All of us feel vulnerable at some time during our daily lives. It could be that you feel like someone is following you home. Or maybe a group of kids try to intimidate you at a bus stop. Or maybe you just get lost and need to ask directions.

Our natural instinct is to look around for someone to help, preferably someone we know informally like a neighbour or a bus driver. But many people with developmental disabilities have a harder time making these kinds of informal connections. They can be more socially isolated, which puts them at greater risk when they face situations where they feel vulnerable.

Community Living BC (CLBC), a provincial Crown agency, believes adults with developmental disabilities and their families have the right to pursue “good lives in welcoming communities”.

Part of a good life for people is feeling safe where they live, go to school, work and play. One important way to make sure that people are safe is through what are called “safeguards.” Safeguards are actions that are taken to help reduce the risk that someone will be harmed. Informal safeguards are a network of people in a community that can help a person with developmental disabilities feel safe and secure.

CLBC is committed to providing education, support and leadership to encourage these kinds of relationships. The “Start with Hi” campaign supports this commitment by encouraging shop-keepers, bus drivers, neighbours, letter carriers, bank tellers, community members and others to just say “Hi” to a person that they see regularly who has a developmental disability.

When you say “Hi”, look them in the eye and let them know you’re a friendly person.

You don’t need to worry about saying the “right thing”. People with developmental disabilities have the same skills, interests and talents as other British Columbians. Just start with “Hi” and take it from there. It can be the start of a small connection that will help establish a sense of belonging in a community.

“Start with Hi” includes a website, startwithhi.ca, that encourages British Columbians to share their stories of acknowledgement and inclusion. It also has links to show people how they can become more involved.

As well, there are campaign posters and brochures featuring five people with developmental disabilities from five communities across the province who all have different experiences and stories about inclusion.

CLBC encourages organizations that welcome the general public to order copies for display by calling their local CLBC office (the number can be found at www.communitylivingbc.ca or in the blue pages of your local phonebook).

Saying “Hi” is a simple act of kindness. We ask everyone to help spread the word that through this simple act you can have a huge impact on keeping people safe – and helping to build safer, more inclusive and welcoming communities.