Celebrating 35 Years

INSIDE

Editorial by Johanna Johnson and Jane Dyson ______________ 4

Disability Supports are the Foundation of Participation by Christine Gordon __________ 6

A New Face at BCCPD by Nicole Kiyooka ____________ 9

Deinstitutionalization: Another “Ending” for Woodlands _____ 11

A Student’s Perspective on Advocacy Access by Sam Turcott ______________16

A Look Back________________ 17

Once Upon a Time There Was a Girl by Trace Ekdahl ________ 18

What Does the Future Hold for OAS? by Laurie Beachell ______ 19

How Far Have We Come? by Robin Loxton ____________ 27

New BCCPD Self-Help Publication ________________ 14

Important Income Assistance Changes ___________________ 20

Bin to Win by Brenn Kapitan __ 22

Home Adaptations for Independence Program ______ 26

Complex Chronic Disease Clinic Appoints Medical Director ____ 27

PLAN for the Future by Joel Crocker _____________ 29

CanTRA Makes Strides in BC __ 30

Planned Giving _____________ 13

Everyday Resilience by Shelley Hourson __________ 21

Advertise with BCCPD _______ 24

BCCPD News _______________ 28

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reGularS FeaTured arTiCleS

35 YEARS: LOOkING FORWARD TO THE FUTURE

TRANSITION MAGAZINE | FALL 2012

BC COALITION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES BCCPD.BC.CA

PAGE 4

ediTorial

I n this TranSiTion we’re cel-ebrating the BCCPd’s 35th

anniversary. one thing we’ve done to mark this milestone is redesign our magazine. You’ll notice that this birthday issue has a fresh new design with more colour. over the next few months we’ll be doing a number of other things to cel-ebrate our birthday, please stay tuned!

We were incorporated as the BC Coalition of the disabled in 1977. We were very small and almost entirely volunteer-based. our first Board had 13 members including Pam Frazee, Yoshi Tanabe, Tim Louis and Mary Williams.

our founding was rooted in the principle of “nothing about us without us.” People with disabili-ties were frustrated about having decisions made for them instead of by them. We asserted our right to be in control of own own lives and organizations began to form that embodied this principle. It continues to be at the heart of the BCCPd: all of our Board members

and volunteers have a disability, as does most of our staff.

What else made 1977 memorable, apart from the founding of the BCCPd? Those of us advanced enough in years to have been around in 1977 may remember that Pierre Trudeau was our Prime Minister. it was the disco era: the movie Saturday Night Fever was released. Science fiction movies never looked the same again after that year’s release of Star Wars. People drove massive cars, wore bright synthetic fabrics (who can forget leisure suits!) and generally felt optimistic about the future.

1977 also saw the introduction of the Canadian Human Rights Act which, while a move in the right direction, did not address the rights of people with disabili-ties. We’d had to wait until 1985 for this when Section 15 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms came into law. It says people with disabilities are equal before the law, under the law and have equal benefit and protection of the law: it’s not enough to just treat people with disabilities equally, there must be equal results.*

Today, Stephen Harper is our Prime Minister. it’s the reality TV era, Justin Bieber, lady Gaga, adele, The Avengers and the Hunger Games rule and black is probably the most common colour worn. our world is faster: email, smart phones; iPads; Twitter; Facebook have brought us closer together, but have also created

barriers for those who cannot afford to access technology or navigate online applications for needed goods and services.

our organization has grown and changed as all groups must if they are to survive. In 1977, our found-ing mission statement was to “be a representative of BC’s disabled; to push for changes in coopera-tion with our government, and to educate the public as to our abilities, as well as clarifying our disabilities.” Today it’s “to support people with all disabilities to live with dignity, independence and as equal and full participants in society.”

We’re more service oriented and, through our advocacy access program alone, assist hundreds of people with disabilities every year to obtain supports. We produce public legal education documents, hold workshops and work with diverse disability communities. But our vision of a world in which people with disabilities have equal access to opportunities with equal results is unchanged and informs all our work.

in this issue, we reflect on our past, but, more importantly, we look towards our future. What les-sons have we learned from the last 35 years that we can pass down to others for the BCCPd’s next 35? There are many, here are just a few:

We’ve learned the importance of building community through

BY Johanna JohnSon & Jane dYSon

JOHANNA JOHNSON IS BCCPD PRESIDENT

JANE DYSON IS BCCPD ExECUTIvE DIRECTOR

TRANSITION MAGAZINE | FALL 2012 PAGE 5

BCCPD.BC.CA

working closely with other orga-nizations. Working together we learn from each other, are able to help more people and can de-velop innovative proposals such as those contained in our recently released paper Overdue: The Case for Increasing the Persons with Disabilities Benefit in BC. We wrote this in partnership with the BC association for Community living (BCaCl), Canadian Mental health association (CMha-BC division), Community legal assistance Soci-ety (ClaS) and the Social Planning and research Council (SParC).

over the last couple of years, we’ve also partnered with the Planned lifetime advocacy net-work (Plan) to help people with the registered disability Savings Plan and the disability Tax Credit. We’ve worked with the March of dimes on emergency prepared-ness and on a conference next year on living with a disability, and with Povnet to provide online training on Canada Pension Plan disability for community organiza-tions. This year we worked with SParC on a visibility project for access awareness day.

another lesson we’ve learned is that change can take a very long time to be accomplished, but don’t give up if there’s a chance of success. an example of this is our work with the survivors of New Westminster’s Woodlands school. For about nine years, we’ve been helping survivors in their quest to convince the Province to compen-sate them for the sexual, psycho-logical and physical abuse they

suffered at the institution. Finally some survivors (those in Wood-lands after July 31st 1974) are now able to apply for compensation. We will continue working with the survivors until all former residents are able to apply.

The importance of learning from younger people is another valu-able lesson. We’ve worked hard to bring younger people into our or-ganization—both to mentor them for the future and to help keep us current and fresh. Thanks in part to our younger staff, for example, we’ve been using social media for about 3 years and find it extremely effective in our work.

it’s a very different world now than when the BCCPd was found-ed 35 years ago. how different will we be in the next 35 years? What programs and projects will we op-erate? how will we be funded? it’s hard to imagine, but one thing we can be sure of is that the BCCPd will continue to be rooted in the ideal of “nothing about us without us.” and, we’ll continue to work together with our community partners to expand our horizons and our effectiveness.

Thank you to our community partners and colleagues who sent in such heartfelt wishes for our 35th!

* 20 years and Counting: Section 15 of the Charter of rights and Freedoms. lisa rundle, Section15.ca. (april 15, 2005) T

ABOUT TRANSITION

Editorial Statement The views and opinions expressed within the pages of TranSiTion are not necessarily those held by the total membership or Board of Directors. The material presented is meant to be thought-provoking and to promote dialogue.

Planning Team Jane Dyson, Shelley Hourston, Nicole Kiyooka, ann Vrlak

Editor and Layout ann Vrlak

Cover LayoutFiona Gamiet

Cover PhotoCaelie Frampton

Subscriptions and AdsTranSiTion is published four times a year by BC Coalition of People with disabilities. Subscriptions are $15/year.

any advertising in TranSiTion is for readers’ benefit and does not constitute an endorsement by the BCCPd.

Submissions and ReprintsComments, articles and graphics are welcome for consideration.

TranSiTion content may be reprinted without prior permission, as long as the material is published in its entirety, along with this citation: “From TranSiTion magazine, BC Coalition of People with disabilities, [edition date].”

Contact UsBC Coalition of People with disabilities204-456 W. Broadway,Vancouver, BC V5Y 1r3T: 604-875-0188 F: 604-875-9227TranSiTion: [email protected]: [email protected]: [email protected]: www.bccpd.bc.ca/transition

BC COALITION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

35 YEARS: LOOkING FORWARD TO THE FUTURE



PAGE 6

Looking back over the past 35 years of Canadian disability

policy is a daunting task because there have been so many worthy policy recommendations. Starting with The obstacles Report in 1981, there have been 30 published fed-eral studies on disability and the report card on their implementa-tion is not encouraging.

one of the most influential was In Unison, published in 1998 by the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Council on Social Policy renewal.

In Unison came at a time of great upheaval in the federation as Finance Minister Paul Martin was engaged in cutting back federal/provincial transfers in order to decrease the national debt. The provinces were looking for levers to re-engage the federal govern-ment and In Unison provided an opportunity to come together to consider how to promote inclusion for people with disabilities.

