Support for Families
Family Support Advisor offers FREE ongoing support to individuals with developmental or support needs and their families in Langley.
The Family Support Advisor can provide a range of timely information and resources as well as peer support and connection opportunities for individuals and families through workshops and community events and activities.
When you and your family need information, support and advocacy, please contact:
Lydia Kang, Family Support Advisor:
Cell: 604-862-6807 | familysupport@inclusionlangley.com
Community Calendar
Our Community Calendar will feature diverse and inclusive events happening in Langley for everyone to connect, learn and have fun.
Families.
Direct Family Support
Clear, Accurate & Timely Information Sharing
Directing families to Community Resources & Making Referrals
Advocacy Support & Guidance
Creating and Sharing Resources & Tools
Workshops and Training Events
Family Support Groups
Partners.
Interagency Collaboration
Coordinated Services, Supports and Referrals to community agencies or resources
Creating and Sharing Information & Resources
Addressing Gaps & Taking Actions Together to Improve the Service System for Families
Disability Related Workshops & Training Events
Projects.
Development and Distribution of Resources & Tools for families and community professionals
Disability Related Resources & Information on ILS website
Special Projects – all about me binder, Langley community calendar and more
Resources
We have compiled resources below to support families. If there is a resource you think we should include, please contact familysupport@inclusionlangley.com and let us know.
ILS Booklets & Guides
- Child Development Services Family Guide - PDF, 12 pages
- Langley Early Years Hub Booklet - PDF, 20 pages
- Langley Family Guide - PDF, 12 pages
- Plain Language Guide to Employment Laws in British Columbia - PDF, 16 pages
ILS Brochures, Posters & Rack Cards
- Family Support Rack Card - PDF, 2 pages, for families receiving ILS Child Development Services
- Family Support Rack Card for a family with an adult child - PDF, 2 pages, for families receiving ILS Youth & Adult Services
- Kindergarten Transition Trifold Brochure - PDF, 2 pages
- Our Services Rack Card - PDF, 2 pages
- Quality of Life Poster - PDF, 1 page
Timelines & Checklists Created by ILS
- Checklist for Children: Birth-6
- Checklist for Children & Youth : 7-18
- Checklist for Adults 19+ & Five Tips for Transition Planning
- Checklist for Moving to Langley
Other Useful Timelines & Checklists
- Transition to Adult Care by BC Children's Hospital - A website created to support youth with special health care needs and their families or caregivers to gain the confidence, skills and knowledge to be ready to enter the adult health care system.
- For Youth YOUR JOURNEY TO ADULTHOOD Timeline - A timeline created by Services to Adults with Developmental Disabilities (STADD)
- Transition Checklist - A timeline created by MCFD.
- Special Olympics BC – Langley: Special Olympics BC – Langley has 200 athletes who participate in 16 sport programs, including swimming, fitness, basketball, floor hockey, rhythmic gymnastics, curling, 5-pin bowling, powerlifting, bocce, golf, soccer, softball, and athletics.
- BC Adaptive Snowsports: BC Adaptive Snowsports provides opportunities for individuals with physical and / or cognitive differences to get out skiing or snowboarding on the hills and mountains across British Columbia.
- BC Mobility Opportunities Society (BCMOS): BCMOS provides various opportunities for people with physical disabilities to access outdoor recreation. Each summer they offer guided hikes through the Lower Mainland, and adaptive paddling in the heart of Vancouver.
- Canucks Autism Programs - Canucks Autism Network (CAN) provides various programs to individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. View their Program Guide to see which programs are offered in Langley.
- Power for All Adventure Therapy: Power For All is a charity that serves clients in the Fraser Valley, BC. They provide universal access to adventure based activities to people from all walks of life in spite of physical, cognitive, social ability and financial resources including kayaking, paddle boarding, snowshoeing, and zumba fitness.
- Recreation Therapy @ the Centre for Child Development: Recreation Therapy team provides consultations, recommending equipment/activities to achieve therapeutic goals. They also offer a modified swim program and groups in conjunction with other therapies (Speech, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy).
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Therapeutic Horseback Riding
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Valley Therapeutic Equestrian Association (VTEA) in Langley: VTEA provides medically-approved therapeutic horseback riding, hippotherapy, and counselling treatments for children and adults.
