The Campbell River and District Association for Community Living (affectionately known as "C.R.A.D.A.C.L." or "the Association") is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to advocate for services and/or provide services for people with specials needs, and their families, who live in the Campbell River area. The Association's intent is to enable these people to attain the greatest level of independence they wish, and to ensure that their basic human rights are respected.
C.R.A.D.A.C.L. is affiliated with Inclusion British Columbia. The Association operates under the directorship of a twelve-member volunteer Board of Directors elected in May of each year at its Annual General Meeting. These directors are responsible for ensuring that the philosophy, policies and procedures which govern all programs offered by C.R.A.D.A.C.L. remain appropriate to persons with developmental disabilities.
C.R.A.D.A.C.L. evolved from the Campbell River Association for Retarded Children which was formed in 1961 by a group of volunteer parents and School District #72. The intent was to find an alternative to the institutionalization of people with disabilities - the current practice at that time - with a view to eventually integrating them into their families' community.
Not only does C.R.A.D.A.C.L. provide a focal centre where people with special needs can enjoy the company of like persons in an atmosphere of respect and understanding, but it also permits opportunities for regular respite for families and caregivers of the Association's program participants. C.R.A.D.A.C.L. employs over 150 employees who provide physical therapy and speech-language therapy in the Early Intervention Programs, supervise adult day programs services to teach life skills, work skills and self-advocacy skills, provide supported living environments, vocation settings and staffed residential settings.
Financial support for C.R.A.D.A.C.L.'s many and diverse programs comes from the provincial Ministry of Human Resources, Ministry for Children and Family Development, Community Living British Columbia, Vancouver Island Health Authority, BC Housing Commission, Comox Valley Child Development Association, as well as from self-sufficient business enterprises owned and operated by C.R.D.A.C.L., independent fundraising efforts by staff members, and donations by members and other local individuals, businesses, and service organizations.