 Welcome to the March 2025 edition of CLBC’s Update for Individuals and Families! As a reminder, you can find all Updates (including past editions) posted on our website here. You can also check out CLBC’s Facebook page here and X.com page here. If you know of anyone who would like to receive future Updates, please share the link to our sign up page with them. If you have a specific question or feedback about this update, you can send an email to CLBCInfo@gov.bc.ca. CLBC and Government News Self-Advocacy Corner Staying Supported and Connected CLBC Community Councils Stories and Celebrations CLBC and Government News An update on CLBC’s budget We are pleased to share that the province has increased CLBC’s budget for caseload services for the 2025/26 fiscal year by $127 million, bringing the total budget to $1.8 billion. This increase will help address CLBC’s caseload growth of 1,200 people in 2025/26 and the rising demand for services. Over the past five years, the number of people receiving CLBC-funded supports has grown by about 25 per cent. This additional funding will be used to: - maintain ongoing services for those who started with CLBC in the current fiscal year, which ends March 31.
- help fund services for the expected 1,200 new people joining CLBC in the upcoming fiscal year that starts April 1.
- Provide services to individuals currently waiting on CLBC’s service request list.
Read the full budget announcement here. What Happens Next? After CLBC receives its overall approved budget, staff in each region work quickly to finalize the plan for services that can be funded in the new fiscal year. CLBC follows a careful budget management process which can take several weeks. This process includes assessing service requests, reviewing available funding, and allocating funding to ensure people with the most urgent needs receive supports first. CLBC will keep individuals and families informed as soon as possible about the status of their service requests. Learn more about how CLBC makes funding allocation decisions here. You can also review CLBC’s Mandate Letter here and Service Plan here. Celebrate inclusion by nominating a person or place for a CLBC WOW Award  For 16 years, CLBC has celebrated people who make their communities more inclusive through the Widening Our World (WOW) Awards. We invite you to nominate:
A person (or group of people) who - demonstrates extraordinary leadership in advancing the inclusion and full citizenship of people with developmental disabilities in B.C.
- advocates for change, creating equal access to opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.
A place that - is accessible, welcoming and inclusive for all people.
- offers individuals with disabilities valued roles such as employees, volunteers, or other fully participating community members.
The nomination deadline is March 31, 2025, at 5:00pm. Click here to submit a WOW Award nomination. Award recipients will be chosen by an evaluation committee of self-advocates, family members, and CLBC staff. Recipients will be announced in the Spring. Learn more about the WOW Awards here. Want to hear from past award recipients? Watch videos featuring Michael here and Bryce here. Learn how CLBC supports and services fit together at a Welcome Workshop CLBC Welcome Workshop teams across the province offer sessions to help people understand CLBC services and how they fit together in the big picture of adulthood. Workshops are led by a CLBC Facilitator, a family member and a self-advocate with lived experience. Learn more about CLBC Welcome Workshops here. Upcoming Welcome Workshop Sessions: If you’re interested in attending a Welcome Workshop in your area, contact your nearest CLBC office here or call 1-877-660-2522. Be Prepared: Emergency readiness for people and families served by CLBC  CLBC wants to ensure the people and families we support are prepared in case of an emergency. That’s why we’re sharing Prepared BC’s Earthquake and Tsunami Preparedness Guide here.
The guide can help everyone stay informed and ready, and includes: - how to Drop, Cover, and Hold On during an earthquake.
- steps to create personal and workplace emergency plans.
- A checklist of essential items for a 72-hour emergency kit.
Find more emergency guides and preparedness tips, including resources for people with disabilities, by visiting the Emergency Management in B.C. website here. Self-Advocacy Corner BC self-advocacy leaders deliver conference keynote  The BC Self-Advocate Leadership Network (BCSALN) recently presented as keynote speakers at the Canadian Health and Wellbeing in Developmental Disabilities Digital Conference in February. This conference brought together health professionals, community partners, and people with lived experience to improve health outcomes for people with developmental disabilities.
Their Thinking About Language presentation was very well received, with one attendee sharing, “I love your strength to change the words people use.” Key takeaways from their presentation include: - Language matters.
- Avoid terms like “nonverbal” and “client.”
- Ask questions, don’t assume.
- Focus on abilities, not disabilities.
Find BCSALN’s Thinking About Language: Words Matter resources here. You can also connect with BCSALN here to request them to present to your group. Calling self-advocates, disability-focused media creators and small business owners in B.C. The Kamloops Self Advocate Newsletter (KSAN) wants to feature your business, organization, or disability-focused media outlet on their website KSANews.ca for free! The goal is to provide exposure, celebrate successes, and inspire others in the self-advocacy and disability communities. KSANews.ca is more than just a website. It’s a resource hub featuring: - mental health and crisis support resources.
- disability awareness and inclusion resources.
- videos of famous people sharing their mental health journeys.
- stories of self-advocates breaking barriers and succeeding.