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Pacific Riding Association for Developing Abilities (PRDA) in Langley: PRDA provides therapeutic horseback riding to individuals with physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities.
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North Fraser Therapeutic Riding Association (NFTRA) in Maple Ridge: NFRTA provides safe and professional therapeutic equine programming for children and adults who experience physical, mental, emotional or social challenges.
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- Whistler Adaptive Sports Programs: Whistler Adaptive Sports Program provides year-around, recreational programs for people of all ages with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities. Our programs are run in private (one on one) sessions, groups, and camp settings.
Please note that many services across Canada offer informal discounts to persons with disabilities. Be sure to check if discounts are offered.
- Access2Entertainment: The Access 2 card is for people of all ages and types of permanent disabilities who require the assistance of a support person at hundreds of participating entertainment, cultural and recreational venues across Canada. The Access 2 cardholder pays regular admission price and receives 1 FREE or discounted admission (for their support person).
- Air Flights: Be sure to check with the airline carrier on the details of their One Person One Fare policy.
- BC Ferries: Discounted fares are available for residents of British Columbia who have a permanent disability. To receive the discounted fare you must apply for a BC Ferries’ Accessible Fare Identification Card and present your card to the Ticket Agent when you arrive at the terminal.
- Free Camping in BC Government Campgrounds (Social Services Camping Fee Exemption): If you are an adult receiving PWD benefits or a child who is eligible for the At Home Program, you may be eligible for free camping in BC government campgrounds.
- HandyDART & HandyCard: HandyDART is TransLink’s door-to-door, shared-ride service for people who are unable to navigate conventional public transit without assistance. You must register, at no charge, to participate in this program. Each customer is allowed one attendant. An attendant rides for free on HandyDART.
HandyCard is a photo-identity card for customers over 12 years or older who cannot use the conventional system without assistance. Cardholders are entitled to Concession fares and their attendant travels for free when traveling on buses, SkyTrain, SeaBus, and West Coast Express. HandyCard holders are also eligible to purchase and use TaxiSavers, which are half-priced coupons for use as payment with participating taxi companies. HandyCard fares are valid only on conventional transit and cannot be used on HandyDART.
- Internet for Good® by Telus: A program that offers low-cost internet connectivity to Canadians who receive the British Columbia Persons with Disability (PWD) benefit, the Alberta Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) benefit, or the Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefit (CPPD).
- Sensory Friendly Screenings: This program provides a sensory friendly environment for individuals with autism spectrum disorder or anyone for whom the environment is suitable and their families to view new release films in theatres across the country. These screenings are presented in a lights up, sound down environment. Please check out the Sensory Friendly Showtimes on Cineplex Cinemas Langley website.
- Specially Equipped Motor Vehicle Rebate: A rebate you can claim if you paid GST/HST on the purchase of a qualifying motor vehicle, a modification service performed on your motor vehicle, the importation of a qualifying motor vehicle, or the bringing in of a qualifying motor vehicle into a participating province from a non-participating province.
- Transportation Supplement/BC Bus Pass for people receiving disability assistance: Beginning January 1, 2018, people receiving disability assistance will get an extra $52 each month for a new transportation supplement.This supplement is available to every individual with the persons with disabilities designation. The new supplement can be used for an annual bus pass or for other transportation needs.
- Vancouver Aquarium: Visitors with a disability, who purchase a full-price ticket, can invite an attendant to join them for free, to help facilitate their visit. They also accept the Access2 card.
- VIA RAIL: VIA RAIL offers various special assistance services for persons with disabilities or reduced mobility.
- Affordable Childcare Benefit: A monthly payment to help eligible families with the cost of child care. Families need to renew their application every year.
- At Home Program (AHP): A program provided by the BC government designed to support children and teens with a severe disability or complex health care needs. To be eligible, a child must be assessed as dependent in at least 3 of the 4 activities of daily living (eating, dressing, toileting and washing).
- Autism Funding Unit (AFU): A program provided by the BC government designed to help pay for eligible services or supports that promote skill development for children living with autism. Under age 6 program provides families with access upto $22,000/year and the ages 6-18 program provides families with access upto $6,000/year.
