Developmental disability support

Get help to stay healthy, independent, and involved in your community if you are an adult with a developmental disability.

This service may include help to:

• Manage health needs, including nursing, rehabilitation, or nutrition support
• Understand and follow care plans
• Address nutrition, oral health, or communication needs related to health
• Advocate for your health needs

Health Services for Community Living (HSCL)

• HSCL clinicians deliver medical services in partnership with Community Living BC (CLBC). CLBC provides support and services through funding from The BC Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
• HSCL clinicians provide non-emergency services 
• Regional HSCL teams consist of: 
  • Nurses
  • Rehabilitation therapists
  • Dental hygienists 
  • Dieticians 
  • Speech language pathologist

Services are provided in partnership with other care providers and community supports and focus on improving well-being and reducing the need for hospital care.

Eligibility depends on your age, diagnosis, health conditions, level of need, and how much support you currently have. 

For developmental disabilities, eligibility set by the province. Talk to your case manager — or if you do not have one, call the Community Access Line and we'll walk you through it. 

Have the following details and documents ready for yourself or the person you’re calling for:

• A valid BC Services Card
• Full name
• Date of birth
• Home address

Call the Community Access Line. We’ll ask a few questions, learn what you need, and connect you with services. 

South Island: 250-388-2273 / 1-888-533-2273  Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Centre Island: 250-739-5749 / 1-877-734-4101  Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
North Island: 250-331-8570 / 1-866-928-4988
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Health Services for Community Living (HSCL): services are free if you meet Community Living BC (CLBC) eligibility requirements.

South Island Regional Resources for Adults with Disabilities (RRAD)

South Island Regional Resources for Adults with Disabilities (RRAD) provides education, clinical consultation, rehabilitation, and specialized support to adults with complex neurological health conditions. Clinicians help people re-engage in day-to-day activities to meet their health and wellbeing goals. 

These services are designed for clients whose community rehabilitation needs cannot be met by services provided by a home health team, facility, or ambulatory clinic.  

The cost of this program is free.

Services available

Speech-Language Pathology

• Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC)
• Swallowing assessment (no therapy) for clients with progressive neurological conditions

Physiotherapy

• Goal-oriented physical and functional mobility rehabilitation
• Support transition into an exercise or activity program in the community

Recreation Therapy

• Adjustment to disability through use of health coaching and self-management skill development  
• Addressing barriers to social determinants of health and community social connections
• Providing education on community resources specific to leisure interests and rehabilitation needs

Occupational Therapy

• Complex wheelchair seating
• Assistive Technology
• Goal oriented cognitive rehabilitation

Eligibility

To access RRAD, you must:

• Be 19 years of age or older and live in the South Island region
• Require complex rehabilitation following a new or changing neurological diagnosis (e.g., stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS])
• Be unable to access services provided by a home care team, ambulatory clinic, or other facility

Please note: There are some exclusions and the RRAD team is unable to see clients with:

• Major neurocognitive disorder as primary diagnosis
• Mental health and substance use as primary diagnosis

A referral from a clinician is required to access services. A separate referral is required for each service. Call our South Island Community Access Line for further information: