Re-imagining Community Inclusion Initiative

The Re-imagining Community Inclusion Initiative was launched in May 2018. It was launched in collaboration with Community Living members from across British Columbia. The initiative is a 10-year vision where, “People with diverse abilities thrive fully and equally with everyone”.

On this page:

• What is Re-Imagining Community Inclusion (RCI)?
• What is the RCI Workplan?
• Who are the members of the RCI Steering Committee?
• What work is the RCI Steering Committee working on?

What is Re-Imagining Community Inclusion (RCI)?

This project started on the basis that all people with intellectual or developmental disabilities should have the same opportunity as everyone else to live a good life that they choose for themselves.

The goal of RCI was to answer three questions:

1. What should services and supports for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities be like in 10 years?
2. How can we get there and what is our plan to get there?
3. How do we work together?

What is the RCI Workplan?

The RCI workplan looks at how to implement the project’s 10-Year vision and roadmap. It identifies focus areas to improve the quality of life for British Columbians with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

The RCI steering committee, co-chaired by Community Living BC, Inclusion BC and the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction developed the workplan to implement the vision and workplan.

Who are the members of the RCI Steering Committee?

The initiative’s RCI Steering Committee includes:

• Self-advocates
• Families
• Community living service providers
• Indigenous organizations
• Advocacy organizations
• Government

That group identified a vision through to 2028. The workplan details the engagement and milestones the group is working towards. Members met regularly between spring and summer of 2021. They conducted research, planning, consultation and analysis.

What work is the RCI Steering Committee working on?

The committee identified four priority areas in which to begin work:

• Housing
• Employment
• Health
• Services for Indigenous people

Housing, employment and health were prioritized as they are foundational to quality lives. Community members have identified that people face significant challenges in these areas.

Services to Indigenous people is a priority because of the:

• Historical injustices identified in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
• Government mandate that the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act outlines
• Service gaps identified by Indigenous people and families

A fifth priority area, research and innovation was added later. The committee believes meaningful progress needs an evidence-based approach and evaluation of activities.