BCCPD received a request for participants in a new photography project:

I am looking for 1 –2 models to pose nude for a photography project. This is a riff on the ‘I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur’ PETA advertisements. This project aims to reduce the stigma associated with living with a disability. The models must be on disability assistance or living with a serious disability of any sort. These will be casual sitting or standing poses and you will be photographed wearing just your disability bus pass. In respecting your privacy, the name/ year of birth on the pass can be altered. If you do not have one, it will be provided.

I will need to meet with you first to discuss the project and again for the photo shoot. The pictures will be taken outside at a chosen quiet bus stop at about 6:30 am on a Sunday in April/May. The models will be shot on separate days. I will need only 20 minutes with each model where we will shoot prearranged poses. The model will be unclothed for only 15 seconds at a time. This cycle of being unclothed, then clothed, will happen about five times to get different shots. If you do not have a long coat to wear in between shots, one can be provided.

I currently have 2 models and I am seeking a couple more. These photographs will be enlarged to 6’ x 3’ and shown at various disability-related art exhibitions. A small honorarium will be provided. I have received funding for this project from the DTES Small Arts Grant.

I am directing this shoot. Photography is provided by gracephotography.ca

Please contact Tina at rathernaked@gmail.com if you are interested in being part of this project or if you have any questions!

If you were unable to attend the recent forum (held February 21st in Richmond, BC), inFocus: Bringing People with Disabilities Into the Picture, you can now read two reviews published by ImpactBC’s Patient Voices Network. “Health care access for people living with disabilities” was written by Patient Voices Network Program Manager, Peter Toppings. The second post, “inFocus awareness forum: a patient’s perspective” was written by Debbie, a Patient Voices Network representative from Port Moody, BC. Thank you to Peter and Debbie for their thought-provoking comments!

For more information about the project, inFocus: Bringing People with Disabilities Into the Picture, visit DAWN-RAFH Canada’s website.

Thank you to everyone who came to our celebration and fundraiser last night; what a wonderful evening! We had a lot of fun, saw many old friends and made some new ones. Thanks to our emcee Mark Madryga, guitarist Don Alder, entertainer David C. Jones and the Salsa and Bachata dancers. And thanks to all the BCCPD staff who volunteered their time to make sure everything ran so perfectly.

Thanks again to our sponsors: the Vancouver Taxi Association, Advanced Mobility and the Trial Lawyers Association. Thank you also to WestJet for their amazing donation for our raffle and to all our Silent Auction donors.