Outlook 2021-12-06 - Neil Belanger From British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society

Over 1 billion people, or approximately 15 percent of the world’s population, have disabilities. While no global data exists regarding indigenous persons with disabilities, available statistics show that indigenous peoples are disproportionately likely to experience disability in comparison to the general population. Indigenous persons with disabilities often experience multiple forms of discrimination and face barriers to the full enjoyment of their rights, based on their indigenous status and also on disability. In Canada, around 22 percent of the population have disabilities and around 80 percent of us will have a disability at some point and, even if you don’t identify as having one now, disability is the one minority you (or a loved one) can easily become a part of. Indigenous people are living with the continued results of this country’s history and present with colonialism, discrimination and prejudice which continues to touch First Nations, Metis, and Inuit communities yet today. This is one thing, but add disability to the mix and the barriers only pile on from there. The British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS) filled the need, in the 203 First Nations communities in British Columbia for more assistance and awareness. They’ve been addressing the needs of many on the unique barriers Indigenous peoples are up against in Canada and around the world by starting provincially. In 2015 with designating November as Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (IDAm) and they are making a difference and growing the reach of it all. This week on a stripped down Outlook with no theme music, we speak with BCAND’s CEO, Neil Belanger about how they’ve gone from provincial, to bringing other provinces into the fold, and are even now hearing from other Indigenous communities in places like New Zealand and the Maori peoples. This organization serves Indigenous clients with disabilities at all ages, from students needing the technology to find success in education and employment to the financial