Community Living British Columbia - CLBC

09/03/2026

Join us at the Regional Education Networking Tradeshow (RENT) in Nanaimo on September 10!

CLBC is proud to be presenting alongside members of the Central North Island Community Council and the Nanaimo Association for Community Living. Their session, "CLBC Community Councils Advance Inclusive Housing," will showcase how self advocates and family members are using their lived experience to raise awareness, influence change, and advance inclusive housing in their communities.

By sharing their insights, they are helping shape innovative housing solutions and stronger partnerships that empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to choose where they live, who they live with, and how they belong in their communities.

If you're attending Vancouver Island RENT 2026, stop by the CLBC booth to meet our housing team, learn about our work in inclusive housing, and connect throughout the day.

📅 September 10, 2026
📍 Vancouver Island Conference Centre, Nanaimo
🕦 Presentation: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Best wishes to the Central North Island Community Council on their presentation!

09/02/2026

On August 14, we were proud to celebrate Neil Cutler as a 2026 CLBC WOW (Widening Our World) Award recipient. Surrounded by family, friends, members of the Central North Island Community Council and CLBC staff, Neil received the award from Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction and MLA for Nanaimo-Gabriola. 👏🏆

Neil was nominated by the Central North Island Community Council in recognition of his many years of work to make his community more welcoming and inclusive.

One of Neil’s greatest contributions is the Nanaimo Community Dances. Since 2006, Neil has organized dances where people of all ages and abilities can meet friends, have fun and feel a sense of belonging. Nearly 20 years later, the dances continue to bring people together, build friendships and create a space where everyone feels welcome.

Neil’s commitment to inclusion extends beyond the dances. Through his work as a Community Awareness Coordinator with the Vancouver Island Crisis Society and as a volunteer member of the CLBC Central North Island Community Council, he continues to champion inclusion, mental health and the importance of community connections.

Read more about Neil’s story and his contributions to inclusion on our website here: https://www.communitylivingbc.ca/recognition/inclusion-champion-neil-cutler-receives-clbc-wow-award/

09/01/2026

Roger and Laura Toews were recently featured in Castanet, an Okanagan-based news outlet, for their commitment to creating an inclusive workplace at their Clearwater Tim Hortons! 👏

We’re proud to see Roger and Laura’s story of inclusive employment reaching an even wider audience. Their commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for people with developmental disabilities is making a difference in their workplace and community.

📰 You can find the full story on Castanet's website.

09/01/2026

How can we better support people with disabilities to make their own decisions while respecting autonomy, dignity, and choice?

Join Inclusion BC and Family Support Institute BC on Wednesday, September 23, for an important virtual session exploring Supported Decision Making and the role of Natural Authority in helping people exercise their rights and make decisions that reflect their own wishes and preferences.

The session features Yuji Kajiwara and Angela Clancy, who will discuss:

🔹How Natural Authority can support decision-making while maintaining autonomy and dignity
🔹Common barriers to exercising supported decision making
🔹Advocacy strategies for overcoming those barriers

📅 Wednesday, September 23 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Register here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/fqukcqd?fbclid=IwY2xjawUD5MZwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMWowVVl1ek53cUhoWnp5OHNzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeaKpIRQ9XGcG9pfbMUjkWVrB0GjCT2oXk_TXCyOtdumPp2pbGDMhMKW1iQGM_aem_YSuHbGZZugNNqZdhIaq2oQ

09/01/2026

Roger and Laura Toews were recently featured in Castanet, an Okanagan-based news outlet, for their commitment to creating an inclusive workplace at their Clearwater Tim Hortons! 👏

We’re proud to see Roger and Laura’s story of inclusive employment reaching an even wider audience. Their commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for people with developmental disabilities is making a difference in their workplace and community.

📰 Read the full story on Castanet's website here:

The owners of a Clearwater Tim Hortons have received a provincial award for creating an inclusive workplace for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

09/01/2026

Roger and Laura Toews were recently featured in Castanet, an Okanagan-based news outlet, for their commitment to creating an inclusive workplace at their Clearwater Tim Hortons! 👏

We’re proud to see Roger and Laura’s story of inclusive employment reaching an even wider audience. Their commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for people with developmental disabilities is making a difference in their workplace and community.

📰 Read the full story on Castanet's website below:

The owners of a Clearwater Tim Hortons have received a provincial award for creating an inclusive workplace for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.