From Service Recipient to CitizenIn Unison laid out a vision of a new order that would enable people with disabilities to emerge from the paternalistic position of victim and service recipient into the new world of citizenship. The three essential building blocks for citizenship were: access to disabil-ity supports, in order to level the playing field between those with

disabilities and those without; access to employment that would reduce reliance on income support programs; and, better integration and coordination of income sup-port programs that would reduce disincentives to work and separate access to disability supports from eligibility for financial assistance.

In Unison saw disability supports as a key building block for income and employment. Like Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which says only when basic needs are met can individuals go on to meet higher level needs, disability supports are basic needs, like food and housing.

however, governments of all stripes, both federally and provin-cially, chose to ignore this tenet in the years that followed. Instead, In Unison marked the point when full participation for people with dis-abilities began to be benchmarked by governments as inclusion in the labour market. The assump-tion was that, if a person with a disability could get and hold a job, ostensibly the pinnacle of citizen-ship, then the obstacles to inclu-sion must have been overcome.

In Unison’s deepest impact over the last 14 years has been to nar-row both federal and provincial governments’ disability policy to employment strategies. in doing so, they have taken the easy way out of considerable investments in disability supports and income security reforms.

disability Supports are the Foundation of Participation

Working Toward a Personal Supports FundInspired by In Unison’s vision, the BC Coalition of People with disabilities and the BC Paraplegic association jointly called on the provincial government in 2002 to implement a personal supports fund in British Columbia, echoing the call of the Caledon institute for a national personal supports fund.

The proposal was for government to endow a fund, that could be supplemented by community foundations and private fundrais-ing. This fund would enable people with disabilities to receive indi-vidualized funding to obtain the

In Unison saw disability supports as a key building block for income and employment. Like Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which says only when basic needs are met can individuals go on to meet higher level needs, disability sup-ports are basic needs, like food and housing.

|BY CHRISTINE GORDON


BC COALITION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIESBCCPD.BC.CA

assistive technology, equipment or personal assistance needed to reach a goal of participation.

despite intensive lobbying and the sympathetic response of many politicians, the outcome was the Disability Supports for Employ-ment Fund that was nested at the Vancouver Foundation. This was a far cry from the original proposal: there was no individualized fund-ing and the right of access was inextricably linked to employment.

We tried again in British Columbia through the Provincial equipment and assistive devices Committee (PeadC), in partnership with the provincial Ministry of Social Devel-opment, to disentangle disability supports from the employment agenda. Two demonstration Per-sonal Supports Centres were cre-ated, one in Victoria and another in Prince George, but the promise of more centres in three other re-gions of the province died with the economic downturn of 2008.

BC’s Person-Centred approachThe newest venture in our part-nership with the provincial and federal governments, through the labour Market agreement, is the equipment and assistive Technol-ogy initiative (eaTi) which dem-onstrates the vision of In Unison for a person-directed approach to services.

eaTi also follows the prescription of In Unison by using a functional rather than a medical approach, separating the need for assistive technology from income tests, enabling self-assessment where possible and allowing participants

to choose from an endless range of possible assistive technology.

however, the community/gov-ernment partnership to deliver eaTi has been most strained by the employment agenda. eaTi is restricted to those who have a clear employment goal, leaving out the many thousands of people with disabilities who need assis-tive technology in order to emerge from exile.

eaTi is a hopeful approach be-cause it builds on the vision of In Unison and incorporates all of the standards laid out in the

OLD NEW

Recipients Participants

Passive income supportactive measures to promote employment in addition to providing necessary income support

Dependence Independence

Government responsibility Shared responsibility

Labelled as “unemployable” identification of work skills

disincentives to leave income support

incentives to seek employment and volunteer opportunities

insufficient employment supports

opportunities to develop skills and experience

Program-centred approach Person-centred approach

insufficient portability of benefits and services

Portable benefits and services

Multiple access requirements integrated access requirements

un Convention on the rights of Persons with disabilities. it is one of the only examples of progress in achieving the vision of In Unison. eaTi has given us an opportunity to see how liberating assistive technology can be and how many doors it opens for people with dis-abilities.

We will make real progress on so-cial transformation when govern-ments and community organiza-tions can work in unison to put the disability supports horse squarely in front of the employment cart. T

A NEW APPROACH TO DISABILITY ISSUES



PAGE 8

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THANk YOU FOR HELPING US PUBLISH TRANSITION!

Thank you BCCPd and happy anniversary from your friends at CMha. You have done tremendous work these past three and a half decades. our staff and volunteers continue to trust you as a referral resource for our network which includes people with multiple issues including physical dis-abilities, mental disorders and chronic conditions.

at the provincial level, we’re honoured to have partnered with you many times in advocacy work around policy and income issues. Thank you for advancing the rights of people with all kinds of disabilities in BC. and, let’s keep the partnerships going.BEv GUTRAY, CHIEF ExECUTIvE OFFICER CANADIAN MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION–BC DIvISION

a Message from the Mayor of Vancouver

on behalf of the citizens of Vancouver, and my colleagues on City Council, i want to extend my sincere appreciation and congratulations to the BC Coalition of People with disabilities as you celebrate your 35th anniver-sary.

it is vital to have tools available which aid in living an independent and productive lifestyle. The BCCPd has been a constant voice fighting for those with disabilities. To be able to live with dignity and independence is crucial for everyone, but especially for those who require aid. it is through your hard work, determination, and the belief that everyone deserves to have the support they need to be full participants in their own lives, that we have made the progress we enjoy today.

Congratulations on your 35th anniversary.



I f you’ve ever walked into 456 West Broadway in the middle of

a muggy august afternoon, you know that a working fan is your best friend. although i am no lon-ger the newest kid on the BCCPd block, i still remember what i was thinking when i stepped into what you could call our “vintage-look-ing” office for my job interview in august of 2011. i was thinking…

“I know I’m not that nervous, so why is it so hot in this place?”

But a couple of seconds later, my thoughts shifted to how i was greeted as i walked though the BCCPd doors for the first time. i remember thinking, “everyone is so friendly, i know i would fit in here just fine.”

i have now been working as BCCPd’s administrative direc-tor for about a year. it’s gone by extremely quickly, but i do remem-ber the interview that helped me get the job. Yes, the temperature in the office was a bit sauna-like, but what stood out even more was talking to veteran volunteer, George, at the front desk.

as i was sitting in the lobby waiting for my interview, George pointed to a framed TranSiTion article of himself on the wall and proudly told me that he’d been working at the BCCPd since before i was born.

The vain side of me who might have sheepishly invested in a couple of anti-wrinkle creams over the years, took this as a compli-ment. it was also a good sign. i was impressed.

across from George at the advocacy access desk was another volunteer with a shy smile that felt very encouraging. a year later, that smile is still imprinted in my mind–a happy memory of a volunteer that we sadly lost, Violet.

it’s true that throughout my year as a BCCPd newbie, i have learned a lot and worked alongside amaz-ing people who truly care about the work they do.

There is always a busy, productive buzz in our office air. That never wavers. it’s a feeling that lets you know, even if you are having a bad day, somewhere in the office, positive things are unfolding. Maybe this comes in the form of volunteer voices answering the

ever-ringing phone lines, a new cli-ent cautiously walking through the front door or the whirling writing of grant applications.

I keep all of this in mind as I walk up the stairs, through the front doors of the BCCPd office every morning. Caffeine fix firmly in hand, i say good morning to our reception volunteer on my left and to the advocacy volunteer directly in front of me. I sit down at my no-longer-a-newbie-desk, turn on my trusty fan to ward off the heat and surround myself in the busy productive buzz of the BCCPd. T

a new Face at BCCPd|BY NICOLE kIYOOkA



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1

Numbers matter. The more members we have, the stronger our voice in the community.

Please become a BCCPD member today. You can be a voting member or a non-voting member, and we welcome both individuals and groups.

I accept your invitation to join the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities and enclose my membership fee of $15 (groups and individuals).

I am also including a tax-deductible donation of $__________. (Donations over $10 are tax deductible)

your voice couNTsbecome a bccPD member

Please return your payment/donation with this form to: BCCPD, 204-456 W. Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5Y 1R3. You can also become a member or donate online at: www.bccpd.bc.ca/supportadvertise.htm.

