DABC has recently updated our Mission, Vision and Values to better reflect and and make clear who we are as an organization:

Vision Statement

Our vision is for people, with all disabilities, to live with dignity, independence, and as equal and full participants in the community. We envision a future where people with disabilities are recognized for their inherent worth as individuals, and as valued members of society.

Mission Statement

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.

Values

The below values capture the fundamental principles and beliefs that guide our organization. We have selected values which reflect our dedication to upholding equity, inclusion and diversity within our organization, and in our interactions with our clients and the larger community.

• Accountability

The perspectives of people with disabilities is central to our work. We honour each person’s individual experience with disability and respect their right to have their voice heard.

As we progress and learn as an organization, we will strive to hold ourselves accountable to our clients, funders, and community at large for our behavior, governance, and quality of services that DABC provides.

• Mutual Support

When one person in the community experiences oppression, it impacts the entire community. Recognizing that we live in an ableist society which places emphasis on individualism we believe that fostering a culture of mutual support and interdependence will make us and our community stronger as a whole.

We acknowledge that mutual support is not always a balanced relationship —some individuals may shoulder more responsibility for providing support or education based on their lived experiences. Our goal is to cultivate a culture of mutual support that minimizes these imbalances wherever possible.

• Reconciliation

DABC recognizes that the oppression of Indigenous Peoples in Canada is deeply rooted in colonialism and persists today in many different forms. Routinely, this oppression expresses itself as violence against Indigenous Peoples, the violation of traditional lands, and systemic oppression involving various institutions.

We recognize the rich diversity of thought, ways of being and knowing, among Indigenous Peoples and Nations. We are committed to regular and constant unlearning of the colonizer mindset by actively engaging with and listening to Indigenous communities in our work and partnerships. We recognize that our efforts to decolonize our work should not impose the burden of education on Indigenous communities, but rather we must take the initiative to approach this process with respect and solidarity.

• Accessibility

Accessibility includes removing physical, environmental, sensory, communication and attitudinal barriers to the full participation of people with disabilities in society. We are dedicated to ensuring that DABC is an accessible, accommodating, flexible and supportive environment for its board, staff, volunteers, visitors, and clients with a diversity of disabilities and needs.

We operate on the principle of “Nothing About Us, Without Us.” It is vital that people with lived experience with disability are central participants in all decision-making processes.

It is of utmost importance to us that we treat our clients with respect and empathy. We strive to “meet them where they are at,” recognizing that their intersecting identities will inform their needs.

• Intersectionality

We acknowledge that identities are intersectional and do not exist in silos. Many people with disabilities are also members of other equity-seeking groups, including, but not limited to, IBPOC (Indigenous, Black, People of Colour), women, 2SLGBTQIA+, unhoused, and/or sex workers. We  understand that these individuals may face unique and compounded barriers and forms of oppression due to various aspects of their identities. We stand in solidarity with all equity-seeking groups and are committed to working collaboratively to dismantle these barriers so that everyone has the chance to succeed and have their voices heard. True equity, not just equality, is the goal.