June is Pride Month! Pride Month celebrates 2SLGBTQIA+ people in all of their diversity. It also acknowledges the struggles those communities have faced and continue to face due to heterosexism and transphobia, and the activism 2SLGBTQIA+ people have done to advance equal rights, sometimes at a risk to their own safety.

We recognize and acknowledge that people with disabilities who are 2SLGBTQIA+, due to their intersecting identities, often face intense discrimination and marginalization. Many of our staff, volunteers and clients are 2SLGBTQIA+. We will always stand strong with these communities, and continuously work to ensure that our office is a safe space for everyone.

To all of those who are celebrating: Happy Pride!

The Accessible British Columbia Act has received Royal Assent and is now law. While during the Bill passing process, DABC made it well known our concerns and disappointment over the ABCA’s shortcomings, at this time, we are aiming our advocacy sights on ensuring that the regulations and standards to be developed under the Act will be meaningful and impactful to reducing barriers for British Columbians with disabilities.

For more information about the Accessible British Columbia Act, please visit: the accessibility legislation web page where you will also find frequently asked questions about the legislation and an ASL video overview.

The Ministry is also taking applications for a Provincial Accessibility Committee. This PAC will work closely with the Ministry and its Accessibility Secretariat to pave the way for regulations and standards to be developed under the Act. To find out more about the committee, please read the notice of position.

The City of Burnaby is discriminating against people with disabilities by not allowing accommodations for voting in the upcoming By-Election. In particular, no mail-in voting will be allowed, nor will there be any voting assistance by election officials at long term care facilities. Accommodations must be made for people with disabilities, especially by any level of government, to ensure full access and participation in the voting process. DABC has sent a letter to Burnaby’s Mayor Hurley and City Council to express our opposition of their decision to not provide mail-in voting in the upcoming By Election due to take place on June 26, 2021. You can read that letter here: https://disabilityalliancebc.therightfitbc.org/dabc-letter-to-burnaby-city-council-june-2021/