Breaking Barriers: Building Belonging
BCPF Self-Advocates Conference
Friday, March 20, 2026
Calling all BCPF Members and other self-advocacy group members in BC! Join us this March for learning and networking online or in-person. Let's strengthen our advocacy efforts together and create lasting impact in our communities.
Join us for our learning and networking conference hosted by BC People First Society and this year featuring Self-Advocates for a Brighter Future in Esquimalt, BC.
Friday, March 20, 2026 | 10:00am-4:00pm
Are you in the Victoria area and want to join us for the event?
This event is only for registered attendees. We need to know who is coming and only have so much space.
Please register HERE by March 6th.
If you have dietary restrictions or need any accessibility accommodations to take part – please let us know by March 6th.
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We have a stronger voice when we push for changes in society together. Conferences make it easier for people to share information, ideas, and tactics. This gives self-advocates more tools for advocating for themselves and helps make policy better for everyone in our province.
Event attendees will get to connect with peers while gaining experience and knowledge in leadership development areas such as self-advocacy, human rights, presentation skills, networking, community building, government policy, and much more.
Come and support the presenters! Learn and connect with us!
This event is for:
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BCPF members and other self-advocacy group members
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Self-advocates or people interested in self-advocacy
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People with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Doors open and networking at 10:00am. We'll begin by 10:30am. We aim to wrap up by 4:00pm and people who want, can stay up until 5pm for further networking.
Presentations and activities from BCPF Members and our community partners include:
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Tips for getting your voice heard and taking advocacy action
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Human rights laws and using the CRPD for advocacy
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Understanding and dealing with ableism
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Plain language as a human right
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Being brave and confident for self-advocacy success
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How to speak up and be heard
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Leadership looks like us!
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Advocacy project overviews and successes
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Mental health and disability justice
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Being a self-advocate online and in the community
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Brainstorming activities
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Self-advocacy bingo game
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Lunch and networking and door prizes!
Please email us anytime at hello@bcpeoplefirst.com if you have any questions.
We will also have some virtual events leading up to the in-person event for anyone to take part in. We will add more information here soon about the virtual events.​​​​​​
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We're so thankful to our 2026 sponsors, donors, and community partners who support Nothing About Us Without Us, and make it possible for us to host events like these.
Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to: