We have received the following notice from The British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability (BCANDS):

Event notification:
BCANDS
2015 Vancouver Island Aboriginal Disability and Wellness Gathering 

LOCATION: Victoria, British Columbia
VENUE: To Be Determined / In Development
DATE: December 2015 (Tentatively) – 3 Days

With support from the Island Health Authority (IHA) – Aboriginal Health, the BCANDS 2015 Vancouver Island Disability and Wellness Gathering seeks to bring together Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal disability and health stakeholders, community and organizational leadership, governments and service providers from across the Island Health Authority and beyond, over a three day period.

The broad goals of this Gathering are to: share information; raise awareness of current Aboriginal health and disability conditions; identify available resources / programs; and to create new partnerships and collaboration’s within, and between, the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal health and disability sectors operating within the Island Health Authority and externally.

The 2015 Aboriginal Disability and Wellness Gathering will be the first of its kind within the Island Health Authority and British Columbia and will incorporate a number of disability and health related themes, priorities and opportunities as it relates to Aboriginal children, youth, adults, and their families, who live with a disability(s) and reside within First Nation communities and the urban and rural centres within the Island Health Authority.

Initial planning is now underway including the development of sponsorship opportunities, tradeshow opportunities, registration fees, session speakers, etc. Information will be updated to the BCANDS website: www.bcands.bc.ca as the planning for the Gathering moves forward.

If you, your organization or community are interested in supporting / attending this first-ever event as a registered participant, sponsor, or tradeshow vendor and would like to receive further information by email, please email us at: accessibility@bcands.bc.ca or to speak with the BCANDS Projects Coordinator please call: (250) 381 7303 – Ext: 207 or toll free at 1 888 815 5511 – Ext: 207.

Help us make this a successful Gathering and plan to attend and support this much needed and ground breaking event!!

We apologize in advance for any cross postings you may receive in relation to the 2015 BCANDS Gathering. Thank you!

The following notice is from the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation:

In the past, BC Bus Pass clients received a new bus pass in the mail each year in December. This year, the BC Bus Pass clients will pay their renewal fee and their 2015 benefit will be activated at any Sky Train station once they tap their Compass Card after December 11, 2014. The 2015 benefits cannot be used to ride the bus and/or skytrain until January 1, 2015. 2014 benefits will remain valid until December 31, 2014.

Reminder:
Your Compass Card will last you up to 20 years, so please do not throw out your card at the end of each calendar year as the funds you pay to the BC Bus Pass Program will be reloaded to that same card. Card benefits can be activated as of December 11, 2014 at a Skytrain station for use as of January 1, 2015.

PLEASE SHARE, THANK YOU.