Dear Community Partner,

This is an invitation to attend the consultation as part of the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation’s White Paper that is being held in Vancouver January 15th.  This consultation is in addition to the other scheduled consultations across the province.

The Disability White Paper Leadership Team, made up of government, the disability community and the business community, wants to hear from you about how we, as a society, can increase accessibility and decrease barriers for people living with disabilities in B.C.

On December 3, 2013, the B.C. government launched a consultation with British Columbians to better understand how government, businesses and communities can increase accessibility and decrease barriers for people living with disabilities. www.engage.gov.bc.ca/disabilitywhitepaper

The online conversations have been themed around six areas: innovation, personal supports, work and contribution, housing and physical accessibility, support networks, and RDSPs/asset accumulation.

Your feedback and comments will help to inform the development of a White Paper – a document that reflects the voice of British Columbians – that will form the foundation for a Summit in June on the issues facing people with disabilities in British Columbia.

The approach is modeled after the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities pledge to ensure that any discussion of disability issues be done with the disability community – ‘nothing about us without us’.

The Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation asked the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities to help bring together a group of leaders in the disability community for an open discussion on this important issue. Thank you to the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities for their leadership and guidance in helping to make this event possible.

When:    January 15, 2014
Noon – 5 pm (lunch will be provided at 1 pm)

Where:  Creekside Community Centre
1 Athletes Way
Vancouver, BC

RSVP: Please RSVP by January 8 to disabilitywhitepaper@gov.bc.ca
            Space is limited to 100 participants

In advance of this dialogue, we invite you to think about this question:

What B.C. would look like if it was the most progressive province for people living with disabilities?

The BC Coalition of People with Disabilities encourages the disability community to participate in the White Paper process and to express your opinions.

Please click on this link for more information: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/disabilitywhitepaper/

BCCPD has received the following notice:

Call for Research Participants

Project title: The lived experiences of Income Assistance Designations Persons with Disabilities (PWD) and Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers (PPMB).

Hello! My name is Katie Forman, I am a Master’s student in Anthropology at Simon Fraser University. I am doing research that explores people’s experiences applying for PWD (Persons with Disabilities) and PPMB (Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers) Income Assistance.

I am looking for people to who have applied for PWD or PPMB or are going to apply for PWD or PPMB to participate in this research.

This could mean:
– Having a conversation with me about your experience
– Having a series of conversations if you like
– Having a meeting with friends or family if you choose

To start I’d like to meet with you for a conversation (no longer than an hour) at a coffee shop, library or another place you feel comfortable. Your involvement in this project will be kept confidential if you choose.

By participating in this research you can:
– Gain experience working in research projects
– Have input on Income Assistance research
– Make new social connections

Please contact me if you are interested in becoming involved or would like to know more. If you know anyone who would like to be involved feel free to give them my information.

Katie Forman
SFU Student Researcher
Email: kforman@sfu.ca
Phone: 778-996-9725