The Self-Advocates in Langley (SAIL) group makes
a difference in their community through advocacy
and leadership.
Steven Chappell says the purpose of the Self-Advocates in Langley (SAIL) group is to speak for others who cannot speak up, getting information out there and helping set in motion changes that can benefit others. The formal mission of the group is to make a difference through advocacy and leadership.
Steven has been part of the group for about four years and loves to do home improvement projects and work on technology. He joined to make a difference, to meet with leaders and get more involved in the community.
SAIL currently has about nine members and they meet each month. At their meetings, they talk about what is going on in their community, including with TransLink, their cities and accessibility.
The group likes to talk to leaders about their concerns. They have met with mayors and their MLAs. They have made a point of talking with parties before and after every election. They hope to soon talk to CLBC, to BC People First and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
“We are letting them know what we see are issues at bus stops, with transit, HandiDART, housing, safety and security,” says Steven. “And how these things are barriers that affect people with disabilities more than the average person.”
Are their local leaders listening? Steven says yes, they are making progress. For example, the group advocated for improvements to bus stops, and some of them happened and directly benefited SAIL members who use them.
The group also had a great conversation with a health nurse at Fraser Health Authority. It was a good back and forth that allowed SAIL to hear how nurses try to support people with complex needs, and to learn about what outreach centres people can go to for help.
“It’s pretty cool,” says Steven. “I used to be really shy. Over the last three years I’ve made huge changes in my ability to communicate. Having SAIL has helped me break down the barrier.”
Steven is now helping the group build a website. He’d like to get the word out and build awareness for the group. He wants others to learn like he has.
“Meeting with the City, and with the mayor, was fun and pretty cool,” he says. “It just feels empowering that they actually took time to meet with our group. And that is huge. Not everyone gets to do that.”
| For help connecting to self-advocacy groups in communities across B.C., contact: CLBC.Connect@gov.bc.ca |