December 3rd marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), a day that was proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations to “promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.” https://www.un.org/en/observances/day-of-persons-with-disabilities.

To mark IDPD 2020, the BC provincial government announced the 14 community-based accessibility/inclusion projects that will receive funding. This funding was provided by the provincial government and will be disbursed by DABC.

DABC Board member Elizabeth Lalonde was on the review committee for the projects and stated in the news release: “It was an honour to be on the accessibility project grant review team this year,” said Elizabeth Lalonde, board director, Disability Alliance BC. “I learned so much about the diversity of organizations in British Columbia, many of which are grassroots, working to make a positive difference in the lives of people with disabilities. There are so many important projects that deserve support and recognition, and I am excited to follow their progress over the next year.”

Read more here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020SDPR0047-001996.

The Two of a Kind Buddy Initiative under the nonprofit organization Disable the Difference® is a pioneering initiative to close the distance that many of us are experiencing at the moment, especially for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and other special needs. Especially during COVID-19, where many youth with special needs cannot go to school or receive at-home care, parents are bearing much of this extra weight and students aren’t able to be their best academically, socially, and behaviorally. The initiative aims to increase support for youth with special needs and their families, providing them with online opportunities to interact with others, receive mentorship, and have fun throughout the summer and into next year!

Link to Application for Volunteers: https://forms.gle/8Wd29hxCrJvUZFEq6

Link to Application for Parents of Youth: https://forms.gle/X8vmaE5P2sP6ju497

The goal of the BC Public Advisory Network (BC-PAN) is to encourage more comprehensive and meaningful public engagement on important issues related to health-care regulation in BC. BC-PAN is seeking public members, who are asked to provide their feedback on a variety of topics to help guide professional standards and policies, strategic priorities, and communications directed at the public. Compensation will be provided.

For more information and to apply: https://www.bcpan.ca/