For five years, Tim has been a valued member of the team at Tendon Kohaku through the Developmental Disabilities Association’s Jobs West Employment Program, which is partially funded by Community Living British Columbia. His success is a powerful reminder that when people with developmental disabilities are given the chance to prove themselves, their disability fades into the background. Five years of hard work, commitment, and belonging is more than a milestone; it’s proof that inclusive workplaces make businesses stronger and lives better. At Jobs West, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to contribute, grow, and succeed. Tim’s story is exactly why that work matters. #MondayMotivation #disabilityawareness #employment #inclusion

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. #summerready #summertime #summerheat develop.bc.ca/heat-and-devel…

Let's gooooo!!!! DDA staff and clients are looking forward to our watch parties and getting on board with Team Canada!! #FIFA #WorldCup #Canada

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: youtube.com/watch?v=PEp0cbva… Interested in supporting and discovering DDA artists? Learn more here: develop.bc.ca/dda-artists/ #seethepersonnotthelabel #inclusion #kayakinglife

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. develop.bc.ca/earth-day-at-c…

🤖DDA TECH REVIEW🤖 Here at DDA, we take the time to check out the latest apps that aid in learning and problem-solving that might be of benefit for people with cognitive impairments. In this tech review, our assistive tech department looks at 'Winky Think', an app that begins with simple colour matching to multi-step puzzles to solve. #learning #technology #assistivetechnology develop.bc.ca/tech-reviews/t…

June 5th is World Environment Day, observed by the United Nations. It's a message that bears repeating - look after our planet. Across DDA programs, the people we support participate in activities that connect them with their communities and the environment. From backyard gardens and outdoor recreation to recycling initiatives to cozy and earthy safe spaces at our child care locations, we embrace our home. Let's make it better for those to come. #WorldEnvironmentDay

June is National Indigenous History Month. A time to celebrate the histories, cultures, traditions, and contributions of Indigenous People across Canada. It's also an opportunity to listen, learn, and reflect on the ongoing journey of truth and reconciliation. This month, we honour Indigenous voices, stories, and communities, and recognize the profound impact they have on our country every day. #NationalIndigenousHistoryMonth #truthandreconciliation #IndigenousVoices #IndigenousHistoryMonth rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1466…

This is Danny. A proud Indigenous man and resident of DDA’s Minoru group home in Richmond, Danny took part in our public service announcement, 'What We’re Like'. In the video, Danny shares one of his many passions: playing the harmonica. Music is a big part of his life, as is his connection to his culture. Together, they help shape who he is and the way he connects with the world around him. Our PSA has been seen tens of thousands of times, inspiring people to See the Person, Not the Label. Watch it here: youtube.com/watch?v=PEp0cbva… #seethepersonnotthelabel #BehindTheScenesMagic

A lot can happen in three months! Take a look at the 2026 summer edition of DDA's Star magazine and see what the association and its clients have been up to since February! From a new PSA to a party with Elvis to a fresh new assistive tech review, we have lots to share! We're looking forward to a fun and warm summer; we hope you are too! ☀️ #summer #funinthesun develop.bc.ca/the-dda-star-s…

Before everyone gets busy for the summer, DDA has two support groups in June to assist the Vietnamese and Japanese communities. As usual, our support groups are free to attend, and translation services are available. You can follow the link to register. develop.bc.ca/events/

It's National AccessAbility Week! Accessibility is more than physical spaces; it’s about how people experience the world. For people with developmental disabilities, barriers can include sensory overload, unclear communication, or inflexible systems. At DDA, we recognize neurodiversity as a strength and are committed to building spaces that are flexible, inclusive, and supportive of different ways of thinking and being. True accessibility means belonging. #nationalaccessibilityweek #neurodiversity #InclusionMatters #Accessibility canada.ca/en/employment-soci…

Apart from community living, child care is another of DDA's pillars of support. 👶👧🧒 After increasing spending in child care and for kids with disabilities, the provincial government wants to hear from parents, educators, and service providers. Have your say on the future of child care in BC. #childcare #spending #future #families #ece #educators news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2026…

🌈 June is Pride Month 🌈 You don't get to be half-visible. If you're queer and living with a disability, your whole self deserves to be seen, celebrated, and supported. In June, we celebrate 2SLGBTQIA people with developmental disabilities, while also acknowledging the intersections they exist in. The layered realities of ableism, homophobia, transphobia, racism, and other barriers that many people face at the same time are struggles only they understand. At DDA, we remain committed to a future where everyone - across ability, gender identity, and sexual orientation has the right to be seen, heard, and included. Nothing less. #pridemonth #lgbtq2 #inclusion #intersections

This is Elliot. He’s been an important part of our PSA outreach campaign, and reflects what What We’re Like is all about—seeing people for our shared humanity, not our differences. Elliot likes to look sharp, and he does it well. Po'Boy hat ✅ Studded leather jacket ✅ Solid button-down shirt ✅ Jeans folded at the bottom ✅ Brogues on the feet ✅ All swagger ✅ Our PSA has been seen tens of thousands of times, inspiring people to See the Person, Not the Label. Watch it here: youtube.com/watch?v=PEp0cbva… #seethepersonnotthelabel #BehindTheScenesMagic

🏁 The light is green, and we’re heading full speed into the future. Join us for DDA’s AGM: Driving Change – Evolution in Real Time This year’s race-inspired theme celebrates innovation, teamwork, adaptability, and the incredible momentum driving our organization forward. Every member of DDA's pit crew - including the people we support - plays a vital role in driving change and pushing inclusion forward. 📍 100-10271 Shellbridge Way, Richmond, BC (building 10) 📅 June 17th, 2026 ⏰ Registration begins at 6:30 PM, meeting at 7:00 PM Buckle up — the next lap starts now. 🏎️ Please RSVP by June 5th to (604) 233-5403 or rsvp@develop.bc.ca Parking information to follow, Zoom link available. #DrivingChange #evolutioninrealtime #annualgeneralmeeting

On May 20th, DDA Family Supports and Jobs West had the pleasure of attending the Richmond Transition Fair at MacNeill Secondary School. This event was a wonderful opportunity to connect with families, meet potential clients, and engage with our valuable community partners. We’re grateful to be part of such a supportive and collaborative network, helping individuals and families navigate their transition journeys. Thanks for including DDA and to everyone who made this event a success! ☺️ #mondaymotivation #mondayvibes #disabilityemployment #DisabilityEmploymentService