Community Living British Columbia - CLBC

09/16/2026

On Sept. 8, we were proud to celebrate Lynne-Mari De Frane as a 2026 CLBC WOW (Widening Our World) Award recipient. Lynne-Mari received the award for her work with CLBC’s South Island Community Council (SICC) to develop, distribute and expand communication boards across B.C. 👏🏆

The project, called “Communication for Everyone,” is helping make communication more accessible for people who are non-speaking or who use picture symbols and other forms of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).

Working with colleagues Deb Woodland and Angela Leeson, the SICC and School District 62, Lynne-Mari helped adapt communication boards originally developed for schools so they could be used in community spaces. The boards have now been distributed to close to 30 CLBC offices across B.C. and are being used by 22 other organizations to support accessible communication.

Lynne-Mari’s work is helping create more accessible spaces where people have different ways to communicate their needs, choices and ideas.

Read more about Lynne-Mari’s story and the Communication for Everyone project on our website: https://www.communitylivingbc.ca/recognition/wow-award-recognizes-expansion-of-communication-boards-for-people-who-are-non-speaking/

09/16/2026

Join the North Shore Sunshine Coast Community Council for an afternoon celebrating creativity, wellness and community inclusion. This free event is open to everyone and will feature hands-on art and creativity stations, a Podcast Corner with local voices and stories, and opportunities to connect with others in the community.

You’ll also hear from guest presenters about creativity and wellness and learn more about the North Shore Sunshine Coast Community Council.

📆 October 2, from 3 to 6 p.m. PT
📍 Roberts Creek Hall, 1309 Roberts Creek Rd., Roberts Creek, B.C.

09/15/2026

Join Speak Up Self-Advocacy Awareness - SUSA Society for Where We Belong, a two-day conference focused on community inclusion, self-advocacy, learning, and connection. Open to everyone, this event brings together self-advocates, families, service providers, and community members for networking, engaging presentations, and opportunities to celebrate inclusion.

The conference will feature a keynote speaker, a variety of presentations and sessions, meals and snacks on both days, and a marketplace showcasing community organizations and resources.

📆 October 6 and 7
📍 Kamloops United Church, 421 St. Paul Street, Kamloops, B.C.

See the full conference package, including the agenda, here:
To register or learn more, contact SUSA at 250-572-6009 or [email protected]

09/15/2026

The September 2026 edition of CLBC's Update for Individuals and Families is here!

This month's issue features:
🔹 Updates from CLBC, including upcoming board meeting and new email subscription preferences
🔹 Stories celebrating inclusive employment for Disability Employment Month
🔹 CLBC's 2026 WOW award winners
🔹 Opportunities to get involved with CLBC's community councils, & more!

📲 Read the full September Update here: https://ow.ly/CnUW50ZNZfx

CLBC is making it easier to get the updates and information that matter to you. If you aren't already receiving our optional email updates, we encourage you to visit the new Subscribe page here: https://www.communitylivingbc.ca/whats-new/subscribe/

09/14/2026

Individuals, family members and service providers are invited to join CLBC’s open board meeting from 9–11:45 a.m. PDT on Thursday, September 24. This meeting will include a presentation from BC People First Society - a provincial self advocacy led organization that works to promote inclusion, rights, and full citizenship for people with intellectual disabilities.

To register to attend the meeting, please send a request to [email protected] asking to attend the September open board meeting. You will receive a Microsoft Teams meeting link and an information sheet on how to use Teams.

🔗 Click here for the meeting agenda:https://www.communitylivingbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/1.1-Agenda-Open-Board-Meeting-September-24th-2026.pdf
🔗 Learn more about board meetings on our website here: https://www.communitylivingbc.ca/about-us/leadership/board-directors/board-meeting-schedule/

09/11/2026

Community Living BC is deeply saddened by the loss of Gerry Juzenas.

Gerry was a kind, generous, and passionate advocate who shared his lived experience, wisdom, and leadership to help CLBC and others learn, grow, and move forward in our vision of inclusion and full citizenship. He was a familiar presence in communities across B.C., using his voice to champion the rights, dignity, and belonging of people with intellectual disabilities.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Gerry's family, friends, colleagues, and all those whose lives he touched. While he will be greatly missed, his legacy lives on in the communities he helped shape and in the ongoing work toward inclusion and full citizenship that he championed so passionately.

Thank you, Gerry. Your voice, leadership, and friendship will not be forgotten. 💙

09/10/2026

Great work by CLBC’s Central North Island Community Council, who presented at the Regional Education Networking Tradeshow (RENT) Conference today in Nanaimo!

The presentation highlighted how CLBC Community Councils are helping advance inclusive housing across communities. Participants heard directly from Community Council members about their lived experiences, innovative housing projects and partnerships creating meaningful and inclusive opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Inclusive housing supports people to choose where they live and who they live with, while promoting safety, privacy, independence and dignity.

Their message was clear: strong partnerships and collaboration are essential to creating more inclusive housing opportunities and communities where everyone has a place to call home.

Thank you to everyone who joined the conversation and helped highlight the importance of inclusive housing!

📷 Central North Island Community Council members with CLBC staff.

09/09/2026

There’s still time to recognize an outstanding home sharing provider!

Nominations are open for the 2026 Home Share Provider Awards, hosted by Home Sharing Support Society BC (HSSSBC). If you know a provider whose dedication, leadership, compassion, or long-term commitment has made a meaningful difference, consider nominating them for this well-deserved recognition.

Submit your nomination by September 15: https://homesharingbc.ca/hsp-awards/

HSP Awards shines a spotlight on the incredible home sharing providers who are making a difference across British Columbia.

09/09/2026

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Month is observed every year in September, with FASD Awareness Day falling on September 9. This day is dedicated to raising awareness of FASD, promoting prevention, and improving diagnosis, understanding and support for individuals and families affected by the disorder.

This year's theme is “Everyone Plays a Part: It Takes a Community.” This message celebrates the strength, connection, and belonging that communities create. By learning, supporting one another, and sharing knowledge, communities can help individuals with FASD across their lifespan and promote healthy pregnancies.

Hear from Myles Himmelreich, Service Delivery Advisor at CLBC, as he shares his lived experience with FASD and discusses the myths, misconceptions, and stigma that continue to shape perceptions of the disability in this Q&A: https://www.communitylivingbc.ca/fasd-awareness/things-i-wish-people-knew-about-fasd-conversation-with-clbcs-myles-himmelreich/

Learn more about FASD Day on the Canada FASD Research Network's (CanFASD) website: fasdmonth.ca

Canada FASD Research Network

09/08/2026

Big wins in self-advocacy! 🌟

Michael McLellan, President of the BC Self Advocate Leadership Network, shares some of the organization’s recent accomplishments - from meeting with B.C.’s Premier to advocating for greater representation and leadership opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.

Michael also reflects on his experience serving on B.C.’s Provincial Accessibility Committee and what he hopes to see next for self-advocacy and leadership.

Read Michael’s full story: https://www.communitylivingbc.ca/celebrate-diverse-abilities/update-from-the-bc-self-advocate-leadership-network-president-big-wins/

📖 This story is featured in CLBC’s Celebrate Diverse Abilities Magazine, Spring 2026 Edition. Read the full magazine here:https://www.communitylivingbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/Celebrate-Diverse-Abilities-Magazine-Spring-2026.pdf