Ross Chilton, CLBC CEO
A message from CLBC CEO Ross Chilton:
Today, December 3, Community Living BC marks the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). This annual celebration is a time for all of us across British Columbia to recognize the important contributions people with developmental disabilities make to their communities.
The theme of this year’s IDPD is “Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world.”
Throughout this challenging pandemic, we have seen many examples of ways that people CLBC serves have stepped up and shown the value of their leadership and participation.
The Self Advocate Leadership Network (SALN) has worked to create resources like information sheets, podcasts and videos that have helped keep people safe and informed. Their advocacy was also integral to updating the essential visitor policy in hospitals across the province.
Self advocate groups from across the province, supported by CLBC grants, have been actively keeping people with developmental disabilities connected. Through the Leading Connection project, they have hosted more than 110 virtual events this year and continue to do so through this fall.
People with disabilities also provided valuable input in shaping B.C.’s new accessibility legislation and will advise government as members of the Provincial Accessibility Committee.
While we are all working together to move towards a post-COVID-19 future, these and many other examples show the vital role people with disabilities play in building a world that is inclusive, accessible and sustainable.
Read more about International Day of Persons with Disabilities on the United Nations website here.
CLBC and others will be sharing posts on Facebook and Twitter with the hashtag #IDPD2021.
