Transition Spring 2011

BC Coalition of People with Disabilities | Transition | Spring 2011 | page 1

BC Coalition of People with Disabilities | Transition | Spring 2011page 2 |

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Contents

Transition is published four times a year by BC Coalition of People with Disabilities. Subscriptions are $20/year.

We welcome articles, graphics and creative writing for consideration. The editors reserve the right to edit and/or withhold material from publication.

We are pleased to see Transition material republished without prior permission, with these conditions. Please credit “Transition, BC Coalition of People with Disabilities” and the edition date. Thank you.

BC Coalition of People with Disabilities204-456 W. Broadway,Vancouver, BC V5Y 1R3Tel: 604-875-0188 • TTY: 604-875-8835Fax: 604-875-9227Transition only: [email protected]: [email protected]

Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement No.40051676

22 | End Email “Addiction”

23 | Trip Planning with C-MIST

24 | Making BC Ferries More Accessible by Pat Danforth

26 | Rebuilding a Life After Brain Injury by Carol Paetkau

28 | Outdoor Exploration in BC

30 | BC Rehab Supports the Community by Pam MacDonald

31 | The UN Convention: What’s Next?

32 | To Screen or Not to Screen? by Andrew Quinn

34 | Is Your Organization Ready for an Emergency? A New Manual Can Help

36 | Behind Every Great Organization...

2 | Editorial by Shelley Hourston

4 | Accessible Travel Tips & Resources

5 | Exploring on a Tight Budget

6 | Breaking Bread Together

7 | Ottawa Ordered to Make Websites More Accessible by Janice Tibbetts

8 | Announcing Canada’s New RDSP Resource Centre by Jack Styan

9 | Show Me the Money (Skills)

10 | Roadtrippin’ with Your Vent by Donna Gibbings

11 | Take the PLAN Quiz

12 | Other Discounts and Benefits

13 | The Kindness of Others by Jane Dyson

14 | Evolution of Access Project

16 | Travelling with Allergies

18 | Taking a break at TED.com

20 | Welcoming the Unknown Brings Pleasant Surprises by Paul Gauthier

Special5 | Workplace Emergency Preparedness

Workshops

35 | New Disability Benefits Help Sheets Available

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Editorial BY Shelley Hourston

“Taking a break” is the phrase we decided best conveyed what we wanted to explore: the respite we all yearn for while juggling the responsibilities and commitments of everyday life.

“Free time … spare time… time off; recreation, relaxation,

inactivity, pleasure … the opposite of work.” These are the words my Oxford Paperback Thesaurus offers for leisure–a topic at a recent Tran-sition team planning meeting.

Transition team meetings are a highlight in my work here at BCCPD. We’ll start by brainstorm-ing topics that seem timely and, before you know it, we’ve hit upon a completely unrelated theme. Recently, we had one of these quirky, creative meetings that led to our theme, “Taking a break.”

“Taking a break” is the phrase we decided best conveyed what we wanted to explore: the respite we all yearn for while juggling the responsibilities and commitments of everyday life. For some of us with disabilities or chronic health conditions, for example, travel is not necessarily a “vacation.” Personally, by the time I pack for a trip, navigate airport security or sit in a car for hours on a road trip, I’m remembering my chaotic work weeks with fondness!

No, travel is not a ticket to the zone of relaxation and pleasure for me. And yet, I know many people with disabilities who love nothing more than researching, planning and visiting new places. Rather than draining their energy, travel is revitalizing.

And so our steadfast team moved on to the word “leisure” to try to capture the essence of “time that re-energizes.”

This feels like a better fit than “travel,” but “leisure” may also imply a period of time–maybe a week or more. In reality, to have “leisure” is to have any pocket of time to spend as you wish. As you’ll read in this Transition, many of us enjoy pleasurable, relaxing time in small servings–like a mini-cupcake.

“Mini-cupcake-sized leisure” is more available, affordable, flexible and a half-dozen are easily shared with others. Whatever the serv-ing size, we agreed that partly we were trying to convey a “state of mind.”

After a couple of hours, there it was–that time in a Transition team meeting when we all look at each other and nod. Someone said “Taking a break! We’re try-ing to describe taking a break!” So, whether your break involves weeks’ worth of travel or one of my favourites–an hour in a café with a good book–you’ll pick up some ideas inside. In fact, we hope that just reading this issue of Tran-sition will give you a break.

We’re always happy to hear from readers. Let us know what you think or if you have other ways of “taking a break.” n

Shelley and Freckle surf the web


Taking a BreakChloe

Travel is something I greatly enjoy. Over the past few years, I’ve visited and fallen for Aus-tralia, Quebec, Nova Scotia and many parts of BC. While I’d love to dart off across the world to various exotic locales once a year, most of these trips required sacrifices that I am infrequently willing or able to make: months of extreme financial restraint and the surrender of much of my social life.

When I need a change of scenery, but can’t stray far from home, I like to take the occasional weekend to act like a tourist within my own city. For me, this involves venturing with my partner or friends to the parts of Vancouver I don’t regularly visit. We explore various neighbourhoods’ shops and sights, without sticking to any particular plan.

Quite often, I take my digital camera along with me on these excursions. I’d never claim to be a great photographer, but I find photography relaxing and rewarding. When I photograph my surroundings, I force myself to take them in and notice things I might otherwise take for granted. If some of the photos turn out well, that’s just a bonus.

These weekend mini-adventures allow me to enjoy a change of pace, discover more of the interesting things Vancouver has to offer and ultimately recharge.

CANADA PENSION PLAN 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?We can 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

Traditional Chinese and Punjabi in 2011/12)

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 Program

Telephone: 604-872-1278

Toll-Free: 1-800-663-1278

TTY (for hearing impaired): 604-875-8835

Website: www.bccpd.bc.ca

Program information: under Programs/Advocacy Access

Self-help guides: under Publications/Advocacy

Funded by The Law Foundation of BC


Abili tyTripAbilityTrip provides information on accessibility by destination including logistics, accommoda-tions, activities, restaurants and other services aimed at travellers with disabilities.

Destinations include North, Cen-tral, and South America, as well as the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Middle East. AbilityTrip also offers download-able trip planning materials, such as checklists and phrase books. Reviews of destinations submitted by travellers are also featured and readers can subscribe to a monthly travel newsletter.

They also provide the following forms:

Disabled Travel Packing ChecklistYou have booked a wheelchair ac-cessible vacation, accessible hotels and set your itinerary. Now use this tool to make sure you don’t forget to pack any of the essentials for your trip.

Phrase Book of Accessible TermsVisiting a destination where English is not the spoken lan-guage? Download this tool and print a hot sheet of key terms in the desired language. Current lan-guages include: Chinese, German, Russian and Spanish.

Destination Accessibility TemplateDownload and fill out this tem-plate to share your knowledge on destinations. Send in your fully or partially completed template and AbilityTrip will post the informa-tion for others. http://AbilityTrip.com/index.php

TravabilityThis wide-ranging site features news, political and advocacy issues, destination reviews, and information regarding accessible tourism. The site offers a selec-tion of blogs, links, photographs and other material aimed at the world traveller. Based in Victoria, Australia, the site specializes in links to travel companies and services for people of all levels of mobility. Canadian sites include Whistler, Grouse Mountain and boat charter services. http://www.travability.com.au/ and http://www.facebook.com/pages/Travability/50989681379.

CTA GuideThe Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) provides a detailed 54-page guide, Take Charge of Your Travel, on accessible travel on planes, trains, ferries and buses. The guide provides advance travel information for people with mo-bility, sensory and/or cognitive disabilities. Available online as a PDF file, a DAISY Digital Talking Book or an MP3 file, the guide stresses advance planning and research when preparing for your trip. Main sections include:

A review of Canadian regula-• tions for accessible transporta-tion.A guide to planning and book-• ing your journey.A discussion of issues and • challenges you may face.A list of travel reminders.• Ways to resolve conflicts and • problems.A list of useful information • sources.A separate, downloadable • reservation checklist.

http://www.otc-cta.gc.ca/doc.php?sid=1021&lang=eng n

Accessible Travel Tips & ResourcesBeing well-informed and prepared can make travelling a whole lot easier. Here are just some of the accessible websites and travel tips we found.


BCCPD volunteer George Lawson loves to travel and he’s an expert at making a dollar stretch. Here are some of his money-saving travel tips.

“The important thing about travel is to do research. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if you think they’re dumb,” he says.

If you ask questions, you’ll find out, for example, that Amtrak will take 10% off your train fare if you have a BC Ferries disability pass or another pass that documents your disability, like a CNIB pass. “If you have a bit of extra money, you can also book business class on Amtrak for another $13 per person. This means you’re first on and off the train and through customs, you get a $3 food coupon and the seats are bigger, too.”

“Do general research on the internet and talk to people you know who’ve gone to where you want to go,” says George. “And local transportation costs can be a big expense when you travel; like the costs from the train or plane to your hotel or getting around town. So, it’s a good idea to find a hotel you like that’s close to public transportation.” Some hotels will also offer to pick you up at the train station.

And hotel rates are not the same year round. “For our Seattle trip, I called one of the hotel chains and found they had a lower winter rate for two people, with a buffet breakfast included. We saved a lot by doing that. And be sure to ask

for your hotel cost, including all the taxes.”

Other things you can find on the web or by talking to local peo-ple are inexpensive restaurants, free or low cost attractions or free transportation, like the free buses in Seattle’s downtown core or the hour-long ferry that’s a beautiful trip for under $10.

“Just be prepared, ask ques-tions and explore. It’s great.” n

Exploring on a Tight Budget

Taking a BreakSam

One of my favourite Vancouver spots is New Brighton outdoor swimming pool. When you buy a ticket, you get in and out privi-leges for the park and pool all day long. You can swim, go BBQ, swim, rest, eat some more…

Get PreparedWorkplace Emergency Preparedness for All: What you need to support people with disabilities

Learn the best

approaches that

community organizations

and businesses can use

in designing emergency

plans that include people

with disabilities.

For information on

workshops or customized

training for your

workplace, contact:

BC Coalition of People

with Disabilities

Tel: 604-875-0188

TTY: 604-875-8835

www.bccpd.bc.ca

[email protected]

BCCPD

Community Kitchen: A commu-nity kitchen is an event where

a group of people get together to cook dinner in a social atmo-sphere. After preparing the food, they sit down and share the meal. Community kitchens mean new friends, new skills and new food experiences.

