Variety - The Children's Charity of BC

Variety - The Children's Charity of BC Variety partners with generous donors to unlimit the lives of BC kids with disabilities and complex health needs.
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08/22/2026

Everything we do is made possible by our amazing donor community who give what they can by volunteering, donating, fundraising, and spreading the word.

We’re thankful for everyone who contributes in so many different ways to our community. There are still big gaps in disability support in BC, and you all keep showing up. Thank you!

As a new school year approaches, we’re excited to share a few updates from our school program! 📚Over the last academic y...
08/20/2026

As a new school year approaches, we’re excited to share a few updates from our school program! 📚

Over the last academic year, Variety funded 35 school grants in 23 communities across BC, helping students get the support they need to learn, participate and be included.

These grants helped fund resources like:

✅ Desk bikes and adaptive classroom furniture
✅ Outdoor mobility equipment
✅ Sensory room equipment
✅ Communication boards
✅ Playground equipment
…and more!

Are you an educator looking for new ways to support your students this year? Keep an eye on our website—the application window for our next round of school grants opens this fall!

Everett is a big Star Wars fan and lives on a hobby farm with his two younger siblings, two cats and several rescue hors...
08/19/2026

Everett is a big Star Wars fan and lives on a hobby farm with his two younger siblings, two cats and several rescue horses.

He also has several learning and coordination disorders and a form of cerebral palsy that affects his facial muscles and speech.

Regular speech therapy has helped Everett communicate in new ways. He's started riding the school bus on his own.

“Now I know he can express himself and stay safe on the bus,” says his mom, Claudia. “He can have a conversation, he can introduce himself, he even makes little jokes with people.”

It’s so exciting to see Everett grow and find new ways to express himself. Here's to starting the new school year with even more confidence!

Image description: Everett stands in front of a school bus, wearing a red t-shirt and a green backpack.

Variety is entirely supported by amazing donors who believe in building more inclusive communities across BC.Our grants ...
08/15/2026

Variety is entirely supported by amazing donors who believe in building more inclusive communities across BC.

Our grants are designed to give families as much autonomy as possible. Families choose the services, equipment and providers that are right for their child's unique circumstances.

When you donate to Variety, you're giving direct support to families, right in their homes and communities.

You’re helping kids with disabilities and complex health needs access:

✅ Adaptive and mobility equipment
✅ Specialized therapies and private assessments
✅ Mental wellness support
✅ Tuition and tutoring
✅ Accessible transportation and inclusive school equipment

Learn more about what we do: https://www.variety.bc.ca/our-impact/5-pillars-of-support/

08/14/2026

More choices mean more inclusion. 💛

When kids have more options that work for them, they have more freedom to choose how they move, play and learn.

We loved hearing Isla and her parents Ian and Kathryn talk about what that looks like for them when they joined us in the Global BC studios during .

Here’s a little throwback to that conversation. 🥰

Video description: Isla and her parents on set during Show of Hearts describe how having different mobility options expands Isla's freedom. Closed captions included.

“As a parent, the hardest thing is not having a clue how to help your kids,” says Devin, proud dad to Finn and Levi.He r...
08/12/2026

“As a parent, the hardest thing is not having a clue how to help your kids,” says Devin, proud dad to Finn and Levi.

He recently wrote a guest post for our blog about his sons’ autism diagnoses. Learning more about the unique ways they each function has really helped them thrive. “Variety has provided us the most important tool to help our children, and that is knowledge," Devin says.

"In the last year Finn has started making friends and participating in school. He has become a much happier kid. We’ve started working with a behaviour consultant and sleep consultant for Levi, and we now have the resources to buy the things he needs to feel safe and happy."

We’re so grateful to Devin for sharing a part of his family’s journey with us. Check out his post on our blog!

https://www.variety.bc.ca/news/getting-autism-support-in-bc/

Occupational therapy helps children and youth build the skills they need for everyday life—from getting dressed and eati...
08/08/2026

Occupational therapy helps children and youth build the skills they need for everyday life—from getting dressed and eating independently to playing, learning, and participating more in their communities.

Thank you to occupational therapist Pratibha Umrariya for sharing why consistent access to occupational therapy is so important, and the challenges many families face in getting the ongoing support their children need.

Check out her insights on our blog!

https://www.variety.bc.ca/news/occupational-therapy-helps-kids-build-independence/

“My boys are both bright and creative, but have had many difficulties in schoolwork and on the playground with their pee...
08/06/2026

“My boys are both bright and creative, but have had many difficulties in schoolwork and on the playground with their peers. It makes my mom-heart ache to see them struggle and not know how to help.

Watching my boys have their assessments has given me so much hope. I know that understanding their unique learning strengths and finding paths to overcome their struggles is going to have a lifelong positive impact on them. Thanks to the assessments, we now have specific plans for support and strategies for the next school year and beyond. What a gift it is to have this understanding!"

Tom and Sam received funding for psychoeducational assessments, giving them more tools to support their learning. It’s so great to get this update from their mom, Karolynn! 👏

Image description: Two young boys stand with arms around each other and big smiles. They're both wearing dark-coloured shirts and sunlight sparkles through the trees behind them.

Play is such an important part of inclusion. It’s where kids learn skills like coordination, problem solving, and teamwo...
08/05/2026

Play is such an important part of inclusion. It’s where kids learn skills like coordination, problem solving, and teamwork. Playing together is where children experience belonging and grow in empathy.

Yet children with disabilities still regularly face access barriers when they visit local playgrounds.

To address those barriers, here are some key elements of an accessible playground:

• Diverse play options
• A range of risk
• Accessible surfaces, ramps, and supportive swings
• Low and high stimulation environments
• High contrast colours, tactile signs and universal symbols
• Lots of seating and shade

What else goes on the list? Share from your own experience in the comments!

And if you’d like to learn more about how universal design principles make playgrounds better, check out our blog.

https://www.variety.bc.ca/news/what-makes-a-playground-accessible/

Image description: The playground at China Creek North in Vancouver is a good example of some universal design principles, such as rubber surfacing, a supportive swing, and a range ways to play or climb. The hill is wheelchair or stroller accessible from both the top and the bottom.

Ola is an explorer with an independent personality. She also has autism and a developmental delay and doesn’t respond to...
07/31/2026

Ola is an explorer with an independent personality. She also has autism and a developmental delay and doesn’t respond to safety cues, making it necessary for her to have an adaptive stroller to ensure she can get out and about safely.

Before receiving the stroller, her mom Theresa says that going out was almost impossible, even causing delays to important hospital appointments.

“It was such a relief when Variety funded this stroller. It’s made a huge impact in how we’re able to support my daughter,” she says. Now Ola is finally getting caught up on medical appointments and able to get out and enjoy more activities.

“For the first time in years l attended my oldest daughter's school band concert with Ola in her stroller, playing with her stuffed animals and eating Cheetos (her fav snack). We’re gradually doing things around the community as a family. We even made it to Granville Street to see some of the football decorations during FIFA.”

Thank you so much to Theresa for this update. And here’s to more adventures and possibilities for Ola!

Address

4300 Still Creek Drive
Burnaby, BC
V5C6C6

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+16043200505

Website

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