Thank you for your invaluable suPPorT.

Please check the correct boxes:o New membership or o Renewalo Voting Member or o Non-voting MemberVoting members are people with disabilities and self-help groups where at least 50% of members have a disability.

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Congratulations on 35 years of advocacy and crucial services

for the disability community. BCCPd is highly respected by a full spectrum of health and com-munity social service professionals for your work and knowledge of disability policy.

Many of us depend on you to as-sist our patients, clients and their families as we try to help them in navigating the health and social service systems. The information and guidance you provide to the disability community serve as invaluable guides and supports for daily living.

The health Sciences association is proud of the work we do together in partnership.REID JOHNSON, PRESIDENT HEALTH SCIENCES ASSOCIATION OF BC

FolloW uS

Find and follow BCCPd at

www.bccpd.bc.ca/followus.htm.

You can also sign up for Our

Voice, the BCCPd e-newsletter

that will keep you up-to-date

on important and interesting

disability news between

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BCCPD.BC.CA

My first thought for today is one of thanks to all those who worked relentlessly to make this event memorable.

We also thank all those individu-als, families, community members and organizations who got us here over many, many decades. We re-member those who stood up and said, “no one belongs in institu-tions” and those who challenged generations of people and govern-ments who justified the institu-tion under so many false pretexts. They stood fast, even when there was danger of losing sight of the simple but profound truth that no one should have ever been con-fined in places like Woodlands–not in 1878, not in 1958, and not in 2011.

Most important, today is about remembering the thousands who died in this forsaken place, as well as those who survived. Today, we can be part of releasing the ghosts that inhabit this structure, the bricks and mortar that hold the memories of terrible things we are still reconciling and demanding redress for. These are things that never should have happened, that were done under the eye of those who knew better, but looked the other way and should have acted, yet didn’t until more than 100 years after it opened.

By tearing down this structure, we are not wiping out what went on

in its walls. rather, we are finally honouring the wishes of former residents who continue to be trau-matized by the mere sight of this structure and what it represents.

We are here today to take up the dreams and nightmares of the souls who are with us in these bricks. it is our job as fellow hu-man beings to give some mea-sure of peace and a step towards reconciliation. it is our job today to reclaim the humanity that this building stole and to remember, to always remember, what this was all about. It was about expediency, jobs, money and economic devel-opment. It was never about the well-being and human rights of people confined here.

Today can and must be a celebra-tion to reclaim personal power and embrace the reality that com-munity is for everyone. absolutely no exceptions. We are a few of the many voices that inspired public conversation and social change. as a result, this site will become a new public garden. it will provide the space for the whole communi-ty to acknowledge what happened at Woodlands and to be part of the healing and, in so doing, heal itself.

deinstitutionalization: another “ending” for Woodlands


Woodlands is closed but other places like it are still open today in Canada. denying humanity lurks, not just under the surface, but out in the open and we are only steps away from rebuilding what is being torn down today.

So let us all know the truth, let us show each other what it really means to be human and let us embrace each other in our hearts and actions. let us say so long and good riddance to the remains of a crumbling old building and by do-ing so release us to a new day.

BCACL thanks and acknowl-edges the hard work of the BC People First Society for hosting the Woodlands Institution demolition ceremony. T

The following is from a speech by Faith Bodnar, executive director of the BC association for Community living, on october 18, 2012, prior to the demolition of the last remaining tower of Woodlands institution.



PAGE 12

?did you have

POLIO?Are you experiencing symptoms such as:

• excessive fatigue not related to activity or relieved by rest

• increased weakness in unaffected and / or previously affected or paralyzed areas

• muscle and joint pain

• reduced endurance

• sensitivity to cold

• dif�culty sleeping

• problems breathing and swallowing

• sensitivity to anaesthetics and medication

If you are having dif�culty with one or more of these symptoms and you had polio previously, you may have Post Polio Syndrome.

It is important to inform yourself about this condition. Tell you doctor.

For more information contact our of�ce:Post Polio Awareness and Support Society of British Columbia

Phone: 1-250-655-8849Fax: 1-250-655-4459E-mail: [email protected]

BCCPd’s work is pivotal to the kind of society we build. It is

about benchmarks–about the organization leading, stretching, striving to make communities bet-ter places for humanity to engage. Your work sets the standard–our job as human beings is to exceed it. i look forward to your next 35 years. happy anniversary. LINDA REID, MLA RICHMOND EAST AND DEPUTY SPEAkER OF THE LEGISLATIvE ASSEMBLY

T hose of us working in poverty and disability law at the Com-

munity legal assistance Society (ClaS) have first-hand knowledge of the quality and importance of BCCPd’s work. The advocacy ac-cess Program is not just a knowl-edgeable service for its individual clients. it is also a leading voice in the advocacy community that other community advocates and lawyers working in related fields often utilize to better assist their own clientele. in addition, BCCPd’s creative and collaborative ap-proach to systemic disability issues creates welcome opportunities for like-minded organizations to work together to address systemic barri-ers facing people with disabilities.

in short, BCCPd provides an invaluable service to its individual clients, the broader disability com-munity, and to other community organizations. Congratulations on the anniversary and keep up the amazing work!kENDRA MILNE, STAFF LAWYER COMMUNITY LEGAL ASSISTANCE SOCIETY


BCCPD.BC.CA

The BCCPD has a Planned Giving program. Planned

Giving is the opportunity to think ahead about causes or organizations that you may want to financially support be-yond your lifetime.You can take the time now to gather information and leave instructions in your will. By planning ahead, you can research charities, or have someone research charities for you, that fit your values. You won’t feel rushed or pressured to make a decision and you can ensure that your money is spent in the way you want. BenefitsThere are many benefits to Planned Giving. By writing down your wishes, you will have increased peace of mind and control over your finances. Through Planned Giving, you can provide a significant future donation without reducing your income today. A gift in your will to a registered Canadian charity is tax-deduct-ible.And, your Planned Gift helps the BCCPD to be here in the future for those who need us.

Planned GivingYou’ve always been there for others. It’s part of who you are. Now, you can continue to give beyond your lifetime.

Tax SavingsYou can realize significant tax savings with Planned Giving. For example, stocks, bonds and mutual funds that you may have in a trust can be trans-ferred in your will to a charity and a tax receipt will be issued.A bequest from your estate of cash or RRSPs will reduce the taxes that your estate will be required to pay. Other ways of donating give twofold value: by naming the BCCPD as the beneficiary in a life insurance policy, you do not incur any costs now and a tax receipt is issued when the estate is settled. To Learn MoreOur donors are important to us and we’ll work with you to be recognized in the way that you’d prefer. If you would like more infor-mation about Planned Giving, please contact Nicole at the BCCPD at [email protected] or 604-875-0188. She will send you BCCPD Planned Giving in-formation for you to review with your financial planner or lawyer, family and friends. T

A SPECIAL THANk YOU

BCCPd would like to thank Tom Fong at no Frills Pharmacy (loblaws) for their generous support.

in april of this year, the store started a new program where prescriptions filled at no Frills Pharmacy raise funds for BCCPd. not only that, but Tom made a personal donation of $100.

Join This Program TodayPeople with disabilities can participate in the program to support us. once you sign up, you will also receive a 20% discount on all No Frills brand non-prescription medications.

For more information or to participate in this fundraising program, please contact nicole at 604-875-0188 or [email protected].

Thank you to No Frills Pharmacy for being a great community partner.

Put April 4, 2013, in your calendar. This is the date of our official celebration of BCCPd’s 35th year.

it will be a fun-filled evening for friends, members and colleagues, as well as a BCCPd fundraiser.

Please stay tuned for details in the next TranSiTion.

YOU’RE INvITED




PAGE 14

We’re pleased to announce our new self-help workbook, Going to the CPP Disability Review Tribunal. it’s designed to help people request a hear-ing, prepare their case and make their presentation to the review Tribunal. The workbook includes question and answer sections to help readers learn about Tribu-nal appeals. it is written in plain language and is also available in Chinese and Punjabi.

The workbook complements the online training course on CPP-d that we have produced in partnership with Povnet. it is available on our website and accompanied by a brief introduc-tory video.

We would like to thank the Com-munity legal assistance Society for their help with this project.

