Correspondence from Inclusion BC - Disability Pride

His Worship Mayor David Screech 45 View Royal Avenue, Victoria View Royal, BC V9B 1A6

Dear Mayor Screech:

This year Inclusion BC will present the first ever Disability Pride celebration and parade in British Columbia as part of Canada 150+. Disability crosses every demographic so on June 15th, 2017, thousands will gather to celebrate the pride we have for Canadian citizens of all abilities. Self-advocacy and family groups, youth, multi-cultural and community living organizations, the Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission, Ministry of Canadian Heritage and various social movements will gather at Richmond, BC’s City Hall and parade the streets moving to a location where we will host a huge pancake breakfast.

While we are excited to take it to the streets and celebrate the disability identity as part of sesquicentennial celebrations, our pride celebration is aspiring to be truly inclusive, self-determined by people with intellectual disabilities and their families, and a model of connectedness and belonging so, our celebrations are twofold. Throughout 2017 we will be giving grants to individuals, families, and community organizations to participate in existing celebrations, parades and marches in their own communities around the province. These grants will provide opportunities for people historically not included to become civically and socially engaged outside of our movement.

We are proud to lead the country in advancing a new culture of pride, strength and freedom for people with intellectual disabilities in Canada. We welcome View Royal to be part of the celebrations.

In order to make the community granting dollars needed, we are asking every municipality in the province to make a contribution of $1,000. Be an Inclusive Communities Partner with a contribution of $1,000 and get included on our geo map at https://www.disabilitypride.ca/ and have your local events featured. Your support will help build communities where we all belong and celebrate Canadians of all abilities throughout this anniversary year.

Sincerely,

Faith Bodnar, Executive Director | Inclusion BC