About Our Centre
The Richmond Centre for Disability (RCD) is not-for-profit, disability-led and community-based, providing service to entire communities on disability issues. Our Charitable Organization Number is 88832 8432 RR0001.
Click here to download a RCD Brochure
Click here to get info for becoming a member
Click here to view the entire family of RCD Board and Staff
RCD is about PEOPLE
The RCD is a grass root organization run by people with disabilities for people with disabilities. Every year close to 10,000 Canadians with disabilities, their families, communities and stakeholders benefit from our support and services across the Lower Mainland.
We take a cross and multi-disability, self-directed and inclusive approach. We support Independent Living (IL) for persons with disabilities. IL is not a special interest; IL is mainstream and serves entire communities. IL principles and practices are based on human dignity and individual rights for all, enabling and empowering access and adaptation; not maintenance, institutionalization and lack of control. IL is about people – all people.
Our Mission
The mission of RCD is to empower people with disabilities to participate in the community to the level of their desires and abilities by providing information, resources, support and by increasing community awareness and accessibility.
Our Visions
The RCD is a consumer centred organization committed to enabling all people with disabilities in making informed choices, creating opportunities, meeting their goals and reaching their full potential.
We offer an empowering, friendly environment where we work to provide quality services that lead to inclusion for people with disabilities and greater public awareness.
We strive to achieve our mission by being financially sustainable with secured corporate and government funding, revenue generating programs and proactive fundraising efforts.
Our Values
We believe in our role and responsibility to provide quality assistance, services and resources to people with disabilities.
We are committed to upholding the Independent Living Philosophy through self-determination, openness, flexibility and consumer-based decision-making.
We believe in supporting people in a welcoming, friendly and respectful manner that honours the dignity of the person and their individual needs.
We believe in empowerment through support, encouragement, feedback and positive role modeling.
Our Core Values
Dignity, Knowledge, Diversity, Self-Determination
What is Independent Living IL?
IL is a philosophy, a way of changing the way society views people with disabilities and the way people with disabilities view themselves. It is a worldwide Movement of, by and for people with disabilities working together to remove attitudinal and environmental barriers that prevent full participation in society.
At the heart of the IL Movement is working with individuals to build the skills and capacities that are necessary to lead a health and participatory life within their homes and communities alike. Such skill building and empowerment creates a shared awareness and understanding of the issues, barrier and desires that shape one’s life. This common understanding serves as a supportive base from which to work towards full integration.
People with disabilities are provided with the knowledge and skills to explore options, make choices, take risks, and learn from their own mistakes as they themselves decide on a course of action for their daily lives.
To find out more about Independent Living (IL), click here.
To understand the IL Philosophy, click here.
To learn about the History of IL in Canada, click here.
The RCD is an accredited member of the Independent Living Canada (IL Canada), formerly the Canadian Association of Independent Living Centres, and works with other centres across Canada to promote independent living
