month was an opportunity to honour the hard work of individuals, families and community members who create inclusive communities and opportunities for all British Columbians with developmental disabilities.
Events took place in many communities, from Kelowna’s Annual Inclusion Chain to a dance party in Vernon to a Fun Fair in Port Alberni and many more.
Visit the Community Inclusion Month page on the CLBC website here to find a roundup of highlights from the month.
Inclusion champions receive their WOW Awards
As part of Community Inclusion Month, CLBC was pleased to announce the recipients of the 2022 Widening Our World (WOW) Awards. Over the past weeks, this year’s inclusion champions have been presented their awards at events in their home communities. Here are some highlights:
Ali Aslaminejad and Azar Taherzadeh, home sharing providers in North Vancouver, are receiving their WOW Awards at an event in their community on November 10. We look forward to sharing some photos from that event on our Facebook and Twitter pages soon.
Photo: Jodi and Taylor Kolb (back) celebrate their award with Paul and Graham who live with them through home sharing.
CLBC Community Councils celebrate inclusion
Congratulations to CLBC Community Councils who successfully worked with their community leaders to organize and host events to celebrate diversity and promote inclusion and full citizenship of all people during Community Inclusion Month.
These events include North Okanagan Shuswap Council organizing a dance party in Vernon, North Shore Sunshine Coast Council hosting Inclusion Fest in Roberts Creek, and the Vancouver Council organizing a community celebration attended by local city councillors. Councils also worked with many municipalities to have Community Inclusion Month proclaimed locally.
CLBC Community Councils are groups of people who work to break down barriers to inclusion and help make a difference in the lives of people with diverse abilities. There are 13 Community Councils across the province, each made up of self advocates, family members, service providers and other people from the broader community who care about building inclusive and welcoming communities.
To learn more, and to join a Community Council in your area, contact CLBC’s Self Advocate Advisor Jessica Humphrey at Jessica.Humphrey@gov.bc.ca.
Photo: More than 60 attendees came out to celebrate Community Inclusion Month at the Inclusion Fest event in Roberts Creek, hosted by the the North Shore Sunshine Coast Community Council in partnership with the Sunshine Coast Association for Community Living.
Play highlights employment experiences of self advocates
We Deserve to Work is an upcoming play at the Massey Theatre in New Westminster that follows the dramatized stories of people with disabilities and their experiences navigating employment. Get a glimpse into the highs and lows of searching for work, interviewing for a job, the first day of a new job, dealing with conflict at work, asking an employer for help, and advocating for more responsibility, and future promotions.
The show runs November 18 to 20 and there are different ticket pricing options available to make the performance more accessible to everyone. Learn more and find tickets here.
Recognizing International Day of Persons with Disabilities
December 3 will mark United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD). This annual celebration is a time for all of us across British Columbia to recognize the important contributions people with developmental disabilities make to their communities.
The U.N. will declare the theme for this year’s IDPWD in the coming weeks on its website here, where you can currently read about events and initiatives that recognized 2021’s IDPWD.
As part of this year’s celebrations, Project EveryBODY is hosting PEBCelebratesLive! on December 2 featuring an art show and sale and film screenings along with musicians and performance artists. Find all the details about PEBCelebratesLive! here.
Signing off
Every year on November 11, Canadians pause in a moment of silence to honour and remember the those who have served, and continue to serve Canada during times of war, conflict and peace.
Self Advocate Net has created a page on their website here to share information and messages recognizing Remembrance Day.
Until next edition…
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Michael McLellan 
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