BCCPD’s Community and Residents Mentors Association (CARMA) program sponsors the Able Community Kitchen which meets once a month at George Pearson Centre–a care facility that is home for people with disabili-ties of all ages. The community kitchen brings together Pearson residents and community mem-bers to share food knowledge and meal preparation skills. For resi-dents at George Pearson, it offers a rare opportunity to participate in the planning and preparation of their own meals and to experience the joy of sharing a meal. Apart from the community kitchen, Pear-son residents’ daily meals are mass produced by the company con-tracted to provide food services to the facility, so residents have lim-ited food style choices and solitary dining experiences.

During the growing season, the Able Community Kitchen receives fresh produce from the gardens just outside the building. This bounty of organic fruit and vegetables is provided by CARMA’s Farmers on 57th project, an urban agriculture initiative, which includes accessible commu-nity gardens.

Able Community Kitchen cooks a different meal from scratch each month. This year the menu has included chili with garlic bread, BBQ, lasagna, coco-nut curry and, most recently, moose stew. Every meal includes a fresh kale salad from the gardens outside and sometimes there is a special homemade dessert.

Community members are invited to dinner for a $5 dona-tion. If you would like to join us for dinner, or would like information about dates and times, please contact Sam at [email protected]. To learn more about Able Com-munity Kitchen and other kitchens in Vancouver, visit www.commun-itykitchens.ca. For more informa-tion about CARMA, visit http://www.bccpd.bc.ca/programs/carma/. n

For residents at George Pearson, it offers a rare opportunity to participate in the planning and preparation of their own meals and to experience the joy of sharing a meal.

Breaking Bread Together

Accessible Garden Plots Available Cottonwood Community Garden currently has three accessible raised garden plots available. These raised beds are fully accessible and narrow enough to easily reach across from both directions. The pathways are wide and covered with a firm acces-sible surface. The raised beds are available for seniors, people with chronic health problems, people with disabilities or for anyone who cannot bend to garden in the ground. We also have 20 in-ground plots available. Cottonwood is located in East Vancouver, along the south side of Strathcona Park (Strathcona Park is on Prior, between Main and Clark). Call (604) 608-0384 for details.

transitionFounding EditorRichard A. Watson

Editor/LayoutAnn Vrlak

Cover LayoutFiona Gamiet

Cover ArtSam Bradd

ContributorsJane Dyson, Shelley Hourston, Andrew Quinn

ProofreadersAmandaSchuldt•AndrewQuinn

Alternate FormatsValStapleton•ElenaKubaseck-Berry

Admin AssistantElena Kubaseck-Berry

Mailout CoordinatorJanis Walsh

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 herein is meant to be thought-provoking and to promote dialogue. Transition is a forum to share information within the disability community, and with government and the general public. It is also an opportunity for people with disabilities to display creative talent.

Disclaimer Any firm or company advertising in Transition is for our readers’ benefit and does not constitute an endorse-ment by the BCCPD.

The federal government has been given 15 months to comply with the Charter of Rights, by making its websites accessible to visually impaired Canadians.

A Federal Court judge issued the order in November, 2010, in a ruling that concluded the govern-ment breached Donna Jodhan’s equality rights by its “system-wide failure” to provide the same ser-vices to the visually impaired as it does to those who can see.

“She has been denied equal access to, and benefit from, gov-ernment information and services provided online to the public on the Internet, and that this con-stitutes discrimination against her on the basis of her physical disability, namely that she is blind,” wrote Justice Michael Kelen, who found the government is not liv-ing up to its own 2001 accessibil-ity standards.

In a rare move, Kelen said he will oversee implementation of Ottawa’s online retrofit.

Jodhan, a computer-savvy accessibility consultant who also

tweets and blogs, launched a court challenge after discovering she could not apply for a federal job online, nor could she fill out the 2006 census.

“I went to court to catch the government’s attention because they were not paying attention to any of us when we said we could not access their websites, we could not apply for jobs, we can’t do anything,” said Jodhan, a Torontonian who has been blind since birth.

The federal government ar-gued in written court documents that federal services are available in other ways, such as on the tele-phone, in person and by mail and that it is unlikely that the Internet can be perfectly accessible to all, given that there are more than 23 million pages under the domain of gc.ca.

Kelen said that Jodhan brought her case to court in the “public interest” and he, therefore, ordered the government to pay $150,000 to cover her legal costs.

(Excerpted from canada.com) n

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Patrick Simpson 604-803-7443

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Ottawa Ordered to Make Websites More Accessibleby Janice Tibbetts, Postmedia News, November 29, 2010


Poverty is an intractable issue facing Canadians with disabili-

ties. Two million Canadians with disabilities have an annual income of less than $19,000 (PALS, 2006). More than one in four people with low incomes have a disability.

The Registered Disability Sav-ings Plan (RDSP) has the potential to be part of the solution. An esti-mated 500,000 Canadians should qualify for this savings plan. If those 500,000 people contributed only $1,000 per year (just $83/month) for the next 20 years, in 2030 they would all have RDSPs valued at more than $200,000. This would permit them to add, on average, about $10,000 to their an-nual income each year. That would be approximately double what most Canadians receiving disabil-ity benefits currently live on.

But, only about 40,000 Canadi-ans have opened RDSPs!

There are five major barriers deterring people from using the RDSP:

Awareness. People don’t know • the RDSP exists.Financial literacy. People don’t • understand how an RDSP could help them.Eligibility. People have chal-• lenges qualifying for the Dis-ability Tax Credit which they need to open an RDSP.Legal capacity issues. Only • “legal representatives” can open an RDSP if a person is “deemed” not to have capacity.

Fear. People continue to worry • that saving will jeopardize their provincial benefits.

Our goal is to overcome these bar-riers by:

Offering direct services: • qualifying for the Disability Tax Credit and filing taxes.Supporting the Planned • Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN) to raise awareness. Advancing public policy • solutions to remove systemic barriers.

So, we’ve launched the RDSP Resource Centre, a social-purpose venture, to help overcome these barriers and to assist Canadians with disabilities to achieve finan-cial security.

We’re Here to HelpThe Centre is an initiative of Ability Tax Group (a small disability tax specialist company) and myself. My interest in people’s financial well-being and the RDSP comes from nearly 30 years of working with people with disabilities at Burnaby Association for Commu-nity Inclusion and PLAN, where the main part of my job was to advance the idea of an RDSP in Ottawa.

The RDSP Resource Centre will work closely with PLAN to raise awareness and improve access to the RDSP, and will use revenue from the initiative to support PLAN’s ongoing work.

Our services include:Answering questions about • the RDSP.RDSP and disability tax pre-• sentations.Articles and information about • the RDSP.Assistance in qualifying for the • Disability Tax Credit.Tax filing, tax reviews and tax • adjustments.Appeals and objections for • people whose Disability Tax Credit application is denied.

We’ve assisted people with all types of disabilities from all parts of the country to qualify for the Disability Tax Credit and open RDSPs. We’ve served people, their families and professionals in the big cities like Vancouver and in more remote locations like Dease Lake.

Jack Styan is the Managing Director of the RDSP Resource Centre. n

An estimated 500,000 Canadians should qualify for this savings plan. But, only about 40,000 Canadians have opened RDSPs!

Announcing Canada’s New RDSP Resource Centreby Jack Styan


Show Me the Money (Skills)Next free workshop in June

Saving Energy Made Easy (and Free!)Ken Wardroper is a 67-year-old retiree on a fixed income. He’s also by nature a very frugal man. “I’m a true Scot,” he says. “I’ve been a nickel-and-dimer all my life, very conservative with money. I use coupons, I read flyers, I get all the two-for-ones I can.”That’s why he jumped at BC Hydro’s free Energy Conservation Assistance Program (ECAP) as soon as he heard about it.ECAP provides qualified BC Hydro account holders with a free home energy evaluation. Depending on the results of that evaluation, the household will receive a range of easy-to-install energy-efficient products, such as compact fluorescent light bulbs, which use up to 75 percent less energy than regular light bulbs, water-saving showerheads and weather stripping to stop cold drafts around doors and windows.If necessary, BC Hydro will also work with a qualified local contractor to supply and install additional energy-saving measures, such as a blanket to wrap the water heater and thermal covers for hot water pipes, as well as an ENERGY STAR® refrigerator, which uses about half the energy of a fridge made before 1993.“Everyone was so professional,” says homeowner Ken Wardroper of the people involved in BC Hydro’s Energy Conservation Assistance Program. “They couldn’t put the insulation in the walls of my house the easy way, through the outside, because I wanted to preserve the original shakes. They had to do it from the inside, but you can’t see a thing now. And I’ve really felt the difference in the winter. I’m warmer, and my energy bills are much lower.”

For More InformationThe Energy Conservation Assistance Program is available for low-income BC Hydro account holders (owners or renters) who use more than 8,000 kilowatts of electricity a year—or spend more than $600 a year on their electricity bills—and is available throughout the province.To find out more about ECAP or BC Hydro’s Energy Saving Kits, which contain $75-worth of easy-to-use and easy-to-install energy-saving products, please call 1 877 431 9463 or visit bchydro.com/ecap.

In February, BCCPD held a free four-week course on Money Skills, offered by the Family Services of Greater Vancouver. It covered top-ics like budgeting and spending, in down-to-earth language. It was such a success with participants, that we plan to offer the course again in June.

Here are some comments from our participants:“It made me think about what I ought to spend my money on and saving is much more a priority.”

“I learned new ways of applying and using credit. It will give me more confidence. I also will know how to budget for things and not spend, spend, spend. I’d like to save more.”

“I liked the input and how others are in the same situation, and we can all brainstorm to manage our financial goals.”

Join UsIf you’d like to join us at this free event, please contact Val at [email protected] or 604-875-0188. You’ll also find details on our website at www.bccpd.bc.ca. n


When I decided to undergo my tracheotomy and go on a ventila-tor, it was like getting a new lease on life. I no longer had to struggle for every breath and feel con-strained by the limited capabilities of my own lungs.

While there is so much more open to me, there are some areas that can seem off limits because of my new mechanical companion. For me, travelling was something that seemed impossible. In addi-tion to being on a vent, I’m unable to sit in any other wheelchair than my own.

This makes the prospect of air travel a little mind boggling. I was almost ready to resolve myself to the fact that I was stuck in one place forever!

