The British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society, or as more commonly known, BCANDS, is a provincial, not for profit, Indigenous charitable Society serving the unique and diverse disability and health needs of the Indigenous population of British Columbia and Canada. BCANDS is a “stand alone” organization and the only organization of its type in Canada. Indigenous persons across Canada continue to deal with the generational effects that European contact has had on all aspects of our lives. It is well documented that the disability and health status of Indigenous people in British Columbia and Canada, is significantly lower than that of our non-Indigenous population. Many Indigenous communities are additionally affected by minimal economical and employment opportunities, community remoteness, limited community access to necessary health and social services, their associated professionals, limited community amenities and so forth. Demands and expectations placed on Indigenous communities and organizational leadership are high from their membership, with their membership identifying multiple priorities within the community or organization all of which compete for any available financial resources. Understanding this, leadership within Indigenous communities and organizations across Canada are often forced to make difficult decisions in regard to programs, services and specific funding allocations made available. Due to these important and ever increasing community and organizational needs, specialized disability and health support and services may be minimal with only limited resources available to the membership, leaving the disabled individual, their family and support system(s) at times frustrated. BCANDS provides disability and health support services to eligible Indigenous persons and organizations, both within First Nation and non-First Nation communities. If you are an Indigenous person with a disability BCANDS may be able to assist you.
“BCANDS wishes to respectfully acknowledge the traditional territory of the Coast Salish people on which our main office is located. We further wish to acknowledge those organizations and communities across British Columbia, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous who assist us in our work.”
The British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS) is an award winning, Indigenous, not for profit Society delivering disability and health related programs and services to Indigenous persons, organizations and communities across British Columbia. BCANDS provincial services are centralized through the Society’s main office located on Vancouver Island on the traditional territory of the Coast Salish people. Our Mission:
“Advancing the unique disability and health priorities of Indigenous peoples through collaboration, consultation and the delivery of comprehensive client services”
BCANDS Programs and Services
The Society’s team members work within five core program areas which are available across the province to eligible Indigenous persons, First Nation communities and organizations. Program Area # 1 – Provincial Indigenous Disability Case Management (DCM) Services
The BCANDS Disability Case Management Program works with Indigenous individuals and families living with a disability, both within First Nation communities and in British Columbia’s urban and rural centres. Case Management services are centralized through the BCANDS main office; however the Society, as much as possible, based on available resources, will also travel to communities to meet with clients and families. Case Managers work closely with the individual clients, their family / support systems and relevant medical and social services service providers to obtain a comprehensive understanding of their needs, history and background. This understanding is necessary to ensure that a holistic approach is taken and that the individual’s needs are known and acted upon, on all levels. Program Area # 2 – Provincial First Nation Persons with Disabilities (PWD) / Monthly Nutritional Supplement (MNS) Benefits Adjudication
The BCANDS PWD / MNS program adjudicates PWD / MNS benefit applications on behalf of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) for British Columbia’s 200 First Nation communities, using INAC established criteria and procedures. The BCANDS PWD MNS Program provides disability assistance and supplements to provide greater independence for people with disabilities reading in British Columbia’s 203 First Nation communities, including security of income, enhanced well-being, and increased participation in the community. Program Area # 3 – Provincial Indigenous Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) Navigator Program
The BCANDS Provincial RDSP Navigator program works with hundreds of eligible individuals and families living with disabilities annually, assisting them in fulling the requirements to enroll in the RDSP and in doing so, assisting to ensure the availability of financial resources for their future health, disability and personal needs. BCANDS Provincial RDSP services are available to eligible Indigenous individuals and families residing anywhere in British Columbia. Priority is given to eligible individuals aged 0 – 49 in order to maximize their RDSP financial benefits. Program Area # 4 – National Federal Accessibility Consultation
The BCANDS national Federal Accessibility Consultation program engages First Nation communities and First Nation service providers across Canada, to identify barriers facing the on-reserve First Nation population of Canada who live with disabilities. The consultation process is to assist the federal government in the development of new accessibility legislation applicable to organizations, departments and communities that fall under federal jurisdiction (First Nations, banks, airports, federal departments, procurement, etc.). The consultation provides a First Nation voice to identify areas for improvement in the areas of accessing health and disability programs and services, community accessibility (physical environment), health and program policy limitations, financial, attitudinal barriers, etc. Program Area # 5 – Indigenous Disability and Health Advocacy / Government and Community Liaison
BCANDS actively works with Indigenous, provincial and federal governments and community, serving in a variety of roles to ensure that the health and disability priorities of Indigenous persons across the province and Canada are known and acted upon.
