A non-profit organization in British Columbia that provides services for disabled people says it will be forced to close by the end of July after losing provincial funding. Unfortunately, this closure is an example of a broader trend of closures and budget affecting home and community-based services. Curiko, which provides free workshops and social events to about 400 people, half of whom have developmental disabilities, has operated for nearly a decade. It was created in response to research showing that social isolation has serious negative effects on mental health, physical well-being, and long-term independence.
Curiko receives about $1.2 million annually from Community Living BC, but last August learned its funding would end in March. Since then, it has relied on donations, which leaders say cannot sustain operations beyond July. According to Sarah Schulman of Curiko, the province cited “tough fiscal times” and a return to “core services.” Schulman argues that socialization itself is a core service, central to community inclusion. Most of Curiko’s budget goes to staffing, including paid peer roles for disabled people —jobs that both provide income and ensure programs reflect participants’ needs.
For many, Curiko is a source of community and routine. Its closure would leave a gap that traditional health or social services cannot easily fill. Advocates say this reflects a global crisis, including in the United States, where Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS)—programs that help disabled people and older adults live in their communities—are under strain.
HCBS is widely recognized as more humane and often more cost-effective than institutional care. However, waiting lists can last for years and workforce shortages are severe. A recent report found that 88% of disability service providers experienced moderate to severe staffing shortages in the past year, and more than two-thirds had to turn away new referrals.
State budget cuts have intensified these challenges, with some states considering limits on eligibility, service caps, or reduced reimbursement rates. Advocates warn that such measures risk undermining decades of progress toward community integration, a principle reinforced by the U.S. Supreme Court’s Olmstead v. L.C. decision, which guaranteed the right of disabled people to live in the least restrictive setting.
Although Curiko is not a medical or residential service, its focus on social connection aligns with HCBS goals: supporting independence, reducing isolation, and improving quality of life. Experts increasingly identify social isolation as a major public health issue, especially for disabled people who face barriers to employment, transportation, and community participation. Cuts to programs like Curiko—and pressures on HCBS—raise concerns that services deemed “non-essential” are often the ones that prevent more serious and costly outcomes, including mental health crises, hospitalization, or institutionalization.
There is also an economic impact. Home and Community-based services help provide employment opportunities, and funding cuts eliminate those opportunities. For people families, the loss of programs means fewer chances to build relationships and skills; for caregivers, the loss of programs means fewer sources of support.
For policymakers, the closure of organizations like Curiko and the ongoing cuts in the U.S. raise a fundamental question: What counts as an “essential” service? Advocates argue that connection is not a luxury but a foundation of inclusion, dignity, and long-term well-being. Decisions made now, will shape both service systems and the daily lives of people who rely on them.
Sources:
Judd, Amy, and Kristen Robinson. “Funding Cut for B.C. Non-Profit That Provides Services for People with Disabilities – BC.” Global News, Corus Entertainment Inc., 17 Apr. 2026, globalnews.ca/news/11805049/funding-cut-bc-non-profit-services-people-with-disabilities/.
Walsh, James. “As People with Disabilities Live Longer, Twin Cities Facilities Rework Services.” Star Tribune, Star Tribune Media Company, 28 Dec. 2025, https://www.startribune.com/as-people-with-disabilities-live-longer-twin-cities-facilities-face-more-demand-for-services/601543798