Since the BCCPD launched its new online course in May the response has been very good. We have had people register for the course from Metro Vancouver communities, the Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island and the Central Okanagan. And these represent a diversity of types of businesses: disability organizations, home share providers, social services, municipalities, search and rescue, Aboriginal bands, and the manufacturing sector.

This course is for every workplace that has employees with disabilities. The course is easy to use; you can go at your own pace and receive resources and a certificate when you have completed. The course aims to provide employers and workers with practical strategies and tools for planning and provides resources to help in creating a plan that is inclusive. To take the course go to: http://emergprepcourse.bccpd.bc.ca/index.php.

We’d like to thank WorkSafe BC for funding this initiative.

The BC Coalition of People with Disabilities is pleased to invite you to our 2013 Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Date:         Saturday June 22nd, 2013

Time:        Registration opens at 10:30 am
The AGM starts at 11:00 am. It will last approximately 2 hours.

Location:  The Blusson Spinal Cord Centre
818 West 10th Avenue,Vancouver

Light refreshments will be provided. There will be Realtime Captioning available.

This year we are very fortunate to have as our guest speaker Vangelis Nikias. Vangelis has been active in human rights and disability issues for many years. Currently, he is working for the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) to raise awareness on the content of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).  During the United Nations (UN) negotiations of CRPD, Vangelis represented the Department of Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) on the official Canadian delegation as content expert.

In the 1990’s Vangelis chaired CCD’s Human Rights Committee and served on the Social Policy Committee.

He has a background in adjudication – having served for nine years as vice-chair of the Ontario Social Assistance Review Board (SARB)

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is the first international human rights instrument of the 21st century. The active participation of a mobilized world disability community, including Canadians with disabilities, was one of the key characteristics of the creation of CRPD.

CRPD’s implementation can significantly contribute to the building of an inclusive and accessible society.  To make this a reality, persons with disabilities must be informed of CRPD’s content and demand its realization.

At our AGM, Vangelis will provide an overview of CRPD and focus on issues important to the BCCPD and the disability community such as poverty and unemployment experienced by people with disabilities. 

Ovarian Cancer Canada (BC/Yukon Region) is accepting applications for an Awareness Coordinator (one year contract). Based in Vancouver, the Awareness Coordinator will be responsible for identifying, coordinating and delivering awareness and knowledge activities in BC and Yukon. This position will also have responsibility for volunteer development, training and management.

For more information about this opportunity, visit Ovarian Cancer Canada’s website.