Please be advised that the Approved Minutes for the meeting held on April 6, 2012 are now available to registered members of PDACL.  Please login to gain access to the minutes. If you are a member, you can create a login to the site.  These minutes were approved at the latest board meeting held on May 3, 2012.  We are now publishing - approved minutes - and all associated reports are readily available to 'members only' at the 118 McMillan Street Office.

Our Spring 2012 Edition we have a ton of news that will hearten all supporters of PDACL.  The CLBC review of our two programs: Choices and Options is now complete and CLBC has expressed its support for the programs.  We have also had a chance to shine in the CARF accreditation review.  It appears that we will get accreditations renewed for existing programs and for two more areas of the 'association'.  Read all about that in this issue. We also have many stories from clients and staff and board that will entertain our readers.  We also announce our inter-general meeting arrangements that will be held next month. In our next edition of the newsletter, we will be publishing a complete report of the CARF review as we expect to get the results in the near future.  Please download this edition of our Spring 2012 Newsletter here.

PDACL has had many enquiries about the Registered Disability Savings Plan.  In response, we have collected several resources for your information.  We begin with a series of Videos that were produced by the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities (BCCPD).  We have placed all FIVE of the videos on our site and you can view them at our RDSP link on the site.  We are planning to post several articles that will be of interest to those receiving PWD payments from the MEIA, the ministry of Employment and Income Assistance.

Community Living BC was discussed at length in the legislature yesterday in the morning and afternoon sessions. Issues such as CLBC funding, waitlists, homesharing contract devolution and regulation and service provider accreditation were discussed. The links to the Hansard are here for all who may be interested.  There is considerable debate on the issue of home sharing and the various means of customizing it to the needs of each individual requireing such services.  There are two links here, one for the morning sitting and one for the afternoon sitting.  The sessions are almost completely associated with the issue of Home Sharing contracts and the discussions provide some valuable information to our community.

Again, it is the CBC that illustrates some of the challenges in the lives of those with developmental disabilties.  This news item reported by Duncan McCue sheds light on a young lady with Down Syndrome and the fears that confront her as she turns nineteen.  Callan Parker is just like so many other young people. She wonders what her future holds and if her childhood dreams will come true. However, in her story, that right of passage comes with some unique qualities.  Watch this 6 minute newscast.  It will sure help us all draw some strength to emulate this unique and special individual.