disabilities

Michelle Asgarali, shown in a handout photo, is the producer of the new show “Breaking Character,” which follows a cast of disabled actors trying to make it. THE CANADIAN PRESS/-HO-AMI

‘Breaking Character’ is breaking boundaries in the world of disability representation

Docu-series tells the stories of 6 performers with disabilities

 

Emerson and Amelia Nelson are seen in a handout photo. Their mother hopes the siblings and other children with ADHD get support through B.C.’s new service “hubs” for neurodiverse children. But Jaymie Nelson is concerned about possible wait lists and staffing issues in the new system, set to be launched next year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Rochelle Hepworth

B.C. to launch ‘circle of care’ for neurodiverse kids but parents have many questions

40 family connections centres, or hubs, are slated to be opened across the province

 

Lauren Simpson stars in ‘Lauren’s Story,’ a documentary created about the Harmony inclusive-housing project in South Surrey. (YouTube screenshot)

Rejected South Surrey inclusive-housing project subject of documentary

Trailer previewing May 28 launch of ‘Lauren’s Story’ released on YouTube

 

Self-Advocates of Semiahmoo member Alexa Lehwald and Tara Wall of UNITI present at the film festival. (Contributed photo)

PHOTOS: South Surrey students host inclusion-centred film fest

H.T. Thrift Elementary leadership team aimed to spread awareness, understanding

Self-Advocates of Semiahmoo member Alexa Lehwald and Tara Wall of UNITI present at the film festival. (Contributed photo)
Tracey Werry fears her sons Myles, 7, and Elliott, 9, will lose their autism support in the province’s new needs-based model. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

B.C. parents fear new autism funding model will leave their children behind

Children’s ability to mask their autism traits often places them low on support list, mother says

Tracey Werry fears her sons Myles, 7, and Elliott, 9, will lose their autism support in the province’s new needs-based model. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
Parents and advocates rallied outside the B.C. legislature Wednesday to protest changes to autism funding announced by the Minister of Children and Family Development. (Contributed photo)

Autism families ‘not giving up’ – South Surrey mom

Roxanne Black says Nov. 24 rally reinforced drive to halt funding-model changes

Parents and advocates rallied outside the B.C. legislature Wednesday to protest changes to autism funding announced by the Minister of Children and Family Development. (Contributed photo)
The Black family – Brad, Roxanne, Ella and Reid. (Contributed photo)

South Surrey autism advocate says province’s hub model ‘sets us back 20 years’

Roxanne Black said protests are being planned across B.C. for Nov. 24

The Black family – Brad, Roxanne, Ella and Reid. (Contributed photo)
Charmly Smith (far right) – pictured here with (from left) Self Advocates of Semiahmoo’s Alexander Magnussen, Danielle Burns, Asma Patel and UNITI CEO Doug Tennant, at the 2017 Disability Pride Parade – is one of four winners of Community Living BC’s 2021 WOW Awards. (Contributed file photo)

South Surrey’s Charmly Smith an ‘inclusion champion’

Involvement co-ordinator for Self Advocates of Semiahmoo named 2021 WOW Award winner

Charmly Smith (far right) – pictured here with (from left) Self Advocates of Semiahmoo’s Alexander Magnussen, Danielle Burns, Asma Patel and UNITI CEO Doug Tennant, at the 2017 Disability Pride Parade – is one of four winners of Community Living BC’s 2021 WOW Awards. (Contributed file photo)
Premier John Horgan and Health Minister Adrian Dix look on as Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry speaks about the COVID-19 vaccine card set to arrive in mid-September as they discuss details about the process during a press conference at provincial legislature in Victoria, Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito Premier John Horgan shows his vaccination card after receiving a dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at the pharmacy in James Bay Thrifty’s Foods in Victoria, B.C., on Friday, April 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

No medical exemptions for B.C. vaccine card ‘blatant discrimination’, disabled activist says

Some British Columbians cannot be vaccinated due to allergies to vaccine components

Premier John Horgan and Health Minister Adrian Dix look on as Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry speaks about the COVID-19 vaccine card set to arrive in mid-September as they discuss details about the process during a press conference at provincial legislature in Victoria, Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito Premier John Horgan shows his vaccination card after receiving a dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at the pharmacy in James Bay Thrifty’s Foods in Victoria, B.C., on Friday, April 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
A fleet of supercars filled a quiet Langley City street to visit Langley City teen Alyssa Anderson on Sunday, July 25, as part of the Drive Project. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)

VIDEO: Cool cars provide some automotive magic for B.C. teen

Driven Project brought fleet of supercars to quiet street

A fleet of supercars filled a quiet Langley City street to visit Langley City teen Alyssa Anderson on Sunday, July 25, as part of the Drive Project. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)
Rendering of the Harmony apartment proposed for the 15100-block of 20 Avenue. (Contributed graphic)

