This IDPD, We Say: Scrap the Cap!
Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD)—and this year’s theme is “amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.”
DABC has been advocating for the abolition of the Annual earning exemption limit for PWD recipients. “Scrapping the cap” is one action that could help advance the goal set out by this year’s IDPD theme.
Read our op-ed, published in July 2024 by The Tyee: https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2024/07/04/Disability-Earnings-Cap-Holding-People-Back/.
As DABC’s Executive Director Helaine Boyd states in the op-ed, “If I want to lift my staff’s wages to keep pace with the living wage, then I may have to cut their hours so they don’t reach the earnings limit set by the ministry.
It is a form of discrimination and ableism that people receiving disability assistance won’t be able to access the benefits of a living wage or be promoted into higher positions.”
Learn more about IDPD here: https://www.un.org/en/observances/day-of-persons-with-disabilities.
Want to support our advocacy? Today is also #GivingTuesday – the biggest global day for generosity. Contributions of any size are greatly appreciated: https://give-can.keela.co/dabc.
On December 3rd, give for people with disabilities in BC!
November 27, 2024 by DABC
Save the date! Dec 3rd this year is both International Day for Persons with Disabilities, AND Giving Tuesday – the biggest day of the year for charitable giving. If you’ve been waiting for the right time to donate to DABC, this moment of global generosity is a great opportunity to be a part of big impact.
Last year on Giving Tuesday, Canadians donated $50 million through 10,000 charities in 24 hours! Thanks to your support, DABC raised $3,825 from 24 donors including members, volunteers, staff, friends and allies. This year, will you join us with a contribution towards our 2024 goal of $5,000?
Whether you choose to give to our new Disability Tax Credit Medical Fees Fund, or our General Fund for most urgent needs, every dollar helps and is greatly appreciated! Click the following link to join us in making this Dec. 3 the best yet for people with disabilities: https://give-can.keela.co/dabc.
DABC introduces new Mission, Vision and Values
November 20, 2024 by DABC
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
