Information & Referral

Helping You Navigate Life with a Disability

At the Victoria Disability Resource Centre, our Information & Referral (I&R) Program is your first stop for support, answers, and connection. We respond to over 600 inquiries every month—helping people with disabilities, their families, and service providers find the right information and resources quickly and compassionately.

We don’t just hand out pamphlets—we listen, ask questions, and work with you to find real solutions. Every inquiry is met with empathy, respect, and confidentiality.

Availability

Our I&R services at the VDRC are available from 9am – 4pm, Mondays to Thursdays and 9am – 2pm on Fridays. We also offer a weekly workshop on applying for the provincial Persons with Disability (PWD) designation for financial or health support on Wednesdays at 2:30 pm.

What We Offer

The I&R program can provide knowledge and information about a variety of topics including:

• Assistance applying for various programs and benefits: the Provincial Persons with Disabilities (PWD) designation, Canada Pension Plan-Disability, the Disability Tax Credit, the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP), Old Age Security, Guaranteed Income Supplement, and more.
• Assistance with filling out other forms: insurance forms, medical equipment applications, and long-term disability.
• Employment: employment service programs for people with disabilities.
• Education: accessing funding through Canadian study grants for people with disabilities and possible student loan forgiveness for students with disabilities.
• Housing resources: applying for the B.C. Housing Registry and applying for monthly rental subsidies.
• Mental health services: local support groups and options for subsidized counselling.
• Health supports: organizations where individuals can loan/borrow mobility devices, get information about provincial Medical Services Only (MSO) coverage, and find out about accessing affordable dentistry.
• Advocacy: referrals to other organizations who provide advocates.
• Transportation: applying for and using handyDART and obtaining a provincially issued bus pass for individuals with the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) designation.
• Recreation and leisure services: programs that promote and provide recreational activities for people with disabilities.
• And, more!

Weekly Information Sessions: Understanding the PWD Designation

***Please note the PWD Information Session has been moved to Thursdays***

The Victoria Disability Resource Centre (VDRC) hosts free weekly information sessions every Thursday at 2:30 PM to support individuals navigating the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) designation process in British Columbia.

These sessions provide a step-by-step walkthrough of the application process, outline eligibility criteria, and explore the full range of benefits available under the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities (EAPWD) Act.

Delivered via Zoom and can be accessed by computer, smart device: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84446458231

Or by calling 1-778-907-2071 and use Meeting ID: 844 4645 8231. 

*Registration is NOT required*

You can now view a recording of the session on YouTube: https://youtu.be/63wCqajMHU0

What our service users are saying about the program and staff

“The VDRC was absolutely, without question, the cornerstone connection I needed to make in the year my life became completely unbearable. Not only were all the staff very kind and managed to keep me mostly calm, (a difficult feat;)  they also made me feel extremely welcome and no question was too much. They are a wealth of information and an incomparable resource in both their knowledge and skill sets. This community doesn’t know how lucky they are to have them!  My daunting PWD application took an extraordinary amount of effort and time. Without their support along the way…I just can’t imagine where I would be right now. Lomie was my go to person and I know after having been through this process, she will continue to be my information guru for whenever a disability question shall arise. I am grateful for a lifetime for what I experienced at the VDRC.” Emma

“I attended an online Zoom session hosted by VDRC for a PWD (Persons with Disabilities) information session, where I had the chance to connect with Lomie. I needed assistance to fill out my PWD application—not only because English isn’t my first language, but also because I wanted to ensure I included all the necessary information for a successful application. Initially, I expected there would be a fee for this service, as I’d previously paid for similar help with my DTC application, knowing how much time and effort goes into this kind of support. However, this service was provided free of charge, which was a tremendous financial relief. Most importantly, from the very start, Lomie was incredibly patient, kind, flexible, and willing to go the extra mile. We had several email exchanges and a Zoom meeting, and each interaction was thorough, respectful, and empathetic. Completing the application can be emotionally challenging, but Lomie made sure I felt understood, safe, and free from judgment, which made the process much easier. I highly recommend Lomie and VDRC to anyone who needs support with their PWD application. The assistance I received was not only highly professional but also genuinely heartwarming.”

“Thank you again, Sabrina [formerly Rowan], for going above and beyond to answer all my questions and provide so many valuable resources for me to check out!”

“I could not have [applied for PWD] without your unending patience, guidance and kindness. Just in our interactions alone, you helped me so much in what was, as promised a very, very stressful ordeal indeed.”

“Due to overwhelm of circumstances in addition to disability, reading info online is boggling so it is more challenging to follow up written/linked info, BUT Sabrina [formerly Rowan] gives great, personable explanations over the phone and the way in which she organises the info in written form is exceptional. I can tell a great deal of work went into having those links and resources handy to put together in real-time while we meet. Being able to call a single person and get consolidated info of all possible resources from a friendly, compassionate person who is able and willing to answer all my questions as they arise (by both email and during meetings) means a lot. I feel that much more supported for having reached out to you all. Thank you ever so much.”

“We definitely credit you, and VDRC, with our success in [applying for PWD]. It started with the online zoom info session that you did with UVic, then continuing with the support you gave us re persisting with the Band office, and finally the two in‐person work sessions were extremely helpful. Thank you, thank you, thank you!! The work you do is amazing.”

“Thank you so much for the information. Again, you are one of the most helpful representatives I have ever spoke with. I love the fact people still take pride in what they do and are great at doing it.”

“I am so grateful for the support that I have received from Sabrina [formerly Rowan]. I have been welcomed in every way, in every physical and emotional state that happens to present that day. Working with Sabrina has helped me to achieve the practical goals of being approved for PWD and DTC and overcome feelings of shame/frustration/anger that have come up along the way. I have learned about the many resources available. I am unpacking my own internalized ableism and grieving the loss of my prior abilities and I am consistently met with kindness, support, and inspiration to move forward with the abilities and skills that I do have. Thanks Sabrina! You have contributed such light to a very difficult time in my life. <3”

We acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.