Council to consider South Surrey inclusive Harmony project today

Staff cites ‘significant public benefit’ in supporting 91-unit project

Rendering of the Harmony apartment proposed for the 15100-block of 20 Avenue. (Contributed graphic)
Riley Oldford, 16, suffers from cerebral palsy. He was the first youth in the Northwest Territories to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Here he receives the needle from nurse practitioner Janie Neudorf in Yellowknife on Thursday May 6, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Braden

People with disabilities even more alone during pandemic: cerebral palsy spokeswoman

Many people with disabilities are at higher risk, but not always prioritized for vaccines

Riley Oldford, 16, suffers from cerebral palsy. He was the first youth in the Northwest Territories to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Here he receives the needle from nurse practitioner Janie Neudorf in Yellowknife on Thursday May 6, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Braden
Parliament Hill is shown in Ottawa on Wednesday, March 11, 2020. The Trudeau government has agreed with the Senate that Canadians suffering solely from grievous and irremediable mental illnesses should be entitled to receive medical assistance in dying — but not for another two years. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick photo)

Self-advocates ‘sad, scared, angry’ over revisions to assisted-death legislation

Bill C-7 was expanded to include access to medically assisted death for non-terminal conditions

Parliament Hill is shown in Ottawa on Wednesday, March 11, 2020. The Trudeau government has agreed with the Senate that Canadians suffering solely from grievous and irremediable mental illnesses should be entitled to receive medical assistance in dying — but not for another two years. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick photo)
A vaccine-filled needle awaits injection, during a COVID-19 vaccination clinic held Jan. 15, 2021 at Amica White Rock. Community Living B.C.-funded workers learned April 8 that they, too, can now be vaccinated. (Tracy Holmes file photo)

Support workers for those with disabilities given vaccine priority

News shared with Community Living B.C.-funded staff on April 8

A vaccine-filled needle awaits injection, during a COVID-19 vaccination clinic held Jan. 15, 2021 at Amica White Rock. Community Living B.C.-funded workers learned April 8 that they, too, can now be vaccinated. (Tracy Holmes file photo)
Direct-support staff who work with individuals who have developmental disabilities should be prioritized for the COVID-19 vaccine, says the head of UNITI. (Metro photo)

Support workers for those with disabilities left behind in B.C. vaccine-rollout ‘oversight’

UNITI CEO Doug Tennant says misunderstanding is putting vulnerable people at greater risk

Direct-support staff who work with individuals who have developmental disabilities should be prioritized for the COVID-19 vaccine, says the head of UNITI. (Metro photo)
The music therapy program at Semiahmoo House Society will continue throughout 2021 thanks to a new sponsor. (Music Heals photo)

Semiahmoo House music-therapy program celebrated as sponsor found for ‘21

Music Heals initiative has helped clients deal with isolation, mental-health issues during pandemic

The music therapy program at Semiahmoo House Society will continue throughout 2021 thanks to a new sponsor. (Music Heals photo)
A video released this week by the Self Advocates of Semiahmoo addresses the importance of language. (Screenshot)

VIDEO: Language matters, say Self Advocates of Semiahmoo, following Chilliwack trustee’s use of R-word

Education video released early in light of inappropriate comment

A video released this week by the Self Advocates of Semiahmoo addresses the importance of language. (Screenshot)
Rendering of the Harmony apartment proposed for the 15100-block of 20 Avenue. (Contributed graphic)

‘Inclusive, affordable’ South Surrey project aims to meet ‘desperate’ housing need

Public consultation on 91-unit ‘Harmony’ to launch online next month

Rendering of the Harmony apartment proposed for the 15100-block of 20 Avenue. (Contributed graphic)
Health Minister Adrian Dix shared details of an amended essential-visitors policy Tuesday (May 19). The changes were sparked by the death last month of South Surrey’s Ariis Knight.(Contributed photo/Tracy Holmes photo)

Policy change sparked by death of disabled South Surrey woman ‘will save lives’

‘Ariis’s Law’ expands definition of essential visitors in hospital

Health Minister Adrian Dix shared details of an amended essential-visitors policy Tuesday (May 19). The changes were sparked by the death last month of South Surrey’s Ariis Knight.(Contributed photo/Tracy Holmes photo)
Health Minister Adrian Dix expects an amended essential-visitors policy to be shared Tuesday (May 19). The changes were sparked by the death last month of South Surrey’s Ariis Knight. (Contributed photo/Tracy Holmes photo)

UPDATED: Changes on way to policy on B.C. health care facility visitation

Health Minister Adrian Dix made the announcement Tuesday afternoon

Health Minister Adrian Dix expects an amended essential-visitors policy to be shared Tuesday (May 19). The changes were sparked by the death last month of South Surrey’s Ariis Knight. (Contributed photo/Tracy Holmes photo)