Research Study: Parent Perspectives on the Transition to Adulthood for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ID): Challenges, Advocacy, Possibilities

Are you a parent or guardian of a young person (aged 16–22) with an intellectual disability (ID) living in BC? You are invited to participate in a student led research study about the parents/guardians’ experience navigating the transition to adulthood (TTA) process for their children with intellectual disabilities (ID) in British Columbia. The objective of this study is to examine the TTA system for students with IDs and their families, identifying both the barriers that may hinder successful transitions and the supports that can promote positive outcomes, with particular attention to parents’ experiences. Your participation will help researchers identify both strengths and challenges within the TTA process and generate insights that may inform practices and policies aimed at fostering more effective transition preparation and positive family experiences.

Participation involves a confidential online survey. You have 5 days left to participate – the deadline is May 30th, 2026! Your insights can help inform better planning and support for families in the future. Participation is voluntary, and all information shared will remain confidential. To complete the survey, click here.

The proposed submission date for this thesis study is justified by the scope of the research design, the anticipated timeline for data collection, and the requirements for rigorous qualitative analysis. Please scan the recruitment information QR code on the recruitment poster or click here to see a detailed summary of the study, the inclusion criteria, and contact information before starting the survey.

If you have any concerns about your rights as a research participant and/or your experiences while participating in this study, please contact the VIU Research Ethics Board.

Ethics ID: 103780
Email: reb@viu.ca.

Research Study - Connected and Curious: How do Youth with Disabilities Navigate Online Spaces for Social Connections and Sexuality Information

A research team at the Bloorview Research Institute is doing a study to explore how youth with disabilities navigate online spaces for social connections and sexuality information. As part of this, they are asking young people aged 15-24 who self-identify as having a disability to fill out an online survey to tell them about their experiences using online spaces like social media, forums, and health websites for social connections and sexuality information. It will also ask for suggestions on how these spaces could be improved. The survey will take about 30 minutes to complete.

Visit their website for more information. If you have any questions or would like to participate, please contact the Research Coordinator, Emily Cox, at ecox@hollandbloorview.ca.

Join our Webinar: Celebrating accessibility wins across BC!

Join the Accessible Organizations Project during National AccessAbility Week on June 3 at 2 pm PDT as we share impactful stories of communities and organizations that are removing barriers in the spirit of the Accessible B.C. Act.

We look forward to hosting this important celebration of accessibility wins from across B.C. Whether it’s creating accessible bus stops in Richmond, designing a fully accessible town square in Alert Bay, or creating accessible classrooms at post-secondary schools, there is a wealth of inspiring stories happening every day. We’re excited to share these important stories with you!

This event is free and open to the public. Register here.

If you have an accessibility win you would like to highlight, please reach out to Roberta McDonald, Accessible Organizations Project Manager at roberta@dabc.ca or Local Government Liaison Anna Wijeshinghe: anna@dabc.ca

About the Accessible Organizations Project

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 in meeting the requirements of the Accessible BC Act. Disability Alliance BC is working directly with partners and collaborators in all sectors to reach Prescribed Organizations and provide them with resources and services to establish a committeedevelop a plan, and create a public feedback mechanism.