Resources

The Port Alberni Association for Community Living has a number of books and videos in our library. Our library can be accessed by family members, friends, staff, participants and students in the Human Service Worker program. Individuals are welcome to come to our Administration office at 3008 2nd Avenue to see the selection.

Self Advocates

Our Self Advocate group meets at 2:00 pm on the second Friday of each month at the Pathways clubhouse located at 3008 2nd Ave.

Links for Self Advocates and Families

Leisure

Access 2 Entertainment Card provides free admission (or a significant discount) for support persons accompanying a person with a disability at member movie theatres across Canada.

Accessible Wilderness Society works to create Barrier Free Wilderness Experiences for Every Body to Enjoy.  Check out their Vancouver Island Travel Guide for places to visit.

Adaptive Recreation Program from Powers To Be is a positive response to the community need for inclusive, nature-based recreation activities for people living with a barrier or disability.

Disabled Access Card This card allows the person and his/her family to camp for free in BC Provincial Parks.  Follow this link or go to the Government Agents office at 4070 8th Avenue to obtain an application form.

Operation Trackshoes is a weekend-long provincial sports festival for people with developmental disabilities.  It includes a full-lenght track and field meet, events for people in chairs, and many fun an recreational events as well.  They offer a wide range of activities appropriate for people of all levels of ability and ages.

Special Olympics provides high-quality sports programs and competitions to meet the needs and interests of individuals with intellectual disabilities, enriching lives and celebrating personal achievement through positive sports experiences.  For information on our local Special Olympics, call Edna at 250-724-5096.

Transportation

BC Ferries Pass There are fare reductions for a person with a disability travelling on the BC Ferry system, and free travel when going to the mainland for medical appointments. 

Bus Pass Program offers a low cost, annual bus pass providing holders access on any scheduled BC Transit or Translink route.  Bus passes are available to eligible provincial persons with disabilities.  Passes are valid in those communities services by BC Transit or Greater Vancouver Transit (Translink) authority.  The buss pass does no provide for an attendant, and is not valid on Handy Dart.

Port Alberni Transit Schedule and Fares

SPARC BC works to advance accessibility and inclusion by conducting important research, leading public education campaigns, partnering with community groups, working with municipalities, and through delivery of our Parking Permit Program for People with Disabilities. Accessible communities make a real difference in the lives of people with disabilities; it is not just about physical access and technical devices - access is about equal opportunity.

Wheels for Wellness Society is a service on Vancouver Island for transportation to non-emergency medical appointments that exceed 60 km (one way) from your home.

Financial

At Home Program provides eligible families with assistance toward medical costs, purchase of specialized equipment and supplies and travel to receive medical treatment. For more information contact your local Public Health Nurse at the Port Alberni Health Unit at 4227 6th Ave. Port Alberni or call 250-724-1281.

Disability Tax Benefit Programs People with a disability, or their families, may be eligible for tax benefit programs for Fuel Tax, Vehicle Insurance, or Property Taxes

Giving in Action Society The Giving in Action Society provides grants to families living in the province of British Columbia through two funds - the Family Independence Fund and the Children and Youth with Special Needs Fund.  These grants enable families to stay together by addressing accessibility issues in their home and community.

Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) A registered disability savings plan (RDSP) is a savings plan that is intended to help parents and others save for the long-term financial security of a person who is eligible for the Disability Tax Credit.

TaxWise TaxWise specializes in helping people with disabilities/medical conditions, and their caregivers, get the maximum tax refund they are entitled to.

Information

Advocate for Service Quality

The Advocate for Service Quality is Jane Holland. Jane helps adults with developmental disabilities and their families receive high quality services. She can help with service from Community Living BC, the Ministry of Children and Family Development, from other ministries, or from service agencies in the community. She was appointed by, and reports to, the minister.

She does not work directly with the government.  If you have a problem with services, you can contact Jane to talk it over. She will try to do something about it. She also encourages and helps adults to advocate for themselves.  For example, Jane will try to help:

• If you do not like the services you are getting
• If you think you are not treated fairly or with respect
• If you have problems with your social worker, financial aid worker, or support worker, or
• If you have problems with where you live

Contact Jane

Call Enquiry BC toll free at 1-800-663-7867 and ask to be transferred to Jane Holland’s office at 604-775-1238

Mailing address:
Office of the Advocate for Service Quality
Suite 820 999 West Broadway,
Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1K5

The Community Advocate Support Line (CASL) is a direct phone service operated by the Legal Services Society for support advocates. They will provide brief legal advice on matters involving income assistance, residential tenancy and housing issues (including foreclosure), family law, employment insurance, the Canada Pension Plan (including disability benefits), debt collection and bankruptcy, consumer contracts, and judicial reviews. Hours of operation are 9:30-12:30 Monday to Friday. For contact information, please call our SCL program at 250-724-7155

ConnectABILITY is a website and virtual community dedicated to lifelong learning and support for people who have an intellectual disability, their families and support networks. The site is organized by age group to help you find the right information for you.

