Vancouver, B.C. – April 2, 2026 — Disability Alliance BC (DABC) announced today that its nationally recognized Right Fit Program will lose its federal funding as of April 1, 2026, forcing the program to close and leaving hundreds of wheelchair users without critical housing support.

MEDIA ADVISORY

To highlight the urgent impact of this closure, DABC are inviting the media to attend a press conference on Thursday, April 2 at 12:00 PM at the Harmony Building (1451 East 12th Avenue, Vancouver). Harmony is a Brightside Homes development in the Grandview-Woodland neighbourhood, featuring more than 30 accessible units and housing several Right Fit clients. Right Fit clients will be available for interviews.

BACKGROUND

The Right Fit Program is the only initiative of its kind in Canada; directly matching wheelchair users with accessible housing and supporting them through the entire process. Wheelchair users face significant barriers to housing. Accessible homes are scarce and often filled without consideration of accessibility needs, while individuals requiring these units are left navigating complex systems alone. Without the Right Fit Program, wheelchair users will face increased risk of homelessness, institutionalization, or being forced to live in inaccessible and unsafe conditions.

“The loss of the Right Fit Program is devastating,” said Helaine Boyd, Executive Director of Disability Alliance BC. “This program fills a critical gap in our housing system. Without it, wheelchair users will be left without the supports they need to secure safe, accessible housing.”

Demand for the program continues to grow, with 226 wheelchair users currently on the waitlist—a 73% increase over two years. Since 2017, the program has placed 371 individuals into stable, accessible homes. Notably, 38% of clients served were homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness at the time of placement.

Right Fit client Shantal Bateham, a 29-year-old artist, says the program changed her life after years of searching for suitable housing.

“The Right Fit is not just an important program—it is vitally necessary. In my 14 years of living with a disability, it is the only program I have encountered that truly prioritizes matching accessible housing to people who need it. While other systems left me searching for years, The Right Fit helped me find a safe, accessible home in just one month.”

“When someone using a wheelchair is placed in housing that is not accessible, they cannot cook, bathe, or even leave their home independently—not because of their abilities, but because of the environment they are forced to exist in. Put that same person in an accessible home, and they become independent, empowered, and able to fully participate in their community. That is not just life-changing—it is community-changing.”

Media Assets

Photos of Right Fit clients are available upon request.

Media Contact

Helaine Boyd
Executive Director
Disability Alliance BC
Email: helaine@dabc.ca | Phone: 236-598-0463

About Disability Alliance BC (DABC)

Since 1977, Disability Alliance BC has been a provincial, cross-disability voice in British Columbia. As a registered charity, 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.

DABC provides a variety of one-on-one, free services to people with disabilities. The organization has over 60 dedicated staff, contractors and volunteers that work on targeted programming in advocacy, legal representation, tax filing, housing, income support, and accessibility.

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Disability Alliance BC (DABC)’s nationally recognized Right Fit Program will lose its federal funding as of April 1, 2026, forcing the program to close and leaving hundreds of wheelchair users without critical housing support.

To highlight the urgent impact of this closure, DABC are inviting the media and any affected community members to attend a press conference on Thursday, April 2 at 12:00 PM at the Harmony Building (1451 East 12th Avenue, Vancouver). Harmony is a Brightside Homes development in the Grandview-Woodland neighbourhood, featuring more than 30 accessible units and housing several Right Fit clients. Right Fit clients will be available for interviews.

Open: May 6, 2025

Closes: May 28, 2025

Location: Vancouver

Category: Community and Social Services Job

Type: Part-time Contract (20 hours)

Salary: $32 per hour

Who We Are

Since 1977, Disability Alliance BC (DABC) has been a provincial, cross-disability voice in British Columbia. We are a non-profit, charitable organization that champions issues impacting the lives of people with disabilities. 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.

Program Description

Launched in 2017, the Right Fit program is a multi-partner service designed to address the crisis in wheelchair accessible housing by matching affordable, accessible homes and independent living supports with people who need them in the Vancouver region of British Columbia.

Led by Disability Alliance BC in partnership with the Individualized Funding Resource Centre Society (IFRC), the program provides peer-led navigation  support to wheelchair users and their families, which includes a holistic assessment and the coordination of all their disability support needs (home support, equipment, and assistive technology). The Right Fit maintains a detailed inventory of accessible units through a standardized Accessibility Checklist. The program supports housing providers by matching vacant units with wheelchair users who have diverse accessibility needs and are the “right fit” tenants, ensuring the most effective use of accessible housing stock.

Job Description:

As the Outreach and Research Assistant, you will support the Right Fit Team in conducting client surveys, documenting client needs, liaising with the Team on addressing client needs, conducting analysis of survey data, and assisting with communications and events.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Conduct Right Fit client surveys (in person, online or by phone)
• Document Right Fit client needs and assist in addressing needs
• Take photographs (as appropriate) of units, accessibility features, and clients
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis of survey data
• Assist with data entry
• Prepare reports, presentations, and other documents as needed
• Assist with creating website content, social media and Program communications
• Other duties as assigned.

The successful applicant must:

• Have a degree or diploma in communications, public relations, social science research, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience
• Have proficiency in web content/social media creation
• Experience with quantitative and qualitative data analysis
• Have strong verbal and written communication skills
• Be team-oriented with a positive, approachable attitude
• Have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with clients across many diverse backgrounds
• Have the ability to act ethically and handle sensitive information with confidentiality
• Be self-motivated, adaptable, and able to work effectively with a team as well as independently
• Be able to handle multiple tasks and prioritize effectively
• Have excellent organizational skills
• Be technologically proficient with computers and computer programs, including Microsoft Office software, specifically Excel, Word and Outlook
• A driver’s license and a vehicle are required

The following are strong assets for this position:

• Experience in the non-profit sector
• Experience with a disability and/or supporting people with disabilities
• Proficiency in photography
• Knowledge of housing accessibility

The position is a fixed term, contract position (until November 30, 2025). Depending on future funding, this role may be extended and may further develop to involve direct client work when the contract period ends.

Length of the position: 6 months

Compensation: $32 / hour

Location of the position: The position is located in Vancouver, on the Unceded Territories of the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh, and Squamish Nations. This is a fully remote position, with some requirement to attend meetings at the DABC office on an as-needed basis.

DABC is an open and diverse organization that promotes inclusive hiring practices. We encourage applications from qualified applicants who identify as visible minorities, Indigenous persons, and of all sexual orientations, gender expressions and identities. People with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

To Apply:

Please submit a resume and brief cover letter addressed to rightfit@dabc.ca using the subject heading “Job Application: Right Fit Outreach and Research Assistant”. No phone calls please.

Applications are due no later than 4:30 p.m. on May 20, 2025. DABC welcomes all applications, however, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview.