As a reminder, you can find all updates (including past editions) posted on our website here. You can also check out CLBC’s Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky social media channels 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
- Recognizing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day
- Register to attend CLBC’s September 24 open board meeting
- Stay Connected with CLBC: Sign Up for Email Updates
- Plan ahead to help access wildfire and flood emergency evacuation support faster: pre-register with Emergency Support Services
- Celebrating Disability Employment Month and CLBC WOW Award Winner
- Hear from CLBC’s FASD Specialist During FASD Awareness Month
- Planning a move to a new community in BC? Here’s what you need to know
Self-Advocacy Corner
- Self-Advocacy Across B.C.: The 2026 Celebrate Diverse Abilities Magazine
- Speak Up Self-Advocacy Awareness (SUSA) Society presents “Where We Belong”: An inclusive community and self-advocacy conference
- Start planning the life you want: Join People Planning Together
Staying Supported and Connected
- Diverse Family Roots upcoming sessions
- Explore events and resources from Autism BC
- Personal Emergency Planning Checklist from Disability Alliance BC
- Family Support Institute (FSI) Disability-Competent Volunteer Interpreter Services
- Learn about disability planning considerations with Plan Institute’s webinars
- Understanding supported decision making with Inclusion BC and the Family Support Institute
CLBC Community Council Corner
- Explore Inclusion at the South Island Community Council Resource Fair
- Celebrate Community Inclusion Month with the North Shore Sunshine Coast Community Council
- Represent your community on CLBC’s Provincial Advisory Committee
- Volunteer on a CLBC Community Council near you
Stories and Celebration
CLBC and Government News
Recognizing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day
On September 30, CLBC joins people across Canada in recognizing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. This is a time to honour residential school survivors, remember the children who never returned home, and recognize the lasting impacts of residential schools on Indigenous Peoples, families, and communities.
At CLBC, staff are being encouraged to take time to learn about Indigenous history and culture, attend local events, listen to Indigenous voices, and reflect on their own role in advancing reconciliation. We know that learning and relationship-building are ongoing commitments, and we are grateful for the guidance we receive from CLBC’s Indigenous Advisory Committee.
The Indigenous Advisory Committee (IAC) brings together Indigenous individuals, families, and community members from across B.C. who advise CLBC on how best to support Indigenous people with developmental disabilities and their families. Their guidance helps strengthen relationships between CLBC and First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities and supports our work to provide culturally relevant services.
As we continue our reconciliation journey, the wisdom and advice of the IAC help guide us in creating trusting relationships and working in accordance with CLBC’s Cultural Safety Principles. We are thankful for their leadership and partnership.
We encourage everyone to learn more about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, including local events and resources that help deepen understanding of Indigenous history, cultures, and perspectives.
Register to attend CLBC’s September 24 open board meeting
Individuals, family members and service providers are invited to join CLBC’s open board meeting from 9–11:45 a.m. PDT on Thursday, September 24. This meeting will include a presentation from BC People First, a provincial self advocacy led organization that works to promote inclusion, rights, and full citizenship for people with intellectual disabilities.
You can find the meeting agenda here and learn more about board meetings on the CLBC website here.
To register to attend the meeting, please send a request to Padminee.Chundunsing@gov.bc.ca asking to attend the September open board meeting. You will receive a Microsoft Teams meeting link and an information sheet on how to use Teams.
Stay Connected with CLBC: Sign Up for Email Updates
CLBC is making it easier to get the updates and information that matter to you. You can choose the CLBC emails, publications and other updates you’d like to receive, based on your interests.
Whether you’re looking for news, events, resources or information about CLBC services, you can choose the communications that are most useful to you and stay informed about what’s happening at CLBC.
If you aren’t already receiving CLBC’s optional email updates, we encourage you to visit the new Subscribe page on the CLBC website. Here you can sign up to stay informed about CLBC news, publications, events and other information that may be helpful to you.
You can also visit the new Email Updates and Publications page here to find previous CLBC emails and information you may have missed.
These changes will make it easier for you to get the information that matters to you, choose the CLBC updates you want to receive, and find important information when you need it.
Learn more about staying connected with CLBC
Plan ahead to help access wildfire and flood emergency evacuation support faster: per-register with Emergency Support Services
As wildfires continue to affect communities across B.C., being prepared can make a difficult situation a little easier. If you or someone you support needs to evacuate because of a wildfire or flood, Emergency Support Services (ESS) can provide support with basic needs such as food, lodging and clothing.
You can find current evacuation orders, evacuation alerts and recommended actions anytime at EmergencyInfoBC.ca.
More information about emergency preparedness
Celebrating Disability Employment Month and CLBC WOW Award Winner
September is Disability Employment Month in British Columbia, a time to recognize the contributions of people with disabilities in our workplaces and communities.
As we celebrate inclusive employment, CLBC is pleased to recognize Roger and Laura Toews and the Clearwater Tim Hortons team as recipients of a 2026 Widening Our World (WOW) Award. Their commitment to creating meaningful employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities demonstrates how inclusive workplaces benefit employees, businesses, and communities alike. Congratulations to Roger, Laura, and the Clearwater Tim Hortons team for helping make inclusion part of everyday community life in Clearwater.