Click here for more information and to submit your business or organization. Earn $100 by sharing your story with Self Advocate Net  Self Advocate Net (SAN) publishes up to four stories each month from self-advocates across B.C. The website pays $100 for each story it publishes.
Recent stories include: Learn more about how to submit your story here. Talk about sex with Real Talk  Real Talk is a sexual health initiative for people with cognitive disabilities. The Real Talk leadership team is comprised of Certified Sexual Health Educators with extensive experience in the community living sector.
Real Talk aims to: - affirm that all people have a sexuality.
- facilitate conversations about dating, love, relationships, and sex.
- celebrate the sexuality of adults with cognitive disabilities.
Visit the Real Talk website here for more information and to find resources like videos, events, and workshops. BC People First self-advocacy conference starts today  We would like to wish BC People First (BCPF) and all attendees a successful Advocacy in Action Conference with opportunities for learning and connection.
Run by people with disabilities for people with disabilities, this hybrid learning and networking event is taking place virtually on March 17, 18 and 19, followed by an in-person event on March 21. All days are fully registered. Learn more about BC People First, their work, and upcoming events by visiting their website here. Click here to become a BCPF Member today! Staying Supported and Connected It’s tax season: Helpful resources and support Tax season can feel overwhelming, but there are programs to help. If you have a disability, filing your taxes can help you save money, pay less in taxes, and access important benefits. Whether you’re filing for yourself or helping someone else, check out Inclusion Canada’s list of government benefits and credits here. You can also discover what benefits you might be eligible for by using: The Government of Canada also offers free tax clinics where eligible people can get their tax returns done by volunteers. These clinics are hosted by community organizations across Canada through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program. Options include walk-in, drop-off, and in-person or virtual appointments. Find a tax clinic near you here. Learn about natural authority with the Family Support Institute Natural authority refers to the expertise and influence gained through lived experience, particularly by individuals with disabilities and families. Join Family Support Institute’s next Learning Exploration to learn about the importance and meaning of natural authority. The purpose of this session is to learn about how to support and look after vulnerable people with a disability without abusing or mistreating them. This is highly important, but easily gets underestimated, overlooked or ignored. The presentation will include an introduction to the Public Guardian and Trustee of BC (PGT), and what they do to support vulnerable people. It will also cover 12 PGT legal decision-making tools that may get easily misunderstood and misused when people are not accurately informed. This workshop is presented by Yuji Kajiwara and Angela Clancy and takes place Monday, April 14, from 9:30am to 11:00am (PDT). Register here for What is Natural Authority? Learn more about FSI Family Hangouts and Learning Explorations here.
 Try a new experience with Curiko  Curiko is a platform that creates and connects people to meaningful experiences. The team at Curiko offers experiences in person and virtually on Zoom, covering topics such as music, arts, exploring friendship, hockey and more.
Learn more about Curiko and check out upcoming experiences at: Curiko.ca. Click here to register for the upcoming Harry Potter Experience taking place on Saturday, April 12 at 11:00am (PDT). Get informed about participating in the upcoming Federal Election With a federal election expected this Spring, Inclusion Canada and Elections Canada are co-hosting a two-part webinar series to help people with intellectual disabilities and their families get involved. Each webinar will focus on a different part of the election process and tools to make this process more accessible: - Session 1: Reducing Barriers to Working at the Polls in General Federal Elections
Tuesday, March 25, from 3:00pm to 4:30pm (PDT) - Session 2: Reducing Barriers to Voting in General Federal Elections for Adults
Tuesday, April 1, from 3:00pm to 4:30pm (PDT)
Find full details and register to join here. Join an important discussion on equitable access to palliative care The BC Centre for Palliative Care is hosting a series of three interactive online sessions exploring ways to improve access to palliative and end-of-life care for underserved populations. Session Dates: April 2, 9 and 16, 2025 from 1:00pm to 3:30pm (PDT) The session topics are: - Exploring the lived experience of access to palliative and end-of-life care for underserved populations.
- Current opportunities and connections that support improving equitable access.
- Future opportunities for improving access.
Click here to learn more and register for these sessions. CLBC Community Councils Vancouver Richmond Community Council hosts Inclusion Fest On March 8, the CLBC Vancouver Richmond Community Council hosted Inclusion Fest, an event focused on Aging within Diverse Populations. The event featured expert panels, policy leaders, BC’s Seniors Advocate and a speakers’ circle with caregivers and self-advocates.  To learn more about resources that support people and caregivers as they age, click here to check out CLBC’s Aging Knowledge Hub. The hub is a place for aging-related resources and information across a range of topics.
