On November 9th, the Disability Foundation, @@disabilityalliancebc33, @MOSAICBC. and many other organizations from around Vancouver gathered for a discussion on the experiences of Newcomers with Disabilities. Funded in part by the City of Vancouver and Vancouver Coastal Health, with the venue provided through the support of Vancouver Civic Theatres, the forum focused on the question: "How can we as a disability service community work to improve services to Newcomers with Disabilities?” Throughout this forum we:

• Heard from organizations and individuals about the experiences of Newcomers with Disabilities
• Took part in a facilitated discussion with a panel of experts, newcomer organizations, disability organizations and individuals with lived experiences
• Brainstormed solutions to barriers encountered by newcomers to Canada when trying to navigate needed services while living with a disability
• Discussed ways to inform government policy and funding
• Discovered new opportunities for collaboration and bridge building

Featuring presentations by Hugo Velazquez from MOSAIC, Adrianne Fitch from The Disability Foundation, as well as a Panel of experts comprised of representatives from organizations that serve persons with disabilities and those serving newcomers to Canada, as well as those with lived experiences as newcomers to Canada living with a Disability.

Panel of Experts:
• Raj Gill, Coordinator Customized Employment Specialist, WorkBC
• Jocelyn Maffin, Associate Director, Service Delivery, Spinal Cord Injury BC
• Jana Husseini, RDSP/DTC Community Advocate, Disability Alliance BC and Newcomer Peer Mentor, Spinal Cord Injury BC
• Sam Nikmanesh, Settlement Worker, MOSAIC
• Heather Beach, Regional Network Coordinator for the Greater Vancouver Region, Family Support Institute of BC
• Diane Wilmann, Manager of Settlement and Seniors Programs, Little Mountain Neighbourhood House
• Koyali Burman, Co-Manager, City of Vancouver - Vancouver Immigration Partnership
• Adrianne Fitch, Project Coordinator, Network Building Project

Hugo Velazquez - MOSAIC 0:00
Adrianne Fitch - Disability Foundation 06:04
Panel of Experts - 45:22
Breakout Rooms, Wrap Up, and Next Steps - 1:39:29

To learn more about the forum, please email Adrianne Fitch, Project Coordinator, Network Building Project, at afitch@disabilityfoundation.org.