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In the effort of keeping every one of our staff members and volunteers safe and healthy, we kindly ask that you do not come into the office.
Please call us and let us know that you are needing to make a change to your appointment. We are more than happy to make accommodations, whether that be doing a phone appointment or moving your appointment to another day!
It is with heavy hearts that we bid farewell to Joanne Neubauer, a dedicated soul whose commitment to the Action Committee of Persons with Disabilities (ACPD) spanned nearly five decades.
Joanne’s journey with ACPD (originally known as the Handicap Action Committee) began as a University of Victoria social work student. Her unwavering dedication to serving our community of People with Disabilities, both locally and nationally, has left an indelible mark on our organization and the lives of those we support.
Joanne’s contributions were monumental, shaping Municipal, Provincial and Federal policy, establishing programs such as: Choice in Supports for Independent Living (CSIL); advocating for accessible public transportation; and, founding the Victoria Disability Resource Center.
Her clarity of vision and steadfastness were pillars upon which many of us leaned on in times of uncertainty. Joanne’s resilience in the face of adversity was truly remarkable, a quality that inspired us time and time again. In her presence, one couldn’t help but be reminded of the determined spirits of individuals like Greta Thunberg. Her tireless advocacy of programs emphasizing self-determination for Persons with Disabilities and her pivotal role in lobbying government for accessibility initiatives such as low-floor buses, Joanne’s voice resonated as a beacon of hope and progress for all Canadians.
Joanne possessed the ability to command a room with just a single glance. Her deep understanding of the issues facing People with Disabilities and her unwavering clarity of purpose, Joanne was instrumental in effecting meaningful change in our Victoria community.
As we bid farewell to our dear friend, mentor, and inspiration, let us carry forward her legacy with the same passion, determination, and unwavering commitment to making our world a better place. Though Joanne may have left us in body, her spirit will continue to guide and inspire us for generations to come.
For more details on her incredible achievements and the achievements of ACPD please visit our website at ACPD50 yrs.ca.
Please join us as we gather to celebrate the life of Founder and President of ACPD JOANNE NEUBAUER along with her family.
Her leadership and contributions to the disabled community within the City of Victoria, British Columbia, and across Canada will be her legacy, and the staff and volunteers of ACPD will miss her greatly.
All current and former staff and volunteers are invited to attend
If you cannot attend in person, I have provided a Zoom Link below so you may attend online.
Each year the Huus Family, in partnership with Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island (formerly Queen Alexandra Foundation for Children) and generous donors, award bursaries to support the education of students with disabilities.
The purpose of the fund is to provide bursaries, in the range of $500 – $5,000 annually per recipient, to assist persons with disabilities to undertake or continue their post-secondary education at an accredited post-secondary institution in British Columbia and Alberta. Bursaries may be used for items such as tuition fees, textbooks, equipment, transportation, residence and support worker costs.
The bursary was established in 1988 by the family of Lisa Pauline Huus, a sociology student at the University of Victoria. “Lisa fought for her rights to go to university and be treated just like any other student,” says her mother Annie Huus. “We established this fund so that students with physical challenges like Lisa can access much needed financial support to pursue their educational dreams.”
If you know an individual with a disability, who is looking to begin or continue their post-secondary education and could benefit from financial support, we encourage you to share this information with them. Please visit https://islandkidsfirst.com/lisa-huus-bursary/ for more information on the story behind the Lisa Huus Bursary, eligibility requirements and the application process. Additionally, you can email bursaries@islandkidsfirst.com or call 236.470.2137 to speak to one of our staff about this opportunity.
The deadline for applications isMay 31, 2024.
We hope you will share this information with the students in your life, and across your networks. We have also included a PDF with information about this bursary which can be posted at your educational institution, and in your community. Thank you in advance for helping us share this opportunity!
