DDA Star Magazine Summer 2023 Edition

Summer feels like it finally just might stick around and bathe the Lower Mainland in sun and we couldn’t be happier about it! In this summer edition if our Star magazine you’ll find these stories and more!

Optimism Renewed

Spring 2023 launches another fiscal year of overcoming obstacles and encouraging abilities.

Spring is finally here, reminding us that, like the universe, the earth operates in cycles of birth, death, and rebirth, just likethe cycles of human lives and all of nature.

Creating an Inclusive Community through Martial Arts

In DDA’s latest podcast, we talked with Master Michael Sirota, an expert in martial arts who provides services for nearly 800 students in Vancouver and Richmond. Master Sirota owns and operates Sirota’s Alchemy, a martial arts dojo that trains students in the styles of Taekwondo and Hapkido. They currently have two dojos, one in Vancouver …

Welcome to East 16th Day Program

Grandview Day Program has a new home & a new name! 

I can hardly believe that the time has come to finally share our new day program with our DDA family.

DDA Documentary Nominated with Six Awards

DDA and its filmmaker, David Ozier, recently learned of two nominations at Saskatchewan’s highly regarded Yorkton Film Festival. Doing the Impossible – The Story of the Developmental Disabilities Association has been nominated for Best Documentary History & Biography and Best Research. Winners are to be announced on May 25 – 27th. In addition, Alanna Hendren …

Jobs West Success: Lily

In 2016, Lily joined Jobs West Employment Services after participating in DDA’s Youth Transition Program, funded through the MCFD.  Throughout her time with Jobs West, she participated in many volunteer and work experiences.  While gaining new skills and committing to her vocational goals, Lily obtained 2 paid part-time positions. We would like to congratulate Lily on making …

Providing for Your Disabled Child After You’re Gone – QDT

Many parents of children with special needs worry about their kids’ future and who will provide and care for them when they die. It’s a legitimate concern. One tool at their disposal is a Qualified Disability Trust (QDT). Please be advised, this blog does not cover ALL concerns related to QDTs, but merely provides information …

Intersectionality: Why Understanding It Is Important for Inclusion

As an advocate and supporter of people with developmental disabilities, the Developmental Disabilities Association knows full well what it means to have society look down on someone and think of them as less of a person. It’s a battle we have been fighting since DDA began in 1952. From the dismantling of institutions here in …

DDA Donates Dozens of Toys This Holiday Season

  Every holiday season, Vancouver Firefighters host their Toys for Kids program and Annual Christmas Wish Breakfast at the Pan Pacific Hotel in support of the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau. Due to the pandemic, the past couple of years meant no in-person events, but now with all restrictions lifted, the force spent $47,000 dollars on …

Thank You Andrew Sheret

‘Tis the season of giving, and we couldn’t be happier about it! One B.C.-based company knows that very well indeed. For the second year in a row, Richmond’s branch of Andrew Sheret has raised money to support DDA clients and programs. Andrew Sheret general manager Connor Alexander says they have a point system for their …

Affordable Childcare – DDA Begins $10-a-Day Childcare at Three Locations

The Developmental Disabilities Association is happy to announce that three of its Child Development Centres are moving forward with the assistance of the provincial government to adopt $10-a-day child care starting December 1st, 2022. For now, only Creekside, Fraserview, and Riverside Child Development Centres will take part in the program as it gains momentum.  The …

DDA Fall Star – 2022 Edition

The Fall edition of the Star is here! Catch up on all that’s been going on within the DDA, learn more about our new documentary, read our thoughts on the work that we do, and more. For a preview, check out these posts by our talented team: Vancouver’s Accessibility Strategy Mental Illness is a Reality; …