BCCPD continues to work closely with the Woodlands survivors in their struggle for justice and compensation. As of the end of 2011, the Province continues to exclude former Woodlands residents who were at the institution before August 1, 1974. These oldest survivors have not been given the opportunity to have their abuse recognized through the settlement agreement that has been signed by the Province. The compensation process for survivors who were at Woodlands after August 1, 1974, is extremely slow: as of October 2011, only 8 claims have been filed, out of the approximately 850 survivors who have come forward.

See more on our ongoing work on Woodlands.

Every organization should be prepared for an emergency but are you? Is your organization prepared to deliver its services to your most vulnerable clients if a disaster hits? How will your organization respond to a large scale emergency? What will your role be in the community?

Volunteer Richmond Information Services and Richmond Centre for Disability team up to deliver a valuable workshop to help your organization plan for an emergency. This workshop will get you talking about Service Continuity and Emergency Preparedness with a focus on ensuring that people with disabilities are not left without support.

Date: Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Time: 9:00am Registration, 9:30am – 3:30pm Workshop

Location: Room M2.004, Richmond City Hall (6911 No. 3 Road)

Cost: FREE – Breakfast and Lunch Provided. Please inform us of any dietary or accessibility needs.

Register by April 15: call 604 – 232 – 2404 or email ian@rcdrichmond.org

This training was developed through a joint project of the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities and Volunteer Canada, funded by the Government of Canada’s Social Development Partnership Program – Disability Component.

Click here for more information about BCCPD’s Emergency Preparedness Project.

The BCCPD is once again partnering with ACORN Canada to provide a free tax filing service.

Trained volunteers will assist with filing 2010 taxes, free of charge. People can maximize their tax credits and also receive GST cheques on time. As well, we can help you file taxes for previous years. Suggested eligibility:

• Individuals receiving PWD benefits or PPMB benefits
• Individuals earning up to $25,000 a year
• Couples earning up to $35,000 a year
• People with simple tax returns.

As well, trained volunteers with ACORN can assist with the Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP). If you have a child born after January 1st, 2004, qualifying families are eligible for the Child Learning Bond of $500 for the first year of the child’s life and $100 every year until the age of 18.

Tax Clinic Dates are Mondays:

Monday February 21st, February 28th, March 7th, March 14th, March 21st, and March 28th.

Please phone Advocacy Access at 604-872-1278 to sign up for a 30 minute appointment.