Council volunteers make a difference in many ways. They help build awareness of the importance of having a community where everyone belongs. They work together to advance inclusive housing, build relationships with Indigenous leaders, and identify employers who provide meaningful work for people with developmental disabilities. Councils provide leadership opportunities for self-advocates and work on projects with municipalities, like mapping and sharing places for social connection.
Stories of how Councils are making a difference
CLBC Community Councils across the province are successfully working with their community leaders to organize and host events to celebrate diversity and promote inclusion and full citizenship of all people.
These events include the North Okanagan Shuswap Council organizing a dance party in Vernon, the North Shore Sunshine Coast Council hosting Inclusion Fest in Roberts Creek, and the Vancouver Council organizing a community celebration attended by local city councillors.
Councils have also worked with many municipalities to have October’s Community Inclusion Month proclaimed locally.
Read more stories below:
South Island Community Council
CLBC’s South Island Community Council is leading an important accessibility initiative for people who are non-speaking and/or use picture-based communication systems. CLBC is excited to be piloting the use of Communication for Everyone boards in offices across the province.
A communication board is a visual tool that can help people communicate and talk with those around them through symbols and images.
Click here to read more about the Communication for Everyone boards and initiative.
North Shore Sunshine Coast Community Council
Members of the North Shore Sunshine Coast Community Council at their event, “Beyond Walls: Inclusive Housing”
The North Shore Sunshine Coast Community Council hosted Beyond Walls: Inclusive Housing, an event that brought together over 100 people to learn about and promote the importance inclusive housing for all.
Attendees included self-advocacy leaders, families, service providers, city planners, developers, MLA representatives, and CLBC staff. The event highlighted exciting housing projects and partnerships that are making a difference in the community for people and families served by CLBC.
Click here to read the full story and watch recordings from the event.
Kootenay Community Council
Members of CLBC’s Kootenay Community Council at the Lending Library’s grand opening.
The CLBC Kootenay Community Council has launched a new Lending Library in partnership with the Trail & District Public Library, creating a collection of inclusive and educational books that community members can borrow. The library aims to make accessible, inclusive resources more available to people and families in the community.
The Kootenay Community Council brings together self-advocates, families, service providers and community members to promote inclusion and participation for people with developmental disabilities across the region.
Members of CLBC’s North Community Council at the North Star Gathering in Prince George.
North Community Council
The CLBC North Community Council and ESATTA Cooperative brought more than 100 people together in Prince George for the North Star Gathering, a three-day celebration of inclusion, connection and self-advocacy. The gathering featured workshops, conversations and a community carnival, creating opportunities for people to build connections, share their experiences and strengthen their confidence as self-advocates.
The North Community Council works to promote inclusion and self-determination across northern B.C., bringing together self-advocates, families and allies to build stronger, more welcoming communities and help ensure people have a voice in decisions that affect their lives.