Hear from CLBC’s FASD Specialist During FASD Awareness Month
September is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Month, a time to build understanding, reduce stigma, and recognize the strengths of people living with FASD. This year’s theme, “Everyone Plays a Part: It Takes a Community,”highlights the important role that families, friends, service providers, employers, and communities play in supporting people with FASD to thrive.
To mark the month, Myles Himmelreich, CLBC Service Delivery Advisor and FASD Specialist, shares his insights on the myths, misconceptions, and stigma surrounding FASD, and why education and understanding matter.
“Education is power. When we have the right information, we replace stigma and blame with understanding and support. That’s how we truly change lives,” says Myles.
Planning a move to a new community in BC? Here’s what you need to know
Moving to a new community is a big change, and planning ahead can help make your move and the transition of your CLBC services smoother. If you are thinking about moving within B.C., CLBC’s Transfer Policy explains what individuals and families can expect when moving and how CLBC can support you in continuing to access services in your new community.
Whenever possible, please give CLBC at least 90 days’ notice before your move. This gives you, your family and your facilitator time to plan ahead, talk about the services available in your new community and make informed decisions. Planning early can also help reduce the risk of disruptions to your services.
If you are planning a move, here are three important steps:
- Contact your CLBC facilitator or local CLBC office early. Please reach out at least 90 days before your planned move.
- Work with your facilitator to plan your transfer. Your facilitator will help determine whether your move is considered a transfer and will work with you to plan for continued access to CLBC services in your new community.
- Learn more about what to expect. CLBC’s website has information about the transfer process, including what may be different when moving from one CLBC quality service area to another.
Learn more about moving and transferring your CLBC services
Self-Advocacy Corner
Self-Advocacy Across B.C.: The 2026 Celebrate Diverse Abilities Magazine
In July, CLBC’s 2026 edition of the Celebrate Diverse Abilities magazine was published. We are excited to share this magazine created under the guidance of the CLBC Editorial Team, a group of self-advocacy leaders from across British Columbia. This edition shares stories about self-advocates who are making a difference in their communities.
This year’s theme, From Leadership to Community: Self-Advocacy Across B.C., highlights the voices, experiences, and contributions of self-advocates who are creating positive change in their communities.
Speak Up Self-Advocacy Awareness (SUSA) Society presents “Where We Belong”: An inclusive community and self-advocacy conference
Join SUSA Society for Where We Belong, a two-day conference focused on community inclusion, self-advocacy, learning, and connection. Open to everyone, this event brings together self-advocates, families, service providers, and community members for networking, engaging presentations, and opportunities to celebrate inclusion.
The conference will feature a keynote speaker, a variety of presentations and sessions, meals and snacks on both days, and a marketplace showcasing community organizations and resources.
Date: October 6 and 7
Location: Kamloops United Church, 421 St. Paul Street, Kamloops, B.C.
To register or learn more, contact SUSA at 250-572-6009 or speakupkamloops@gmail.com
View conference package and agenda
Start planning the life you want: Join People Planning Together
The Empowering Self Advocates to Take Acton (ESATTA) Co-operative is a self-advocate led organization that supports people with disabilities in learning about their rights. They are partnering with the CLBC North Okanagan Shuswap Community Council to host People Planning Together (PPT) in Vernon on October 21 and 22.
PPT is a two-day training for people labelled with a developmental disability who want to take a leadership role in planning the life they want. The training is facilitated by people who also live with a label of developmental disability.
To register or learn more, email CLBC.NorthOkanaganCommunityCouncil@gov.bc.ca.
Staying Supported and Connected
Diverse Family Roots upcoming sessions
Diverse Family Roots Society is a family support organization based in the Kootenays that promotes peer-to-peer mentoring, family support, connection to resources, advocacy and family navigation of services. They now have 28 Kootenay-based Family Stewards to help facilitate community connection and support and meet families where they are.
Diverse Family Roots offers several regular events including virtual gathering with families from across B.C., including:
- Rooted in Hope – Mom’s group on Mondays.
- Families supporting families on Tuesdays.
- Housing That Fits on Thursdays.
- Dad’s Matter on Sundays.
Register for Diverse Family Roots events
Explore events and resources from Autism BC
Autism BC is an organization that empowers and connects autistic individuals and their families through inclusive programs, peer support, workshops and information services across the province.
Looking to connect with the autism community, learn new skills, or access helpful resources? Autism BC has several virtual events taking place this September, including:
- AutismBC Meets: New to Autism – September 15
- What is Autism? Workshop – September 17
- AustismBC Socials: Introduction to Minecraft – September 22
- AutismBC Talks: Personal Planning & Representation Agreements with Nidus – September 25
Learn more on Autism BC’s website
Personal Emergency Planning Checklist from Disability Alliance BC
Being prepared for an emergency can help reduce stress and ensure you have the support and resources you need when unexpected situations arise. Disability Alliance BC has developed a Personal Emergency Planning Checklist to help people with disabilities plan ahead and stay safe during emergencies.
