Young People with Disabilities
Young People with Disabilities
They've Been Waiting Too Long
RCY has long called for stronger services and supports. Our reports, along with the voices of families, young people, advocates and community partners, have identified long-standing gaps in access, coordination, funding, accountability and early help.
Families continue to tell RCY that services are too difficult to access, understand and navigate. RCY strongly supports early help based on a child’s needs, whether or not a diagnosis has been received.
“A staggering number of families are at their breaking point, living within a system that remains underfunded, fragmented and almost impossible to navigate. Families have been waiting too long for change and they can’t wait any longer.”
– Dr. Jennifer Charlesworth
Representative for Children and Youth
Community-based Services and Early Help
For many children and families, community-based therapies and supports can be effective, particularly when they are available early and are based on a child’s needs rather than only on diagnosis.
What We're Doing
Through advocacy, monitoring and systemic oversight, RCY identifies gaps in services, raises concerns with the government and recommends improvements. This includes examining whether services are accessible, equitable, timely, coordinated, and responsive to the needs of children, youth, and families across B.C.
RCY will continue to listen to families’ experiences, compel documentation where needed, monitor emerging issues and bring concerns forward to the government.
By the Numbers
For our report, Too Many Left Behind, more than 1,160 families and caregivers completed the RCY check-in survey and over 90 families and caregivers participated in personal interviews. The stats below were taken from this survey.
Up to
young people living with a disability may not be receiving adequate services and supports in the community and in school.
Approximately
of children in government care are there because it’s the only way for families to secure necessary support for their child.
Only
of families agree that the services they receive meet their children’s needs.
of families who do not have confidence that their children will receive the care they need in the coming three years.
Reports and Resources
RCY has reported for many years on the need for stronger, more coordinated and more equitable services for children and youth with disabilities and their families. Since 2007, RCY has made more than 50 recommendations across numerous reports to successive governments. These recommendations continue to guide RCY’s monitoring of services and supports for children, youth and families.
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