David Hingsburger has been involved in providing education and counselling for people with disabilities for over 30 years.  In that time he has become involved in the self-advocacy movement and has provided self-advocates with training on abuse prevention, advocacy and rights.  Dave travels internationally and gives workshops to people with disabilities, their families and care providers.  He also has a blog called Rolling Around In My Head

iBelong At present, very few resources exist to aid those with intellectual disabilities to learn about and actually form satisfying, mutually enriching friendships. L’Arche Canada has created this online resource because we want to help all individuals with disabilities to have lasting friendships.

I Can Be Safe Online The Internet is entertaining and can open a world of knowledge, but it can also lead to embarrassing or scary situations for yourself and others. Worse still, it could put your safety or your privacy at risk. Learn more about staying safe online by watching the videos, reading the tips, checking out the blog and taking the quiz

The Citizen is a newsletter published electronically and in print every two months by CLBC and is your information source for stories and photos on events, projects, initiatives, groups and people in communities around the province.

UNTAPE is a site where people with disabilities and their families come to share practical tips for cutting through red tape and get the help they need.

Vela Microboard Association of B.C. promotes and secure innovative and individualized community options and supports for people with disabilities or chronic illness by:

• enhancing a person's ability to fully participate in the life of her/his community;
• enabling a person to have control over all areas of her/his life; and
• providing assistance and support for the establishment and ongoing functioning of Vela Microboards

Other

British Columbia Association for Community Living (BCACL) is a federation of agencies and organizations that advocate for children, youth and adults with developmental disabilities and their families to ensure justice, rights and opportunities in all areas of their lives.

British Columbia Coalition of People with Disabilities is a non-profit organization that represents people with all types of disabilities throughout BC. The BCCPD is an umbrella group, our membership includes individuals and groups of people who use wheelchairs, people with visual or hearing impairments, and people with hidden disabilities such as: mental health disabilities, learning disabilities and HIV/AIDS.

The British Columbia Family Net Society is an independent provincial network that provides a provincial voice for children and youth with special needs, adults with developmental disabilities and their families.

Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL) is a Canada-wide association of family members and others working for the benefit of persons of all ages who have an intellectual disability.

The Community Advocate Support Line (CASL) is a direct phone service operated by the Legal Services Society for support advocates. They will provide brief legal advice on matters involving income assistance, residential tenancy and housing issues (including foreclosure), family law, employment insurance, the Canada Pension Plan (including disability benefits), debt collection and bankruptcy, consumer contracts, and judicial reviews. Hours of operation are 9:30-12:30 Monday to Friday. For contact information, please call our SCL program at 250-724-7155

Community Living British Columbia (CLBC) delivers support and services to people with developmental disabilities, children with special needs and their families in British Columbia. All referrals for our Adult and Residential services come through here. It has a board of self-advocates, family and community members, as well as staff located throughout the province. We believe that people with developmental disabilities and their families know best when it comes to their needs, goals and planning for the future

Lifeline personal response and support services provide 24-hour help or assistance at the touch of a button. If you have an emergency or need help, push the Personal Help Button. Response Centre Associates who have instant access to your complete profile and critical information will connect with you immediately to see what help you need. Even if you can't answer, Lifeline sends help at once. Whether it is a neighbour, family member or ambulance, Lifeline will send the help you need right away. For more information call 250-723-2135 or visit their website.

Nanaimo & Region Disability Resource Centre The Nanaimo and Region Disability Resource Centre is a non-profit, charitable organization which believes that all people living with a disability have the right to, and should be empowered to, make informed choices about their lives. The DRC meets the needs of people living with disabilities so that they can make educated choices to improve the quality of their lives. The Centre achieves this through programs and services designed by and for people living with disabilities.

People First of Canada is the national voice for people who have been diagnosed with an intellectual disability. The group promotes rights – human rights, citizenship rights, accommodations rights and language rights. The right to freedom, choice and equality for all.

Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network As families, we want our loved ones to live a good life. After speaking with thousands of families and persons with disabilities, we think that a good life is:

• having a home
• being surrounded by family and friends
• having enough income to live with dignity
• making choices
• pursuing one's interests and passions
• making a contribution.

PLAN exists to help families like you to assist your relatives with disabilities to live a good life.

Tenancy Branch The Residential Tenancy Branch provides landlords and tenants with information and dispute resolution services. The information on this web site will help you understand your rights and responsibilities under British Columbia's Residential Tenancy Act and Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act.

Vancouver Island Crisis Line is committed to providing an accessible, 24-hour telephone response service. We endeavour to provide emotional support during times of crisis, information about community resources, education intended to promote community wellness, and to reduce the incidence of suicide. We value the principles of confidentiality, non-judgemental acceptance, respect for diversity, personal empowerment, and cooperation.