The Birth of SelfAdvocateNet.com – A Vision Realized In the year 2000, SelfAdvocateNet.com sprang to life, driven by the passion and vision of Bryce Schaufelberger, a self advocate from Mission BC. Inspired by the HOME Society website, which had taken shape in 1998, Bryce recognized the need for a dedicated space where self-advocates could connect, share their voices, and inspire change. With determination, he found the perfect logo, secured the SelfAdvocateNet.com domain, and—with the support of programmers from an employee benefits company—brought his vision to life. From the very beginning, Bryce poured his heart into the site, filling it with thoughtful

SelfAdvocateNet.com in 2003 – A Growing Voice for Change By 2003, SelfAdvocateNet.com had blossomed into a vibrant online hub, a place of connection, empowerment, and advocacy. With over 40 sections, the site wasn’t just a collection of resources—it was a movement. Visitors could explore engaging introductory videos, heartfelt advice from “Dear Jill,” and insightful columns by JP. But above all, the site provided a strong, unwavering voice for justice—particularly for those who had endured life at the Woodlands Institution. One of the site’s most innovative features was its user-friendly letter-writing tool. This simple yet powerful function made it easier for self-advocates,

SelfAdvocateNet.com in 2006 – A Year of Growth and Advocacy The year 2006 was another remarkable year for SelfAdvocateNet.com as it continued to grow, empower self-advocates, and champion their voices across Canada and beyond. One of the most impactful moments of the year was the 6th Self-Advocate Leadership Retreat, held at Edenvale Retreat House in the Fraser Valley. More than 80 self-advocates from across the country gathered, making it a truly historic event. As he had done in every retreat since the very first one in 2000, Bryce used this opportunity to showcase the SAN website and invite feedback on new

SelfAdvocateNet.com in 2009 – A Year of Growth and Connection By 2009, SelfAdvocateNet.com had taken another big leap forward. The site was now being produced using SharePoint, thanks to the support of the ShareVision group, which was originally developed by the HOME Society. The ShareVision team not only hosted the SAN website but also guided and supported the SAN team as they learned the process of developing a SharePoint site. This collaboration helped transform SelfAdvocateNet.com into a more interactive and community-driven platform. The site now featured a group of interactive pages, each managed by local self-advocates, making it truly a website

SelfAdvocateNet.com in 2012 – A Year of Growth and Determination By 2012, SelfAdvocateNet.com (SAN) had taken another important step forward by transitioning from SharePoint to WordPress. This change brought greater flexibility and ease of use, allowing the site to continue growing as a powerful platform for self-advocacy, connection, and justice. The site remained rich with interactive pages, offering resources, stories, and spaces for self-advocates to share their voices and experiences. It had also built a strong network of supporters who received regular updates on the fight for justice for Woodlands Survivors. This growing community played a crucial role in keeping pressure

SelfAdvocateNet.com in 2015 – A New Chapter, A Global Voice By 2015, SelfAdvocateNet.com (SAN) had embraced a new direction, refocusing itself as a Self-Advocate Blog—a space where self-advocates could share their stories, insights, and leadership with the world. Blogging had become a powerful force in online communication, shaping media, politics, and social movements. For SAN, this shift meant connecting with even more self-advocates, supporters, and allies globally, ensuring that voices that once went unheard were now amplified and celebrated. A key part of this evolution was supporting the growing movement for language change. In 2012, a lone voice sparked a campaign

By 2020, SelfAdvocateNet.com (SAN) had grown into a dynamic and thriving self-advocacy platform, evolving with the times while staying true to its mission of empowerment, inclusion, and leadership. The site had adopted a fresh new theme, beautifully showcasing the thousands of posts that had been written over the years. Recognizing the value of this rich history, an Archive Site was created, ensuring that past stories, lessons, and achievements were preserved for future generations. A major milestone for SAN was its ability to financially support self-advocates in sharing their voices. By 2020, the site was paying $100 per published story and was

During the early 2000s and the years that followed, as many self-advocates found themselves homebound due to COVID-19, Bryce recognized how crucial it was to keep the DiversAbility community connected. His dedication to this mission helped the Self-Advocacy Network (SAN) site grow, attracting new sponsors, including two unions, local businesses, and numerous Community Living Societies across the province. As the SAN site flourished, Bryce and the editorial board continued to receive powerful stories, many of which focused on the resilience and challenges of surviving lockdown. The network expanded in incredible ways, launching a variety of spin-off sites tailored to different needs.