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What's New/General Information and ResourcesThis page was updated on: 10/23/2011 New Book - Meeting the Challenge: A Guide to Respectful, Effective Planning, Advocacy and Support With People Who Have Puzzling Behaviour, by Susannah Joyce Meeting the Challenge is based on positive approaches that provide valuable information to support people who are struggling with behaviour. For more information on this 175 page book, and ordering information please click here for a pdf. Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program for Persons with Disabilities (RRAP — Disabilities) - (11/09/11) Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) offers financial assistance to allow homeowners and landlords to pay for modifications to make their property more accessible to persons with disabilities. These modifications are intended to eliminate physical barriers, imminent safety risks and improve the ability to meet the demands of daily living within the home. Click here for more information and eligiblity requirements. Invitation to Participate in an important research study - (10/23/11) BCACL Board Member and UBC School of Nursing professor Jennifer Baumbusch, along with former BCACL Board Member and UBC School of Social Work professor Tim Stainton and Rachelle Hole of UBC-Okanagan School of Social Work are conducting a study looking at healthcare for aging adults with Intellectual Disabilities in BC. BCACL is the community partner on this project, and we hope that member organization EDs can participate in supporting this important study. They are forming a Community Advisory Committee for the study and are looking for EDs across the province who would be interested in engaging in this project. Please see additional information click here for PDF, and, if you would like to participate, please contact Dr. Jennifer Baumbusch at jennifer.baumbusch@nursing.ubc.ca. GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES REVIEW OF THE REGISTERED DISABILITY SAVINGS PLAN - (10/22/11) The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, today announced the launch of the Government of Canada’s review of the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). Minister Flaherty made the announcement this morning at the Association pour l’intégration sociale d’Ottawa. The Government is inviting stakeholders to comment on RDSPs to ensure that the plans are meeting the needs of Canadians with severe disabilities and their families. “It is important for those who benefit from these plans to give their input, so that RDSPs continue to accurately reflect and address their true needs,” said Minister Flaherty. The RDSP is widely regarded as a major policy innovation and positive development in helping to ensure the long-term financial security of children with severe disabilities. The RDSP was introduced in Budget 2007 and became available in 2008. Budget 2008 announced that the program would be reviewed three years after plans became operational. The review will seek input on a number of important topics that are crucial to the success of the RDSP. These include issues related to establishing plans, accessing plan savings, plan termination, and the administration of the RDSP program. Individuals, families, groups representing Canadians with disabilities, financial institutions and experts in the field are encouraged to share their views on these and other relevant issues. Comments can be sent to the Department of Finance at RDSP-REEI@fin.gc.ca or to the address below. The closing date for comments is December 16, 2011. RDSP Review Tax Policy Branch Department of Finance L’Esplanade Laurier 16th Floor, East Tower 140 O’Connor Street Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G5 Facsimile: 613.943.5597 For more information, http://www.fin.gc.ca/n11/11-103-eng.asp BCACL - MLA Initiative (08/23/11) We believe that when an individual with disabilities and/or families who have a relative with a disability build meaningful and lasting relationships with their MLA, their representative understands what is important to them and their family. Their MLA will also make more informed decisions when setting policies and creating budgets. Download PDF for more information. Criminal Record Check Policy: Service Delivery for IF and Microboards - (06/30/11) CLBC complies with the Criminal Records Review Act (CRRA) that sets out mandatory requirements for criminal record checks on persons working with vulnerable adults, which includes all individuals supported by CLBC, in order to help protect those vulnerable adults from financial, physical or sexual abuse. The CLBC Criminal Record Check Policy: Service Delivery supports CLBC’s compliance with the CRRA as it applies to service providers who work with individuals supported by CLBC. The CLBC policy also establishes CLBC’s requirement for driver’s abstracts to be completed on persons who may drive individuals supported by CLBC. Criminal record checks and driver’s abstract reviews are a formal safeguard which help ensure the safety and wellbeing of individuals and form part of CLBC’s comprehensive approach to safeguards. Click here to see the new documents from the CLBC website. Sibling Jam - (05/24/11) every Thursday, 6:30pm to 8:30pm starting May 12th at the PLAN office - #260-3665 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC Two very dynamic young women have arranged to meet with adults that have a brother or sister with a disability. They are keen and have some great ideas on how to embrace the