BC Indigenous Disability Awareness Month

Author: Social Development and Poverty Reduction
Published: 2017/11/02 - Updated: 2022/11/18
Peer-Reviewed: Yes
Topic: Disability Awareness - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Indigenous Disability Awareness Month is an opportunity to recognize the challenges that face Indigenous people in B.C. who live with disabilities. Raising awareness of the many challenges faced by Indigenous people with disabilities is an essential step towards changing attitudes, opening doors, and creating a more inclusive society.

Introduction

British Columbians are invited to celebrate the contributions of Indigenous people with disabilities as the government has proclaimed November Indigenous Disability Awareness Month.

Main Item

Acting on a recommendation from the British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS), B.C. became the first province in Canada to dedicate November to Indigenous people with disabilities in 2015, along with the Métis Nation British Columbia and BC First Nations Summit. The Assembly of First Nations, the Council of Yukon First Nations, and the Province of Saskatchewan all recognized and proclaimed the month in 2016.

"Indigenous Disability Awareness Month is an opportunity to recognize the challenges that face Indigenous people in B.C. who live with disabilities," said Shane Simpson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. "When we eliminate the barriers, we can create opportunities for greater inclusion and build communities where everyone is welcome."

The government is committed to building a better future for people with disabilities. To help make B.C. a truly inclusive province, the government is working with BCANDS, Indigenous communities, people with disabilities, and their families to reduce barriers that affect them.

"BCANDS promotes greater awareness of the need to build an inclusive and accessible province for Indigenous people," said Scott Fraser, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. "Recognizing Indigenous Disability Awareness month helps give voice to Indigenous people with disabilities, many of whom often feel alienated from the initiatives, programs, and services that have and will impact their current and future disability and health-related needs and well-being."

"Raising awareness of the many challenges faced by Indigenous people with disabilities is an important step towards changing attitudes, opening doors, and creating a more inclusive society," said Neil Belanger, executive director of BCANDS.

BCANDS is unique as the only stand-alone organization in Canada serving Indigenous people with disabilities. The not-for-profit charity has provided Indigenous disability and health services and programs throughout the province for 26 years.

In April 2017, BCANDS presented to the United Nations International Committee on the Convention of the Rights of People with Disabilities in Geneva. BCANDS made recommendations to the committee to help address barriers experienced by Indigenous people and their families in Canada.

Quick Facts:

Attribution/Source(s): This peer reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Social Development and Poverty Reduction and published on 2017/11/02, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, Social Development and Poverty Reduction can be contacted at gov.bc.ca NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.

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Citing and References

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Cite This Page: Social Development and Poverty Reduction. (2017, November 2 - Last revised: 2022, November 18). BC Indigenous Disability Awareness Month. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved March 26, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/disability/awareness/bc-indigenous.php

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