BCEdAccess Society is an entirely volunteer-run organization serving families of students with disabilities and complex learners all over the province of British Columbia. Our parent support group has over 1600 members and stories shared on our private discussion board daily illustrate the depth of the challenges families face in pursuing equitable access to education in BC schools.
Our History:
BCEdAccess began when a small group of parents gathered together in a Facebook group around the end of 2014. Tracy Humphreys set up this group because although she was able to find many great organizations of parents working together to support specific disabilities, there was none that gathered all of the parents together to discuss the issues that all of these groups have in common in trying to access education for their children. The group was fortunate to have some very strong and long-term parent advocates join as founding members, setting the tone and direction of the organization that has continued to today.
What we do:
On November 21, 2018, seeing that the need for this group is ongoing, we incorporated the BCEdAccess Society. Our Constitution and Purpose states:
“We champion and support children and youth who have disabilities and who are complex learners to reach their full potential in BC education, and in all aspects of their lives.
This is achieved through supporting families, sharing information, providing education to families, allies, professionals and students, providing community engagement and awareness, and other activities to promote equitable access to education and inclusion for all.”
If you are a parent or guardian in British Columbia looking for support, knowledge and information regarding inclusive education in our Province, please email bcedaccess@gmail.com and request an invitation to our online support group. To learn more about why BCEdAccess exists, please visit this post: Why This Page
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Tracy Humphreys, Founder and Chair
Tracy is a mom with ADHD and a parent of three children with disabilities. She has been an active volunteer in BC schools for over 20 years, as a board member on her local PACs, the District PAC in Victoria (VCPAC), and as a BCCPAC representative for VCPAC. She served as Board Vice President of Elizabeth Buckley School for 3 years. She is currently a consultant CEO for beauty companies, a partner in CareQuadrant, and a full time volunteer advocate for children with disabilities in schools in BC, in her capacity with BCEdAccess.
Nicole Kaler, Treasurer
Nicole has 3 school aged children in the Surrey School District. After her eldest child’s Autism diagnosis, Nicole dedicated herself to becoming a career parent committed to the caregiving and advocacy required to support her daughter. Nicole is currently focused on the volunteerism and community activism that can leverage the experience and knowledge that she has acquired in the process of securing her daughter’s right to an education. Her efforts have included advocacy at the school level, various political levels, and ultimately within the Human Rights Tribunal process.
Nicole works with BCEdAccess to use her experiences to empower parents and challenge our education system so that all children have an equitable opportunity and a safe and healthy experience in BC public schools.
Chantelle Morvay-Adams, Secretary
Chantelle is a passionate advocate for Inclusion. Her journey started over 11 years ago with the birth of her first son. A life full of detours, this new one in her life catapulted her into the role of advocate.
She believes creating connections in our local communities can help strengthen understanding of our diverse identities that will ultimately help those historically marginalized to flourish and to reach their full potential.
This has led her to take up the role of DPAC CO-CHAIR for the Mission School District, helping support other parents navigate the school environment for their families through knowledge and experience. She also started an Inclusion Subcommittee at her children’s school to foster a mindset of Inclusion within the school community.
She currently has a radio show on CIVL 101.7 Campus and Community Radio in Abbotsford called All In which delves into what Inclusion means to the individual and society as a whole.
Advisory Board:
The Board of Directors of the BCEdAccess Society works with a dedicated group of active volunteers comprising our Advisory Board, who moderate the Facebook group and help plan and execute group actions. Individually and collectively, members of our discussion group take up action which we support and promote.
