Advocacy is in our name—and at the heart of everything we do.
For over 30 years, PLAN has partnered with families and people with disabilities to achieve two critical goals:
- Empowering people with disabilities to live meaningful lives in their communities, surrounded by caring, healthy, and supportive relationships.
- Providing families with peace of mind about the future, knowing their loved ones will be safe, secure, and supported for the rest of their lives.
The innovative model created by our founders has inspired family-led groups around the world to take action in their own communities. As a socially innovative organization, PLAN continues to adapt to the changing realities faced by people with disabilities and their families.
Why Planning and Advocacy Matter
Planning for a good life includes many moving parts: navigating complex systems, building supportive networks, and making fast-paced decisions. For aging parents and caregivers, this can feel overwhelming. But with the advocacy and guidance of knowledgeable experts, combined with the support of caring relationships, it’s possible to create dynamic, effective plans that ensure people with disabilities live meaningful lives while giving families the peace of mind they deserve.
The Role of PLAN’s Family Advocate
As a family-led organization, PLAN listens to the evolving needs of families and works collaboratively to create meaningful solutions. In 2016, in response to an increasing number of complex challenges faced by families, we introduced the role of Family Advocate.
PLAN’s Family Advocate supports families by helping them mobilize both formal and informal networks to:
- Navigate government ministries, service providers, and legal systems
- Access funding, resources, and housing options
- Collaborate with health professionals and other community supports
Here’s how families have described the impact of PLAN’s Family Advocate:
“Now I can be more involved in supporting and planning for my brother. For years, bureaucratic processes blocked this from happening. PLAN helped me understand the systems, talk to the right people, and know what to say.”
“Our family struggled to find an accessible apartment for our daughter in Vancouver that fits her needs and our budget. PLAN connected us with a supportive service provider and guided us through the funding process. The team at PLAN are our go-to people!”
“We know our son will eventually need to live on his own. Since he’s not eligible for CLBC funding, PLAN helped us connect with others in similar situations. They provide information, options, and regular check-ins to ensure we’re supported.”
A Community-Driven Approach to Advocacy
Planning and advocacy are at the core of PLAN’s mission to support families and their loved ones with disabilities. Whether through the Lifetime Membership, Family Support and Leadership, or Planning and Advocacy, PLAN continues to empower families, build community, and create meaningful solutions for the future.
If you’d like to learn more about how PLAN’s Planning and Advocacy program can support your family, we’d love to hear from you! Email us at hello@plan.ca.
Together, we can create a future filled with connection, security, and peace of mind.