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March 2025 – Newsletter
Important Days
March 1: International Wheelchair Day
March 3: World Hearing Day
March 8: International Women’s Day
March 21: World Down Syndrome Day
March 26: Purple Day for Epilepsy
News
The 2025 budget for British Columbia was delivered on March 4, 2025.
The legislative session will run from February 18 to May 29, 2025.
Disability Tax Credit Starting in June 2025, residents between 18 and 64 years old can qualify for the benefit if they have been approved for the Disability Tax Credit and meet the benefit’s other eligibility requirements.
Quotes From People With Disabilities
One big misconception is that I am not able to follow directions, learn or be employable. I want to work so I Can be independent and get my own apartment.
Marcus Stewart
Professional Development
A Guide to Aging with Down Syndrome
Helps individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and caregivers understand the aging process, manage age-related health issues, and promote independence. It also emphasizes social inclusion, long-term planning, and the importance of maintaining relationships and community involvement. The guide provides valuable resources for improving quality of life through tailored support and care.
Healthy Aging for Adults with Down Syndrome | CDSS
On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:
Respond to the reality of the person with dementia with a calming and reassuring approach.
Understand the benefits of and know how to best support the development of the individual’s life story.
Describe how to most effectively communicate with someone who has dementia.
Apply a wide range of practical strategies that will support the environment of a person with dementia.
Recognize and manage pain.
Open Future Learning (OFL) Module
Did you know you can access high quality professional development training from your home for free?
Want to learn more ?
Email us at: info@homesharingbc.ca
Link: https://www.openfuturelearning.org
OFL: Dementia Strategies
Module Length: 95 Minutes
Dementia causes people to lose skills and abilities they once had. What people are not losing, however, are their feelings and emotions. So let’s think about how we can make this part of people’s life enjoyable and stress free. This module is packed full of easy to use and practical strategies that will help you be able to better support people with dementia. This module features presentations from Diana Kerr and scenario-based excerpts provided by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Open Board Positions
Want to contribute to the future of inclusive housing options for people with disabilities?
The Home Sharing Support Society BC (HSSSBC) is seeking passionate and dedicated individuals to join our volunteer Board of Directors. If you are interested in making an impact in the disability sector, and the desire to contribute your expertise, we invite you to apply.
We are particularly looking for individuals outside the Lower Mainland with experience as Self-Advocates, Home Sharing Providers, Service Providers, or with a background in Finance/Accounting.
Help shape the future of home sharing and improve inclusive housing options for adults with developmental disabilities across British Columbia. Meetings are held online, with opportunities for in-person connections.
Apply now: Board@homesharingbc.ca
Learn more: http://www.homesharingbc.ca
Financial Abuse
Canadians living with a disability are more likely to be victims of abuse, this includes financial abuse. It can be from a stranger, but many times abuse comes from someone the victim is familiar with. Sometimes it is a close friend, family member, or even someone whose role was to protect and care for the victim.
What is Financial Abuse? Financial abuse is the illegal or unauthorized use of someone else’s money or property. Some types of financial abuse are very clear, for example; theft or fraud. Other times financial abuse can be harder to put a name to and can include pressuring, forcing or tricking the victim into doing things they do not want to do.
Resources
Find Support BC : https://findsupportbc.com/
Find Support BC connects families of persons with disabilities with resources available to them.
Respite Care for the Fraser Valley Community
Personalized respite care services in the Chilliwack area, catering specifically to home share providers. Services offer respite and rest for those supporting adults with disabilities, and we work directly with providers to ensure tailored care. Designed with accessibility in mind, featuring main-level access with no stairs, ensuring easy navigation for those using walkers or wheelchairs. The private room includes a washroom equipped with a built-in shower seat, enhancing comfort and convenience.
Disability Equality In The Media: Representation, Accessibility, Management; Practical manual
The Practical Manual and Master Class provide hands-on advice to editorial teams on how to ensure fair and unbiased coverage of disability. For content producers, it details how to make media content and services accessible. To managers and decision makers, the material inspires change, demonstrating how disability equality can contribute to media industry growth and create new revenue streams. This work contributes to the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006) and promotes freedom of expression, media development, and access to information for the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in public debate.