BC PEOPLE FIRST PROJECTS
At BCPF we work to stop the stigma surrounding intellectual and developmental disabilities and unite our Members' voices in the fight to be considered People First. The fight to not have people speak for us or down to us and to help everyone in society understand what "nothing about us without us" really means and why it matters.
We write letters, do presentations, and advocate with governments about issues affecting people with disabilities. We advocate for all people to be seen as equal citizens and for issues that matter to our Members.
Community Accessibility
Safe and accessible sidewalks and passageways are a right, not a privilege. But not everyone in our cities and towns across BC has access to wide enough, safe, and debris-free passageways. This avoidable societal problem takes away many people’s right to participate in and contribute to their community. Even the most basic accommodations are not consistently in place, such as automatic sliding doors.
The BCPF Advocacy Committee is working on a campaign. Writing letters and raising awareness to address the lack of automatic sliding doors in BC due to poor city planning policies.
Sign our online petition HERE.
Advocacy
Awards
BCPF holds nominations for the Self-Advocate Leadership of the Year Award. In celebration of someone who has shown exceptional leadership the past year as a self-advocate, advocating for the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The winner receives a $200 honorarium award (to assist in their advocacy efforts or learning the coming year) and an award plaque.
The BCPF President also announces the winner of the Phil Allen President's Award at the AGM. This annual award highlights BCPF Members who have worked for years or decades as self-advocates to help shape our world for the better.
Hosting Focus Groups
We host focus groups for advocacy issues that matter to our Members. This work helps inform our presentations and workshops about accessibility, employment, housing, human rights, and more.
We also facilitate focus groups for other nonprofit organizations and corporations who want answers to questions around accessibility and inclusion. Focus groups can help solve problems and help people understand others. They can help places become more inclusive and accessible.
The Language
Project
Words hurt. The R-word does not equal stupid.
BCPF offers workshops about language and the ‘R-word’. For students in grades 5 and up, groups such as scouting/guides, and college programs across BC. It can also be offered to teachers or employees in any industry.
The workshops are delivered by BCPF Members who have lived with hearing and being harmed by this word. Putting a face behind the reality of the hurt that this word causes.
The workshop teaches people about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and discusses the importance of language.
CRPD & Human Rights Training
Join BC People First Members as we learn about and break down the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
Canada ratified the UNCRPD. This means we agreed to follow the standards set. The convention is a detailed list and explanation of all our human rights.
Members of our presentation team are teaching others about the CRPD and our human rights.
Please GET IN TOUCH if you'd like us to present for your school or work group. Plus, follow our updates on social media as we learn more and post information to share with others.
Plain Language Translation
We work on plain language translation projects as a team with BCPF Members who are experienced self-advocates, people with intellectual disabilities, and who have training in understanding and writing in plain language.
The team gets paid for their work by BCPF and BCPF offers Plain Language Translation as a service. We do this for organizations who commission us for the service and have translated documents from 1 page to over 100 pages.
Raising PWD
Rates
The current PWD single rates are $1,358.50. But this does not cover the basic expenses of life each month.
CERB pandemic funding and other programs have set the rate for a basic living income at $2000.00 per month. Which is just barely enough to get by but people with disabilities are expected to live on a lot less.
BCPF Members book presentations with City Councils, Provincial Committees, service providers, and others to speak about our daily experiences living under the poverty line. We want people to understand what we go through — because it is not easy.
Peer
Mentorships
Are you a BCPF Member who wants to learn more about self-advocacy OR wants to help others learn more about advocating for their rights? You can sign up as an Advocacy Mentor to share your skills. Or request a Mentor if you want someone to go to for advice about self-advocacy work to learn more.
Mentors do not do the advocacy work for Beginners. Mentors are someone to go to for advice about self-advocacy work or advocacy projects in the community.
BCPF Members can get more information and SIGN UP HERE to become a mentor or request an advocacy mentor. It's a great way to get involved and get advice!
Coffee
Socials
Coffee Socials can be hosted at coffee shops anywhere in the province by BCPF Members who are also a:
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Regional Director
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Chapter Chairperson
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Committee Member
At these monthly or quarterly Coffee Socials we discuss issues that matter to us in our daily lives and get advice. Each meeting has a discussion theme, such as accessibility, housing affordability, or healthy relationships. These meetings are for people to network and come up with solutions together.