Almost. During an especially dreary Vancouver winter, I’d had enough. I announced to anyone who would listen that I was going to California in the Spring, even if I had to wheel down the I-5 by myself. Luckily, I didn’t have to do anything that drastic. My cousin and her family live in southern California and offered to let us stay with them, making an affordable trip a reality.

After investigating the chal-lenges of flying with a motorized wheelchair and ventilator, my Mom and I decided that we would drive the 2,118 kilometres to New-port Beach with the help of a close friend. My trip south made me something of an expert, so here are some helpful tips on roadtrip-pin’ with a vent.

Planning: The Key to Avoiding Trouble We did a fair amount of plan-ning before we hit the highway. I learned that the most important

thing was pack-ing supplies. Know exactly how many days you’ll be away and how many catheters, saline instillers, dress-ing trays, etc., you will need, plus extras in case of emer-gencies. Place all supplies in clear plastic

containers to keep everything sorted, portable and accessible.

Double Up on the Equipment Take two vents, two suction machines and extra parts for the in-line humidifier. In case of any technical mishaps, you always need a back-up.

Dress for Success Clothes are equally important: take an outfit for every occasion! Well, okay, maybe that’s just me.

Cover the Legalities Before leaving, get a letter from the good people at Provincial Respiratory Outreach Program, identifying your vents and suction machines. This will come in handy in preventing customs officers from ripping through your stuff for drugs or diamonds. Also, buy extended traveller’s insurance.

Be Familiar with Your Destinations’ Medical StoresYou may need a lift while you’re there. Rent one and have it deliv-ered to your destination before you arrive. This will prevent you from having to spend your visit in the carport. Finally, it’s time to leave. Stock the van with candy and new tunes on the iPod. These are as crucial as travel insurance when your driver gets lost in the wilds of Oregon. All the fun is get-ting there!

We sailed through the border and drove a total of 24 hours in three and-a-half days, complica-tion free! Along the way, we stayed

Roadtrippin’ with Your Ventby Donna Gibbings

I announced to anyone who would listen that I was going to California in the spring, even if I had to wheel down the I-5 by myself. Luckily, I didn’t have to do anything that drastic.


Roadtrippin’ with Your Ventby Donna Gibbings

at the Holiday Inn Express, each time checking in with no reserva-tion. Of course, it’s best to ask for disability designated rooms and it’s good to know where you’re stopping for the night so you can make reservations. The staff was exceedingly accommodating and everything was 100% accessible. Even the parking spaces were ideal, with specially marked spots for vans with side-loading lifts.

Once in California at my fam-ily’s home, it was a dream vacation. We settled into a new routine with no complications. We had success-fully avoided any travelling pitfalls because of our careful planning. We went shopping, attended four Stanley Cup play-off games, hung out at the beach, did Dis-neyland and a studio tour. Some Disneyland rides are accessible for motorized chairs (and vents!): a great surprise and treat. All of it was fantastic and very accommo-dating for me, my equipment and entourage.

It was a great trip, not only because of all the things I got to do and the time I spent with my family, but because now I know I can travel. The world isn’t shut off from me any more and the feeling you get when you are out there experiencing life is indescribable.

With some planning, a little help and lots of determination you can go anywhere. I’m already planning another expedition!

(Reprinted with permission. Excerpted from PROPNEWS, Vol. 5, No. 2, Fall 2006, Provincial Respiratory Outreach Program). n

n effective and holistic method provides an individu-alized approach with emphasis on awakening the body’s innate potential to heal itself.

IEH treatment helps in reducing pain and anxiety, relieving stress and depression, providing support during chemo-therapy, strengthening the immune system, reducing effects of trauma, accelerating wound healing and post spinal cord injury, detoxifying from substance misuse and reconnecting with the body.

It is designed to complement, rather than replace, conven-tional approaches to health care.

sanare Awaken Your Healing Potential with Integrative Energy Healing

www.sanare.caTel: 604.727.4186

Marija Djordjevic #103-853 Richards St. Vancouver

SanareAd February 3, 2011 2:20 PM Transition magazine

An effective and holistic method provides an individualized approach with emphasis on awakening the body’s innate po-tential to heal itself.

IEH treatment helps in reducing pain and anxiety, relieving stress and depression, providing support during chemo-therapy, strengthening the immune system, reducing effects of trauma, accelerating wound healing and post spinal cord injury, detoxifying from substance misuse and reconnecting with the body.

It is designed to complement, rather than replace, conven-tional approaches to health care.

sanare Awaken Your Healing Potential with Integrative Energy Healing

www.sanare.caTel: 604.727.4186

Marija Djordjevic #103-853 Richards St. Vancouver

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Take the PLAN QuizWould you answer Yes to any of these questions?

Do you have family friends, or clients with a disability?•Is their financial, legal and social future 100% secure?•Do you feel connected to the wider disability community?•

Did you answer YES to one or more questions? Then subscribe to the Planning Journal. It is bursting with expert tips on financial planning, independent housing, and personal stories of challenge and celebration. Subscribers are always the first to know about free seminars and workshops. There is no better way to stay informed, stay connected and plan a good life for people that matter. Subscribe today for just $39.95 (digital version $25.95). The benefits include:

A supportive network of families•Four issues of the information-packed quarterly PLAN magazine•The monthly PLAN email newsletter•Free subscription to Abilities or Exceptional Family magazine•

Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network: http://subscribe.plan.ca.

¨


These benefits are taken from BCCPD’s Help Sheet 3: Checklist for the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Benefit. The first two programs, the Annual Bus Pass and the Special Transportation Subsidy, are available only to people who receive the provincial Persons with Disabilities Benefit, from the Ministry of Social Development (MSD).

Annual Bus Pass ($45 per •year)

Phone the Bus Pass Program at 1-866-866-0800 and ask for an application.

Special Transportation •Subsidy

For people unable to use public transit, including handyDART. Contact MSD for information.

Each of the following programs or benefits has its own requirements. Some are listed here; for others, please contact the organization for full details.

Autoplan Disability Discount •(ICBC)

Phone 604-661-2100 or 1-800-663-3051 if you are outside the Lower Mainland. You can also contact your local ICBC agent. You must be in receipt of the Provincial Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax Rebate. Website: www.icbc.com.

BC Ferry pass• Apply directly to the BC Ferry

Corporation. You will need a Release of Information form from your MSD office. Phone 1-888-223-3779 for an application form or go to the website at www.bcferries.bc.ca.

Federal Excise Gasoline Tax •Refund

Phone the Canada Revenue Agency at 1-877-432-5472. The phone lines are open from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. (BC time). Website:

http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/goc/gasoline_tax_refund.shtml

Flight Discount• Your attendant may accompany

you free of charge; ask the airline for details.

Provincial Motor Vehicle Fuel •Tax Rebate

Phone the BC Consumer Taxation Branch at 1-877-388-4440

Website: www.gov.bc.ca/sbr.

HandyDART• Look for the HandyDART listing

in your phone book.

HandyPass and Taxi Saver• In the Lower Mainland, contact

your local TransLink office or go to www.translink.bc.ca. People in other areas should contact their local transit office.

Greyhound (and bus lines •other than transit) and Via Rail

Attendants travel free with a Disability Travel Card from the Lions Society of BC. Phone 604-873-1865, or 1-800-818-4483 if you are outside the Lower Mainland. Blind or sight impaired individuals can present their CNIB Card. Obtain the application form from your MSD office.Camping is free in BC •Provincial Parks

Obtain a Release of Information form from MSD to give to campsite operators.

Full or partial funding is available for camping at certain recognized camps.

Fishing License Fee Reduction• Look under Service BC

Government Agents in the blue pages of your local phone book. They will be able to provide you with the information you need and an application form.

Access to Recreation/•Community Centres and Programs

Most municipalities provide some assistance for people with disabilities who want to access their recreational programs. Call your local recreation/community centre for information. n

Other Discounts and BenefitsThere are programs available through government and businesses, to reduce travel and recreation costs for people with disabilities.


2011 is already a wonderful year

for BCCPD, thanks to the amazing

generosity of two families.

All of us at BCCPD would like to

express our profound gratitude to

Joseph Connolly for his donation

of $10,000. Joseph made the dona-

tion in memory of his wife, Helen,

who we were fortunate to work

with during her many years as a

tireless advocate for people with

mental illness. Our Board is discuss-

ing how best to use this donation

to honour Helen’s work.

We would also like to extend our thanks to the Merrell

family who donated $1,000. The family sent this note along

with their cheque: “Enclosed is our cheque for $1000 as a

donation to ‘The Coalition.’ We would like this donation to

be in Lillian Wong’s name [one of our advocates]. Thanks to

Lillian’s assistance, we have gotten [our grandson] his desig-

nation as a “Person with a Disability.” Without Lillian’s tireless

and cheerful help, we wouldn’t have had a hope of steering

this application through the system. Thank you Lillian and

the Coalition for your kind and generous help to people

with disabilities.”

Our deep thanks to Mr. Connolly and the Merrells for

your support and recognition. n

The Kindness of Others by Jane Dyson

Are you 18-25 years old with a neurological diagnosis?Do you want to:

Discover the right job for ✔✔

you?Learn the skills you need?✔✔

Contact us for:Information and Resources✔✔

Referrals✔✔

Services at ✔✔ no cost

The SEGWAYEProgram

604-630-3034www.centreforability.bc.ca

Are you 18-25 years old with a neurological diagnosis?

Do you want to:Discover the right job for you?✔✔

Learn the skills you need?✔✔

Contact us for:Information and Resources✔✔

Referrals✔✔

Services at ✔✔ no cost

The SEGWAYE Program

604-630-3034www.centreforability.bc.ca

Joseph made the donation in memory of his wife, Helen, who we were fortunate to work with during her many years as a tireless advocate for people with mental illness.

Privacy Statement

The BC Coalition of People with Dis-abilities (BCCPD) respects and upholds an individuals’ right to privacy and the protection of their personal information.

The BCCPD is committed to ensuring compliance with BC’s Personal Informa-tion and Protection of Privacy Act (PIPA). The BCCPD will inform people what personal information it collects about them and why. It will store information securely and identify who has access to the information it collects.

BCCPD Privacy Officer: Sam Bradd 604-875-0188, [email protected]; Alternate: Jane Dyson, [email protected].


