A message from Ross Chilton,
CEO, Community Living BC
Today, December 3, marks United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities. 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 U.N. has declared the theme for this year:
Promoting the participation of persons with disabilities and their leadership.
I’m proud to see many examples of participation and leadership in our province: In Mission, the annual Self Advocate Leadership Retreat marked its 20th year of bringing self advocate leaders together for a weekend of learning and connecting. It’s one of many events throughout the year that fosters self advocate leadership, and I had the pleasure to attend and speak with attendees; Across B.C, thousands have participated in the recent government consultation on the development of new accessibility legislation, including many individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. At CLBC, the include Me! initiative continues to collect valuable input directly from the people we support about what is important for a good quality of life. Over 6,000 people have already participated in the survey, which is administered by people with developmental disabilities.
Communities are better places when everyone has opportunities to participate and to lead. CLBC recognizes the many people who continue working and making this a reality in our province, including the people we support, their families, service providers, volunteers, employers and many other British Columbians.
I encourage you to visit Self Advocate Net’s webpage dedicated to International Day of Persons with Disabilities here to learn more, including information about events taking place in Vancouver and Nanaimo to celebrate the day.