Please contact Valerie Stapleton at [email protected], at 604-875-0188 or at 1-800-663-1278, if you would like to have the workbook mailed to you.

We have designed an evaluation survey which is available online or provided with the copies of the workbook that we mail out. We’d really appreciate it if you would take a minute to help us by completing the survey.

Thank you to the Law Founda-tion of Ontario, Access to Justice Fund who made this great project possible.

new BCCPdSelf-help PublicationGoinG To The CPP diSaBiliTY reVieW TriBunal

mailto:[email protected]



by the law Foundation funded programs alone.

The law Foundation is proud to have funded many BCCPd initia-tives, including the ongoing ad-vocacy appeals Program and the CPP disability Program, and many time-limited projects.

Congratulations on your 35th and best wishes for continued success in the next 35 years.WAYNE ROBERTSON, QC ExECUTIvE DIRECTOR, THE LAW FOUNDATION OF BC

Congratulations on the Legacy and Historyas an organization, the BC Coali-tion of People with disabilities (BCCPd) has created an important legacy and tradition for people with disabilities across British Columbia.

Staff and members of the BCCPd have shown a steadfast commit-ment to advancing policies and ini-tiatives that promote the indepen-dence, dignity and participation of all people with disabilities in BC.

over the years, SParC BC and the BCCPd have enjoyed an important partnership in working to promote increased accessibility and inclu-sion for people with disabilities and in working to advance a just and healthy society for all.

Congratulations on reaching a 35-year milestone and on the legacy and history that the BCCPd has helped to create.LORRAINE COPAS, ExECUTIvE DIREC-TOR, SOCIAL PLANNING AND RESEARCH COUNCIL (SPARC BC)

Happy 35th Birthday BCCPD!For 35 years, you have been helping citizens with disabilities connect with their communities. Through programs like CarMa, you promote individual self-determination and quality of life. Through your efforts, we have learned that all people should be given the opportunity to be fully contributing members of society.Thank you!RALPH SULTAN, MLA WEST vANCOUvER-CAPILANO T

More Kind Thoughts on our anniversary

Letter of Congratulationson behalf of the law Foundation Board and staff, i am writing to ex-press our heartfelt congratulations to the BC Coalition of People with disabilities at its 35th anniversary. This is truly a remarkable mile-stone and we would like to thank everyone involved with BCCPd, over the years, for the difference they have made in the lives of British Columbians living with dis-abilities.

The law Foundation’s mission is to advance and promote a just so-ciety governed by the rule of law, through leadership, innovation and collaboration. its mandate is to fund legal education, legal research, legal aid, law reform and law libraries for the benefit of British Columbians. The law Foundation has had a long rela-tionship with the BCCPd. The law Foundation first began funding the organization in 1988 and has pro-vided approximately $4.2 million in program and project funding since that time.

The BCCPd has been tireless in its work to support people with disabilities to live with dignity and independence. It is a well-respect-ed leader in the social services and disability community and is rec-ognized for its service and excel-lence. BCCPd has a long history as a cross-disability organization that has done excellent work in the areas of legal advocacy, education and law reform. Last year, for ex-ample, 3,113 people were assisted



PAGE 16

in my six months volunteering and working at the BCCPd office, i have been privileged to work inde-pendently and with other advo-cates to assist clients with a range of issues–provincial and federal disability applications and appeals, housing applications, administra-tive tribunal preparation, and a range of other issues which sig-nificantly touch the lives of people with disabilities in BC. While many of the clients I have worked with face multiple physical, cognitive, emotional and financial barriers to accessing services, i am continu-ally impressed and inspired by their courage, conviction and good humour.

of course, there have been many difficult days for me at the advo-cacy access office. While i have sought to assist clients to the best of my ability, based on the man-date of the program and my own expertise, it is often difficult to accept my limitations as an advo-cate. i have been very grateful for

the support offered to me by staff and our supervising lawyer.

Just the other day, one of our most dedicated volunteers asked in ca-sual conversation how i was doing that day. i confessed i was feeling dreadfully worried about the well-being of one of my clients who had recently found himself without shelter. The volunteer said, “Sam, you’re not a saint. all you can do is do your best.” This is obviously true, but it’s easy to forget when faced with a crisis.

The nature of this work is that the lines between advocate, confidant and counsellor frequently become blurred. disability advocacy often requires frank and open discus-sions about vulnerability, past trauma and personal challenges that may have profoundly affected a person’s life. as a person with a visual impairment, I know how difficult it is to discuss my own limitations in such a candid way. however, these “tough” conversa-tions are essential to good disabil-ity advocacy, as long as they are conducted with compassion and empathy for the stereotypes, dis-crimination and abuse that people with disabilities face.

a Student’s Perspective on advocacy access

While there are numerous advo-cacy organizations throughout the province, the BCCPd offers expertise in the area of disability policy and programs. Perhaps more important, BCCPd staff and volunteers have a sophisticated understanding of the often signifi-cant barriers that people with dis-abilities have to accessing services.

Public interest and commu-nity advocacy organizations are a cornerstone for social justice in Canada. Free and low-cost advo-cacy support is essential both for people subject to poverty and for a healthy, equitable society. The prohibitive cost of legal services and the relative shortage of lawyers available to deal with many poverty law issues means that advocacy organizations fill an important social void.

i view the BCCPd as an integral and necessary part of this broader network of organizations and hope that it will continue to be avail-able as a public resource for many years. T

as a law student at the university of British Columbia, i want to express my great pleasure at having the opportunity to work with the highly knowledgeable advocates at the BC Coalition of People with disabilities’ advocacy access program.

|BY SAM TURCOTT


BCCPD.BC.CA

1996 BCCPd on the World Wide Web

1997 BC Benefits: leaner and Meaner aging and disability

1998 Pain Management Freedom of information and Privacy

1999 Body image/Self image unemployment opportunities: disincentives to Work

2000 Homelessness and Disability home Support: The Quiet Crisis education + Cutbacks = Segregation

2001 riP: disability Services in BC Complementary Medicine

2002 Proposal for a Provincial disability Supports Fund BC’s new assisted living Model

2004 it’s Time for a national home Support and home Care act Side by Side: Working Together on Me/CFS/lyme disease

2005 representation agreements Kids on the Block Puppet Troupe hepatitis C: a Silent epidemic

2006 Coalition of handydarT users: on the Move Woodlands School Survivors: Shut in, now Shut out?

2007 Brain injury Passing the Torch: new Women advocates

2008 Families denied Justice: The Call for a Wrongful death act in BC iCBC accident Benefits Putting the Pieces Together for emergency Preparedness

2009 health education, advocacy and leadership Privacy rights in the digital age

2010 Finding Your Path: adjusting to Change rethinking Your assets

2011 Taking a Break: leisure and recreation a roof over Your head?

2012 look What’s Possible registered disability Savings Plan

A LOOk BACkSOME OF OUR WORk AS REFLECTED IN TRANSITION THEMES

CONGRATULATIONS JOHANNA AND GREG!

On July 31, our President, Johanna Johnson and Greg Doheny got married on a beauti-ful sunny evening in vancouver, in front of a large group of fam-ily and friends. The bride looked stunning and the groom very handsome.

It was a lovely evening for a lovely couple. We know you will both be very happy and wish you many golden years together.

Best wishes and love from every-one at the BCCPD.




PAGE 18

worry, we do this all the time. You’re in good hands.”

Then something special happened. The woman on the phone stopped crying. She even laughed. This filled our girl’s heart with joy. This was no ordinary receptionist job.

She discovered she could make a difference. every day, people call in distress and she tries her best to ease their discomfort with com-passionate words and humour.

Now, she works three days a week with an incredible team of people

once upon a Time There Was a Girl

once upon a time there was a girl–well, a woman really–who was diagnosed with Borderline Personality disorder. She spent a long time in therapy and a long time working on herself. She became happy and content with her life.

604-874-7171www.kleinlyons.com

who are passionate about the work they do. She feels like she has a second family. She can’t wait to get to work each day.

real life is not a fairy tale and i–the girl– take my job very seri-ously. The work BCCPd does is invaluable to a great many people and I’m honored to be a part of it. This is one of the most fulfilling jobs i’ve ever had.

So, if you call the office on a week-day afternoon, you just may hear me say, “advocacy access, how may i help you?” T

But, she was still unfulfilled. She had benefitted from the help of many people in the mental health field and wanted to do something to give back. as luck would have it, she found out about an opening at the BCCPd.