These are some of the questions we asked a focus group in the fall, as part of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities’ (CCD) Evolution of Access project. The BCCPD would like to thank the CCD for the opportunity to participate in this important project for the disability community.

It was a fascinating and engaging discussion. We looked at five basic areas in considering the evolution of access: new and emerging access issues, informa-tion technologies, barriers to access, good practices to ensure access and remedies.

Highlights and commentsParticipants told us that con-• struction and urban develop-ment play a significant role in the creation of new barriers

for people with disabilities. This is compounded by access inconsistency, for example, differences in curb access and the frequent lack of notifica-tion, in accessible formats, of changes resulting from con-struction or street repairs.The group discussed how • challenging it is when the routes they are used to tak-ing are suddenly changed. One participant who is blind, described his frustration and concern for his safety when bus stops are moved and he is suddenly unable to find his way independently around familiar neighbourhoods. Participants discussed how • new barriers are created when buildings are retrofitted or poorly designed.The group agreed that BC’s • latest round of funding cuts to services introduced in Spring 2010 have had a negative impact on accessibility. As a result of these cuts, people

with disabilities are finding it impossible or more difficult to access the services they need. “There’s an assumption that • everybody can afford a com-puter. And that everybody can [physically use the computer]. That’s an assumption. It’s not a fact.” (Focus group participant)Cost was a major issue for • participants in the discussion about access and information technologies. Participants spoke about the assumption that everyone has a computer and can afford the ongoing costs associated with comput-er ownership. This assumption creates a significant barrier for people lacking information technology access who need a computer to obtain services. One participant pointed out that some government agen-cies only accept applications that are completed online.High service plan costs pre-• vent people with disabilities from accessing some infor-mation technology that can help them to be more inde-pendent. One participant told

“There’s an assumption that everybody can afford a computer. And that everybody can [physically use the computer]. That’s an assumption. It’s not a fact.”

Evolution of Access ProjectWhat do you see as the new and emerging access issues?•

What do you see as the critical issues with new information technologies?•

What barriers do these new access issues create for people with •disabilities?


the group about a program for people who are Deaf and hard-of-hearing. Many of the participants wanted a Black-berry because it is one of the few phones that are TTY com-patible. The program provided some participants with $500 Blackberry phones. Unfor-tunately, the $60 a month operating fee means that many of those who received the phones cannot afford to use them.The majority of participants • felt that online information is often presented in a way that is hard to understand. Many websites lack alternative for-mats that would make them more accessible. Cyber-bullying was discussed • and social networking sites, such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter, identified as new avenues for abuse, harassment and victimization. “So there’s this huge push to • put everything online and make it accessible to people because now everybody can have it. But really, I’m not so sure with this specific popula-tion that this is actually creat-ing more help in the commu-nity. And I think it fits in with that increased isolation…” (Focus group participant).

For more information on the project, please contact the Council of Canadians with Disabilities at 204-947-0303, TTY/ATS: 204-943-4757, [email protected], http://www.ccdonline.ca/. n

Taking a breakTom

One of my ways of taking a break is taking photos. It’s my new passion.

I love to take photos along the Fraser River Parkway. It’s an excellent mixture of nature, history and a working river. The Parkway stretches from the southern foot of Knight Street in Vancouver and you could conceivably follow the trail to New Westminster. The trail varies from paved to boardwalk to cobblestone to dirt. You can even pick berries, go salmon fishing or just enjoy the view from as high as 700 ft. above sea level in nearby Everett Crawley Park.

ObituaryBCCPD Board, staff and volunteers were saddened to hear of Dr. Nancy Hall’s passing on March 23. Dr. Hall was BC’s first (and only) mental health advocate from 1998-2001. She was a tireless advocate for the mental health community and a champion of health promotion and public health. She will be greatly missed by us all.


Q What allergies do you have and how do they affect you

if you come into contact with the allergen?I am anaphylactic to fish, shellfish and peanuts. I also have other severe allergies to soy, legumes, tree nuts. I also can’t eat any raw apples and pears, stone fruit (like cherries, apricots or peaches) and vegetables, like celery and car-rots, without cooking them first. With my anaphylactic allergies, I’m sensitive to allergens if they’re air-borne, if they’re ingested or if they come into contact with my skin. No matter how small the amount, if I come into contact with fish, peanuts or shellfish, it triggers anaphylaxis. It’s always violent and instantaneous. My ears, nose and throat close. Usually my skin breaks into hives and I have a fever. A mild reaction of my non-anaphylactic allergies causes my lip to swell and throat to be itchy. I may get blotchy skin and a slight fever. It can also trigger asthma.

Q How have the allergies lim-ited your ability to travel?

The ease of staying local in my city is often more appealing to me than the planning and stress that goes along with a vacation. If you’re going to a country where you don’t speak that particular language, communicating that you have allergies can be uncer-tain. If you avoid restaurants, even reading food labels at local stores may still pose difficulty, unless you can read the language. Because of the extent of my allergies, I only travel with my own food, even when staying in BC.

QIn your experience, do tra-vel personnel have a good

understanding of allergies?My experiences have been OK. I refrain from saying “good” because it’s rare that I feel comfortable on a plane. For example, on a recent trip, I called a booking agent to request a special meal because it was a very long flight. After some discussion, she said they would

have a fruit plate for me. During check in, I confirmed my fruit plate, but when the meal was delivered, it wasn’t what I’d ordered. I was offered prawns or the vegetarian meal (which was chickpeas), both of which are severe allergens for me. Staff were upset that I was up-set, and said no one notified them. This was not the first time this situation has happened. For me, this made me very uncomfortable in my surroundings. Sometimes it’s hard to get the point across of the severity of my allergies. I don’t need to consume something to have a reaction. Being in a plane where allergens may be around makes me feel a loss of control.

QAre staff generally helpful, even if things go wrong?

I’ve had many more good experi-ences than bad. So many people I’ve met during my travels, or peo-ple I’m travelling with, have been kind, patient and understanding. Surrounding myself with people I trust is very important.

QWhat precautions do you take when you travel?

I try to choose locations that are not influenced by foods that I’m allergic to. When I travel, I carry an extra Epi-pen. I carry a doctor’s note stating what allergies I have and why I carry medication. It also includes an extra prescription copy in case anyone doubts why I carry medicine through customs.

Anaphylaxis | noun (also anaphylactic shock): An extreme, often life-threatening, allergic reaction to an antigen (e.g., a bee sting) to which the body has become hypersensitive following an earlier exposure.

Epi-penAn epinephrine auto-injector is a medical device used to deliver a measured dose (or doses) of epinephrine (also known as adrenaline). They are most frequently for the treatment of acute allergic reactions to avoid or treat the onset of anaphylactic shock.

Travelling with AllergiesWhat’s it like to travel when you have severe allergies? Cat Bradd talks about getting around in the world with allergies.


I carry hand sanitizer and hand wipes in my bag. Sometimes I need to touch doors or handles or shake someone’s hand, and I can be affected by trace amounts of allergens on a hand or door.

QWhat do you think of the new airline policies for cus-

tomers with allergies?I think it’s wonderful that the air-lines have adapted their policies for people travelling with aller-gies. It will bring comfort to me and more people travelling with allergies.

QIs there anything you would add or change about these

policies, anything else you’d like to see carriers do for people with allergies?In a dream word, I would love to see no fish, shellfish or peanuts in menus. And WestJet has a new policy to make an announcement, if a customer states they are aller-gic to peanuts which is great. The announcement says, “We have a guest travelling with us today who has a severe allergy to nuts. We ask that you do not open or consume any nuts or nut products during this flight. Thanks for your help.” It’s not perfect, of course, because the allergens can still be around. But it’s a start. It would be won-derful if the announcement also included more of the common allergies in Canada.

QAre there any travel tips you could give to people

with allergies?Plan in advance to travel where there is a kitchenette or at least a fridge in your accommodations. I carry all my food with me and do shopping in local stores. I never like to take risks. Wash all dishes and counters before use. Carry an extra Epi-pen with you. Know where the nearest medical cen-tre or hospital is and book your accommodations accordingly. If you’re going to a country with a foreign language, it would be ideal to have a guide or local help you when travelling to a restaurant or grocery store. Bring your favourite snack or specialty item to indulge in. Don’t feel forced to make a decision or eat something that makes you feel uncomfortable. Go with your instinct. Ensure that you have proper travel insurance while travelling, in case something does happen. n

A message from Anaphylaxis CanadaCanada’s major airlines, WestJet and Air Canada, have both recently released information regarding their allergy policy for allergic travelers.

WestJetIn 2011, WestJet will carry EpiPens on board its aircraft as part of their first aid kit. We would like to thank WestJet and King Pharmaceuticals Canada for taking on this important initiative and helping to better protect allergic passengers.

Air CanadaAir Canada has also updated its allergy policy as a result of a recent Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) ruling. As part of the policy, Air Canada has introduced buffer zones for allergic passengers and the need for a medical form for travel. Contact Air Canada directly for clarification on the use of this form, if you plan to travel: 1-888-247-2262.

Contact:Anaphylaxis Canada http://www.anaphylaxis.org/ Telephone: 416-785-5666Toll Free: 1-866-785-5660Fax: 416-785-0458Email: [email protected]

Sometimes it’s hard to get the point across of the severity of my allergies. I don’t need to consume something to have a reaction. Being in a plane where allergens may be around makes me feel a loss of control.


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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 sending along a tax-deductible donation of $__________.

your voice counts | become a member of bccpd

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 http://www.bccpd.bc.ca/supportdonate.htm.

Thank you for your invaluable support.

Name ______________________________________________

Organization ________________________________________

Address _______________________________________________

City/Prov_______________________ Postal Code ____________

Phone _______________ Email ____________________________

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Travel the world of ideas without leaving your home.

TED is a small not-for-profit de-voted to “ideas worth spreading.” It started in 1984 as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Enter-tainment and Design.

Since then, its scope has become ever broader.

Along with two annual confer-ences, TED includes the award-winning TEDTalks video site, the Open Translation Project and Open TV Project, the inspiring TED Fellows and TEDx programs, and the annual TED Prize.

On TED.com, you’ll find the best talks and performances from TED for free. More than 700 TEDTalks (18 minutes long at most) are available, with more added each week. All of the talks are subtitled in English and many are subtitled in various languages. These videos are released under a Creative Commons license, so they can be freely shared and reposted.

