BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS)

Provides disability and health related support services to Aboriginal individuals, families, and service providers through three core programs: the Disability Case Management Program, the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) Program, and the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Adjudication Program. Disability Case Managers provide liaising between clients and the various service agencies they require access to, and addresses clients' needs to obtain or develop a variety of health and disability services including mobility equipment, adaptive technology, disability benefits applications, housing issues, and travel assistance. RDSP Navigators assist individuals with disabilities to apply for a Disability Tax Credit (DTC) and a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). Persons may be accompanied to a bank or credit union or be connected to partnership organizations, Plan Institute or Disability Alliance BC (DABC), to help open an RDSP. Also provides education on the DTC and RDSP through workshops for the public, community and financial organizations. The PWD Adjudication Program adjudicates all PWD applications for persons residing on reserve in B.C. The Health Information Resources and Support Services Centre (HIRSSC) is a comprehensive library of materials covering a wide range of issues including terminal and genetic diseases; alcoholism; fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD); diabetes; arthritis; suicide prevention; coping with grief and loss; and physical, psychological, child, Elder, and sexual abuse. Also maintains a list of resources on Aboriginal communities and organizations, as well as on health and disability programs available across BC. Office hours are 8:30 am to 12 noon and 1 pm to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday.