Enhancing Inclusivity and Cultural Responsiveness of Caregiver Peer Support: A Case Study of Promising Practices from a Community-Based Disability Support Organization

Background: Caregiver peer support fosters resilience and well-being among families of children with disabilities by providing empathic connection embedded in shared lived experience. However, peer support programs have historically struggled to reach families whose experiences of disability intersect with additional diverse identities, such as Indigenous, newcomer, and LGBTQ2S+ families. These groups often face distinct cultural, linguistic, and systemic barriers that shape how, when, and whether peer support feels accessible or relevant. Despite growing recognition of these disparities, there remains limited empirical guidance on how community organizations can embed inclusivity and cultural safety across their structures and practices.Objectives: This study examined how the Family Support Institute of British Columbia (FSI)—a peer-based nonprofit—operationalizes inclusion and cultural responsiveness within its policies, staffing, and relationships. The research addressed three questions: (1) How does FSI identify and respond to inequities in access to peer support across communities with intersecting sociocultural identities? (2) How do its practices align with community-identified needs? (3) What opportunities exist to expand the reach and relevance of its support?Methods: A descriptive single-case study design integrated semi-structured interviews (n = 12) with FSI staff, board members, and Indigenous Advisory Circle representatives, alongside document review of strategic and policy materials. Reflexive thematic analysis guided data interpretation, supported by community-engaged validation and member checking.Results: Four themes captured how FSI advances inclusivity: (1) addressing barriers to equitable peer support, (2) building culturally safe and inclusive support, (3) organizational strategies and change processes, and (4) evidencing early cultural and structural shifts in engagement and impact. Initiatives such as creating an Indigenous Practice Advisor role, Indigenous Advisory Circle, and culturally responsive staff role re-alignment exemplify systemic rather than separate additive approaches to equity.Conclusions: FSI’s experience highlights how community-based organizations can translate reconciliation and equity principles into everyday practice. Sustained relationship-building, Indigenous mentorship, and flexible resource allocation were key drivers of trust and inclusion. Embedding these principles across organizational systems offers a promising pathway to dismantle structural barriers and strengthen culturally safe supports for all families.