Just a hint of the variety of talks you’ll find at TED:

Chef Jamie Oliver’s talks about • teaching every child about food.

Physicist Brian Greene’s talks • about string theory.

Daniel Gilbert’s astonishing talk • shows how we’re poor predic-tors of what will actually make us happy.

James Nachtwey uses his pow-• erful photographs to bring a killer epidemic to the forefront.

Malcolm Gladwell, tongue in • cheek, explores what we might learn about the pursuit of happiness through one man’s quest to make the perfect pasta sauce.

Jeff Skoll talks about how a • great movie can create real social reform. n

Taking a break at TED.com


Help Transition Go Green Now you can join other readers who have switched from receiving Transition in print to reading us electronically. Here’s how:

Renew your subscription using • the form in this edition or by visiting our Transition page online.Contact Val at the office (• [email protected] or 604-875-0188).

And, if you still want to receive Transition by mail, that’s ok too.

Save a tree, save BCCPD money and still receive Transition. A big thank you to subscribers who have already switched!

Our New Email NewsletterWe’ve changed the look of our email announcements and invite you to sign up through our website. Our Voice is the free, full-colour e-newsletter from the BCCPD you’ll receive about every 8 weeks. It includes community updates, resources, and tools. To sign up, please visit www.bccpd.bc.ca and type in your email address. We will not share your information. n

BC Association for Individualized Technology and Supports for People with Disabilities

BC Hydro Employees Community Services Fund

BC Rehab Foundation

Canadian Co-operative Association

City of Vancouver

Council of Canadians with Disabilities

Government of Canada’s Social Development Partnership Program-Disability Component

Health Sciences Association of BC

Home Depot Canada Foundation

Homelessness Partnership Strategy–Human Resources and Skills Development Canada:

The Law Foundation of British Columbia

Legal Services Society of British Columbia

Notary Foundation of BC

Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network

Province of British Columbia

Provincial Health Services Authority

TELUS Employees Charitable Giving Program

TD Friends of the Environment Foundation

United Way of the Lower Mainland

Vancouver Coastal Health

Vancouver Foundation

We couldn’t do it without youThank you to these organizations, companies and government departments who support BCCPD’s work on behalf of people with disabilities.

Find and follow BCCPD at www.bccpd.bc.ca/links.htm.


I’ve always loved to travel and I’ve had a lot of opportunities to see the world by competing in the Paralympic sport of boccia. Recently, my family and I decided to go on a holiday to Cuba which was different than my usual travels. We were not travelling in a group and we had to plan it all to make sure that my needs, as a power wheelchair user, would be met.

We knew that it was a risk to go to Cuba because most of the websites that we read suggested it was not very accessible. How-ever, we had always found Cuba interesting and we really wanted to relax on a beach in the sun, so it seemed like the best option. We’ve always been risk takers anyway!

The most important part of our trip, like any trip, was to plan well and get as many reassurances as possible that what you need will be there. We booked our trip through Air Canada Vacations and, when I first asked for a roll in shower, we were told that this existed, but that it could not be confirmed until our arrival. We insisted that we have confirmation because without an accessible room we would not be able to go. The next hurdle was finding transportation from the airport to the resort. We settled on lifting me

into a van and my wheelchair into the back; it seemed that there was no accessible vehicle in Cuba. I was willing to do this, but I defi-nitely wasn’t looking forward to it.

I always travel with my own shower chair and anything else that I might need. If you require extra luggage, you can often say that one is for medical equipment to avoid a charge. I also highly recommend knowing your wheel-chair and how to keep it as safe as possible on the plane. After transferring on to the skinny “aisle chair” at the gate, my attendant used duct tape to secure parts of my chair. We also unplug the

batteries and post a sign, “Dry Cell Batteries: All plugs disconnected,” so the batteries will not be re-moved by the ground crew. A staff person takes the chair from there and puts it underneath the plane. Then you cross your fingers be-cause it’s now out of your control!

You can request your seats on the plane without an extra charge. You can often talk to the staff, if you are unable to use the seat that has been assigned to you, but it’s definitely best to be prepared with what you need and talk to staff as early as possible.

When we arrived in Cuba, not only did my wheelchair not come

We knew that it was a risk to go to Cuba because most of the websites that we read suggested it was not very accessible. However, we had always found Cuba interesting and we really wanted to relax on a beach in the sun, so it seemed like the best option.

Welcoming the Unknown Brings Pleasant Surprisesby Paul Gauthier

From left to right: foster son Derek, Paul, Sarah and baby Matteo


from our tour guide and bus driver meant there was no trouble get-ting around in Havana or Varadero. I would have liked a more accessi-ble beach, but the staff happily lift-ed me on to a lounge chair and on to the sand so that I could enjoy the beauty of the sandy beaches and the aquamarine water.

Cuba may not have been the most accessible country, but I have seen worse. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to others who use wheelchairs. We had a wonderful time and can’t wait for our next adventure! n

to the gate, but we found it going around the conveyor belt with the rest of the luggage! The great news is that it was all in working order.

One of the highlights of Cuba is the people. Everyone was will-ing to help and to do whatever they could to make sure we were comfortable. My number one tip for travel anywhere is that kind-ness, understanding and patience go a long way in getting what you need and getting people to help you. If you get angry every time something is not done right, you will not get very far in making it better.

The next step was the dreaded van and we had prepared our-selves mentally. Much to our sur-prise, the driver opened the back to reveal a ramp! So there you go, sometimes bad things happen unexpectedly, but good things happen too. The great news about having an accessible van is that we were able to rent it for a couple of tours, one to Havana and one to the city of Varadero. The van was rented through Air Canada Vacations and the company is Transgaviota.

Our resort was accessible, as promised, and a little creativity

Taking a BreakElenaI like to explore Vancouver without spending lots of money. Here are some of my favourite things to do around the city.

Visit the bloedel conservatory; it •can really lift your spirit!Visit different branches of the •vancouver public library or com-munity centres, and check for events.Check for interesting and often •free talks, music or film offered by the central vancouver public library.Check local universities for free •events.Explore and browse ethnic food •stores; sometimes groceries are cheaper and it’s possible to learn new food experiences.

GabrielleI have fibromyalgia. Here is my recipe for pain reduction and relaxation:

Thirty minutes to one hour of walk-ing or cycling, followed as soon as possible by a bath as hot as I can stand with lavender bubble bath and extra lavender essential oil.

Then, one hour of very accessible yoga based on Jon Kabat Zinn’s book Full Catastrophe Living course, taught to me by my family doctor.

Ahh!

.

My number one tip for travel anywhere is that kindness, understanding and patience go a long way in getting what you need and getting people to help you.


End Email “Addiction”Email is a great way to stay busy. If you check your email more than five times a day, you may be “ad-dicted” to email! The problem with constantly checking your email is that you train people that you are instantly available. Then, you have to check your email constantly in

order to be responsive. Here’s an email rehab program!

Tell the truth: What are your email patterns? How 1. much time do you spend per day on email?

Response time: Negotiate realistic email response 2. times with your team.

Email agreements: Set up agreements not to use 3. email for urgent communications and for matters best discussed in person or on the phone.

Build your system: Spend a little time to save a 4. lot of time. Get beyond the “send” and “delete” email command. Your email program is equipped with easy-to-use features for filtering, searching, archiving, creating invitations and managing project and people folders.

Action required: Immediately separate “for your 5. info” from your “action required” email. Deal with your “for your info” email all at once at a later time.

Time block email: Schedule two or three 15-45 6. minute times to check email and respond to simple requests.

Think before responding: For anything that can’t 7. be completed in your set email time, estimate how long it will take and see where it will fit in your schedule.

Stay strong: Only check your email during your 8. email time. If you need to check something, check your schedule. Next time you have a big project, try unplugging your email and see how much more focused you become.

Pick up the phone.9.

Use email–don’t let email use you.10.

From End Email Addiction, www.BusinessTransformed.com. n

Accessibility Information on the City of Vancouver’s WebsiteEarlier this year, the City of Vancouver added a page to its website with specific informa-tion related to accessibility and the City.

The site covers information such as:

Transportation, including links to:•

current information on the location of -construction and road closures;

information about wheelchair ramps, -audible street crossing signals, parking and taxis; and

information and links to public trans- -portation and transit.

Visiting Vancouver/Tourism;•

Recreation, including information about • parks and libraries.

The site also contains information on build-ing inspection, civic involvement opportuni-ties (such as the City’s Persons with Disabili-ties Advisory Committee), and community recognition awards.

In addition, the site includes seasonal alerts and updates about snow conditions and street closures, for example.

This is a relatively new site which is continu-ing to evolve and the City welcomes your comments and suggestions.

If you have feedback on the website, please contact the City’s Equal Employment Oppor-tunity Program, at: Equal.EmploymentOppor-

[email protected] or 604-873-7786.

http://vancouver.ca/accessibility


Do you have any communication needs; for example, sign language, hearing aid, etc.?

Note information about your medications, medical equipment, etc.

Do you use assistive devices or a service animal?

Do you need to be accompanied because of a mental health condition or developmental disability?

What are your accessible transportation needs?

Planning a trip? Instead of, or in addition to, a travel “checklist” consider using the C-MIST system to organize your needs. C-MIST stands for Communication, Medical, Independence, Supervision and Transportation.

Create a list, fill in your needs in each category and keep the form with you when

you travel. It can be used as a quick checklist for you and your family. It can also be used to provide information to emergency workers, if an emergency happens while you are travelling.

For more on C-MIST, see our Emergency Preparedness Project at www.bccpd.bc.ca, under Projects.

Trip Planning with C-MIST


We hear about and read about projected increases in the

fares for BC Ferries’ riders. Some of us get frustrated and wonder why we have put up with this. Why aren’t our voices heard?

Well, sometimes our voices are heard! When the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities (BCCPD) learned, in 2004, that new ferries were being planned, BCCPD Board member Valerie Thoem and I went to visit the folks at BC Ferries. The end result of our consultation was good input on our concerns regarding accessibility for the new coastal class ferries, and a way to ensure the concerns of people with disabilities could continue to be heard.

The BC Ferries’ Accessibility Advisory Committee was born out of a collaboration between BC Ferries and BCCPD. I co-chair the committee along with Peter Simp-son, Director, Fleet Operational Strategy with BC Ferries.

