DDA Joins VPD Safe Place Program

DDA has spent the past 70 years fighting for inclusion for individuals with developmental disabilities, and this fight doesn’t end there. Regardless of disability, race, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender or identity, DDA strives for an inclusive and safe community, and DDA has registered with the Vancouver Police Department to become an official Safe Place. …

New Child Development Centre in Vancouver

DDA, the City of Vancouver and the Vancouver School Board have joined forces to create new, inclusive childcare spaces in Fraserview, Vancouver. Now open is the Fraserview Child Development Centre located on the rooftop of seismically replaced Sir Sandford Fleming Elementary. The Fraserview CDC offers 69 spaces for infants, toddlers and children ages 3 to …

Quarantine: What to Do With the Kids

The COVID 19 global pandemic means that many businesses and organizations we take for granted in society are closed for the time being to hopefully prevent further spread of the illness. Schools, restaurants, sports, and literally any other extracurricular activities are off the table until further notice. For many, it means being quarantined at home …

Star Newsletter – Spring 2020

Our Spring edition of the STAR Newsletter is here! Find stories on a variety of topics including: Reflecting on 40 Years of Support CBC News Visits Playhouse Child Development Centre Residential Christmas Parties Annual Christmas Toy Drive Study Finds Siblings of Those with Developmental Disabilities Become Nicer People Tax Tips & Information Make a Business …

Fred & Michelle’s Acting Class

In Residential Services we encourage staff to think outside the box and use their creativity to enhance the lives of the individuals living in our programs.  Above is a snapshot of the ingenuity of one of our staff to facilitate a lifelong hobby of one of the residents who has a slow degenerative health problem …

Developing Skills Through Cooking

The Main Street Drop-In Cooking program has provided healthy and nutritious meals for some of our childcare centres for many years. The Drop-In Center also provides a $3.00 hot lunch program for its participants. These programs rely on the support of our volunteers who gain valuable experience and training in the food service industry. Three …

Dementia Supports

Individuals with developmental disabilities today are living longer, heathier lives due to improvements in understanding, health care, and community supports. As a result, there is now an aging population of individuals within this demographic that require coordinated care teams particularly when supporting complex medical needs. CareZare, Timeless, and Dementia Talk are 3 apps available for …

Make a Business Better – Hire Employees with a Developmental Disability

Since 1985, the Jobs West Employment Program has successfully placed hundreds of job seekers in gainful and productive employment opportunities with local businesses. As champions of inclusive hiring, we couldn’t be more proud of this contributing workforce. The reality is, however, there are still those businesses that may not feel comfortable offering jobs to people …

Tax Tips & Information

Through the tax system, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) administers a range of benefits and credits for persons with a disability or those who are caring for a dependant with a disability. By filing your income tax and benefit return by April 30, 2020, your return will be processed faster and if you are entitled …

Study Finds Siblings of Those with Developmental Disabilities Become Nicer People

Growing up in a home with someone who has a developmental disability can have a positive impact on family life, according to a new study. Researchers at the University of Tel Aviv examined the relationship between siblings with typical development and those who had a brother or sister with some form of developmental disability. They …

Annual Christmas Toy Drive

Child and Youth Services’ annual toy drive was again successful in filling a van with presents for the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau. The 6 a.m. delivery by our Program Managers to the Pan Pacific Christmas Wish Breakfast was a special team effort and was made possible by generous donations from DDA staff, families and friends. …

Residential Christmas Parties

We held our annual Arlington Christmas Party luncheon at Trout Lake Community Centre this past December. Families, friends, and residents look forward to this event each holiday season. The photo booth, filled with an enormous supply of fun props to adorn oneself, is always a festive treat and provides a nice memento of the day. …