She was nervous to work in an office, after so many years, so she volunteered at reception one day a week. Soon after she started, a person phoned the office in tears. She listened and told the woman there was an advocate in the office who could help. She said, “Don’t

|BY TraCe eKdahl



Most Canadians are aware the federal government has changed the age of eligibility for old age Security (oaS) and the Guaranteed income Supplement (GiS). People born after april 1, 1958 will now have to wait until they are 67 to be eligible for these benefits. The Council of Canadians with disabilities (CCd) recognizes this change has been undertaken for a variety of reasons and will be implemented over time.

however, we question whether policy makers have considered the impact this substantive change will have on Canadians with disabili-ties. CCd believes raising the age of eligibility for oaS will prolong the poverty of Canadians with dis-abilities.

Points to consider:1. Canadians with disabilities dis-

proportionately live in poverty. Between 45 and 60 percent of those living on social as-sistance (welfare) are people with disabilities and this num-ber continues to increase. Many Canadians with disabili-ties have been, and will con-tinue to be, excluded from the current labour market, unless significant new initiatives are created to remove barriers to employment. For some people with disabilities, employment in today’s competitive labour market is not an option.

2. old age Security coupled with the Guaranteed income Supplement benefit is better than any social assistance pro-

gram in Canada. The exception is alberta where there have been recent improvements to aiSh . Many Canadians with disabilities looked forward to turning 65 because they would have a better income benefit. Sadly, this income is now de-layed another two years.

3. increasing the age of entitle-ment for oaS will force people with disabilities to live in pov-erty longer.

4. oaS, while the foundation of Canada’s retirement policy, does not exist in isolation. in fact, many other benefits are designed to work in tandem with oaS.

ͳ Will raising the age of entitle-ment trigger a change in the old age exemption in the income Tax act?

ͳ Will long-Term disability insurance and Workers Com-pensation policies now extend benefits to age 67? Presently, LTD claims and Workers Com-pensation claims end when people become eligible for oaS. Will this change increase premiums?

ͳ Will Canada Pension Plan benefits also change the age of eligibility? Will this apply to both the early retirement and full benefit?

ͳ How will provinces respond to people with disabilities and others remaining on social as-sistance for a longer period of time? Will it result in reducing those benefits or limiting fu-ture improvements?

Budget 2012 has raised the age of eligibility for oaS. does your Member of Parliament or your provincial legislative Member know what impact this will have on people with disabilities who are living on social assistance? Will they commit to ensuring there is no negative impact on Canadians with disabilities and that a disabil-ity analysis is undertaken in regard to all future reforms? We believe the points raised by CCD are wor-thy of study.

new policy initiatives should en-hance the status of Canadians with disabilities, not create greater dis-advantages for them.

The impact of the oaS changes must be understood by decision-makers. Talk to your elected of-ficials about this change. a way must be found to ensure this reform does not create further disadvantage for people with dis-abilities. T

What does the Future hold for oaS?|BY LAURIE BEACHELL, CCD NATIONAL COORDINATOR



PAGE 20

In June, the Ministry of Social Develop-ment (MSd) announced a number of changes to the welfare regu-

lations that will affect people on income and disability assistance. overall, these changes are positive steps that include increasing the asset limits and earnings exemp-tions for most people on assis-tance. unless otherwise indicated, these changes take effect october 1, 2012.

on July 3, 2012, the Minister an-nounced that funding for some of the medical equipment and supplies that was cut in april 2010 would be restored.

New Medical Items Covered by MSD• Ventilator supplies, bariatric

scooters, standing frames, positioning chairs, non-conventional glucose meters, inhaler accessory devices, apnea monitors, toe ortho-ses, underliners for orthoses, syringes for medication, a sec-ond floor-to-ceiling pole, foot abduction orthosis, transfer aids, positioning items on a bed, tracheostomy supplies, nebulizers, humidifiers for tracheostomy patients.

new exemptions and limits for PWd• an increase to the asset limit

for individuals to $5,000 (up from $3,000).

• an increase to the asset limit for couples and families to $10,000 (up from $5,000).

• an increase to the earnings exemption for singles on PWd to $800 per month (up from $500).

• an increase to the earnings exemption for couples who both have the PWd designa-tion to $1,600 per month (up from $750).

• an increase to the non-dis-cretionary trust exemption lifetime limit to $200,000 (up from $100,000).

IMPORTANT INCOME ASSISTANCE CHANGES A Message from Advocacy Access

• an increase to the trust disbursement exemption for “promoting independence” to $8,000 per year (up from $5,484) and allowing the per-son on PWd, rather than MSd, to decide how this money can be spent to promote their independence.

• an exemption for income tax refunds (previously tax refunds have been exempt to the earn-ing exemption limit.

• a reduction in the wait period for earnings exemptions to one month for new applicants and elimination of the waiting period for people with disabili-ties returning to assistance (previously the wait period was 3 months).

annual exemption Coming in 2013MSd has also agreed to consult with the BCCPd and other members of the Disability Without Poverty network on a new annual earning exemption for PWds that will be introduced next year. an annual exemption will benefit people who earn high amounts over a short period of time.

other Changes in Welfare regulations• income tax filing will be man-

datory starting in 2013. There will be exemptions for people

|BY ROBIN LOxTON



at risk, such as someone flee-ing an abusive spouse.

• For people on basic income assistance, there is a new $200 per month earnings exemp-tion.

• For families with children, an increase in the annual school start up supplement was intro-duced (effective July 1, 2012).

• There are extended work search requirements for new applicants for basic income assistance who are able to look for work. This period will be five weeks, instead of three weeks.

For More informationThe link to the provincial government’s news release and backgrounder on restoring medical equipment and supplies is: http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2009-2013/2012Sd0016-000962.pdf

The link to the news release and backgrounder on changes to earnings exemptions, asset limits, and other regulations is: http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2009-2013/2012PreM0079-000835.htm

You can also contact advocacy access at 604-872-1278 or toll free 1-800-663-1278.

ROBIN LOxTON IS DIRECTOR OF BCCPD’S ADvOCACY ACCESS PROGRAM. T

EvERYDAY RESILIENCEWELLNESS & DISABILITY INITIATIvE UPDATE

BY SHELLEY HOURSTON, DIRECTOR, WDI

Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change. ―Wayne W. dyer

in the 15 years i’ve been reading and writing about resilience, the research continues to grow. it’s reassuring to know that the evidence shows resilience can be learned and, with experience, we become better at bouncing back.

however, i’ve noticed that, when i find myself in the middle of change (sometimes known as “a crisis”), consulting the research literature is usually the last thing i do. in fact, i often react automatically. By improving my resil-ience skills while life is flowing smoothly, i’m hoping to bounce back more easily in “times of change.”

according to researchers* one of the key characteristics of resilient people is a firm acceptance of reality. This sounds simple enough … or does it?

My version of reality will vary from your version. Reality for each of us is an interpretation that is dependent on past experiences and expectations. When we receive new information (e.g. bad news), we examine it and try to make sense of it by comparing it with our experience, knowledge, beliefs, hopes and fears. So, although this process of interpretation is fraught with pitfalls, there are ways to test the reliability of your perspective or reality.

To gather some suggestions for doing a “reality check,” i decided to consult a few co-workers. This is what they offered:• Focus on the moment—don’t dwell on what has happened in the past or

what you’re afraid might happen in the future. don’t over-think!• Be aware of your own state and potential traps. For example, knowing

that i can sometimes be frustrated or impatient, am i imposing my emo-tions on the situation?

• decide that you want a solution. Most people are better problem-solvers than they think!

• Seek perspective—ask others for their thoughts. Sometimes it takes time to get out of your own bubble!