Our Committee is made up of representatives of organizations of and for people with disabilities from the communities served by BC Ferries. We work at being cross-disability and current members are: BC Coalition of People with Disabilities, Victoria Disability Re-source Centre, MS Society, Seniors Serving Seniors, CNIB, Alliance of Equality for Blind Canadians and

Canadian Hard of Hearing Associa-tion, and BC Paraplegic Associa-tion. BC Ferries relies on BCCPD to identify members for participation on the Committee.

We promote universal de-sign measures to consider and accommodate the needs of all passengers. We are able to advise on proposed changes, identify po-tential solutions, review plans for new ships, major refurbishments, and terminal changes to identify opportunities to improve acces-sibility. The committee has also helped with individual concerns raised by passengers, including the identification of hidden dis-abilities, service animal verification (what I like to call, “yes, poodles can be guide dogs”), passengers

Did you know, for example, that it’s the passenger’s responsi-bility to self-identify to the Chief Steward that they may need help in an emergency? This issue goes hand-in-hand with training. Staff need to be regularly aware of the supports people with disabilities use and valid identification includ-ing the BC Ferries pass, CNIB iden-tification and the universal hard of hearing sign.

The committee meets twice a year. Committee members are en-couraged to put forward agenda items for each meeting, but between meetings we will address concerns that we become aware of. We meet annually with the Executive Vice President, Op-erations, and the Executive Vice President, Business Development to provide an annual report of achievements and challenges ahead. At most meetings there is an opportunity to raise issues with David Hahn, President and Chief Executive Officer. He does sit in for part of the meeting and listens to our issues. We do feel heard and recognize there have been im-provements in the service –always slower than we hope for, but we can see progress.

For more information on the committee or to raise concerns, please feel free to contact me at [email protected]. To chat with BC Ferries, contact Karen Tindall at [email protected].

Pat Danforth is a BCCPD Board member. n

Making BC Ferries More Accessible by Pat Danforth

Travelling with a disability can be challenging and we hope to help reduce some of the barriers to travel. with motorized scooters and local accessibility issues.

Travelling with a disability can be challenging and we hope to help reduce some of the barriers to travel. One area we are work-ing on is emergency evacuation. While new evacuation slides are being incorporated into the fleet, making exiting easier for people with reduced mobility, the issue is not solved. It remains a standing item as we gather more informa-tion on the needs of passengers who may need help in case of an emergency.


Taking A BreakPendra

I never realistically wanted to have a dog and it was only through a series of accidents that I got one. You have to make lifestyle chang-es when you get a dog. Correction: that’s an understatement.

Enter Bunny. Friends of mine have dogs that can’t swim and hate the water. Summer was ap-proaching and I felt rather gloomy that my muscle-bound, mystery-breed dog might not be able to swim.

Besides being an obsessed swimmer, I had another valuable reason why I needed Bunny to swim. Swimming is a safe non-weight bearing exercise for bigger breed dogs, so it’s a great way to develop muscles on their rear legs–a preventative measure for hip dysplasia. Swimming would be the only way I could develop these muscles because the other option of taking him for long walks in the back country was impossible because of my disability. I didn’t think there were any books on how to teach a canine to swim. What would I do all summer, if Mr. He-Man dog sank instead of swam?

Someone must have taught me to swim, but I don’t remember who or when. It seems I could always swim and I could swim forever. As a child, I found walk-ing frustrating, so I would imagine myself swimming to school.

I do find myself tired after swimming, but I wonder if it has more to do with returning to the heaviness of land dwelling.

One day, I took Bunny to Buntzen Lake which is only a half hour drive from downtown Vancouver. My strategy was to swim short distances around the shore of the lake, instead of swim-ming in the middle. I took Bunny for his first swim from one Spruce tree to another across the inlet. It was probably too ambitious, but I couldn’t help myself.

We entered the water, both of us intently watching the other. I was surprised that his paddle stroke was a little more efficient than my own. He seemed appre-hensive; I wondered if it was for my well-being. We made it to the inlet as I watched his breathing. It didn’t look like the swim was an exertion for him. I didn’t want my next decision to be influenced by my own need to continue.

We continued around the lake and then we continued as if it was the most normal thing to do all summer long. And we made adults and children point and laugh at the oddity of a human and a dog swimming side by side. And of course he developed some Michael Phelps, back leg muscles.

Funny, isn’t it? It turns out that getting Bunny may not be an acci-dent. As a natural elite level swim-mer, I can tell that Bunny worries about me drowning. He seems to mirror my own fears about him. Both of us are more athletic in the water than land. No one taught Bunny how to swim either.

Bunny, has a Facebook page called Bunny Woff. You are welcome to become a friend if interested n

Photo: Pendra Wilson

Summer was approaching and I felt rather gloomy that my muscle-bound, mystery-breed dog might not be able to swim.


“I have to look in the mirror and see the truth, not what the world defines me as,” says Deb Abma. She is well on her way to helping the world define a person with a disability by their potential rather than by their label.

Deb’s mirror shows a well-dressed, professional woman with a clear idea of her talents and goals. What you will not see in that mirror is the acquired brain injury that she sustained in a car crash in 2001.

The owner of a growing training and facilitation company, Accent Consulting, Deb had se-cured several contracts with large international retailers and was planning to write a book when her “roller coaster ride” life with acquired brain injury began.

After returning from a training road trip, she had just dropped her girls off at school when her car was struck at a four-way stop on the passenger side. The airbags

did not go off and Deb struck her head on the driver’s side window and the headrest. She was taken to the hospital by ambulance and was discharged that afternoon.

The next 48 hours were a blur. This was when the “rumble in the jungle” began. This is how Deb de-scribes the seizures that resulted from her acquired brain injury.

Terrified and ashamed to tell anyone what she was strug-gling with at the time, Deb recalls being unable to remember her two-year old son’s name. She also had bladder damage, soft tissue injuries and vestibular problems that made it difficult to walk and maintain her balance. The fashion-conscious woman, who had worked extensively in the retail and tourism industry, was no longer able to enter a store with-out becoming physically ill. She used to write operational manuals for large companies, but was no longer able to sequence numbers. She had to cancel her contracts and close her business. She spent three months in a wheelchair and then used a cane for a year before being able to walk without aid. Her long road to recovery involved

extensive physiotherapy, numer-ous assessments, litigation and an unsuccessful trial at the Supreme Court of Canada.

All this put a tremendous strain on her marriage. It eventu-ally dissolved, leaving Deb strug-gling with custody, legal and financial issues.

Deb met Mary McKee, Case Manager with the FVBIA, in an Ab-botsford coffee shop in October 2009. Case Management is one of FVBIA’s primary services. It uses the “whatever it takes” principle of community rehabilitation (Willer & Corrigan, 1994) to help people with acquired brain injury to move forward with their life.

Deb and Mary began work-ing together, along with other community support personnel, to help rebuild her shattered life.

Rebuilding a Life After Brain Injuryby Carol Paetkau, ED, Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association

The Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association (FVBIA) provides a range of services to people with an acquired brain injury. This is the story of one resilient woman they are supporting as she rebuilds her life after a life-changing injury.

The truth will set you free, but first it will make you flinch.

Having a strong support network of family, friends and professionals is essential to a positive outcome for people with an acquired brain injury. Deb has built herself what she likes to call her “tribe”: a team of family, friends and professionals from various organizations to sup-port her with different issues.

Rebuilding following a brain injury is a process that cannot be rushed. It moves at its own pace and takes shape while moving. In Deb’s case, it has followed a modified path of her former life and she has gained confidence


and strength during the process. She is working on developing her training business, “Speaking Out...!,” and is excited about living independently again with support from the FVBIA’s rent supplement program (funded through BC Housing). “Having your own home is a big step towards health and strength and freedom.”

Recovery, health and wellness after acquired brain injury require balance in all aspects of your life. Too often people with acquired brain injury try to go back to work full-time and find that other areas of their lives suffer. Deb is highly energetic and motivated, but “Mary reminds me that there are limitations and that it’s important not to crash and burn.”

Deb has accomplished so much in her recovery journey and continues to make great strides. Mary says, “it’s difficult to believe the person we see today, who spoke at the FVBIA’s “Rethinking Employment after Acquired Brain Injury” workshop and who will give another presentation to the Mennonite Central Committee on customer service is the same fractured person I met in 2009.” A strong proponent of being thank-ful, Deb is modest about the hard work she has done in her recovery, instead crediting the professionals she has encountered throughout her journey “who supported me, challenged me and cheered me on.”

“I don’t know where my new business will take me, but I do know I can’t do it alone.” Deb

works with FVBIA’s Community Mentors coordinator, Joy Scobie, regarding her business and her goals. By participating in this program, she was able to explore options in the workplace, gain confidence in her ability to con-nect with potential speaking opportunities, formulate realistic employment goals and begin to form valuable networks. “Joy helps me to realize the potential within the limits. She reminds me to play to my strengths, minimize weak-nesses and empowers me from there.”

Deb says that she is trying to figure out “the pieces of the puzzle that have to be filled in order to be a high functioning person with an acquired brain injury.” She’s an in-spiration to others who are going through this journey. “I am amazed by the courage of survivors. There is so much good life after acquired brain injury. It’s a matter of just fig-uring out which direction to go.”

Carol Paetkau is the Executive Director of the Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association. FVBIA offers a variety of other services, including support groups, art and photography groups and leisure programs.

For more information on available services and resources for acquired brain injury, please contact the Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association at 604-557-1913, [email protected] or check out their website at www.fvbia.org. n

In order to live a success-ful, happy, balanced life, you have to recognize that there are limitations. Find the fundamental things that are important to you.


British Columbia offers a wide variety of accessible camping areas and trails for those of you who’d like to explore our beautiful province.

Camp Free in BC reviews over 350 no- or low-fee recreation sites, accessible by car or RV vehicles. From the Sunshine Coast to the Rockies, this 544-page book features colour photos and 18 locator maps. Whether you prefer larger organized campgrounds or seldom visited gems, you will surely find a destination to enjoy. Cost: $29. http://www.hikingcamping.com/camp-free-bc.php

If day tripping is more your style, Grouse Mountain features spectacular views and attractions. Access to the lower station of the

SkyRide Gondola is either by car or public transportation. Once at the top, a number of attractions are accessible with your SkyRide ticket, including wildlife refuges, a theatre and a lumberjack show. Downloadable maps featuring wheelchair accessible areas are available from the Grouse Mountain website. http://www.travability.com.au/Canada/grouse.html

Many good wheelchair accessible trails await the adventurous hiker. The 10-kilometer Seymour Valley Trailway features numerous picnic stops, while the 12-kilometer Inland Lake Trail includes accessible cabins. More challenging is the 55-kilometer Galloping Goose Trail from Victoria to Sooke.

