Resources and Links
DISCLAIMER: Vancouver Foundation is not responsible for contents found outside this site. Inclusion is not an endorsement or guarantee of any organization, agency, or service.
Organizations that support people with disabilities
ACT (Autism Community Training)
Works to enable parents, professionals and para-professionals to support children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder to live productive, satisfying lives within their families and communities. Services provided: Information, referral, training & vital support services to parents who have children with autism.
Autism Society of BC
Works to promote understanding, acceptance, and full community inclusion for people with autism while providing support for the realization of the rights and informed choices of individuals with autism and their families.
Services provided: Information, support, public education, workshops
BC Association for Child Development and Intervention
A provincial association of agencies which provide child development and therapy services to children with special needs and their families.
BC Association for Community Living
Advocates for children, youth and adults with developmental disabilities and their families to ensure justice, rights and opportunities in all areas of their lives. Regional Associations for Community Living.(www.bcacl.org/membership_directory/index.cfm)
BC Centre for Ability
Provides programs and services to children, youth and adults with disabilities and their families, ranging from child development services, in school support, family counseling, recreational programs to employment programs.
BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society
BCANDS Health Resource Centre is mandated to enhance the delivery of health promotion and disability information resources to Aboriginal Communities in BC.
BC Coalition for People with Disabilities
A provincial, cross-disability advocacy organization working to raise public and political awareness. Facilitate full participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of society and promote independence. Services provided: Advocacy, public awareness, education, community programs, networking, and referrals
BC Epilepsy Society
Provides education, advocacy, and support for those affected by epilepsy, and funds research. Offers educational events and materials, seizure awareness workshops, funding for accessible camps and scholarships, support groups and newsletter.
BC Lions Society
Provides programs and services for children with disabilities designed specifically to promote self esteem and self confidence. Supports Easter Seal houses, buses and camps. Provides some financial assistance for therapeutic equipment and prosthetics.
BC Paraplegic Association
Works to assist persons with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities to achieve independence, self reliance and full community participation. Services provided: Information, advocacy, support.
Bridges to the Future
A community-based resource developed to support youth between the ages of 15 and 24 with physical disabilities. Services provided: Information, support, workshops, networking.
Canadian Disabled Individuals Association (CDIA)
Provides a complete Directory of Resources focused primarily on Non-Profit service providers in British Columbia and Marketplace Resources first in British Columbia and across Canada.
Cerebral Palsy Association of BC
Works to raise awareness of Cerebral Palsy and support people living with CP. Services provided: Advocacy, support, public education, information.
Community Living BC
Delivers a wide range of support and services to people with developmental disabilities, children with special needs and their families.
Centre for Child Development (Fraser Valley)
Regional children's neurological facility that provides services to children with special needs and their families in Delta, Surrey, White Rock and Langley. Services provided: Therapy, services, support, medical referrals and assessments.
Family Net - BC Federation of Families Society
Independent provincial network that provides a provincial voice for children and youth with special needs, adults with developmental disabilities and their families.
Family Support Institute
Works to strengthen and support families faced with the extraordinary circumstances that come with having a family member who has a disability. Services provided: Information, referrals, training, province-wide parental networking.
Muscular Dystrophy Canada (BC & Yukon)
Committed to improving the quality of life for Canadians with neuromuscular disorders. Services provided: Information, education, equipment, support, referral, public awareness, and advocacy.
Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN)
Established by and for families committed to future planning and securing a good life for their relative with a disability. Services provided: Advocacy, referral, community awareness, information on planning: housing, support, wills, trusts, financial and estate planning.
Tetra Society of North America
Is a non-profit organization that provides customized assistive device to people with disabilities. Every project is unique - tailor-made to each person's particular circumstances.
Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Association of BC
Works to improve the quality of life of all individuals with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus and their families through awareness, education and research.
Vela Microboard Association
Promotes and secures innovative and individualized community options and supports for people with disabilities or chronic illness.
Western Society for Children
Contributes to the health and wealth of disabled children in British Columbia. Services provided: Information, resource materials, advocacy, special equipment and support to families.
Untape
Untape is a site where people come to share practical tips for cutting through red tape, and getting the help you need from government and community agencies.
Government services/support
At Home Program
Provides a range of health support & services for children w/ severe disabilities. Children may be eligible for full program benefits or for a choice of respite or medical benefits. Eligibility is regularly reassessed. Regional contacts
Canada Benefits
A government website about federal benefit programs for Canadians.
Health Canada First nations & Inuit Health, Non-Insured Health Benefits
Provides supplementary health benefits, including medical supplies & equipment, for eligible First Nations people and Inuit.
Personal Supports Information Line
A toll-free Personal Supports Information Line and a single access point for information about programs providing equipment and assistive aids for persons with disabilities. The line provides general program information to British Columbians in need of equipment and assistive aids and will connect people to programs in six provincial ministries. For more information call the Personal Supports Information Line at 1 888 818-1211, TTY: 1 800 661-8773 or e-mail (lPersonalSupportsInformation@gov.bc.ca)
Pharmacare
PharmaCare subsidizes eligible prescription drugs and designated medical supplies.
The Advocate for Service Quality
Helps adults with developmental disabilities and their families get good quality services (services from MCFD, other provincial government ministries, or service agencies in the community).
Financial information
Canadian Disability Grants
Through the Canada Disability Savings Grant, the Government deposits money into your RDSP to help you save. The Government provides matching grants of up to 300%, depending on the amount contributed and the Beneficiary's Family Income. The maximum is $3,500 each year, with a limit of $70,000 over your lifetime.
Canadian Disability Bonds
Through the Canada Disability Savings Bond, the Government deposits money into the RDSPs of low-income and modest-income Canadians. If you qualify for the bond, you could receive up to $1,000 a year from the Government, with a limit of $20,000 over your lifetime. Contributions do not need to be made to the RDSP in order to receive the bond.
Registered Disability Savings Plan
RDSP Providers:
The following financial institutions are currently helping Canadians with disabilities and their families create greater financial security with the new Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP).