A note to community organizations and services: We are limiting links on this page to key groups and community partners, rather than attempting to maintain current links to a broad range of issues and services.
Access 2
The Access 2 Card indicates that you require the support of an attendant and a discount will be granted at movie theatres and entertainment venues across the country.
Accessible Businesses in BC
From Legacies 2010, a partial list of accessible businesses in the province.
Assistive Technology BC
Provides assistive technology resources to make learning and working environments usable for people with disabilities in BC. Two main programs are for Canada Student Grant participants and clients who are in employment/training for employment.
Assistive Technology Co-operative (new resource)
BC Personal Supports Network
BCCPD is a member of the BCPSN. The BCPSN wants to improve access to personal supports for people with disabilities – from equipment and assistive devices to sign-language interpreters and attendants. The first BCPSN project is the EATI; click to see if you will qualify.
The Red Cross provides a variety of health equipment loan programs throughout B.C.
The Cold Water Respite Lodge Committee is building an accessible respite lodge for individuals with disabilities.
Research on home support costs and effects.
Free, private, web-based communities for organizing friends, family, and colleagues during times of need. Easily coordinate activities and manage volunteers with an intuitive group calendar.
Recruits skilled volunteer engineers and technicians to create assistive devices for people with disabilities.
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BC 211
BC Association for Community Living
BCITS (BC Association for Individualized Technology and Supports for People with Disabilities)
Home of Provincial Respiratory Outreach Program and Technology for Independent Living.
Supporting people with physical disabilities and is committed to closing the gaps between people with and without disabilities.
Beat Bureaucracy
A new website that provides strategic advice to people who are struggling to get fair treatment from bureaucracies.
Canadian Mental Health Association- BC(CMHA)
Promotes the mental health of British Columbians and support the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness
Planned Lifetime Advocacy Networks (PLAN)
PLAN's mission is to help families secure the future for their relative with a disability and to provide peace of mind.
Social Planning and Research Council (SPARC)
Works together with communities on accessibility, community development, income security and social planning.
UNTAPE
The Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion's collaborative website about cutting through red tape and getting the services people need.
Canada Student Debt
Providing help for student loan borrowers.
A portal to awards and scholarships for students with disabilities studying at Canada's colleges and universities. Updated September 2010.
Post Secondary Information
Information about disability services for post secondary students.
ALDA’s “Start Here” Program
Centre for Abiliities: Adult Programs
The Centre for Ability works with business, government, and community partners to create employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. There is funding, job training, career counseling, wage subsidies, and other supports available.
Hire Disability Solutions
Owned by a person with a disability. Dedicated to empowering companies to promote inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace.
Open Door Group
Specialized, professional job search services at no cost to participants.
PACT Employment Services
Free personalized and confidential employment counseling to individuals with mental health concerns.
A self-employment program called Abilities to Business for people with disabilities.
Vancity ABLED Program: Advice and Business Loans for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities
ABLED provides entrepreneurs with funding for pre- and post-business launch support tailored to the realities of entrepreneurs with disabilities.
Coast Foundation
Helpful information on disability trusts.
Registered Disability Savings Plan information
Updated information about the RDSP from PLAN.ca RDSP manual, handouts, and short videos from the BCCPD www.disabilitysavings.gc.ca: Government of Canada RDSP information
BC Personal Supports Website
Links to programs that provide equipment and assistive devices or other personal supports to people with disabilities in BC. Click to see ASL translation or hear the site out loud. Government of BC website.
Information for passengers with disabilities.
BC Human Rights Tribunal
Responsible for accepting, screening, mediating and adjudicating human rights complaints.
BC Ministry of Social Development
Canada Benefits
Federal government website about benefit programs for Canadians.
Ombudsman's Office
Receives inquiries and complaints about public agencies in BC.
Ombudsman Kim Carter’s report Last Resort: Improving Fairness and Accountability in British Columbia’s Income Assistance Program
The BCCPD congratulates the Ombudsman for her report and recommendations which we know, when implemented, will greatly improve BC’s income assistance programs.
Public Health Agency of Canada
Information about health and wellness.
Transport Canada
Link to brochure about accessible city-to-city bus service in Canada.
The provincial crown agency that develops, manages and administers a wide range of subsidized housing options for those in greatest need.
