Developmental Disabilities Association

What can we say? Team Canada took it to Qatar in an historic game that will help push us closer to the next round - a place Canada has never been!

Thoughts are with Ismael Kone and his recovery.

In the meantime, the folks at our Curzon group home in Richmond have been donning the colours and ramping up the cheer!

Boston Pizza at Ironwood is a fave place to celebrate!

Sunday, June 21st, is Father's Day!

❤️To the dads who are celebrating small wins that others might not notice: we see you.
❤️To the dads who have learned patience they never knew they had: we see you.
❤️To the dads who are navigating uncertainty while still showing love, humour, and consistency: we see you.

Your role isn’t defined by what your child can’t do. It’s defined by the way you keep building a life where they can thrive in their own way.

Happy Father’s Day to the dads doing the work, the learning, and the loving - often all at the same time.

Today, we recognize National Independence Day in the United States. 'Juneteenth' is celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States.

We honour the resilience, strength, and contributions of Black communities while recognizing that the work of inclusion is never finished.

Because no one is free until everyone belongs.

This is Ann-Marie.

She can often be found at one of our adult day programs. Ann-Marie is visually impaired, but that does not stop her from getting involved in one of her favourite pastimes…poker. ♠️♣️♥️♦️

Cards…✅
Card table…✅
Mastery of 5-card draw…✅
Vegas attitude…✅
Catchphrase echoing in the air…"Read ‘em and weep!" Yep...😭

Ann-Marie is part of our PSA campaign, ‘What We’re Like’, and was proud to bring herself to a wider audience to foster understanding about people with developmental disabilities. When we share in our humanity with things like a game of cards, we connect with the person, not the label.

Watch it again, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEp0cbva9Pk

Building on the momentum of last year, DDA is driving forward with pride, purpose, and perseverance. 🏎️

This year's Annual Report: Driving Change – Evolution in Real Time, reflects our commitment to adapting and responding to a changing environment while staying grounded in what matters most: supporting people with developmental disabilities to live meaningful lives as valued members of their communities.

As needs grow and evolve, DDA continues to shift gears - strengthening person-centred community living supports, employment services, and inclusion initiatives that help people build lives of their choosing.

Behind this work is a dedicated team of staff, families, and partners working together like a committed pit crew, ensuring the people we support are safe, included, and able to thrive. This report highlights progress across community living, employment, inclusion, partnerships, and organizational development. 🏆

https://youtu.be/GdB1PpeT0M4?si=Ou9khDqVkzEj0E14

To read the PDF version, go here:https://www.develop.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/DDA-Annual-Report-2026.pdf

See you next year!

DDA's Annual Report 2025/2026: Driving Change - Evolution in Real Time Last year, DDA embraced change to empower tomorrow. Today, we have ...

These days, there's an app for everything. Now, a company has developed an app that utilizes AI to enhance the accessibility of your home.

Company Uses AI To Make Homes More Accessible A team of researchers has developed a digital tool that allows an occupational therapist to assess homes remotely to identify potential hazards for people with disabilities.

The coming weekend is expected to be a bit of a scorcher in some parts of BC, with the mercury rising and likely pushing past 30 degrees.☀️

Let's all consider our loved ones with developmental disabilities or who are aging and don't function as well in the heat.

Here are some things to be aware of, and what you can do to mitigate problems that can arise.

Heat and Developmental Disabilities - Developmental Disabilities Association With summer heat in mind, it’s important to remember that people with developmental disabilities can experience difficulties regulating their body heat due to various factors.

This is Calvin.

He loves a lot of things. He also has low verbal skills, but that doesn’t stop him from getting out on the water and doing what he loves.

Life jacket? ✅
Assistive technology? ✅
Beautiful BC backdrop? ✅
White water? ✅
Kayak? ✅
Fearless attitude? Absolutely.

As an active participant in our recent PSA, 'What We’re Like', Calvin shares his passion for kayaking in British Columbia. When he’s not on the water, he’s creating art through DDA’s vibrant arts program and showcasing his work at exhibitions throughout the year.
Calvin’s story is a reminder to see the person, not the label.

If you haven’t seen our PSA, watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEp0cbva9Pk

Interested in supporting and discovering DDA artists? Learn more here: https://www.develop.bc.ca/dda-artists/

The children at our Champlain Child Development Centre marked Earth Day this year by getting their hands in the soil, embracing the natural world, and deepening their understanding of the environment around them.

While our playgrounds are designed for joyful play and carefully guided exploration, this year also offered an opportunity to reflect on the value of calmer outdoor spaces. The children were encouraged to see the outdoors through a more holistic lens, one that includes both energetic play and moments of quiet connection with nature.

Earth Day at Champlain - Developmental Disabilities Association Outdoor play is a large part of our children’s development centre programming. When Earth Day happens, we tend to do more specific learning activities about the outside world and our planet.