Research & Consulting Project Highlights

Exploring Housing Options for People with Developmental Disabilities

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In April 2008, a Housing Working Group comprised of representatives of Community Living BC (CLBC), BC Housing, BC Non-Profit Housing Association (BCNPHA) and community living service providers identified the need to produce research that would identify housing gaps and barriers to affordable housing for people with developmental disabilities, as well as creative solutions to address these housing challenges. The BCNPHA hired SPARC BC to conduct this research project. SPARC BC worked in collaboration with a diverse Research Advisory Committee to conduct a rapid review of housing options for people with developmental disabilities; collect and analyze quantitative data that assesses the need for housing options for people with developmental disabilities; and to develop recommendations to address the housing challenges.

Comprehensive Accessibility Assessments

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The City of Langley used the funding from Measuring Up to hire SPARC BC to work with an advisory committee to undertake a public consultation process to determine priorities for accessibility and conduct a comprehensive community audit. With the guidance and support of the committee, SPARC BC completed an audit of the accessibility of Langley City municipal facilities, including streets, sidewalks, community centres and parks. In light of the importance of accessible tourism, SPARC BC also audited businesses in the downtown core and financial institutions, restaurants and hotels and motels. The City is now moving ahead on making accessibility improvements, and working with the Downtown Langley Merchants Association to recognizing leaders in accessibility among the business community and support other businesses to make accessibility improvements.

The District of Sooke hired SPARC BC to complete the community’s first comprehensive accessibility assessment. SPARC BC worked in collaboration with the local Measuring Up Advisory Committee to undertake a public consultation process to determine community accessibility priorities and to build awareness of accessibility issues in the community. SPARC BC completed an audit of important community facilities including municipal sites, local businesses and public facilities. The District is now in the process of forming an ongoing Accessibility Advisory Committee and is making accessibility improvements to municipal parks.

The Surrey Association for Community Living and Surrey Parks, Recreation and Culture took a different approach, hiring SPARC BC to facilitate public consultation with people with disabilities to assess how Surrey “Measures Up” in terms of including people with disabilities in the life of the community. They identified barriers and opportunities for employment and volunteering, and full participation in recreation and leisure activities.

If you are considering doing an accessibility assessment or an accessibility plan in your community and would like further information about SPARC BC’s research and consulting services, please contact Robyn Newton, Manager of Research and Consulting at SPARC BC at 604-718-7757 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Removing Barriers to Work

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Completed with Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) (2008)

Economic Security Project- Removing Barriers to Work: Flexible Employment Options for People with Disabilities. SPARC BC contributed to the research for this report that was launched by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives on February 22nd. This study discovered that some people with disabilities need a combination of income assistance and employment in order to function to their full capacity. Current restrictions often discourage this population from participating in the labour market.

Click to access report on CCPA website

Family Relations Act Review

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Completed for Ministry of the Attorney General (2008)

This project is part of the review of the Family Relations Act being undertaken by the Ministry of the Attorney General. SPARC BC’s role is to support inclusive participation in reform of the Family Relations Act, in particular, by consulting with stakeholders and with people who have been through the Family Law system as a result of divorce or separation. The project was expanded in the fall to include consultation with children aged 11-17 whose families have been through the system.

Refugee Assistance Program

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Completed for Citizenship and Immigration Canada (2007)

Refugee Assistance Program (RAP). We completed our report for Citizenship and Immigration Canada in October. This study compares the income supports provided to government assisted refugees to income assistance rates in 15 communities across Canada for various family types. We found that once supplements and government benefits are factored into the basic rates, the RAP income supports surpass the Social Assistance income supports in all 15 settlement locations. Despite this, the income supports for almost all household types still fell below the accepted poverty lines in Canada.

Report - SPARC BC FINAL RAP REPORT

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