Intermunicipal Advisory Committee on Disability Issues

The Intermunicipal Advisory Committee on Disability Issues (IACDI) believes in the value of partnerships so that we can continue to make accessibility improvements. Together, we can create more inclusive communities to live, work and play!

Did you know that IACDI has a representative on the BC Accessible Transit Advisory Committee and the BC Ferries Accessibility Advisory Committee? We welcome your feedback on BC Transit/ BC Ferries. Email us at iacdisabilityissues@gmail.com

Upcoming Meetings and Events

Events

Intermunicipal Advisory Committee on Disability Issues Music Night on Thursday, June 24 from 7:05- 8:30 pm via Zoom. The ’doors’ will open at 7:05 p.m.

The Opening Act will be 10-year-old musician Dean playing at 7:15 p.m. From 7:30-8:30 p.m. the Ross Durrance band performs

Four friends got together with one ukulele and a songbook eight or so years ago. They purchased more ukuleles and started playing together from time to time. Eventually, their shared love of playing and singing led them to become a band. Named for the road they live on or near, the Ross Durrance band is anchored by singer/songwriter Allen Dobb on guitar, ukulele and mandolin, with Vivienne Dobb, Sally Gose and Rose Stanton providing lead and harmony vocals while playing ukuleles, banjolele, banjo and fiddle. The band covers new and old tunes across genres including folk, reggae, country and rock.

This is a free community event. It would be great for the musicians to have a big audience to support them during Covid.

It would be appreciated if you could rsvp to iacdisabilityissues@gmail.com by June 22 so that we have an idea who is attending this event.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87504190180?pwd=SXQ3TjUyUVJTbUhCZVRLK2NQdlhOdz09

Meeting ID: 875 0419 0180 Passcode: 231388

One tap mobile+13126266799,,87504190180#,,,,*231388# US

Music Night with musicians Ken Williams and Sherry Clayton, Saturday May 22nd from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. via ZOOM. Fore more information please click here.

2021 IACDI Meetings

All meetings will take place via zoom until further notice

Thursday, May 20 at 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. CANCELLED
Thursday, June 3 at 6:30 - 8:30 p.m
Thursday, September 16 at 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 21 at 6:30-8:30 p.m.

News

Disability Alliance BC

According to Statistics Canada, over 6 million Canadians have a disability of some form.

Do you know a ‘difference maker’ in your community? Is there someone who promotes access and inclusion? If so, I.A.C.D.I. encourages you to nominate them by emailing us at: iacdisabilityissues@gmail.com

Did you know that on the City of Victoria’s website it states that drivers with accessible parking permits can park for up to four hours for free on Sundays at regular metered (90-minute zone or more) on-street parking spaces?

There are Accessibility Improvements coming for BC’s Provincial Parks. More information can be found at this link: Accessibility improvements coming for BC’s provincial parks | West Coast Traveller

Community Update: BC government announces temporary additional supports for income assistance and Persons with Disabilities benefit recipients

Community Update: Update on the BC Recovery Benefit and people receiving Ministry assistance | DABC (disabilityalliancebc.org)

IACDI is currently advocating for a wheelchair accessible swing to be installed in at least one West Shore Park. More details to be announced in the future.

IACDI supports Mary Lake becoming a municipal park in the Highlands. It is a stunning location with a user friendly trail already in existence with a paved pathway to the house. Access improvements such as disabled parking and 2 possible locations for accessible picnic tables would enhance this park. To learn more about Mary Lake or support the efforts to secure Mary Lake as a municipal park click here www.marylakeconnections.ca

Saturday June 5, 2021 is Access Awareness Day – A day for communities to come together to celebrate what it means to be truly accessible and inclusive for everyone! Access Awareness Day falls within National AccessAbility Week which is always celebrated in the last week in May and is designed to draw attention to the talents and contributions that people living with disabilities make in their communities every day! This year, the theme for Access Awareness Day is “Say Yes to Access”. As part of this year’s celebrations, our focus is on the different ways that people and communities across B.C. can come together to build true inclusion. For more information please click here.

User-Friendly Trails

Go beyond the parking lot and download the “Guide to User-Friendly Trails.”

Resources

Alcohol & Drug Information & Referral Service
1 800 663-1441 Lower Mainland: 604 660-9382
This service is available to people across B.C. needing help with any kind of substance abuse issues 24 hours a day. It provides information and referral to education, prevention and treatment services and regulatory agencies.

Crisis Line Association of BC
In Crisis? Call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) to speak with crisis line workers anytime of the day or night. Looking for information and support? Call 310-6789 to reach the Mental Health and Information and Support Line, from anywhere in the province. You will receive emotional support, and information on appropriate referral options and a wide range of support relating to mental health concerns.

HealthLinkBC
Anywhere in BC: 8-1-1
TTY (Deaf and hearing-impaired): 7-1-1

Leisure Assistance Pass
The LA pass was designed for people with disabilities who require assistance to pursue leisure and recreation acclivities to not have to pay double. The LA pass is accepted at all recreation facilities in Greater Victoria as well as many other places, such as the Royal BC Museum, Flying Squirrel, Craigdarroch Castle, and many more locations. This pass is still available through all recreation centres in Greater Victoria. Call your local recreation centre to apply for or renew your pass.

Yellow Booklet
The Yellow Booklet has been a great resource for Families in planning summer activities for their children and youth. RIV started this booklet in 1996 when a gap was noticed between the number of weeks of service a child or youth received and the parents' knowledge of what camps were offered. Since then 24 edition has been published by RIV in order to close the gap and provide knowledge to all parents and caregivers. RIV is thrilled that this important service will be continued through Community Living Victoria (CLV) and this year's edition of the booklet can now be viewed through their website.

Equipment Loan Program
What first began as a few pieces grew into a full inventory of adapted outdoor equipment available to use for $15/week. This valuable service ensures that cost does not prohibit someone from accessing the outdoors, and pieces available range from tandem bikes, hand-cycles, TrailRiders, all-terrain wheelchairs, beach wheelchairs, tricycles, and more. The Equipment Loan Service will remain available to you through Lifetime Networks! Follow the link: https://www.lifetimenetworks.org/programs/

LAVA - Leisure Access Victoria App
The LAVA website contains information of 34 local recreation and community centres in Victoria. The site will remain live for another year, and then keep an eye out for this information on your local recreation centre sites.

COVID-19 Supports and Programs

Action Committee for People with Disabilities (ACPD) Phone 250-383-4105

Disability Alliance BC - Phone 604-872-1278; Toll Free 1-800-663-1278
Budget 2019 - Changes Impacting People with Disabilities
Province Announces Policy Changes Aimed at Reducing Poverty

Disabled Parking Permit Information

Family Caregivers BC Support Line 1 (877) 520-3267
Greater Victoria Caregiver Support Groups, and Caregiver Connection Newsletter and E-news

Leisure Involvement is For Everyone Program

Stroke Recovery Association - Young Stroke Survivors Group Phone 250-686-8653

Victoria Disability Resource Centre Phone 250-595-0044
Community Resource Page

BC Ferries
Travel Planning and Safety
Download our Accessibility, Evacuation & Safety Brochures for:
Coastal Renaissance, Coastal Inspiration , Coastal Celebration

Accessible Parking Presentation