Inclusion and employment will be the focus of discussions during this year's 15th annual Community Living Month in British Columbia. Each October, Community Living Month is an opportunity to recognize the contributions of people with developmental disabilities - and to acknowledge the people who support them.

Throughout the month, there will be community events, employment roundtables and forums to raise awareness and celebrate people with developmental disabilities as equal and contributing members of society.

There will be a series of employment roundtables with business owners, employers, community living service providers and local rotary clubs about inclusive hiring. Community Living BC (CLBC) has teamed up with rotary clubs, service providers and other organizations to facilitate these forums throughout the province. An events schedule is available at: www.communitylivingbc.ca

Social Development and Social Innovation Minister Don McRae will spend the month touring B.C. to meet with local employers, service providers, home share providers, individuals and families to discuss opportunities and challenges in the sector.

The Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation and CLBC are making progress towards improving services for people with developmental disabilities and their families. The recommendations in the deputy ministers' 2012 report have been completed. Work is now underway to roll out an integrated service delivery model to improve support planning and service delivery.

Quotes:

Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation Don McRae -

"Community Living Month is a time to celebrate the many contributions that people with developmental disabilities make year-round."

"Each October, we have a chance to recognize how far we've come in building inclusion, and to plan for a future where we continue to grow acceptance and understanding of diversity in our communities."

CLBC interim chief executive officer Doug Woollard -

"Community Living Month is a great time to celebrate and thank the thousands of volunteers, family members, service providers and self advocates across the province that are working hard each day to support our common cause of improving the quality of life of the people we serve. We are inspired each day by their ongoing commitment and passion."

Learn More:

To learn more about CLBC or to find a Community Living Month event in your community visit: www.communitylivingbc.ca

Join the conversation during Community Living Month by using the Twitter hashtag #clmonth2013.

For a chart of actions taken to complete each recommendation in the deputy ministers' report, Improving Services to People with Developmental Disabilities, visit: www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/Recommendations_Chart_July_2013.pdf

In the coming year, government will be undertaking a province wide public consultation, developing a White Paper and hosting a Summit on the issues facing people with disabilities in British Columbia. To learn more, visit: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/disabilitywhitepaper

Media Contacts:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation
250 508-5030

Community Living BC
604 833-8444