Vancouver Island Autistic Homes Society

Our Mission

VIAH’s mission is to empower and enable individuals with developmental disabilities to live fulfilling lives that they love.

Our History

Vancouver Island Autistic Homes Society (VIAH) incorporated as a Not-for-Profit Society and a Registered Charity in 1986, and opened the first of four group homes in 1990.

Founded by parents seeking to provide specialized services for their adult children with autism, VIAH designed and developed resources to address the unique needs of individuals with autism, including personal support strategies, environmental modifications, and individualized programs.

In addition to supporting individuals with autism, we have expanded, and now include services for individuals with a broad range of diverse abilities and health care needs. We also act as an information resource to parents, people with autism, schools, and other social services agencies.

With guidance from our board of directors, we work in partnership with our supported individuals and their families, our staff, our funders, and partner organizations in Greater Victoria.

Our Vision

VIAH’s vision is to create a culture where people are acknowledged and seen for who they are, and their contributes are celebrated.

We believe our mission can best be achieved in an environment which:

·         Address individual needs

·         Meet the need for genuine enjoyment of life

·         Support development of individual potential

·         Celebrate and encourage diversity

·         Parallel community living standards

·         Involve the community

·         Provide systematic training in life and leisure skills

·         Do not use aversive modes of behaviour management

·         Provide for collaborative planning

·         Use public funding effectively, economically and efficiently

·         Respect the need for effectiveness, economy and efficiency

·         Practice accountability based on accreditation standards

Values

VIAH's family and advocate driven board reflects the Society's values, and its positive approach to engagement, inclusion, and individualized programs:

A person-centred approach

Independence

Self determination

Individual rights and dignity

Community inclusion

Personal growth, respect, joy, truth, honesty, humility, integrity, caring, compassion, generosity, and kindness.

Services

VIAH currently supports nine individuals in four staffed homes established throughout Greater Victoria and Vancouver Island, and eleven individuals enjoying care in private Home Share settings. Our staff understand and focus on the unique needs of the individuals we serve, helping them live healthy and socially inclusive lives within our community, experiencing some of the life affirming activities that many people take for granted.

To provide appropriate opportunities for participation in community activities that enrich and enhance the lives of our clientele, VIAH developed its Community Inclusion Program. This program, which has been an integral part of our services for over thirty years, acts as a resource for those in the community who request information about autism services; engages our supported individuals in a variety of experiences that enhance their lives; and provides the community at large a unique chance to demonstrate acceptance and tolerance for individuals with disabilities.

Some of the activities supported individuals in our staffed homes enjoyed this year include:

• Monthly horse-back riding
• Weekly swimming
• Daily walks
• Special occasion family visits
• Weekly take-out dinner
• Daily coffee outings
• Monthly hot lunches at a restaurant
• Weekly bowling
• Weekly grocery pick-ups
• Regular family visits
• IMAX movie excursions
• Weekly church attendance
• Excursions up the Malahat Skywalk
• Visits to the local Fire Station
• Bi-weekly visits to a petting farm
• Outdoor swimming at a lake
• Outdoor movie nights
• Walks on the breakwater
• Biweekly Music in the Park
• Weekly volunteering
• Daily dance parties
• Weekly music therapy
• Daily morning yoga
• Visits to local Museums
• A ride on BC Ferries
• Daily visits to the provincial park, local green space, beach, or harbour

As we continue to fulfil on our mission to deliver a community program that benefits citizens of various abilities in British Columbia, we are grateful for financial support from the Province of British Columbia, Community Gaming Grants, and individuals like you. 

Thank you so much for your support!