8 posts found for inclusion

Surrey Schools Completes Accessibility Video Series with Video Highlighting Inclusion

May 1, 2025 by DABC

As we reported in February, earlier this year the Surrey School District launched “an exciting new four-part animated video series on accessibility to help students, parents and staff better understand language around accessibility, namely the terms disability, barriers, accessibility and inclusion.

Previously, only one video had been released. All four videos are now available to watch.

Stories/Videos in the Series:

DABC worked in partnership with B.C. Council of Administrators of Inclusive Support In Education and Untapped Accessibility to support school districts in BC as they implemented the requirements of the Accessible BC Act (learn more about the Accessible Organizations Project: bcaccessibilityhub.ca), and we are very pleased to see this work continuing!

Learn more about the Surrey School District’s initiative here.

BC Ombudsperson's Office investigates exclusion of students from public schools

January 23, 2025 by DABC

Earlier this month, the Office of the BC Ombudsperson announced an investigation into the exclusion of students, including those with disabilities, from public schools. Their aim is to ensure BC’s 60 school districts and the Ministry of Education and Child Care are fairly carrying out their obligations to inclusive education.

Learn more here: https://bcombudsperson.ca/news_release/ombudsperson-investigating-exclusion-of-students-from-bc-public-schools/

As part of this investigation, the Ombudsperson’s office would like families and students who’ve been excluded from BC public schools to complete a short, confidential questionnaire on their website: https://bcombudsperson.ca/school-exclusion.

Press Release: 2024/25 Accessibility Projects Grants Application Process Opens in August

May 29, 2024 by DABC

-For Immediate Release-

Vancouver, BC – May 29, 2024

As part of this year’s AccessAbility Week, taking place May 26th to June 1st, Disability Alliance BC (DABC) has announced that the funding for the Accessibility Projects Grants has been renewed by the Province.

The Accessibility Projects Grants were first launched in 2018 to commemorate BC’s first AccessAbility Week, and since that time, over 80 projects have been funded throughout British Columbia. Each year, the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction has provided $450,000 to DABC to distribute as community grants to improve and promote accessibility and inclusion in the province.

“To be an accessible and inclusive province, we must integrate accessibility into all aspects of our lives,” said Susie Chant, Parliamentary Secretary for Accessibility. “As we celebrate AccessAbility Week, I am especially grateful for our work with trusted partners like Disability Alliance BC to remove and prevent barriers for people with disabilities.”

Organizations may apply for up to $40,000 for year-long community engagement projects that will support lasting change for the more than 900,000 people (24.7% of population over age 15)[1] in BC living with disability. Projects will focus on one of the following objectives:

  • Accessible employment;
  • Accessible emergency planning and response;
  • Accessible arts, culture and tourism;
  • Accessible sports and recreation;
  • Accessible education and learning;
  • Accessible community participation.

 “We’re really excited that the grants have been funded again”, said Danielle Gauld, Coordinator of the grants. “We’ve seen them support a wide range of powerful projects around the province that have had deep impacts on the lives of people with disabilities, and we are so glad this will continue into the future. We can’t wait to see who applies this year!”

Applications will open on Friday August 2nd and close on Friday September 13th, 2024 at 12pm Pacific Time. Granting decisions are made by a Committee of representatives from DABC and other disability and community organizations from around BC. Successful applicants will receive funding in December, and implement their accessibility project in 2025.

To apply:

  • Projects must be focused on community engagement rather than large capital costs such as accessibility improvements to buildings.
  • Eligible organizations must be not-for-profit organizations with a volunteer Board chosen by its membership, based in BC or with a base of operations in and sufficient capacity to deliver services in BC. They must operate primarily for community benefit and have services open to the public rather than restricted to their membership.
  • If an organization has received a grant in the past, they can reapply 5 years after their application was submitted (for example, if an organization applied in 2018 for a grant and did their project in 2019, they can reapply in 2023 to do a project in 2024).

To learn more about the grants and organizations that have received funding in the past, please visit: Accessibility Projects Grants | DABC (disabilityalliancebc.org).

Media Contacts:
Helaine Boyd
Executive Director
helaine@dabc.ca

Download a copy of the press release here: https://disabilityalliancebc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/APG-Press-Release-May-29th-2024-FINAL.pdf

[1]https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1310037401&pickMembers%5B0%5D=1.13