The Stanley Park Seawall offers great Vancouver views with beach access, and Richmond’s West Dyke Trail includes 5.5 kilometers of beautiful marsh and Howe Sound mountain views.

North of Squamish in Alice Lake Provincial Park, the Four Lakes Trail provides nearly eight kilometers of forests and lakes to explore. Just west of Whistler Village, the Valley Trail provides the hiker with over 13 kilometers of paved trails exploring lakes, parks and recreational areas.http://travability.travel/Canada/bc_hiking_trails.html

Sticks and Wheels: A Guide to Accessible Travel on the Lower Sunshine Coast

The inspiration for this book was born on a hot summer day when Ellen Frank, who has multiple sclerosis and uses a variety of mobility aids, went looking for an accessible Sunshine Coast beach.

She consulted tourist information, library databases and the Internet to no avail, so she felt it was time to write this book.

Drawing on her background as a travel consultant, Ellen published a comprehensive guide that will enable visitors and residents with mobility concerns to have a great time on the Sunshine Coast–without facing unnecessary barriers.

For more on this book, go to http://www.sticksandwheels.net. n

Outdoor Exploration in BC


Taking a BreakCodyI travel a lot and I also use a ventilator. Here are some tips I hope will be helpful to you, even if you use other equipment or devices.

Have the measurements of your ventilator or other device ready when you book your trip. If you’re travelling by plane, ask for a bulkhead seat because it’s near the front exit and usually has more space

If you’re travelling by car or van, of course, book your accessible accommodation and always bring your extension cord and power bar for your equipment (plus transformer for overseas).

The most challenging part is remembering all your equipment. Make a list and, when flying, take your essentials in your carry on–Ambu Bag, suction and extra ventilator if possible.

Airlines have come a long way and are quite familiar with vents and are even willing to help you transfer. It’s really important to secure your wheelchair for

baggage: take the pedals off and tape or tie them the seat of your chair. Try to get a container for your wheelchair and show staff how to lock and unlock the brake–or you can tape directions on how to do this on your chair.

The best thing about travel is seeing new places and meeting new people. You’ll find that people everywhere are more than willing to help you whenever they can.

ShawnaI filled out an online survey at a local drugstore and received a $5 gift card for my time. I purchased a fireplace yule log DVD that had a bonus of ocean waves crashing against the shore and a hammock overlooking a beach.

I live in a basement suite with few win-dows, so when I feel down, especially in the winter, I put this DVD on. I can listen to the natural sounds and dream I’m relaxing under a shady palm tree with a book and cool drink!

Dr. Lee A. Cowley, D.C., LL.B.

300-13805 104 Avenue, Surrey, BC V3T 1W7P: 604-583-3000 F: 604-583-3045W: cowleylawcorp.ca

Cowley & CompanyCar Accident Lawyers

Dr. Lee A. Cowley, D.C., LL.B.

300-13805 104 Avenue, Surrey, BC V3T 1W7

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Paying too much for TV? Consider NetflixMonthly cable TV costs can be unaffordable for many of us. One alternative is to subscribe to Netflix–an internet hub for TV and movies.

With Netflix, you decide what to watch and when to watch. For $7.99 a month, you can watch movies and TV episodes stream-ing over the Internet to your TV, PC, Mac or other devices. You can try Netflix free for one month. And, if you subscribe, you can cancel anytime, online, 24 hours a day. There are no cancellation fees.

Netflix has thousands of mov-ies and TV episodes available 24 hours day. However, don’t expect to see everything that is on stan-dard cable on Netflix. See if Netflix is for you; visit http://ca.netflix.com. n


Hello, Transition readers! For those of you who don’t know us, I’d like to tell you a bit about the BC Rehab Foundation. BC Rehab was created in 1994 with the mission to support people living with physical disabilities and we’re proud to be continuing our mis-sion. Here are some highlights of our current programs.

Individual Grant ProgramThis is one of BC Rehab’s most important programs. We provide financial assistance to individuals with physical disabilities who require help in obtaining mo-bility equipment, programming and other items that will improve their mobility and independence. BC Rehab considers a range of requests from manual wheelchairs to custom orthotics and recrea-tional therapy opportunities. We

also provide personal advocacy support and information on other disability resources available in BC.

Project Grant ProgramBC Rehab supports projects prov-ince-wide that make programs and services accessible to people with physical disabilities. Through this program, we have supported valuable initiatives, such as the Farmers on 57th accessible urban garden, the Community Recrea-tional Initiative Society’s adaptive kayaking program and an ac-quired brain injury housing initia-tive run by the Campbell River Head Injury Support Society.

Gert Vorsteher Memorial Award This annual award program recognizes individuals who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to their physical rehabilitation and achieving per-

sonal independence. In 2010, we awarded eight individuals from across the province with $5,000 each. This award is going into its fourth year.

Fund for Research and Innovation This is a competitive annual grant program that supports research in the field of rehabilitation. We provide research grants to rehabil-itation clinicians and practitioners to further efforts in new areas of rehabilitation research. In 2010, we provided three grants of $15,000 each toward studies that con-tribute to physical rehabilitation research and benefit people living with physical disabilities.

Community Partnerships Initiative This is our newest program! The intent of the BC Rehab Com-munity Partnerships Initiative is to increase accessibility in BC communities and create oppor-tunities for the full participation of people with physical disabili-ties. We encourage projects that involve multiple partners, promote universal access and demonstrate community support. Applications will be accepted for these funding opportunities up until May 13th, 2011.

More information on any of our programs can be found on our newly-designed website at bcrehab.com. If you have any questions, please give us a call at 604-737-6383 or drop by our of-fice in room 193 of the GF Strong Rehab Facility. n

Gert Vorsteher award winner Alvin Schulz and family, presented by Kathy Scalzo, BC Rehab Board member

BC Rehab Supports the Community by Pam MacDonald


In March 2010, Canada ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The Council of Canadians with Disabilities has been a key player in disability rights and policy on the national scene. This article is an excerpt from a December 2010 speech by CCD Executive Director, Laurie Beachell.

Based on the experience of people with disabilities and re-lated research, CCD thinks that ex-clusion, poverty and isolation are a shared reality for too many of the 14.3% of Canadians who have a disability and approximately one-third of First Nations and other Aboriginal Canadians who have a disability. Sadly, the outcomes are predictable. We know that:

Canadians with disabilities dis-• proportionately live in poverty. Over two million Canadian • adults with disabilities lack one or more of the educa-tional, workplace, aids, home modification or other sup-ports they need to participate fully in their communities.Over 56% of working-age • adults with disabilities are cur-rently unemployed or out of the labour market.According to the International • Labour Organization, the an-nual loss of global GDP due to the exclusion of persons with disabilities from the labour market is between US$1.37 trillion and $1.94 trillion.Many people with intel-• lectual disabilities remain

warehoused in institutions, including group homes and congregate care facilities. Slightly more than half of • Canadian children with dis-abilities who need aids and devices need more than what they receive. Rates of violence and abuse • against people with disabili-ties, in particular women with disabilities, are among the highest for any group in Cana-dian society.

The CRPD provides a concrete way for us to examine our program and services. The question we need to answer over the next few years is: do we have the types and levels of disability supports pro-grams and services that our do-mestic legal framework requires? Are we living up to the promise of our human rights laws? The CRPD is a useful way of reviewing our programs and answering these questions.

MonitoringThe disability community places a great deal of importance on a monitoring process and meth-ods. We know that the long-term advancement of our issues will depend upon appropriate mecha-nisms being established to ensure good implementation and moni-toring processes are in place.

We will work hard to make sure that the full range of monitor-ing methods are implemented.

We are especially pleased with the role of civil society and, in par-ticular, of people with disabilities in monitoring contemplated by CRPD. A recent and very encour-aging approach has been adopted in New Zealand, where the gov-ernment has funded a coalition of six disability organizations to monitor implementation.

ConclusionI want to close by reiterating that, in our view, the CRPD is a very use-ful instrument, bringing together human rights principles and specific measures to be adopted for the benefit of society, including people with disabilities. Ratifica-tion, above all, means that our po-litical leaders must translate their rhetorical support into concrete, results-oriented action. This means going beyond current processes and mechanisms, and, yes, allocat-ing necessary resources.

Let me close by quoting a statement, that we wholeheart-edly support, by Prime Minister Harper: “At this Summit, our discus-sions should be less about new agreements than accountability for existing ones. Less about lofty promises than real results.”

For more on the UN Convention and CCD, visit www.ccdonline.ca. n

Ratification, above all, means that our political leaders must translate their rhetorical support into concrete, results-oriented action.

The UN Convention: What’s Next?


One of the biggest changes affecting travellers in the last

decade is the increase in security procedures. Metal detectors, full body scanners and enhanced pat downs are now the norm. For the traveller with physical limitations or differences, some of these new procedures may be difficult, pain-ful and invasive. Here’s a look at what you can expect as you move through security, if you choose to travel internationally.

The United States Transport Security Administration (TSA) has several links that provide infor-mation on security procedures, including those used with people with special needs. http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/index.shtm

Hidden DisabilitiesPacemakers, defibrillators, im-planted medical devices, diabetes equipment, oxygen devices and medications fall under this catego-ry. You have the option of advis-ing security of your implants or disability and the right to request a private screening, accompanied by travelling companions, if you wish. http://www.tsa.gov/travel-ers/airtravel/specialneeds/edito-rial_1374.shtm.

Special Conditions and SituationsIf your medical condition may not be obvious to TSA officials, you have the option to inform

the security officer of areas that have undergone recent surgery or reconstruction that may be sensitive to a pat down procedure. Good communication between yourself and the inspecting officer will make the screening go more smoothly. http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/editorial_1986.shtm

Scanner or Enhanced Pat Down All passengers travelling through airports, especially in the United States, must go through a Whole Body Imaging (WBI) scanner or an “enhanced pat down.”

