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February is Inclusive Education Month
As we enter Inclusive Education Month and reflect on the landscape of education in BC, there are some realities that are discouraging, while others inspire hope and determination.
Where are these signs of hope? There are some that we know about...
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Inclusion BC in the Community | |
- Inclusion BC will be participating in the Provincial Budget lockup on February 22nd at the BC Legislative Assembly in Victoria.
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- Inclusion BC is a proud sponsor of KDocsFF 2024 and will participate in the panel discussion for the opening screening of Is There Anybody Out There? on February 21.
| - Welcome to our newest Community Inclusion Advocate, Sonya Hawchuk!
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Jeremy Tolmie - Kicking ASSpergers
Jeremy Tolmie is a four-time published author who writes about growing up with autism. In January, we interviewed him about his latest book, “Kicking ASSpergers: One Meltdown at a Time".
Jeremy's book is an emotional and inspiring story of his life and is available at Amazon on paperback and Kindle.
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Film: An Everyday Love Story
"I don't really see a lot of [people with disabilities in] mature, meaningful relationships, and I would love to see more...like what me and Fiona have, because it's so special." - Brent Hall
In June 2023, we met Fiona and Brent and wrote an article about their relationship as two people with disabilities. The couple, who both have cerebral palsy, have been married for almost 15 years, and are a great example of what's possible when people are well supported by their community to have romantic relationships. So many of our readers loved their story, so we met with them again to create this short film.
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Chapter 8 - Partners in the Educational Journey | |
The newest chapter of our Parent's Handbook on Inclusive Education 6th ed. is now available on our website.
Chapter 8: Partners in the Educational Journey outlines the professional network you can create to work together to integrate resources and strategies to support your child in different areas of their life.
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MentorAbility: Nurturing Career Exploration and Informed Decisions | Finding the right career to match your skills and personality isn’t always easy. Nick, a young man in Langley was interested in exploring job options in the trades but wasn’t sure where to start. Staff at Inclusion Langley Society connected him to MentorAbility, which lead to a mentorship experience at SIDMAC. | |
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We would like to share our gratitude and thank everyone who supported our annual campaign this year or donated throughout 2023. You are helping us to advocate for the rights and opportunities of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
We couldn't do it without you!
"Just when I felt like I had no more fight left in me, I found Inclusion BC! I felt so supported and I got my confidence back. They understood immediately what I needed and got on board right away. Priceless!"
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BC's Office of the Human Rights Commissioner
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Opportunities to Take Action | |
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Grant Applications Open Now – Engage Your Community to Improve Access to Services for Children and Youth
Do you wish you could engage your community in more creative ways? Do you want to let MCFD know how to better serve families and children with disabilities or support needs?
Community organizations across BC can now apply for grants of up to $20,000 each to host conversations in the ways that work for them. Grant funding can be used for things like renting spaces, hiring skilled and culturally appropriate facilitators, providing food, and more. These grants are to support communities to design meaningful, accessible, safe, and inclusive conversations with youth, families, and service providers about how to create a better network of services and supports for children and youth with disabilities or support needs.
The deadline for applications is February 29th, 2024
Click here to learn more and apply
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The Centre for Civic Religious Literacy (CCRL) is conducting a research project on (1) how people with intellectual disabilities learn about, engage in, and express spirituality and (2) how community living service providers perceive their role in spiritual literacy and engagement.
This first phase of research is being conducted in 2024 with posAbilities, Kinsight and Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion and will consist of a literature review, field documentation review, and interviews with employees, care providers/families and supported individuals. It also includes a scan of community living service providers in BC who offer any sort of religious or spiritual programming or exploration. If your organization provides something along those lines, or has in the past, we’d very much love to hear from you! Please reach out to Alice Chan, Executive Director CCRL, at alice@ccrl-clrc.ca.
If you are interested in hearing more this project, please feel free to contact Gord Tulloch at gtulloch@posabilities.ca.
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Start a Design-Based Business! - Free 6-week Ecommerce Course
Curiko is hosting a free 6-week Ecommerce Course that will launch on Thursday Feb.8th at 3pm. Each 90 minute session will be led by our 2024 Curiko Peer Coach in Residence and neurodivergent entrepreneur Margaux Wosk.
As a passionate advocate for mental health and disability justice, Margaux has created a unique brand of communication pins, stickers, and patches that has been successful internationally via their ecommerce stores and through many retail stores across North America.
Join Margaux each week from the comfort of your home in our online cohort, to explore the fusion of creativity and commerce. They will help you explore the key skills and resources needed to create your first product and start your own online store. You’ll also have a chance to receive a 1:1 ecommerce coaching session or a recorded review of your ecommerce page (available for up to 12 participants). No experience necessary - newbies are welcome!
Contact littlewoo@curiko.ca for more info or to book your FREE spot in this program as there are limited spots available.
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Kinsight is hosting a sibling support and networking dinner event!
Sibling Group for Adults
Monday, February 12th, 2024
If you are an adult who has a sibling with a disability, this event is for you! Whether you are starting to think about the future or are at a more advanced life stage, you are welcome. Get support, find resources, share your story, listen to others and eat! This event is offered to adults ages 19+.
DATE: Monday, February 12th, 2024
TIME: 6:30-8:30PM
PLACE: Tri-Cities Children’s Centre, 101-2312 St. Johns Street, Port Moody (The building is called The Springs)
DINNER: Pizza dinner and refreshments will be provided!
Register Here
Questions? Contact Emily Jamieson at ejamieson@kinsight.org
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Inclusion BC is a non-profit federation working with partners to build community and enhance the lives of children, youth, and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their families. They do this by supporting people’s abilities, promoting positive action, and advocating for rights, responsibilities, and social justice. Inclusion BC is supported by a membership of individuals, families, and 65 member organizations that are working together to build inclusive communities across the province of British Columbia.
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