• You need to have hope! You’ve been functioning so far. What strengths got you here?

one of my favourite resources for tools to challenge my mindset is luciano Passuello’s blog, Litemind: Exploring ways to use our minds efficiently. Par-ticularly useful is his two-part article, “Top 10 Thinking Traps exposed—how to Foolproof Your Mind.” (http://litemind.com/thinking-traps/)

“everyday resilience” is a new column which will appear regularly in TranSiͳTIoN. Shorter tips for building resilience will be published in BCCPd’s month-ly e-newsletter, Our Voice. You can sign up for Our Voice at http://tinyurl.com/79gu6ac. if you’re willing to share your story, please contact Shelley at Wdi (please see below).*diane l. Coutu. “how resilience Works.” harvard Business review (May 2002. http://tinyurl.com/6uugyya

[email protected] | www.bccpd.bc.ca/wdi604-875-0188 | Toll free 1-877-232-7400

http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2009-2013/2012SD0016-000962.pdf



http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2009-2013/2012PREM0079-000835.htm





PAGE 22

“isn’t this stealing?” Walker asks. “no, it’s not stealing, Walker, trust me.”

“Then why are there locks and chains on the dumpsters?” he proclaims.

“So homeless people don’t sleep or live in them at night.” i reply. i continue to inspect various toma-toes from the full garbage bin of discarded produce from the local Food Bank. “Walker, come here and help me hold open the bag please.”

i open a grocery bag from under my arm and hand it to my son. as i turn to collect my selections from the dumpster, I hear Walker’s feet twirling in the dirt; he’s spun himself almost six feet away from me in less than thirty seconds. This time making eye contact with my kid’s eyes, i motion my hands towards the dumpster and say, “Come over here and help me, please.” He skips then leaps for-ward and asks, “Why do requests always turn into demands?”

i ignore his question and take his hands, and together we open the bag to toss in several slightly blem-ished tomatoes.

Several feet over in a very large bin, an older asian woman is us-ing a coat hanger to fish out bags of various packaged greens. She

is wearing a dirty cap, oversized clothes and men’s black rubber boots. She notices me and my well-dressed kid. With her gloved hand, she shades her eyes from the sun and slowly walks over to hand me a bag of spinach.

“here, here, for you you–eat!” Pointing from her heart and then to my chest as she offers yet another bag of greens. “eat, good ok? … Yes?” says the food alley ambassador.

“Yes, thank you. Thank you so much.” i notice her weathered face as i accept the gift of food. Something glimmering in the sunlight catches my eye. The next bin over has been pried open and it’s filled with the treasure of stale French baking. Grinning at my discovery, i indicate the direction of the baking. “i’m going there… looks good.” i mini bow towards her and realize that i bowed before her. I think to myself, Why did I bow when I don’t know her customs, I’m an idiot.

i grab onto Walker’s wiggling wrist and lower my face to his and say, “Look what we found! Come and help me find the best one, i will make you a sub sandwich, better than Subway. I promise.”

It takes me a few moments to reach a couple of nice baguettes, two cucumbers and a half of a white onion.

i climb off the side of the contain-er and gingerly hug Walker. “Good job sweetie, thanks for staying close to Mum this time. Good job.” i say this always, remembering strategies from parenting classes. You need to make every family outing a win-win situation. Praise positive actions over treats or material items.

I watch Walker as he runs ahead of me, down the back streets of Strathcona. I catch up to him sev-eral metres ahead to see that he’s decided to flop down and lie like a starfish on someone’s lush green lawn.

“i’m tired, can i get a pop?”

“i’m sorry hon, Mum’s on a budget no money for pop. Besides we’re almost home. Plus you can see Mystery and play with her.”

“Mystery’s there?” Sounding excited, Walker remembers there’s a cat.

“You can give Mystery a treat when we get home, ok?”

Mystery is a stray and the first animal I’ve seen that truly cuddles next to Walker. Trying to keep up with my kid, I think, I can’t make a

Bin to Win “This is a new low for me, begging for a ten dollar welfare cheque that i couldn’t even cash. Somehow, i knew this would happen.”

|PAxTON QUILL



big deal out of the dumpster diving thing.

We cut through the back garden gate to a shaded basement apart-ment. i open the door. Walker flips his running shoes into the corner and asks, “How come the bank machine ate your money Mom?”

I place the food on the counter and try to explain. “The machine didn’t really eat it.” I raise my eye-brows and grab Walker’s tummy.

using my fingers like a claw, i make a monster munching sounds, “Yum. Yum.” Trying to pull him closer for an entire thirty-second hug, i realize there is no way to explain the bank situation. “i’m sorry, boo-boo, but, hey this will be ok.”

i nod pointing to the broken, L-shaped bread on the counter. Walker’s buzzed haircut tickles my chin.

“Yes, i want a sub, like Subway, you promised!” Walker chirps pushing me away. He leaps over to my desk and powers up the computer.

opening the fridge for more fixings to put on our laneway subs, the cold air that hits my face turns into battering thoughts.

This is a new low for me, begging for a ten dollar welfare cheque that I couldn’t even cash. Some-how, I knew this would happen.ExCERPTED FROM BIn to WIn. RE-PRINTED WITH PERMISSION. PAxTON QUILL IS A SINGLE PARENT WHO RECEIvES DISABILITY ASSISTANCE AND HAS A SON WITH AUTISM. T

Congratulations to the BC Coali-tion of People with disabilities

(BCCPd) on your 35th anniversary. For 35 years now you have been a voice for those who have had trouble being heard. The advocacy and education work you do is un-matched in the community, and is an invaluable contribution to our society. The thousands of people you have assisted is a testament to the committed and caring nature of your organization.

Through the years i have had a chance to work with many people at the BCCPd; everyone i have met there has been passionately dedi-cated to equality, and to making

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unionsmatterWorkers in child care facilities, community social services, casinos, call centres, aboriginal services and health care are joining the B.C. Government & Service Employees’ Union.

Why? Because joining the BCGEU gives you a stronger voice and conditions to make your workplace better.

Join us. To learn more about joining BCGEU, call 604-291-6062 or visit www.bcgeu.ca

sure the client’s needs come first. The consistent work your staff does to increase understanding of the issues that face people with a disability has helped to create a better province for this generation and those to come.

once again, a sincere thank you for all the hard work you do, and congratulations on an amazing 35 years of accomplishments. I am sure you will continue to support our community and foster equal-ity for the next 35 years to come. i look forward to supporting your work in any way I can.SHANE SIMPSON MLA, vANCOUvER-HASTINGS T

TRANSITION MAGAZINE | FALL 2012PAGE 24

The Council of Canadians with disabilities extends congratu-

lations to the BCCPd upon the occasion of your 35th anniversary. The BCCPd has been a strong lead-er in the Canadian disability rights movement. Your organization has never shied away from difficult, divisive or controversial issues. You have applied your disability rights principles to some of the most serious barriers facing people with disabilities and developed credible, workable and principled responses to the systemic barriers that diminish the full participation and equality of British Columbians with disabilities.

The result of your diligence is a truly amazing body of work that has been influential in BC and be-yond its borders. in particular, your work on hiV/aidS was foundation-al for the disability community.

BCCPd’s publication, TranSiTion, has been a role model for how to present disability issues in a format that is accessible, graphi-cally arresting and informative. BCCPd has been generous with its leadership, sharing with CCd some of its most talented advocates and human rights experts. at its last aGM, CCd elected one of your own, Pat danforth, to be a CCd Vice Chair. CCD looks forward to working in partnership with BCCPd for many more years to come. It is very appropriate for organiza-tions to celebrate the hard work that goes into creating 35 years of accomplishments. recognizing our accomplishments helps everyone to re-energize themselves to ad-dress the all too numerous new

barriers which are always emerg-ing. CCd celebrates BCCPd as one of Canada’s strongest forces work-ing in support of an accessible and inclusive Canada.TONY DOLAN, CCD CHAIRPERSON

T he notary Foundation has always been pleased with the

quality of the programs offered by the BC Coalition of People with disabilities. it is evident that these programs benefit the public of British Columbia and in particular, people who live with disabilities. The motto of the notary Founda-tion is building better communi-ties, one grant at a time–and BCCPd has a proven record of meeting the Foundation’s man-date, which makes us proud to have a strong relationship with such a reputable organization. The notary Foundation has provided funding to BCCPd for their various projects in the past:

TranSiTion – edition representa-tion agreement (november 2001)appeals without Burnout Plain language Guide (March 2003)TranSiTion – edition representa-tion agreement (december 2004)TranSiTion – edition representa-tion agreement (May 2008)Canada Pension Plan – disability Publication update and Multi-lin-gual outreach (november 2010)

WAYNE BRAID, NOTARY FOUNDATION, ExECUTIvE OFFICER

TRANSITION MAGAZINE

Starting in this edition: full colour ads!

