THINK TWICE
Civil Rights Now! Think Twice Campaign:
In order to build towards the ultimate goal of a “British Columbians with Disability Act”, Civil Rights Now! proposes that the following be made into law by whichever party forms government on May 14th.
- The Community Care (Direct Payments)Act
- The Civil Rights of Persons in Community Care Act
We believe these complementary statutes will provide an effective legal foundation for persons with disabilities to gain access to some of the same rights as currently enjoyed by other British Columbians.
Read the proposal here
Why do we call our campaign Think Twice?….because in a split second, anyone and everyone can become vulnerable. That’s why everyone needs to get involved in this campaign.
How you can advocate for Civil Rights Now’s proposal:
1. Identify the electoral district in which you live. www.electionsbc.ca
2. Contact your MLA and all the candidates seeking election in your electoral district.
3. Provide them with the Civil Rights Now! proposal, either via email or in-person.
4. Ask for their public commitment to support the proposed law, regardless if their party is elected.
5. Let them know that your vote and those of your family and friends depend on their public statement of support.
6. Let us at Civil Rights Now! know how the candidates respond. We’ll post all their responses on our website here.
BCCLA STATEMENT IN PRINCIPLE IN SUPPORT OF CIVIL RIGHTS NOW’s PROPOSAL
March 22, 2013
The BCCLA would like to voice its support in principle for the efforts of Civil Rights Now! It is imperative that people with disabilities are provided with means for independent and dignified living. Civil Rights Now! is proposing a model of individualized funding that may not be the only means of addressing this issue, but is clearly aimed at bringing greater autonomy to disabled people in BC.
The BCCLA also echoes the call of Civil Rights Now! to address the urgent needs of people living in care for an effective and meaningful mechanism to report and have investigated violations of their rights. Many vulnerable British Columbians have called our office to report rights violations in care, but are very often too afraid of retaliation or jeopardizing their care to make an official complaint and invariably are not sufficiently resourced to bring a civil suit in court. This is a dreadful situation that cries out for a remedy. We add our voice to the call for the rights of British Columbians in care to be genuinely upheld.
Micheal Vonn
Policy Director
British Columbia Civil Rights Association