- Canada Child Benefit (CCB): A tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families to help with the cost of raising children under 18 years of age. The CCB may include the Child Disability Benefit (CDB) and any related provincial and territorial programs.
- Child Disability Benefit (CDB): A tax-free monthly payment made to families who care for a child under age 18 with a severe prolonged impairment in physical or mental functions. To be eligible, a parent must be eligible for CCB & their child must be eligible for DTC.
- Funding & Grants for Children:
- CKNW Kids’ Fund provides grants for essential specialized medical equipment, therapies, and programs for at-risk youth.
- Kidsport BC: Kidsport is a community-based sport funding program that provides grants for children aged 6 – 18 to participate in a sport season of their choice.
- Variety- the Children’s Charity provides direct help to children with special needs in BC.
- Disability Tax Credit (DTC): A non-refundable tax credit that helps persons with disabilities or their supporting persons reduce the amount of income tax they may have to pay. Being eligible for the DTC can open the door to other programs like RDSP, CDB & others.
- Disability Assistance/Persons with Disabilities Benefits (PWD): The income provided through MSDPR (Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction) for individuals who are unable to work. PWD also provides health and dental benefits. For youth receiving services from MCFD (Ministry of Children and Family Development) At Home Program (AHP) and/or CLBC (Community Living BC) may be able to use a simplified PWD application process.
- Fuel Tax Refund Program for Persons with Disabilities: A program that allows a person with a qualifying disability to request a refund of the provincial motor fuel tax you paid in BC on fuel you used in a vehicle you own or lease. The refund program has a maximum refund amount of $500 for each calendar year.
- ICBC Vehicle Insurance Discount: If you live in BC and you are the registered owner or lessee of the vehicle registered for the fuel tax refund program, you may get an insurance discount. If you take your confirmation letter to ICBC or your insurance agent, they can provide you with information about the discount.
- Home Owner Grant for People with Disabilities: An additional grant (additional grant of $275 on top of the regular home owner's grant of $570) you may be eligible for if you’re a person with a disability, or you live with a relative or spouse who has a disability, your property is assessed at $1,975,000 or less and you meet certain requirements.
- Rebate for Accessible Home Adaptations (BC RAHA): A financial assistance provided in the form of a rebate to eligible low- and moderate-income households to complete home adaptations for continued independent living in their home.
- Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP): A long-term savings plan to help Canadians with disabilities and their families save for the future. With an RDSP, you may be eligible for up to $90,000 in government grants and bonds to help with your long-term savings.
- Endowment 150: The Endowment 150 grant offers eligible people with disabilities a one-time grant of $150 to help their Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) grow.
- Travel Assistance Program (TAP BC): A program that helps alleviate some of the transportation costs for eligible B.C. residents who must travel within the province for non-emergency medical specialist services not available in their own community.
Afterschool Programs
- ILS Afterschool Program provides group based social and recreational programs to children and youth, who require extra support, as per the eligibility criteria established by Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). Afterschool Program is offered Mondays-Fridays from 2:30-6:00pm for youth in Grades 6-12 and runs in conjunction with the school calendar.
Spring Break Camp and Summer Day Camp may be offered to children and youth in Grades 4-12.
For more information, contact Rudy Mallari by phone 604-534-1155 ext. 117, or by e-mail rmallari@inclusionlangley.com.
Summer Camps: Please note that some camps don’t advertise that they offer a discount or that an attendant can enter at no charge. Be sure to ask.
- Easter Seals Camps: Easter Seals has been offering summer camp experiences to children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities since 1968. From day camps, to week long overnight camps, there are options available for all interests, and for all children and adults with disabilities aged 6-49 years old.
- Zajac Ranch Camp: Zajac Ranch welcomes children, young adults and families with a variety of medical conditions and disabilities to our summer medical camps from June to August.
- Special Needs Summer Camps: A variety of special needs camps are available, including those that cater to campers with learning disorders, attention deficit disorder, Asperger syndrome, physical disabilities, incontinence issues, and serious illnesses, such as cancer.
- Supported Adults Camps by Alexandra Neighbourhood House: Alexandra Neighbourhood House provides residential camps in Crescent Beach for adults with a developmental disability or mental health needs. These camps provide a welcome and relaxing break from everyday routines, with lots of summer-time activities and events.