Richmond, B.C.- S.U.C.C.E.S.S., in partnership with Richmond Centre for Disability, co-hosted an event called the Disability Services Awareness Day at the Richmond Cultural Centre.
The primary goal of the event was to promote awareness of existing services and to empower persons with disabilities, particularly for immigrants, to seek help with confidence. Immigrants with disabilities are under-represented in receiving disability services because of the lack of related knowledge, network and resources along with their cultural and language barriers. The Disability Services Awareness Day introduced immigrants to various resources and tools that will enhance their employability in the labour market and increase their confidence in self-employment. Valuable feedback and comments were also collected during the event from persons with disabilities and from multicultural background on how to improve service accessibility for them.
“S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Abilities to Business (A2B) project has been playing a significant role in facilitating business development for people with disabilities. We are very excited about this unique event, which is in collaboration between S.U.C.C.E.S.S. and Richmond Centre for Disability. We are also proud to work with so many service providers to assist those people in need and to make positive changes in their lives,” said Tung Chan, CEO of S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
The event was strongly supported by all levels of government and the community partners. Officiating guests included Dr. Alice Wong, MP Richmond, Mr. Rob Howard, MLA Richmond Centre and Mr. Malcolm Brodie, Mayor of Richmond.
Sponsored by the Coast Capital Savings Credit Union and the Western Economic Diversification Canada and supported by the City of Richmond, this one-day event comprised mini exhibitions and seminars. Over 20 exhibitors provided a wide variety services on career support, training, mobility equipment and transportation and much more. The cross-disability activities also included seminars on Handy Dart Services, Registered Disability Saving Plan (RDSP) and Canada Pension Plan for Disability.
Founded in 1973, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. is one of the largest social service providers in British Columbia with over 20 locations and 2 overseas offices. For more details, please visit: http://www.success.bc.ca/.
The Richmond Centre for Disability is disability-led and community based, providing service to entire communities on disability issues. For more details, please visit: http://www.rcdrichmond.org/
