Vision Statement

Our vision is for people, with all disabilities, to live with dignity, independence, and as equal and full participants in the community. We envision a future where people with disabilities are recognized for their inherent worth as individuals, and as valued members of society.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to promote a more inclusive and equitable society for people with all disabilities through direct services, community partnerships, systemic advocacy, research, and publications.

Values

The below values capture the fundamental principles and beliefs that guide our organization. We have selected values which reflect our dedication to upholding equity, inclusion and diversity within our organization, and in our interactions with our clients and the larger community.

• Accountability

The perspectives of people with disabilities is central to our work. We honour each person’s individual experience with disability and respect their right to have their voice heard.

As we progress and learn as an organization, we will strive to hold ourselves accountable to our clients, funders, and community at large for our behavior, governance, and quality of services that DABC provides.

• Mutual Support

When one person in the community experiences oppression, it impacts the entire community. Recognizing that we live in an ableist society which places emphasis on individualism we believe that fostering a culture of mutual support and interdependence will make us and our community stronger as a whole.

We acknowledge that mutual support is not always a balanced relationship —some individuals may shoulder more responsibility for providing support or education based on their lived experiences. Our goal is to cultivate a culture of mutual support that minimizes these imbalances wherever possible.

• Reconciliation

DABC recognizes that the oppression of Indigenous Peoples in Canada is deeply rooted in colonialism and persists today in many different forms. Routinely, this oppression expresses itself as violence against Indigenous Peoples, the violation of traditional lands, and systemic oppression involving various institutions.

We recognize the rich diversity of thought, ways of being and knowing, among Indigenous Peoples and Nations. We are committed to regular and constant unlearning of the colonizer mindset by actively engaging with and listening to Indigenous communities in our work and partnerships. We recognize that our efforts to decolonize our work should not impose the burden of education on Indigenous communities, but rather we must take the initiative to approach this process with respect and solidarity.

• Accessibility

Accessibility includes removing physical, environmental, sensory, communication and attitudinal barriers to the full participation of people with disabilities in society. We are dedicated to ensuring that DABC is an accessible, accommodating, flexible and supportive environment for its board, staff, volunteers, visitors, and clients with a diversity of disabilities and needs.

We operate on the principle of “Nothing About Us, Without Us.” It is vital that people with lived experience with disability are central participants in all decision-making processes.

It is of utmost importance to us that we treat our clients with respect and empathy. We strive to “meet them where they are at,” recognizing that their intersecting identities will inform their needs.

• Intersectionality

We acknowledge that identities are intersectional and do not exist in silos. Many people with disabilities are also members of other equity-seeking groups, including, but not limited to, IBPOC (Indigenous, Black, People of Colour), women, 2SLGBTQIA+, unhoused, and/or sex workers. We  understand that these individuals may face unique and compounded barriers and forms of oppression due to various aspects of their identities. We stand in solidarity with all equity-seeking groups and are committed to working collaboratively to dismantle these barriers so that everyone has the chance to succeed and have their voices heard. True equity, not just equality, is the goal.

Services and Programs

Download our brochure.

• Our Advocacy Access Program provides one-on-one assistance with provincial and federal (Canada Pension Plan Disability) income supports and other benefits.
• Tax AID DABC helps people with disabilities living on low incomes to file their taxes year-round, and navigate other tax issues. Website: https://taxaiddabc.org/.
• Access RDSP helps people with the Disability Tax Credit and with opening a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP).
• Our Disability Law Clinic is able to provide free legal advice and representation to people with disabilities who are dealing with human rights violations and discrimination.
• Our Right Fit Program matches wheelchair users with accessible, affordable housing
• The Community and Residents Mentors Association (CARMA) was inspired by the experience of people with disabilities who left care facilities and established their lives in the community. Its purpose is to identify a network of peer support and to facilitate building relationships between mentors in the community and residents of George Pearson Centre.
• Workshops: We provide workshops to community organizations, health care providers, businesses, and government.
• Accessibility Projects: DABC disburses funds provided by the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, to organizations managing projects that promote greater accessibility and inclusivity for people with disabilities in BC communities.
• Accessible Organizations: The Accessible Organizations Project is a project funded by the Government of British Columbia and led by Disability Alliance BC. The purpose of the project is to support over 750 Prescribed Organizations meet the requirements of the Accessible BC Act.

Our programs and projects respond to community need and increase people’s ability to participate and contribute.

Systemic Advocacy

In addition to our Direct Services and Programs, DABC does a great deal of work behind the scenes to help bring about positive change for people with disabilities. Please read about our public policy advocacy work here.

Free Publications

We publish a range of capacity building, self-help guides and advocate resources, in reader-friendly language. Resources are provided free of charge, either by mail or from our website.

Partnerships

We stay connected with a large network of community organizations across BC and regularly provide them with updates about issues of importance to the disability community. We also partner with numerous other organizations and initiatives to carry out our programs and advocate for systemic change that will positively impact the lives of people with disabilities in BC.

Some of our partners include:

• Plan Institute
• BC Aboriginal Disability Network Society (BCANDS)
• BC Poverty Reduction Coalition
• Disability Without Poverty
• Together Against Poverty Society (TAPS)
• Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society
• Active Support Against Poverty Society (ASAP)
• Individualized Funding Resource Centre (IFRC)