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What Are Developmental Disabilities? Developmental Disabilities (DD) are long-term conditions that affect how a person learns, communicates, moves, behaves, or takes care of themselves. These disabilities begin during childhood, usually before the age of 18, and continue across a person’s life. A person with a developmental disability may have challenges with: Learning and understanding new information Speaking or communicating with others Walking, movement, or coordination S

1. Introduction: Why Misunderstandings Still Exist Even though developmental disabilities are more visible in our schools, workplaces, and communities today, many people still don’t fully understand what they are. Because of this, myths and assumptions often replace facts. Some believe individuals with developmental disabilities cannot learn, work, or participate in everyday life. Others may feel unsure how to communicate or interact with them. These misunderstandings can uni

1. Introduction: Why Awareness Matters More Than Ever In every community, there are people who see and experience the world differently — people whose strengths and challenges don’t always fit into the typical path of childhood development.These individuals may move, learn, or communicate in ways that feel unique, yet they share the same dreams and emotions as anyone else: to belong, to be understood, and to live with dignity. Despite the growing use of the term “developmenta

M any families and community members who have never had experience with disabilities often wonder what daily life looks like for adults with developmental disabilities. They might imagine only medical care or at-home support — but there’s so much more to it. At Empower Living Community Services Society (ELCSS) , we believe that every person deserves a chance to learn, grow, and participate fully in their community. That’s why we created our Individualized Day Program  — a spa

Welcome to the EmpowerLiving Community Society Blog We are excited to welcome you to the official blog of EmpowerLiving Community Services Society (ELCSS).This space is created to support families, caregivers, and community members by offering practical guidance, trustworthy information, and meaningful stories about developmental disability services, senior home care, and community inclusion across the Metro Vancouver Region. To begin, we want to share who we are — and the mi