We are excited to share the 2026 edition of Celebrate Diverse Abilities, 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.
Explore the magazine:
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.
As you explore this year’s stories and perspectives, we invite you to begin with a message from the editorial team:
Listening, learning and building community together
Clockwise from top left: Editorial Team Members Krista Milne, Bryce Schaufelberger, Alexander Magnussen, Michael McLellan and Dara Watson connect from across the province to plan and create the Celebrate Diverse Abilities magazine.
Thank you for reading the stories in this magazine about self-advocates across B.C. and the many ways they show leadership in their communities.
When thinking about a theme for this edition, the Editorial Team, made up of self-advocates from around the province, talked about what leadership means to us today. We also talked about how leadership connects to community, and why both are important.
We chose the theme “From Leadership to Community: Self-Advocacy Across B.C.” because leadership and community are closely connected.
Self-advocate leadership is about spreading awareness and showing that people with disabilities can and do lead. It helps others see what is possible and reminds people that anyone can be a leader, no matter where they live or what community they are part of.
Leadership looks different for everyone. It can be speaking up, helping others, volunteering, working, or being part of groups and decision-making. Leadership shows our skills and the value we bring, and it helps build stronger communities.
To us, community means being included, welcomed, and respected. It means people coming together, supporting one another, and making sure everyone belongs, no exceptions. It also means doing important work that is not always seen, but that makes a difference.
Self-advocacy is a big part of both leadership and community. It is about having a voice, being heard, and standing up for our rights. It also means helping others, especially people who may not always have the chance to speak up.
When self-advocates work together, we build stronger communities. Collaboration helps us share ideas, support each other, and create positive change across B.C.
But there is still more work to do. Not everyone sees themselves as a leader, and not everyone understands what self-advocacy is or why it matters. That is why it is important to keep sharing our stories and raising awareness.
The stories in this magazine show how self-advocates are leading in many ways and are helping to create more inclusive communities.
We hope they inspire you to see leadership in a new way and to help create communities where everyone belongs.
We always appreciate your feedback. Tell us what you think of this edition by sending an email to CLBC.Connect@gov.bc.ca .
Thank you for reading, and we hope you enjoy this edition.
Sincerely,
The Celebrate Diverse Abilities Magazine Editorial Team