This resource is part of a broader series created by Disability Alliance BC to support emergency preparedness and help local emergency programs across British Columbia better integrate the needs of people with disabilities into their planning.
View Personal Emergency Planning Checklist
Family Support Institute (FSI) Disability-Competent Volunteer Interpreter Services
Family Support Institute (FSI) is an organization that provides peer support, resources and advocacy for families who have a family member with a disability in B.C. They have recently launched innovative Interpreter Services designed to bridge communication gaps for families navigating BC’s disability service system in languages other than English.
This volunteer initiative connects trained, disability-competent interpreters with families who need support understanding and engaging in service-related meetings, planning sessions, and system navigation.
The service is free for families.
More information and request form
Learn about disability planning considerations with Plan Institute’s webinars
How can we better support people with disabilities to make their own decisions while respecting autonomy, dignity, and choice?
Join Inclusion BC and Family Support Institute BC on Wednesday, September 23, for an important virtual session exploring Supported Decision Making and the role of Natural Authority in helping people exercise their rights and make decisions that reflect their own wishes and preferences.
The session features Yuji Kajiwara and Angela Clancy, who will discuss:
- How Natural Authority can support decision-making while maintaining autonomy and dignity
- Common barriers to exercising supported decision making
- Advocacy strategies for overcoming those barriers
Date: Wednesday, September 23 from 6 to 8 p.m.
CLBC Community Council Corner
Explore Inclusion at the South Island Community Council Resource Fair
Join the South Island Inclusion Resource Fair on October 20 at the University of Victoria Students’ Society Building. Hosted by the CLBC South Island Community Council as part of Community Inclusion Month, this event will bring together community organizations, Indigenous Nations, municipalities, government agencies, and service providers that support accessibility, inclusion, and community participation.
Whether you’re a youth transitioning to adulthood, an adult looking for community resources, or a family member seeking information, the fair is an opportunity to connect with organizations, learn about available supports and services, and discover ways to get involved in your community. Everyone is welcome.
Date: October 20 from 3 to 8 p.m.
Location: University of Victoria, Michelle Pujol Room in Student Union Building, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, B.C
Celebrate Community Inclusion Month with the North Shore Sunshine Coast Community Council
Join the North Shore Sunshine Coast Community Council for an afternoon celebrating creativity, wellness and community inclusion. This free event is open to everyone and will feature hands-on art and creativity stations, a Podcast Corner with local voices and stories, and opportunities to connect with others in the community.
You’ll also hear from guest presenters about creativity and wellness and learn more about the North Shore Sunshine Coast Community Council.
Date: October 2, from 3 to 6 p.m. PT
Location: Roberts Creek Hall, 1309 Roberts Creek Rd., Roberts Creek, B.C.
Represent your community on CLBC’s Provincial Advisory Committee
There are currently two vacancies on CLBC’s Provincial Advisory Committee (PAC) for self-advocates or family members in the Southern Interior and South Fraser regions.
The PAC is made up of individuals and family members from each of CLBC’s 12 Community Councils, appointed by the CLBC Board. Together, they make suggestions to the Board and staff about how to improve the quality of life for people supported by CLBC.
The PAC meets four times a year, as well as once a year with CLBC’s Executive, Board and Indigenous Advisory Committee.Watch this video to hear from Monica Kriese, Acting PAC Representative from the North Okanagan/Shuswap Community Council, about her experience representing her region on the PAC in this video. Watch video
To learn more about the role of PAC and how to volunteer on your local Community Council, contact the CLBC Community Engagement team at CLBC.Connect@gov.bc.ca.
Volunteer on a CLBC Community Council near you
Interested in volunteering to create inclusive communities? Want to get involved in the CLBC governance structure? We invite you to join your local CLBC Community Council!
People on CLBC Community Councils include individuals and families who receive support from CLBC, service provider partners and community allies. Find answers to frequently asked questions about CLBC Community Councils here.
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
People and places across B.C. recognized with CLBC Widening Our World Awards
Community Living BC has been celebrating people who make their communities more inclusive through the Widening Our World (WOW) Awards for 16 years.
This summer, CLBC celebrated the 2026 WOW Award recipients across the province, recognizing individuals and organizations making their communities more inclusive and welcoming. With many inspiring nominations received, the evaluation committee of self-advocates, family members, CLBC Community Council members and CLBC staff had to make some difficult decisions in selecting this year’s five award recipients.
Congratulations to the 2026 WOW Award recipients:
Neil Cutler, Nanaimo
Nominated by CLBC’s Central North Island Community Council
Read more about Neil and his award ceremony here.
Roger and Laura Toews, Owners & Operators of the local Tim Hortons in Clearwater
Nominated by Leah Blair
Read more about Roger and Laura and their award ceremony here.
Lynne-Mari De Frane, Victoria
Nominated by Catriona Johnson
Jeevan Basra, Surrey
Nominated by Marjorie Cenezero
‘Atsiyan ‘ink’e ‘Atsoo Elders Society of Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, Prince George
Nominated by Bonnie Chow
Read more about the 2026 WOW recipients
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