BC Housing and Construction Standards New standards for the design and construction of accessible housing have been added to the BC Building Code.
Regional Steering Committee on Homelessness
The Greater Vancouver Regional Steering Committee on Homelessness (RSCH) is a coalition of community organizations and all levels of government. The BCCPD has been a member since November 2009.
SAFER - Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters
Tenants Resource and Advisory Centre
TRAC provides legal education and information about residential tenancy matters.
BC Health Coalition
Resources including A Consumer's Guide to Assisted Living.
BC Human Rights Coalition
Advocacy, clinics, programs and education to protect existing rights, prevent discrimination, and expand human rights protections.
CIVIL RIGHTS NOW!
CIVIL RIGHTS NOW! is a not-for-profit society which advocates for public policy changes which will provide Canadians with disabilities equal access to the equality provisions of our Charter.
Council of Canadians with Disabilities
National advocacy body by and for people with disabilities.
Dieticians of Canada
Produces the yearly report: The Cost of Eating in BC: Low income British Columbians can't afford healthy food.
Disability Rights Promotion International
International human rights monitoring project by and for people with disabilities.
EQUALS
EQUALS is a non-partisan coalition of citizens who fight to defend the rights of people with disabilities in British Columbia. MDjunction.com
An online forum for a variety of free support groups.
PovNet
Community and access to information around poverty-related issues in British Columbia.
Advocates for the right of people to social and economic security, and for making it easier for legal and community advocates to argue for these rights.
Community organizations are calling on all BC political parties to commit to a comprehensive poverty reduction plan, with legislated targets and timelines.
West Coast Leaf
Our mission is to achieve equality by changing historic patterns of systemic discrimination against women through BC-based equality rights litigation, law reform and public legal education.
Access Pro Bono
Access Pro Bono's mission is to promote access to justice in British Columbia by providing and fostering quality pro bono legal services for people and non-profit organizations of limited means. Clients with low incomes can access free legal clinics at BCCPD.
Clicklaw
Legal information, education and help for British Columbians. Resources include many self-help resources, as well as ways to find one-on-one help with legal issues.
A diverse range of organizations that are aligned in opposition to all forms of no-fault legislation.
Pivot Legal LLP
Socially engaged lawyers for hire.
Legal aid in British Columbia, including representation by a lawyer, legal advice, or legal information.
A site where newcomers and community workers can find information and legal resources in their own language.
NIDUS
UBC Law Students’ Legal Advice Program
Free advice and representation to clients who would otherwise be unable to afford legal assistance.
Dial-A-Law
A library of free legal information in BC, prepared by lawyers. Transcripts are offered in English, Chinese and Punjabi. Scripts are now available online in digital audio format. Call 604.687.4680 or 1.800.565.5297.
Lawyer Referral Service
L You can arrange an appointment with a lawyer and mention that the Lawyer Referral Service referred you. The lawyer will give you up to a half hour interview for $25 (plus tax). This interview is to find out whether or not you have a legal problem. If you do have a legal problem and you would like to retain the lawyer, you may do so at the lawyer’s regular fee. If you decide not to hire the lawyer and wish to consult someone else, or if you are satisfied that you do not need further help, it won’t cost you any more than $25 (plus tax). (604) 687-3221;Toll-Free: 1-800-663-1919.
Canadian Abilities Foundation
Magazine by and for people with disabilities.
Provides seniors, baby boomers and people with disabilities with resources and assistance.
Diversity World
Email discussion groups, including one on self-employment for people with disabilities.
Within these Walls
The map below shows various organizations that offer services related to disability, income supports and welfare. It will take a minute for the map to load.
Our 2012 CPP Series guides are now available in English, Punjabi and Traditional Chinese.
See our multilingual publications .
9-1-1 and You
Be Prepared
George Pearson Centre, gardens, orchards....find out about a wonderful new project here.
See our Disability Benefits Help Sheets , including new Chinese and Punjabi translations.
And, give us your feedback on our Help Sheets by July 31, 2012, and you'll be eligible to win a $20 gift certificate to Starbucks or London Drugs. Follow the link above and click on 'BC Disability Benefits | Help Sheets.'
BCCPD Online
Open an RDSP
The Registered Disability Savings Plan can benefit people regardless of their income. Learn more.