December 3 is International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) – an annual United Nations day that centres disability-related inclusion and aims to “mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.” As Community Living BC recognizes this day, we reflect on the philosophy of “nothing about us without us.” Practically put, this means that in our daily work CLBC staff strive to uplift and embed the perspectives of the individuals we serve.
To help honour this day, CLBC is releasing its first report documenting progress in our 2022-2025 Strategic Plan goals and the vision for “communities of belonging, and lives of connection.”
Our Strategic Plan is one of the ways we seek to embed the perspectives of the individuals we serve into our work. The plan contains goals and strategies that were developed based on feedback from more than 500 people – individuals, service providers, community members, and other partners.
First Year Sample Achievements – 2022-2025 Strategic Plan
Goal One – We have trusting relationships with the people we serve
- We heard input from those we serve through open board meetings, 13 community councils, and our projects to improve services.
- We published an Accessibility Plan in August of 2023.
- We improved the way we talk about our services, based on feedback from individuals, families, support networks, service providers and other key partners.
Goal Two – Our actions align with the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- A 2023 amendment to the Community Living Authority Act now requires CLBC to have an Indigenous Advisory Committee, officially solidifying the presence of Indigenous individuals in decision making processes.
- CLBC launched a new Cultural Safety Policy in Spring 2023, with six Guiding Principles to lead our organization, partners, and service providers.
- CLBC partnered with the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendships Centres (BCAAFC) to develop a strategy to ensure cultural safety within Home Sharing across the province.
Goal Three – We invest in and value our sector partners
- Through CLBC funding, Self-Advocates of the Rockies (SAOR), offered paid employment opportunities for self-advocates to plan events for peers in their community (Cranbrook, BC).
- CLBC funded a new project, “Families Supporting REA-L,” which aims to create a future where people with developmental disabilities “have lives that are fulfilled, self-directed and result in a good life.”
- The Home Sharing Support Society was launched, offering central resources for CLBC’s home sharing providers.
Goal Four – Our actions advance inclusion and accessibility in community
- CLBC was part of a new Kamloops housing project Kikékyelc: A Place of Belonging. This project is in collaboration with BC Housing and is operated by Lii Michif Otipemisiwak Family and Community Services.
- In May 2023, Community Health Advisory Team (CHAT) and the Ministry of Health co-hosted the Heath Leadership Collaborative, which included individuals with lived experience, as well as representatives from various organizations and related Ministries, and focused on the topics of health systems, accessibility, aging, primary care and mental health.
Foundation – We are resilient and act in alignment with the vision
- CLBC expanded Learning, Inclusion, Friendship and Employment (L.I.F.E.) services, with 12 new contracts, for a total of 17 service providers now offering this service.
- CLBC was named one of BC’s Top Employers for the second year in a row.
To request this report in another format, please email CLBCInfo@gov.bc.ca.