If you choose the scanner, you’ll be asked to step or wheel into a cylinder that is about five feet in diameter and has glass walls. You hold your arms briefly over your head, while the security officer looks at a small monitor. Then you’re done.

You can choose the option of an enhanced pat down. During this procedure, security officers must inform you of the areas of the body they will inspect and must offer you a private screening, if you so desire.

The procedure includes the use of an open palm to pat down your entire body, includ-ing breasts, buttocks, genitals and inside the waistband of your pants. Parts of your wheelchair, such as the sides and cushion, will be removed and sent through a scanner. You may also wish to

make known any extra padding from incontinence products you may be wearing or any ostomy or catheter bags.

If you are unable to walk a long distance, stand unassisted for a few minutes or raise your arms, you should request an enhanced pat down. Inform the security of-ficer of any tender or painful areas, and let the officer know of any physical limitations you have such as arm raising or leaning forward. In short, communicate your limita-tions clearly and allow adequate time for check-in and screening. http://barrierfreetravels.com/ser-endipity/archives/608-Disabled-Travelers-and-Enhanced-Pat-Downs.html

Opinion from Jaunted.com Finally, a blogger and contribut-ing editor to Jaunted.com shared these feelings about the new enhanced regulations:

“If people without a disability think the TSA’s new ‘enhanced’ pat-downs are intrusive (not to mention ticklish), imagine how tedious the process will be if you wear a catheter and leg bag, or have a colostomy bag, a feeding tube, or simply wear a diaper? Or if you spasm easily when touched, or if it hurts to lean forward to let the security guy peer behind your buttocks, or if you have a cognitive disability and object to being groped and prodded for no reason?” n

To Screen or Not to Screen?What can you expect from new airport security measures? by Andrew Quinn


Bits & Pieces VIA RAIL Canada’s train which travels across the country is not accessible to all Canadians. Par-ticularly not to wheelchair users. In March 2010, Catherine Frazee, co-curator of the Out from Under: Disability, History and Things to Remember exhibition, was forced to travel from Toronto to Van-couver via the USA train service AMTRAK because VIA RAIL could not accommodate her. She was bringing the Out from Under ex-hibition to the Paralympic Cultural Olympiad in Vancouver 2010. After some publicity around our inac-cessible national train service, VIA RAIL sent a letter of apology to Ms Frazee and the Vancouver Sun. At a reception in Vancouver for the Human Rights Museum, Catherine Frazee, challenged VIA RAIL to be fully accessible by 2012, when the Museum opens in Winnipeg.http://www.facebook.com/pages/make-via-rail-accessible-by-2012-/102639329774496?v=info

Wheelchair accessible holiday accommodations in Thailand, France and Hungary. http://twitter.com/gehandicapten

Training on Buses BC Transit of-fers free training to anyone who needs assistance in learning how to use the bus system. Call 250-384-7723 for further information.

App 1: Whizzer is a restroom-locating mobile application. It allows you to:

Find clean rest-• rooms when you are on-the-go.Specify how clean a public • restroom you will tolerate.Find baby changing stations.• Find gas stations with clean • restrooms.Find restrooms with security • guards.Find restrooms with showers.•

Check out Whizzer at iTunes or whizzerapp.com.

App 2: Ever won-dered when the next bus in Van-couver is coming? Guess no more! Check out the TransLink app to access complete schedules for buses, SkyTrain, WestCoast Express and SeaBus. You’ll also see ser-vice alerts and star your favourite stops. TransLink complements the Google Maps application on your iPhone or iPod. n

Taking a BreakJeanette

One of my favourite leisure activities is to spend time at Spanish Banks. I love the quietness, the breeze and the sound of waves splashing on rocks. You can meander along the seawall, enjoying the view of the North Shore mountains, the light-house, Bowen Island and beyond. And always, there are the ships from all around the world.

At one point on the seawall, there is a small stream running under a small bridge. The stream has been cleared of all debris, revitalized and brought back to life. The salmon have returned; it’s like a small miracle.

When I’m feeling down, spend-ing time at Spanish Banks helps to “restore the soul,” to get things back into perspective, to rediscover the joy in life. To become one with the ocean, the sand, grasses and trees. So beautiful, so peaceful.


Since 2006, BC Coalition of People with Disabilities (BCCPD) has initi-ated several community-based projects to make emergency planning more inclusive of people with disabilities. We found in our research that planning efforts too often did not consider the diverse needs of people who live with disabilities. And, as a result, these needs were not met in various recent disasters.

Our most current work in emergency preparedness has been with our project partner, Volunteer Canada. Eighteen train-ers from volunteer centres and disability organizations from New Brunswick, Ontario, Alberta, Yukon and British Columbia came to Vancouver in January 2011 for two days of training on emergency planning and people with disabili-ties.

You Can Prepare to HelpWe’re pleased to announce a train-ing manual has now been de-veloped from this workshop. The manual, Prepare to Survive – Pre-pare to Help: Community Training in Emergency Planning for People with Disabilities, is a joint project of BC-CPD and Volunteer Canada.

The manual focuses on building community groups’ and networks’ ability to respond and

recover from disasters. The train-ing content includes:

Disability awareness.• Researching information • about your local government’s emergency plan.Personal preparedness plan-• ning.Social networks in the com-• munity.Community asset mapping • that looks at the resources in a community that can be drawn on in emergencies.Emergency scenario exercises, • such as wildfires and winter storms.Case studies of emergency • preparedness programs with community-based and inclu-sive approaches.Video clips, powerpoints and • exercises to help groups to train others in their communi-ties.Resources information.•

What’s Next?Over the next few months, the vol-unteer centres and disability orga-nizations that have completed the training will collaboratively train people in their own communities. Here in BC, the partners we have trained are Volunteer Cowichan and Cowichan Independent Liv-

ing, and Volunteer Richmond and the Richmond Centre for Disability. We will announce up-coming workshops in BC through our e-newsletter and on our Face-book page.

For more information about the project or the emergency preparedness work of the BCCPD, please contact Karen Martin at [email protected] or 604-875-0188.

You can also download a copy of the Prepare to Survive manual from the BCCPD website, under the Projects section.

The Social Organization Framework for Emergency Planning: Community Training in Disability Issues project is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Social Development Partner-ship Program – Disability Component.

“The opinions and interpre-tations in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Government of Canada.” n

Is Your Organization Ready for an Emergency? A New Manual Can Help“If the value that everyone should be included is not infused into planning, then not everyone will be included.” June Isaacson Kailes


helpsheetbc disabil ity benefits

a d v o c a c y a c c e s s

All of our Help Sheet self-help guides have now been updated for 2011 and we have added a new sheet, People with Disabilities on Reserve: The PWD Designation. Help Sheets marked with an “*” are now also available in Traditional Chinese and Punjabi.

The Help Sheets are available at www.bccpd.bc.ca, in our publications library or can be mailed to you on request. Email us at [email protected] or call 604-875-0188 and ask for Val.

Our sincere thanks to the Legal Services Society of BC, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada Homelessness Partnering Strategy and the Health Sciences Association of British Columbia for making this update possible.

*2 The Person with Disabilities Benefit Application

*3 Checklist for the Persons with Disabilities Benefit

5A Appealing Denial of the PWD benefit: The Reconsideration

5B Appealing Denial of the PWD Benefit: The Appeal Tribunal

6 Persons with Persistent and Multiple Barriers (PPMB) to Employment Application

*7 Health Supplements for People with Disabilities

8 Trusts for Persons with Disabilities (PWD)

9 Employment and People with Disabilities

10 Employment, Education and Training Supplements for People with Disabilities

11A Appealing Denial of PPMB: The Request for Reconsideration

11B Appealing Denial of the PPMB Benefit: The Appeal Tribunal

12 Income Assistance Application Process for People with Disabilities

13 Rate Amounts for PWD and PPMB Benefits

*14 Registered Disability Savings Plan and the Disability Tax Credit

15 People with Disabilities on Reserve: The PWD Designation

Please visit: http://www.bccpd.bc.ca/advocacypubls.htm


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by Jane Dyson

“BC Coalition, good morning, how can I help you?” “Good afternoon, Advocacy Access, let me see if I can find that out for you.”

I must have heard those and similar phrases thousands of times in my years working at the BCCPD: the voices of our dedicat-ed volunteers who work so hard to help the many people who call our office.

We’re grateful to our volun-teers for being the first point of contact for many of our callers and for all the other important work they do for the BCCPD. Volunteers help us to mail out Transition and keep us current with the news.

It’s a CelebrationIn December, the City of Vancouver hosted the Annual Celebration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities. It was a magical evening, attended by over 700 people from all walks of life.

It was wonderful to see so many people, old friends and new, attend this very special and entertaining event. Congratulations to the organizers for putting this together and to everyone who contributed their time and energy to ensure that this celebration was such a success. Everyone from the BCCPD who attended had a great time! Jane Dyson, BCCPD Executive Director

They deliver and pick up some of our mail, and help us keep our office clean. They share their perspectives about living with a disability and tell us their stories for our articles and projects. They help us with mail-outs and shred-ding. And they bring their dogs to the office which brightens every-one’s day.

To all our volunteers, from the BCCPD Board and staff, thank you for everything you do for the BCCPD and the community. Your contribution is so valuable and we cannot thank you enough for all your support. We hope you feel appreciated every day. n

Behind Every Great Organization...


The BCCPD has a new Planned Giving program. Planned Giving is the opportunity to think ahead about causes or organizations that you may want to financially sup-port beyond 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 some-one 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 that you want.

BenefitsThere are many benefits to Planned Giving. By writing down your wishes, you will have in-creased 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 reg-istered Canadian charity is tax-deductible. And, your Planned Gift helps the BCCPD to be here in the future for those who need us.

Tax savingsYou can realize significant tax savings with Planned Giving. For example, stocks, bonds and mu-tual funds that you may have in a trust can be transferred 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 benefi-ciary 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 information about Planned Giving, please contact Mr. Sam Bradd at the BCCPD at [email protected] or 604-875-0188. He will send you BCCPD Planned Giving informa-tion for you to review with your financial planner or lawyer, family and friends. n

Planned GivingA New Way to Contribute

You’ve always been there for others. It’s part of who you are. Now, you can continue to give beyond your life-time with Planned Giving.

Your bequest to BC Coalition of People with Disabilities will promote and protect the dignity and independence of people living with a disability.


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Transition Spring 2011