differences all siblings experience when growing up with a special brother or sister. As well they will address the responsibilities of growing up and continuing a relationship with their brothers and sisters and how that may change overtime. Both Cat and Sylvie have lived this life themselves and met as a result of their sisters. They are both highly educated and plan to continue their education this fall, one in a form of art therapy and the other as an occupational therapist. Please RSVP by May 11th, 2011 or for more information: call 604.346.1890 or email sylivie.rousseau@gmail.com or main_cat@hotmail.com Special Needs Summer Camp Subsidy - (05/09/11) The Cerebral Palsy Association of BC is excited to be able to offer a special needs camp subsidy to assist children, teens and adults with Cerebral Palsy, across BC, in attending a summer camp. Money is available to help pay the camp fee and/or transportation charges. Please advise parents and individuals of the availability of these funds. An application can be downloaded as a pdf by clicking here. It must be received, at our office, no later than June 13, 2011. Camp Subsidy Committee will review applications and recipients will be notified by July 18, 2011. For more information contact Feri at 604.408.9484 or toll free at 1.800.663.0004 GO4KIDDS: New study funded by CIHR - (02/04/11) looking at kids with severe developmental disabilities The Great Outcomes for Kids Impacted by Severe Developmental Disabilities project - GO4KIDDS - is a university based research study examining the health, wellbeing and social inclusion of Canadian children with severe developmental disabilities and their families. We are conducting a series of research projects including surveys, interviews, direct observation and case studies. The age range we are studying is school-aged children, approximately age 6 to 18 years, who have an intellectual/developmental disability in the moderate, severe or profound range. Children may also have a global developmental delay, developmental handicap, or mental retardation, as well as some physical disabilities, autism, and/or behaviour problems/mental health problems. There are currently two Surveys (a Basic Survey and an Extended Survey) intended for parents of children who have a severe DD. You can complete both Surveys by paper and pencil or online. To find the link to the Basic Survey, click here. You can also contact us by phone or email to request a paper copy, or if you have any questions (see website). For more information on our research projects and how to participate, visit us at our website: www.go4kidds.ca Equipment and Assistive Technology Initiative (EATI) (02/05/11) is a program that provides a source of new funding for assessment, trialing, acquisition and/or training with equipment and assistive devices for BC residents with disabilities and seniors on their journey to reach their employment goa our help to get the word out about this very important initiative. EATI has helped people to acquire assistive technology to overcome their functional barriers, such as reading software, electric door openers, hearing aids, power wheelchairs/ scooters, van conversions, voice recognition software, speech aids, personal guidance systems (GPS), computers and phones with accessibility features. We know that having access to a piece of equipment will open doors for people and what may not have been possible before the technology is now very possible. If you are interested in learning more about the BC Personal Supports Network and EATI their website is:www.bcpsn.org and phone number is 1-877-333-7554. In a related venture, they are trying to get feedback on whether there might be a future for an assistive te British Columbia. You can help by completing a short on-line survey at the following link: http://bcatcoop.wordpress.com CanAssist at the University of Victoria is conducting a feasibility study for CLBC regarding the accessibility of social media platforms for their clients. One of the primary goals of the study is to determine how accessible social media platforms currently are to CLBC clients along with the ility, or lack thereof. (e.g. key barriers to use by these individuals) Input from CLBC stakeholders about their views regarding social media is crucial to the success of this project. To that end we have prepared two surveys: one for individuals with developmental disabilities to be completed independently or with assistance, and one for family members and caregivers. If you would like to complete the survey please click here. For more information contact Leo, leos@uvic.ca, or visit www.canassist.ca South Asian Family Support - (11/04/10) Group DDA and the Vancouver Pediatric Team are co-facilitating a new South Asian Family Support group. The group is composed of: 1. Parent Support in Punjabi focusing on topics related to education, health, housing etc. Two facilitators provide information to parents. 2. Sibling Support (age 6-12) is facilitated by a movement therapist who uses music and dance to open up communication. Child care workers assist with support. The family support group meets every Tuesday from 3:15 to 4:15pm on Nov. 9, 16, 23, 30 Dec. 7, 14 at Henderson Annex gymnasium. For more information, please contact Jerid Stevenot, DDA Family Support Worker at 604.301.2831 What Works? Notes from the Vela Microboard Assn of BC Workshop - (07/07/10) Summation document of the session is available, Download document in pdf format. ADVOCATE FOR SERVICE QUALITY - (06/28/10) The role of the Advocate for Service Quality has been expanded to include youth with special needs and their families transitioning into adulthood. Jane Holland is the Advocate for Service Quality and the expansion of her role is part of the implementation of the Cross-Ministry Transition Planning Protocol for Youth with Special Needs. To find information about theAdvocate for Service Quality, please visit: http://www.hsd.gov.bc.ca/advocate/docs/brochure.pdf. BC Family Residence Program - new BC provincial program that covers expenses related to travel and accommodation for families who attend BC Children’s Hospital. This program is for “British Columbians with children needing medical care or treatment at BC Children’s Hospital…” These families “now have increased access to travel and accommodation support”. Please see this link for the News Release. For more information on the BC Family Residence Program and a complete listing of eligibility criteria, please contact the Health and Seniors Information Line at 1-800-465-4911 or visit www.bcfamilyresidence.gov.bc.ca (05/30/10) The BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry - (04/20/10) Important information about this new registry is available, click here to download information in pdf format. Survey for Those Interested in Supporting People with Disabilities in the Workplace - (03/09/10) The Classroom and Community Supports Department, Douglas College is preparing a feasibility study for a new program (Employment Support Specialist). It is vitally important that we hear from as many folks who are interested and concerned with supporting people with disabilities in workforce. To complete the survey follow the link http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Employment_Supports_Specialist Contact Wendy Parry, Coordiantor Classroom and Community Support at Douglas College for more information e. parryw@douglas.bc.ca t. 604.527.5813 Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program for Persons with Disabilities (RRAP - Disabilities) (02/24/10) Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) offers financial assistance to allow homeowners and landlords to pay for modifications to make their property more accessible to persons with disabilities. These modifications are intended to eliminate physical barriers, imminent safety risks and improve the ability to meet the demands of daily living within the home. Assistance is in the form of a fully forgivable loan and does not have to be repaid if you adhere to the terms and conditions of the program. Click here for more info. Call for projects - Self Advocates Seeding Innovation (SASI) - (12/27/09) What is SASI? The purpose of the SASI project is to support self advocates to do projects in their communities. BCACL is offering grants of up to $5000 and hopes to support 15 to 20 self advocacy projects across BC. What are the goals of SASI? We hope to bring people together for support and to share ideas, strengthen self advocacy networks, organize training and make positive change in community. What kinds of projects will get funded? We’re encouraging self advocates and self advocacy groups to look at the gifts and abilities of people and groups around them. This could mean working with existing community groups or coming up with a project that self advocates feel will make a positive change in their community. When will the projects start? Applications will be accepted until January 29, 2010. Projects will be chosen by February 15, 2010. Click on the links below to read the documents: * application form - deadline January 29, 2010 * project agreement form - deadline January 29, 2010 * project completion form - deadline September 15, 2010 * guideline for getting started - a video version is coming soon * graphic illustration (a picture) of what self advocacy looks like now in BC with a few project ideas Questions: If you would like help filling out any of the forms or would like to ask questions, please contact Karla Verschoor, BCACL Coordinator of Self Advocacy Development. Here is Karla’s contact information: t: 604.777.9100 ext. 519 e:kverschoor@bcacl.org CLAN BC Update - Costing your wages and benefits (12/09/09) Please download the following documents starting with a summary report from Ernie Baatz on ongoing negotiations with CLBC on behalf of CLAN members summary document in pdf. CLAN wage equity template (spreadsheet),sample wage equity template in pdf Federal Goverment Announces the Creation of Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) with Matching Grants/Bonds - (05/02/09) the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP), and its matching Grant and income-tested Bond are now available to Canadians across the country. For more information on RDSPs, the Grant and Bond, please visit our website at: www.hrsdc.gc.ca/disability, or call 1 800 O-Canada 1.800.622.6232 TTY 1.800.926.9105. Download fact sheets in english or en francais BCACL has an ongoing scholarship fund to support people to attend public dialogues/conferences/seminars – essentially to support their personal and professional development. There is no deadline for the scholarship as they have an ongoing, continuous intake as events occur. Applicants are to complete a scholarship application form download form in PDF here – indicating the event, why they would like to attend, and a break down of the costs for registration, travel, accommodation, meals and/or respite. It is always good to have applicants demonstrate how much and sources of funds they are contributing. The application should be returned to me. In the past we have supported people to attend the Family Conference in Alberta, the Family Focus Conference in BC, the Autism conference, summer camps for kids, and a host of day long workshops, to name only a few. Information on Equipment and Assistive Devices (Province of BC) - July 17, 2007 A new 1-800 service has been created to direct callers to BC Government programs that may provide equipment and assistive devices call 1.888.818.1211 or TTY 1.800.661.8773 or email PersonalSupportsInformation@gov.bc.ca Download update letter in pdf format for feedback on this service. Download flyer in pdf for distribution. Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians - July 17, 2007 The B.C. government has provided the Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians with a $355,000 one-time grant to help visually impaired British Columbians cover the cost of moderate, low-technology visual aids. The program is expected to start mid-July. To be eligible for the program, people must be residents of British Columbia, over 18 years of age and have severe vision loss that eyeglasses cannot correct. Click here AFFORDABLE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VANS - July 17, 2007 World Accessibility has entered into a partnership with Accessible Transportation Sales and Services (ATSS), to sell good quality, used, wheelchair accessible vans from their Burnaby location. These vehicles will provide a reasonable alternative to expensive new van purchases. For details visit http://www.atsscanada.com t. 604.439.7742. Click here for the news release. President's Choice Children's Charity -The President's Choice Children's Charity is dedicated to helping children and young adults who are physically or developmentally challenged. They do their own charity work by dealing directly with the families that contact them. They provide direct financial assistance in the purchase of expensive mobility equipment, environmental modifications, physical therapy and more. They want to try and remove some of the obstacles that make everyday living extremely difficult for these children. The need is endless. Thousands of families need help. HOW TO APPLY FOR FUNDS: Do you have a child with a physical or developmental disability? Are they 18 years of age or under? Do they need help with mobility equipment, an environmental modification or therapy? Visit the link below for more information: http://www.presidentschoice.ca/ChildrensCharity/Default.aspx WANT TO LEARN MORE? Contact us by mail: President's Choice Children's Charity For B.C., Alta., Sask., Man., Yukon, N.W.T. & Nunavut: 3225 - 12th St. N., Calgary, AB T2E 7S9 Phone: 1-866-996-9918 By Email: pccharity@loblaw.ca BC HealthGuide Programs - reliable health information and advise 24 hours per day. You can: Access the BC HealthGuide book, online or order your copy free of charge, Review over 180 health and safety tips in the BC HealthFiles, or Find information on the BC NurseLine a 24 hour confidential health advise line. A Registered Nurse will answer your questions and help identify health concerns, discuss treatment options, and advise you when to see a health professional. You can also get information on medical conditions, tests and procedures, and resources in your community as well as talk to a pharmacist. Link to lots of other Canadian health web sites. Web site: http://www.bchealthguide.org/kbaltindex.asp Travel Power - Travel Power is a new web-based travel agency fully licensed and insured offering travel information and support to travellers with special needs. "Travel Power offers its long-term expertise in arranging travel, skilled support and assistance as needed, and effective cost cutting methods for those who seek travel and adventure.They provide carefully selected and qualified Volunteer Support Workers, based on the needs of the participants, to accompany individuals who have difficulty traveling on their own and also investigates travel opportunities that may include sharing of various costs such as lodging, food and ground transportation. This cost sharing may provide opportunities to those who might otherwise be unable to enjoy travel due to financial constraints. website www.travelpower.ca contact Mike McMullen at: mike@travelpower.ca phone 519.671.3653 People with Disabilities Welcome Changes to Home Support User Fee Rates - April 27, 2005-The BC Coalition of People with Disabilities and the North Shore Disability Resource Centre welcome the March 18, 2005 Cabinet decision to amend the Continuing Care Fees Regulation to reduce home support user fees for working people with disabilities who are between the ages of 19 and 64. This change will immediately benefit many working people who have been heavily burdened by daily user fees that can range from $800 to $2,000/month. It will also remove a major disincentive to employment that has discouraged people with disabilities from seeking employment or promotion. Download bulletin in pdf.Companion Access to Some Movie Theatres - The Motion Picture Theatre Associations of Canada and the National Advisory Council of Disability Organizations have developed a program called Access 2 Entertainment. Effective March 1, 2005 the Access 2 Entertainment card will provide free or discounted admission (maximum $3.00) to the support person accompanying a person with a disability to participating movie theatres. The following is a summary of what is needed to apply for the Access 2 Entertainment card:
To apply for the Access 2 Entertainment card and for more information, go to click here.