We have a wide range of ad sizes to choose from, on either black or colour pages. You can design the ad or we’ll do it for you at a reasonable cost.

E-NEWS ADvERTISING

We are also now offering ad space in our monthly e-newsletter, our Voice.

• reach our growing list of 2,500+ subscribers with options from monthly to one-time ads.

• Choose from 3 ad types to fit your needs and budget: Banner ads to draw maximum attention; Text Plus ads, that include text, logo and link; and, Text only ads with text and a live link.

INFORMATION AND BOOkINGSFor information on advertising with BCCPd, please contact nicole at 604-875-0188 or [email protected].

ADvERTISE WITH BCCPD


BCCPD.BC.CA/ADvERTISE.HTM



T he Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada thanks the BC Coali-

tion of People with disabilities for the huge contribution made dur-ing the last 35 years to the lives of people living with disabilities.

We, at the MS Society, have worked closely with BCCPd over the years to assist people affected by MS.

We especially appreciate the col-laboration between BCCPd and our Volunteer legal advocacy Program to address a wide range of advocacy matters encountered by those living with MS.

BCCPd has been able to pick up and advance situations when the MS Society has exhausted all op-tions available to us.

Your staff have always been ex-tremely helpful, providing advice on proceeding with complicated cases.

BCCPd has helped our organiza-tion develop capacity by providing educational tools such as presen-tations on specific topics (rdSP), providing speakers to MS Society training sessions for our lay ad-vocates, and publishing excellent information booklets.

We wish the BC Coalition of Peo-ple with disabilities much success in the years to come!JANET PALM, PRESIDENT MS SOCIETY OF CANADA, BC & YUkON DIvISION

B CCPd has done exemplary work over the past 35 years!

Your level of professionalism and knowledge is outstanding, as is your commitment to support people to live their lives with “dig-nity, independence and as equal and full participants in society”. TranSiTion magazine and BCCPd’s various publications are easily accessible and informative resources.

Thank you for giving people with disabilities and stakeholders a voice around key issues and best wishes for many years to come!CAROL PAETkAU, ExECUTIvE DIRECTOR, FRASER vALLEY BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION

I hold the BC Coalition of People with disabilities in the highest

possible regard–as tireless advo-cates for treating everyone fairly and decently, and as an invalu-able practical resource that helps people with disabilities make their way through some of the toughest imaginable difficulties.

Whether it’s dealing with govern-ment or personal challenges, the BCCPd can always be counted on.

Congratulations on your 35th anniversary!BILL TIELEMAN, COLUMNIST AND COMMENTATOR

Buy Beautiful artBy PJ artman, at PJ-artman.artistweBsites.com

see PJ’s story in transitionhttP://www.BccPd.Bc.ca/transsPrinG12.htm#PJ



PAGE 26

Would a new ramp, handrails or walk-in shower help you

maintain your independence at home?

BC housing’s new home adapta-tions for independence (haFi) pro-gram helps people with disabilities and low-income BC seniors make home modifications that will allow them to continue living at home.

Through haFi, homeowners and landlords with eligible tenants can apply for financial assistance of up to $20,000 for improvements that make their home more accessible and safe.

The goal of the program is to en-able people who have physical

limitations to live at home longer. People’s physical needs change over time. Sometimes, a small improvement to a home can make the difference between being able to live independently or not.

Types of eligible projects include:

• Handrails in hallways or stair-ways,

• Ramps for ease of access,

• easy-to-reach work or storage areas in the kitchen,

• Lever handles on doors,

• Walk-in showers with grab bars, and

• Bathtub grab-bars and seats.

The projects must be permanent and fixed to the home, although exceptions can be made for equip-ment that gives access to an exist-ing part of the home (e.g. a bath lift). The program will not cover supportive care, portable aids such as walkers, household appliances, emergency repairs to roofs and furnaces, or maintenance work.

launched in January 2012, haFi is funded by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia through the Canada-BC affordable housing initiative. Through the haFi program, $15 million in grants or forgivable loans will be distributed to quali-fying BC residents over the next three years.

Who Qualifies?To qualify for assistance from haFi, recipients must be a person with a disability or a low-income senior, a Canadian citizen or land-ed immigrant, and a BC resident. Someone in the household must have a permanent disability or loss of ability that makes it difficult to perform day-to-day activities. The total household income and as-sets must also be below a certain limit. BC housing can tell you the income and house value limits for your area when you apply.

The program is open to both homeowners and those living in market rental accommodation where rents are at the low end of market levels. Landlords must ap-ply for improvements on behalf of eligible tenants.

eligibility requirements, an appli-cation guide and application forms are available at www.bchousing.org/haFi, by calling BC housing at 604-646-7055, by emailing [email protected], or visiting any BC housing office. For people outside the Lower Mainland, you can also call BC housing toll free at 1-800-407-7757 extension 7055.

For more information about the program, visit www.bchousing.org/haFi. T

home adaptations for independence ProgramThe new home adaptations for independence (haFi) program helps people with disabilities and low-income BC seniors make home modifications for safe, accessible and independent living.

BCCPD.BC.CA

When the advocacy access Pro-gram opened its doors in 1989, our job was to help people with disabilities obtain provincial and federal disability benefits. Twenty-three years later, our program is still here and this is still one of our main objectives.

of course, over the past 20 years, some things have changed. Back then, a person who needed to apply for income assistance would go to their local welfare office and it was likely they could speak to a worker about their application on the same day. Today, a new appli-cant is expected to use a computer to apply for income assistance and they can wait several days before a Ministry worker calls back. In my early years as an advocate, I thought that advances in technol-ogy would make life better for everyone. In many ways, it does.

But technology doesn’t help if you can’t afford it or you don’t know how to use it. Furthermore, when government programs replace staff positions with computers, it doesn’t necessarily mean the programs are easier to access or that potential savings result in increased disability cheques. Since day one, what has really mattered to the people we talk to every day is whether they have enough money to pay their rent, put food on the table and to cover their health needs.

So are people on disability bene-fits financially better off than they were 20 years ago? in 1994, the disability rate for a single person

was $771 per month and today it is $906 per month. For most people, $771 went further in 1994 than $906 goes in 2012. The cost of housing in BC has skyrocketed and, for people who are not in subsidized housing which is hard to find, rent is taking a larger and larger portion of their disability cheque. and everything else from utilities and food to health sup-plies has gone up in price, too. So, the reality is most people receiving disability benefits are not finan-cially better off than they were 20 years ago.

BC is long overdue for an increase in the disability rates. The pro-vincial government needs to take immediate steps to reduce pov-erty in the disability community. advocates from the BCCPd have joined with other groups to call for a poverty reduction plan for British Columbia and produced a report; Overdue: The Case for Increasing the Persons with Disabilities Ben-efit in BC. The proposals include an increase in the PWd benefit, indexing the benefit and creating a shelter assistance program for people with disabilities.

another thing that has not changed is the importance of people with disabilities speaking up about the issues that affect us. That was one of the main reasons the BCCPd came into being 35 years ago, and it is one of the main reasons we plan to be here for another 35!ROBIN LOxTON IS DIRECTOR OF BCCPD’S ADvOCACY ACCESS PROGRAM. T

CoMPlex ChroniC diSeaSe CliniC aPPoinTS MediCal direCTor

a new clinic focused on treating people who suffer from a group of complex chronic diseases has ap-pointed its first Medical director.

Starting in october, dr. alison Bested will lead the Complex Chronic Dis-ease Clinic, which will be located at BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre in Vancouver. The clinic is the first of its kind in the province.

In March 2011 the Ministry of Health announced a $2 million investment to study cases and best practices for patients with complex chronic diseases.

The clinic will focus on diseases such as lyme disease, Myalgic encephalo-myelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Me/CFS) and Fibromyalgia Syn-drome. Clinic staff will work with patients and doctors from across the province, not only to provide care for people but to also learn more about these complex diseases.

Dr. Bested was one of the authors of the Canadian Me/CFS consensus definition that was published in the Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in 2003.

The second edition of her book “hope and help for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia” was published by Sourcebooks House in 2008.

See details at http://tinyurl.com/9gf2zef

How Far Have We Come?



|BY ROBIN LOxTON



PAGE 28

Thank you to these organizations, companies and government departments who support our work on behalf of people with disabilities.