Photo: Spencer van Vloten of the Vancouver Richmond Community Council introduces BC Seniors Advocate Dan Levitt. North Shore Sunshine Coast Community Council takes action to promote inclusive housing The CLBC North Shore Sunshine Coast Community Council recently hosted Beyond Walls: Inclusive Housing, an event that brought together over 100 people to learn about and promote the importance inclusive housing for all. Attendees included self-advocacy leaders, families, service providers, city planners, developers, MLA representatives, and CLBC staff. The event highlighted exciting housing projects and partnerships that are making a difference in the community for people and families served by CLBC. Read more about the event and find links to the different presentations here.
 Volunteer on a CLBC Community Council near you Interested in volunteering to create inclusive communities? Want to be a part of the CLBC governance structure? We invite you to join your local CLBC Community Council! The Community Living Authority Act (2005) governs CLBC and ensures the work we do is guided by the voices and leadership of the people and families we serve. Today, CLBC’s governance structure includes 12 Community Councils, the Provincial Advisory Committee and the Indigenous Advisory Committee, who provide advice to CLBC’s Board of Directors. You can view a diagram explaining our governance structure here. People on CLBC Community Councils include individuals and families who receive support from CLBC, service provider partners and community allies. In partnership with CLBC, Community Councils: - Build relationships with community leaders to create a more inclusive B.C.
- Connect individuals and their families to information, resources, and each other.
- Listen to the experiences of people and families served by CLBC to help make things better.
- Take actions that lead to social change and inclusive communities for all people.
Find answers to frequently asked questions about CLBC Community Councils here. Interested in joining? Contact CLBC.Connect@gov.bc.ca to set up a time with the Community Engagement team and learn more about volunteering on a CLBC Community Council. Stories and Celebrations Recognizing the work of the Vernon Community Connections Self Advocacy Group The Community Connections Self Advocacy Group in Vernon began in 2010 when the local CLBC manager brought self-advocates together and asked what issues they wanted to work on. After 13 years of dedication and service, the group held its final meeting in 2024. Over the years, the group addressed key issues such as transit, affordable housing and accessibility. They invited guest speakers, wrote letters, and formed meaningful connections within their community. Through their advocacy work, their friendships have remained strong. Ted Dekker, Chair of the Community Connections Self-Advocate Group, shared: “We sought input from others and shared what it means to be a self-advocate. We learned to get things done on time. It feels good to get out of our programs and attend our monthly self-advocacy meetings. We get out into the community more often. We feel strongly that more people should know about self-advocacy. It’s important to be heard and to fight for those who have a hard time speaking for themselves. We thank all the people and organizations in our community who have supported our group over the years with information, expertise, and encouragement. Working together, we can make our community better for everyone.” To learn more about the Community Connections Self Advocacy Group, read Vernon seniors worked to make the community more accessible from the Vernon Morning Star Celebrating International Women’s Day Earlier this month, on Saturday, March 8, we celebrated International Women’s Day This important day honors the social, economic, and cultural achievements and contributions of women and girls around the world. Learn more about International Women’s Day, and this year’s theme Strength in Every Story, here. March 21 marks World Down Syndrome Day March 21 is recognized annually as World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD), declared by the United Nations General Assembly. On this day, people with Down syndrome, their families, friends, colleagues, and communities come together to raise public awareness and advocate for the rights, inclusion, and well-being of people with Down syndrome. Watch a video called No Decision Without Us here. The video was created to recognize World Down Syndrome Day 2025, emphasizing the importance of people with disabilities having a seat at the table. 
To mark WDSD, landmarks around the world, including B.C. Place stadium in Vancouver, will be lit up in blue and yellow. People can also participate in the Lots of Socks campaign by wearing colorful, attention-grabbing socks and sharing pictures with the hashtag #LotsOfSocks on social media. Recognizing World Autism Day and Autism Acceptance Month Each year, April 2 marks World Autism Day, a day dedicated to supporting individuals with autism and promoting their ability to lead full, meaningful lives as valued members of our communities. The month of April is also recognized as Autism Acceptance Month, and officially proclaimed by the government of B.C. Following the lead of self-advocates, the month goes beyond awareness, with the focus now shifted towards acceptance. The change in language represents a long-held belief by self-advocates, specifically within the neurodiversity movement, that it is important to accept and help autistic people lead more fulfilling lives, rather than treating the condition like an illness. You can hear some self-advocate sharing their thoughts about the importance of Autism acceptance in this video from Autism BC. To learn more about groups who are working to promote Autism acceptance, we encourage you to visit the Autistic Advocacy Coalition of Canada website here, and the Autistic Self Advocacy Network website here. Community leaders creating opportunities for inclusive workplaces  Inclusion BC and Clements Centre Society held a successful employer outreach event in January in Duncan, highlighting how local businesses and community leaders are driving change and creating opportunities for inclusive workplaces.
A key highlight was Lydia’s inspiring video on inclusive employment, which demonstrated the positive impact of inclusive hiring practices. Learn more about this event here. Signing Off With the recent start of Daylight Saving Time, longer days and warmer weather on the way, we’re excited to welcome the change of season. As we sign off, we wish everyone a happy start of Spring later this week. Until next edition… 
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