Human Rights Tribunal decision on the issue of payment to family members - In a June 28, 2004 ruling, the BC Human Rights Tribunal upheld the complaint by Cheryl and Phillip Hutchinson that the Ministry of Health was discriminating against them in its policy prohibiting the hiring of direct family members through the Choice in Supports for Independent Living (CSIL) program.Cheryl Hutchinson had requested that she be permitted to employ her father Phillip on the grounds that he had the best ability to assist her with her complex care needs. Ms Hutchinson had tried unsuccessfully to recruit and retain other support workers and argued that the Ministry of Health policy unfairly limited her choices. The Tribunal agreed with the Hutchinsons that a general prohibition on hiring family members was "a prima facie case of discrimination on the basis of disability". The Tribunal's ruling includes the following remedies: * An order that requires the Ministry of Health to cease and desist discriminating against the Hutchinsons and to refrain from committing the same or a similar contravention; * An order that requires the Ministry of Health to permit exceptions to its payment to family members policy. This order gives the Ministry nine months to develop a set of criteria that allows for the hire of family members on a case by case basis, under CSIL. It also requires that the criteria that are developed be made known to CSIL users and potential users. The Hutchinson's began their case in 2001. In the meantime, the government responded to the decision of the Deputy Chief Commissioner of Human Rights to intervene in the Hutchinson case (and two other cases that were going forward at the time) and amended its payment to family members policy in June 2002. However, while the amended policy allows for the hiring of distant relatives, it still prohibits the hiring of direct family members. CSIL users and community organizations have persistently requested that the policy on payment to family members be a flexible one that is determined by the unique circumstances of the individual. The BC Human Rights Tribunal has confirmed their belief that an individualized approach is the right way to go. You can find the Human Rights decision in its entirety at: www.bchrt.bc.ca. NEW EXEMPTIONS FOR CAREGIVERS OF DISABLED CHILDREN - June 30, 2003 Ministry of Human Resources Children with disabilities in British Columbia will benefit from changes to vehicle and earnings exemptions being provided to their caregivers.Persons with disabilities particularly children with disabilities are one of the highest priorities of the government of British Columbia. That is why the Ministry of Human Resources is making it easier for primary caregivers to look after children with disabilities. Effective July 1, 2003, the Ministry of Human Resources is extending exemptions to primary caregivers of children with disabilities to include:
These changes will assist with the extra costs and special needs involved in caring for children with disabilities. The government also recognizes that although caregivers for children with disabilities are often unable to seek employment outside the home, some are able to work in their homes or earn income, for example by providing room and board. These new exemptions are available to an income assistance client who is the primary caregiver of a child with disabilities. A child with disabilities may be a dependent child of the caregiver, a child in the home of a relative (caregiver receives funds under the ministry¹s Child in the Home of a Relative program), or a foster child. Single parents on income assistance who look after a child with disabilities are also exempt from time limits and the requirement to seek employment. Contact Richard Chambers Director of Communications 250.387.6489, for more information The B. C. Coalition for People with Disabilities - Has prepared a series of Help Sheets on the changes to Disability Benefits in BC. You are able to view these sheets online and/or download and print them. The Advocacy Access program have updated these sheets in 2005.www.bccpd.bc.ca/s/AdvocacyAccess.aspHelp Sheets online include:
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