Bc association for individualized technology and supports for People with disabilities

Bc hydro employees community services fundBc rehab foundationcanadian co-operative associationcity of Vancouvercouncil of canadians with disabilitiesGovernment of canada’s social development Partnership

Program-disability componenthealth sciences association of Bchomelessness Partnership strategy–human resources and

skills development canadathe law foundation of British columbiathe law foundation of ontariolegal services society of British columbiano frills Pharmacy (loblaws) notary foundation of BcPlanned lifetime advocacy networkProvincial health services authoritytelus employees charitable Giving Programunited way of the lower mainlandVancouver coastal healthVancouver foundation

We acknowledge the financial support of the Province of bC.

our Wellness & disability initia-tive/aidS & disability action Pro-gram is delighted to announce two new resources featuring Vancou-ver meditation instructor, deborah Prieur. Mindfulness Meditation for Stress Reduction and Self Care is a video introduction and Guided Meditation on the Breath and Body Sensations is an audio guided meditation.

Researchers have found that our minds wander 46.9 percent of the time and this lack of mindful-ness is connected to unhappiness. harvard psychologists Matthew Killingsworth and daniel Gilbert analyzed feedback from 2,250 research participants and con-cluded that we spend half of our time “contemplating events that happened in the past, might hap-pen in the future, or may never happen at all.”* a multitude of studies have linked meditation to improved mood and increased ability to cope with stress and pain. Mindfulness Based Stress reduction is a meditation tech-nique with benefits confirmed by extensive research.

We are excited to offer this com-pelling and accessible introduction to mindfulness meditation. dVds can be purchased for $6. Contact Shelley at [email protected] or call 604-875-0188 (or toll free to leave a message 1-877-232-7400).

See both videos on our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/TheBCCPd in our Medi-tation playlist.

*Steve Bradt. “Wandering Mind not a Happy Mind.” Harvard Science (november 11, 2010). T

we couldn’t do it without you.

BCCPD NEWS


BCCPD.BC.CA

S ince the late 80s, Plan has been engaging individuals,

families, communities and associ-ate agencies to identify solutions to barriers people with disabilities face every day. Well over 20 years later, Plan continues to be excited by the opportunities to make positive changes around disability across the province and beyond.

Building networks of care with and around vulnerable people and their families is one of the central expressions of Plan’s core values. We have developed and nurtured over 100 lifetime networks and in so doing have gained invaluable learning about resiliency within individuals, families and commu-nities. although our work began and remains a British Columbia resource, the network model has proven to be an effective strategy within the disability community worldwide and we have mentored over 40 replications of Plan across Canada, the uK, australia and the uS.

Plan’s dreamit is Plan’s dream to see the network-centric model of care woven into the fabric of our social and healthcare services. Recently, we have been collaborating with partners from the brain injury, drug and alcohol addiction, and mental health sectors.

The common theme of isolation is deeply felt within these communi-ties which recognize that personal support networks are fundamental to decreasing the number of vul-nerable citizens living without the

support of healthy relationships and community.

We Can Create ChangeThe most important lesson we have learned over 20 years of ad-vocacy is the power of family and community to create change. at Plan, we see parents constantly striving to better the quality of life of their son or daughter with a dis-ability. When families join togeth-er, the result is a shift in the social landscape across the country.

When Plan advocates for policy changes, we base our recommen-dations on the individuals, families and communities around us who find inventive and ingenious ways to create better lives for their loved ones. The registered dis-ability Savings Plan and its ongoing improvements is a great example of such innovation. The rdSP has shifted the way government and society view disability.

The Work Continuesas Plan moves through its third decade, we intend to continue working toward increasing belong-ing in the broader community, while remaining the voice of our family members as they lead the next phases of public engage-ment. By further developing and learning from the network model, exploring new and innovative ways forward, and collaborating with good community partners, we only expect to see better, safer and more secure lives for our loved ones with disabilities everywhere.JOEL CROCkER IS DIRECTOR OF PLAN-NING AT PLAN RDSP. T

SIMON COx, ExECUTIvE DIRECTOR

BC ASSOCIATION FOR INDIvIDUAL-IZED TECHNOLOGY AND SUPPORTS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

BCITS is indebted to BCCPD for sup-port of our Technology for Indepen-dent Living program.

Without them, I doubt the program would be here to serve people with disabilities today.

Congratulations BCCPD on your 35th. We are in the long line of your great-est supporters!

We could not resist using this old photo of Simon! Thank you for permission to use it, Simon.

Plan for the Future


|BY JOEL CROCkER

we couldn’t do it without you.



PAGE 30

Therapeutic riding offers exciting possibilities for children and adults with physical disabilities, devel-opmental delay, autism or other challenges. The Canadian Thera-peutic riding association (CanTra) should know.

Since 1980, it has pioneered standards for its member centres across the country, through the certification of instructors and accreditation of riding centres. These internationally-recognized standards of excellence ensure the safety and effectiveness of the in-struction, operations and facilities of member centres based on one all-important principle: our riders deserve only the best.

Why is horseback riding so ben-eficial for people with disabilities? able-bodied riders are famil-iar with the three S’s of riding: stretching, suppling and strength-

ening. how much more important these are for the muscles and joints of riders with disabilities! But learning cognitive skills, build-ing self-confidence, making friends (including horses) and, for some, training for competitive sport, are also valuable. The therapy horse, sensitized for his special role, of-fers all these benefits wrapped up in one big, warm, furry body and friendly, undemanding disposition.

It’s funny we can be so fussy about our car–finding a qualified me-chanic or picking out a car dealer with a solid reputation, all in the interest of safety and comfort. Yet some of us (even parents of children with disabilities) may walk into the nearest riding stables where the resident coach agrees to give our child lessons on a horse that’s never seen a wheelchair or crutches. or the coach (who has no experience with special riders)

can’t provide a properly fitting riding helmet. Yet, we go along without much questioning.

But CanTra centres believe in do-ing it right. They provide qualified instructors trained to teach people with disabilities, and they run their facilities safely and effectively. also, CanTra centres are always insured.

So, if you have a child with a dis-ability who might benefit from horseback riding, where do you start to look?

although riding stables are not found on every corner, therapeutic riding is alive and well in BC. The BC Therapeutic riding associa-tion, and no less than 17 member centres, dot the map of mainland BC and Vancouver Island.

Visit www.cantra.ca to find the member centre nearest you. or, visit our CanTra channel (under the Therapy tab) on the disability Today Network at www.disability-todaynetwork.com.

CanTra is recognized by equine Canada and Horses for Educa-tion and Therapy international (heTi) as the national body for therapeutic riding in Canada. over 3,000 riders with disabilities enjoy horseback riding, through over 80 CanTra member centres across the country.

Please make a difference to a child or adult with a disability by donat-ing to the Canadian Therapeutic riding association at CanadaHelps.org. T

CanTra Makes Strides in BC

Kiara Caplin tries a little neck-painting on Ember, a patient therapy horse, during summer camp at Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association. Photo courtesy of Cowichan TRA.

http://www.cantra.ca

http://www.disabilitytodaynetwork.com

http://www.disabilitytodaynetwork.com

How Can BCCPD Help?Bc coalition of People with disabilities is an expert in canada Pension Plan disability (cPP-d) advocacy. we provide:• in person, one-to-one assistance• assistance by phone• free self-help publications on what cPP

is, how to apply and how to appeal a denial (available in english, traditional chinese and Punjabi)

What do I need to know about CPP-D?CPP-D has several advantages over provincial disability benefits. And, recipients may receive provincial (PWD/PPMB) disability benefits in addition to CPP-D in the form of a top-up, if their CPP-D benefits fall below the provincial minimum.

Please contact us to learn more.cPP-d advocacy Programtelephone: 604-872-1278 | toll-free: 1-800-663-1278website: www.bccpd.bc.ca online Program information: ourwork/advocacy access online self-help cPP resources: library/money & income supports

n funded through the generosity of the law foundation of bC

We’re Here To HelpWith CPP Disability Were you previously working and now have a disability?Do you need help to apply for CPP Disability or appeal a denial of benefits?

BC Coali�on of People with Disabili�esSuite 204, 456 West Broadway, Vancouver BC V5Y 1R3(604) 875-0188 • fax (604) 875-9227 • �y (604) [email protected] • www.bccpd.bc.ca

Documents

Celebrating 35 Years