2026 Call for Nominations: DABC's Board of Directors
Join the Disability Alliance BC Board: Make a Difference! Are you passionate about disability advocacy? Do you want to use your lived experiences to drive positive change? Disability Alliance BC (DABC) is looking for one (1) individual to join our Board of Directors in 2026!
About You
- You are passionate about disability rights and advocacy.
- You want to use your lived experiences to drive positive change.
- You are dedicated to fostering an environment where everyone feels welcome and respected.
- You have a desire to engage and work closely with others – both within and outside the organization.
- You demonstrate a strong work ethic and responsiveness in your tasks.
- You embody empathy and compassion in all your interactions.
- We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds; however, our Board particularly encourages individuals from specific sectors to apply.
- Lawyers and legal professionals
- Public sector employees (government)
- Corporate or for-profit sector workers
- Fundraising and Community Development
- Financial professionals
- Diverse Voices: We would love to see applications from all over British Columbia, especially those with lived experience from Northern, Interior, and rural areas.
Why Join Us?
Since 1977, DABC has been a powerful voice for people with disabilities in British Columbia. We are a provincial non-profit and registered charity dedicated to supporting people with all disabilities to live with dignity, independence, and as equal participants in the community. We promote disability issues through direct services, community partnerships, advocacy, research, and publications.
What You’ll Do:
As a Board Member, your responsibilities will include:
- Promoting DABC’s mission, vision, and values within your community and networks.
- Providing leadership and guidance to our Executive Director.
- Evaluating the Executive Director’s performance annually and giving constructive feedback. This process helps ensure ongoing improvement and the organization’s success.
- Ensuring that DABC fully complies with all legal, financial, and ethical standards and accountability.
- Reviewing and providing suggestions for our systemic advocacy and policy work based on your lived experience.
- Ensuring that the strategic plan is adhered to, regularly updated, and thoroughly reviewed.
For more information, please go to: Board member summary.
Term and Commitment:
The Board of Directors meets virtually for approximately 90 minutes, six times a year. During these meetings, they discuss key issues, make important decisions, and strategize for the future.
In addition to the regular meetings, Board members have the opportunity to participate in various committees and special initiatives as they arise. They prioritize a manageable commitment to ensure that participation is accessible and value each member’s contributions.
Board Directors typically serve a three-year term, with opportunities for re-election.
This position is voluntary and does not offer financial compensation.
Eligibility:
To join, you must meet the following criteria:
- You are at least 18 years of age.
- Be a person with a disability.
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident as defined by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada).
- Be a member in good standing with DABC (membership fee: $15).
How to Apply:
Ready to make an impact? Email our Board & Communications Coordinator, Chloe Krause, at chloe@dabc.ca for a nomination package.
This will include:
- A Nominee Application Form for Candidates Seeking to Apply to the DABC Board of Directors.
- A DABC Nomination Form for Candidates Seeking to Apply to the DABC Board of Directors.
- A detailed overview of the history and role of Board duties and responsibilities.
- A two-page summary of the role of a DABC board member.
- DABC’s Annual Report.
Deadline: Applications are open on a rolling basis and will be considered until 8:29AM on Wednesday August 5th. We look forward to hearing from you!
Please attach a resume along with your completed nomination and nominee forms. If this poses a barrier, please let us know.
Please note that you may not hear from a representative of the committee until after 8:29AM on Wednesday August 5th. If you are successful in moving to the interview phase, you will be contacted to schedule your interview during the week of August 9th. We will update you regardless of the outcome of your application.
Thank you for your patience, and please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.
The final decision about joining our Board will be made by a vote of our membership at our AGM each year in September.
Download a copy of this Call for Nominations here.
DABC Recommendations for BC Budget 2027
The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services holds an annual public consultation on the next provincial budget. DABC recently submitted our recommendations for Budget 2027. Read it below or download it: DABC Recommendations for BC Budget 2027.
Learn more about the consultation process here: https://consultation-portal.leg.bc.ca/consultations/195.
Please note that we were only able to submit a maximum of three recommendations.
Budget 2027 Consultation
Disability Alliance BC (DABC) Submission to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services
Disability Alliance BC (DABC) is a provincial cross-disability charity, advocating for the rights of people with disabilities. The focus of our submission will be on ensuring that the BC Government invest in programs which will improve the financial security of low-income people with disabilities across our province, particularly focused on Disability Assistance, Public Transportation, and Medical Equipment.
Recommendation 1 (300 characters): Indexing Disability Assistance rates to inflation, and removing clawbacks from employment insurance income and spousal income for people on Disability Assistance.
