DABC statement on the passing of Pam Horton
It is with great sadness that all of us at DABC acknowledge the passing of our dear friend, mentor, longtime board member and Honourary Past Chair—Pam Horton. In addition to having served on our board of directors for close to thirty years, Pam was also the first executive director of DABC. Her work as a disability rights advocate spanned over five decades at the municipal, provincial and federal level. In addition to her decades of work with DABC, she was a founding member of both the North Shore Advisory Committee on Disability Issues and TransLink’s Access Transit Users’ Advisory Committee. She was also a past president of the North Shore Disability Resource Centre and a former board member of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. As a staunch advocate for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, Pam was a member of the BC Institute Against Family Violence Steering Committee, the North Shore Coordinating Committee to End Violence Against Women in Relationships and Together Against Violence. In her final years, she turned much of her advocacy efforts to supporting seniors, serving on the City of North Vancouver Seniors Action Table and their Seniors Working Group. In the months prior to her death, she was also one of the founding board members of DABC’s national affiliate; Disability Alliance Canada.
Anyone who knew Pam will remember her for the kindness, wisdom, humour, generosity and compassion that she brought into any space. Her tireless advocacy, as well as her willingness to bravely speak out on important issues, however controversial, earned her the deep respect of so many people. We send our deepest condolences to everyone in the community who was touched by this remarkable woman during her lifetime. It was a life well-lived- full of purpose and remarkable service to others. Pam’s amazing legacy, as well as her vision of a truly accessible, inclusive and equal society for all inspires all of us at DABC to continue with the important work that needs to be done to make that vision into a reality.
– The DABC Board of Directors
Job Posting: Right Fit Outreach and Research Assistant
Open: May 6, 2025
Closes: May 28, 2025
Location: Vancouver
Category: Community and Social Services Job
Type: Part-time Contract (20 hours)
Salary: $32 per hour
Who We Are
Since 1977, Disability Alliance BC (DABC) has been a provincial, cross-disability voice in British Columbia. We are a non-profit, charitable organization that champions issues impacting the lives of people with disabilities. Our mission is to promote a more inclusive and equitable society for people with all disabilities through direct services, community partnerships, systemic advocacy, research, and publications.
Program Description
Launched in 2017, the Right Fit program is a multi-partner service designed to address the crisis in wheelchair accessible housing by matching affordable, accessible homes and independent living supports with people who need them in the Vancouver region of British Columbia.
Led by Disability Alliance BC in partnership with the Individualized Funding Resource Centre Society (IFRC), the program provides peer-led navigation support to wheelchair users and their families, which includes a holistic assessment and the coordination of all their disability support needs (home support, equipment, and assistive technology). The Right Fit maintains a detailed inventory of accessible units through a standardized Accessibility Checklist. The program supports housing providers by matching vacant units with wheelchair users who have diverse accessibility needs and are the “right fit” tenants, ensuring the most effective use of accessible housing stock.
Job Description:
As the Outreach and Research Assistant, you will support the Right Fit Team in conducting client surveys, documenting client needs, liaising with the Team on addressing client needs, conducting analysis of survey data, and assisting with communications and events.
Tasks and responsibilities:
- Conduct Right Fit client surveys (in person, online or by phone)
- Document Right Fit client needs and assist in addressing needs
- Take photographs (as appropriate) of units, accessibility features, and clients
- Conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis of survey data
- Assist with data entry
- Prepare reports, presentations, and other documents as needed
- Assist with creating website content, social media and Program communications
- Other duties as assigned.
The successful applicant must:
- Have a degree or diploma in communications, public relations, social science research, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience
- Have proficiency in web content/social media creation
- Experience with quantitative and qualitative data analysis
- Have strong verbal and written communication skills
- Be team-oriented with a positive, approachable attitude
- Have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with clients across many diverse backgrounds
- Have the ability to act ethically and handle sensitive information with confidentiality
- Be self-motivated, adaptable, and able to work effectively with a team as well as independently
- Be able to handle multiple tasks and prioritize effectively
- Have excellent organizational skills
- Be technologically proficient with computers and computer programs, including Microsoft Office software, specifically Excel, Word and Outlook
- A driver’s license and a vehicle are required
The following are strong assets for this position:
- Experience in the non-profit sector
- Experience with a disability and/or supporting people with disabilities
- Proficiency in photography
- Knowledge of housing accessibility
The position is a fixed term, contract position (until November 30, 2025). Depending on future funding, this role may be extended and may further develop to involve direct client work when the contract period ends.
Length of the position: 6 months
Compensation: $32 / hour
Location of the position: The position is located in Vancouver, on the Unceded Territories of the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh, and Squamish Nations. This is a fully remote position, with some requirement to attend meetings at the DABC office on an as-needed basis.
DABC is an open and diverse organization that promotes inclusive hiring practices. We encourage applications from qualified applicants who identify as visible minorities, Indigenous persons, and of all sexual orientations, gender expressions and identities. People with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
To Apply:
Please submit a resume and brief cover letter addressed to rightfit@dabc.ca using the subject heading “Job Application: Right Fit Outreach and Research Assistant”. No phone calls please.
Applications are due no later than 4:30 p.m. on May 20, 2025. DABC welcomes all applications, however, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview.
