Community Resources
The following resources are organizations, groups, or corporations that provide services/programs and/or work with families and individuals with developmental disabilities.1
ACT - Autism Community Training is a not-for-profit resource providing information and training to support children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ACT provides a wide-range of positive and practical information on everything from sleep problems and diet, to core issues such as diagnosis and aspects of intervention, including information on setting up intervention programs. These resources are free and are available online.
AutismBC is a parent-based organization that provides information, workshops, and training in the area of ASD for families, autistic people, and professionals.
The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network is a US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization run by and for autistic people. ASAN was created to serve as a national grassroots disability rights organization for the autistic community, advocating for systems change and ensuring that the voices of autistic people are heard in policy debates and the halls of power.
Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network is a US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to provide community, support, and resources for autistic women, girls, nonbinary people, and all others of marginalized genders. AWN runs a mutual aid fund that provides grants for autistic people of colour in financial need.
Auto-Captioning Guide is a resoure created by Vivian Ly of Autistics United Canada and of the ADDL. Auto-captioning is integral to the accessibility of video conferencing for all individuals.
BC Centre for Ability is a community-based organization with the vision of working towards inclusive communities where every person thrives at all stages of life. The centre provides various services for families, autistic people, and professionals through brain injury services, therapy services, vocational services, and more.
Best Buddies Canada provides programs throughout Canada for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities starting from elementary school and into transitions beyond high school.
Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion offers community inclusion services that support adults in a range of activities and programs in the City of Burnaby. Participants must be referred through Community Living BC.
Canucks Autism Network provides programs to individuals with autism and their families through programs, training, and community engagement initiatives.
Community Integration Services Society offers a range of day program services for adults living with disabilities, with program initiatives located in Port Coquitlam and the North Shore in British Columbia.
Community Living British Columbia (CLBC) is "the provincial crown corporation that funds supports and services to adults with developmental disabilities, as well as individuals who have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and who also have significant difficulty doing things on their own" (Who is CLBC, 2018). CLBC works to connect individuals with community supports and services.
Developmental Disabilities Association is a community-living agency providing community-based programs and services to children and adults with developmental disabilities in Vancouver and Richmond.
Discounts & Services for Canadian Persons with Disabilities (PWD) List is a guide created by dealhack.ca that compiles a list of discounts and services for persons with disabilities (PWD) in Canada. Discounts and services are verified and updated regularly.
Kinsight is an organization that works with families and individuals throughout the lifespan who are at risk or have developmental disabilities. The organization serves the communities of New Westminster, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore, and Belcarra.
The Neil Squire Society is an organization that creates affordable assistive technology and immersive programs that teach people with disabilities how to use technology and succeed in home and work environments.
Pacific Autism Family Network (PAFN) is a centre which supports individuals with ASD and their families across British Columbia. "The PAFN's core purpose is to be a knowledge centre: bringing together state of the art resources for research, information, learning, assessment, treatment, and support; and building capacity to address the lifespan needs of individuals with ASD and related disorders (PAFC Overview, 2020).
posAbilities provides a range of services to people with developmental disabilities and their families, in the areas of behaviour consultation, training, and support, community inclusion, employment, and home living.
Reach Child & Youth Development Society is an organization in that helps children with special needs and their families through timely, accessible, and supportive programs for the Delta, Surrey, and Langley areas.
SHARE Family and Community Services Society is a community-based organization that provides support and programs in response to the social needs of the residents of Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore, Belcarra, New Westminster, and adjacent communities. Programs and services may be available for youth and adults with and without disabilities.
Specialisterne Canada is a website that helps autistic people search for jobs, matching employers with neurodivergent people looking for work.
Special Olympics BC (SOBC) is an organization that is dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities through sport. SOBC offers the opportunity for people throughout the lifespan to get involved in sport, with more than 5,200 Special Olympics athletes of all ages and a wide range of ability levels participating in year-round programs in 55 communities around BC, supported by more than 4,300 dedicated volunteers.
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