Explanation (2000 characters):
DABC notes the small increase to Disability Assistance made in December 2025 for couples, however overall rates to the support portion of Disability Assistance has not been increased for individuals since 2021. DABC argues that the rate of inflation over the past 5 years has been significant, particularly so for people with disabilities and low income individuals and families. DABC calls upon the BC government to make good on their commitments to poverty reduction as listed on page 34 of the 2024 Poverty Reduction Strategy, specifically: “considering the case for indexing rates to inflation”, and “Considering income exemptions that could stack benefits and help people retain more income – Examples could include changing the rules around spousal income or exempting federal benefits like Employment Insurance from income.”
People on PWD deserve to feel financially secure; they should have reassurance that their PWD income will increase if inflation increases; and they should feel secure in knowing they can access their federal right to Employment Insurance (EI) without having their PWD income clawed back.
EI should be treated as a form of earned income, not unearned income, because workers contribute their employment earnings to EI through a deduction in their pay cheque. Everyone who pays EI premiums can rely on EI benefits being there when they need them, including PWD clients, however the difference is that PWD clients “are required to pursue and accept the other income or means of support,” meaning that they must accept EI if they are eligible, but have no recourse to stop their PWD income from being clawed back. We believe this clawback of EI benefits discriminates against PWD clients, which hinders them from escaping the cycle of poverty.
Recommendation 2: Streamlining the provincial bus pass program for people with disabilities to include HandyDART rides:
Explanation:
DABC calls upon the provincial government to make good on a campaign promise within the BC NDP’s action plan from the 2024 election, namely “Improve transit for people with disabilities by bringing BC’s HandyDART service into government, instead of sub contracting the service to a private company.” DABC wishes to see HandyDART brought within government control not only because it will guarantee greater accountability to the public and the disability community on the state of its operations, but will also pave the way for HandyDART to more easily become integrated into the BC bus pass program, which is available to seniors and people on Disability Assistance.
Transport 2050 states that its goal is “a “fairer and more just and inclusive transportation system that truly delivers on the promise of Access for Everyone.” A more inclusive public transportation system would involve bringing HandyDART into the BC bus pass program so that low income people with disabilities who are unable to navigate conventional public transit would be able to access this much-needed service. Currently, people on Disability Assistance have to pay out of pocket for HandyDART, which we believe is a form of financial exclusion.
Recommendation 3: Establish an Assistive Devices Program in BC
Explanation:
In BC, most financial coverage available for adults for assistive devices is available for people on Disability Assistance only. Aside from Disability Assistance coverage, some people also may qualify for assistive devices through WorkBC if they can establish a work-related barrier due to a disability; however, this still excludes many people with disabilities.
People with disabilities who do not qualify for these two options above are left to purchase expensive medical equipment on their own or to seek out help from non-profits and charities. This creates an inconsistent system of care for people with disabilities in our country, as both Alberta and Ontario have programs that provide this coverage. The Province of Ontario has the Assistive Devices Program, and the Province of Alberta has the Aids to Daily Living Program.
DABC recommends that the BC government follow the lead of other provinces in establishing this support program that is offered to people with disabilities beyond those who receive Disability Assistance. An immediate first step would be to extend eligibility to low income seniors and to people who solely receive CPP-D.
CRA Announces Upcoming Changes to the Disability Tax Credit Application
On June 16th, 2026, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced upcoming changes to the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) application process that will impact the way you are able to submit an application.
Key dates to note:
- July 14, 2026: You will no longer be able to use the “Submit Documents” section in your CRA account to send DTC applications or related documents, unless the CRA specifically requests additional information. You must send your DTC application to the CRA using the digital DTC application form or by mail.
- September 8, 2026: Older versions of Form T2201 (issued before 2023) will no longer be accepted, as they do not meet the updated requirements. You will need to submit a new application if the version of your form is from before 2023.
For more details, please refer to the link below:
Help speed up your disability tax credit application – Canada.ca
We recognize that this can add an administrative burden on both applicants and their medical practitioners.
You can still apply for the DTC by either:
- mailing in a paper application (Form T2201 – The Disability Tax Credit Certificate).
- Applying for Part A of the form by phone with a CRA agent: 1-800-959-8281 or using the automated voice service (1-800-463-4421); and having your medical practitioner complete the Part B form online through a digital portal .
Tips on completing an application:
- If your medical practitioner is submitting your application through the digital portal, ask your medical practitioner to see your application before they submit the application so you can be prepared for the CRA’s decision.
- Stay up to date on CRA’s latest processing times to see how long you might have to wait for a decision
- If you have not heard from the CRA, and it has been a while, check in with your medical practitioner to see if they need to submit a questionnaire requesting additional medical information.
- If you need help with your application, denial, renewal or appeal, contact Access DTC: 604.872.1278 or dtc@dabc.ca.
