Consultation In-Person Feedback Collection
Date: February 26, 2014 (afternoon)
Group: Community consultation in-person session
Location: Victoria, BC
Number of Attendees: 57
Note: all the information and feedback gathered at this session will be inputted into the overall collection of data and feedback for consideration of the
development of the Disability White Paper.
Feedback:
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If you move to BC shouldn’t have to requalify – needs to be an interprovincial agreement
RSDP is not exempt if you declare bankruptcy (only applies to those <50)
Shouldn’t have age gap – if you have a disability should be able to take advantage of it at any age
First Nations – PWD – all covered – need to bring consistency
When referring to middle class in document mean disabled middle class - thanks
Independent living – too indep. For group home
But need supports to live independently
Respite – CLBC lost papers to respite was lost and parents didn’t get a break when they needed one (had respite but was taken away)
Should make push button (auto door openers) mandatory in all public places
Lack of sidewalks in some communities make the community not accessible
Sidewalk cuts often have bumps that are very difficult for some w/mobility issues
So PWDs have equal rights
What would it look like:
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No barriers
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Ease of access across the board
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Planning for new communities must include accessibility
Role of non-profit partners
Aging parents – can’t look after kids the same way they used to – need funding to help care for family members
Feedback:
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More bus routes for people who live in outer areas of city
Need community agencies in smaller areas to increase access to day programs, etc.
Better coordination between communities (eg. Sidney to Victoria or Shawnigan)
More consultation/education
Would feel more comfortable if people w/out dis. Had higher education
Public event should accommodate a range of disabilities, eg. events at causeway need to accommodate larger wheelchairs – ways to
manage in crowds - need space to move around and participate, eg. covers for cords are so high that they make areas inaccessible – need
more gradual inclines
It should be a given when planning – all PWDs should be accommodated form the beginning
More mainstream
Solution – partner w/coffee shops to highlight/show art – opportunities to share talents
Need businesses to come forward
Don’t take $ off PWD cheques
More understanding of disabilities - see me as a person not a disability
Don’t use the r word
Need local commercials – PWD in their own words to increase education
Like depression – address in same manner
Ensure all PWDS including invisible disabilities are treated as individuals
Need accessibility – bus, sidewalks, etc.
Proper ramping systems – making sure not too steep
Helps w/chairs, elderly, etc.
Technology – communication devices are way too costly for many who need them
Would allow for people to communicate directly rather than thru an interpreter
Everyone should have the ability to communicate as independently as possible
Encouraging progressive creativity
Need ways to encourage talents
Need people to help/support you participate in the community
High turnover in support staff because not livable wage – needs to be recognized as important work
Families can’t afford to pay good support people livable wages
Why not supporting family units
Pd $15/hr yet $17/hr is needed to live in Victoria
Need to recognize the value of support staff
Decrease in turnover would increase quality and inclusion for PWDs
Feedback:
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Day programs are losing funding
Very scary to think you could lose your spot
Should be able to count on supports
Need more funding to attend more programs (eg. only 1 day right now)
Workshops for employment skill s- life skills that lend directly to job
Supports for employee and employer – need long term supports (pre and post job placement)
Employer – fear of hiring a PWD
Need less discrimination
Look at ability not disability
Educate employers
Funding to hire PWD
Incentive – gov’t grant/wage subsidy
Business look at efficiencies – subsidy would help net profit to hire people w/various abilities
Local businesses – scared it will be expensive
Needs to equal benefit to employee/employer
BC gov’t should hire x% PWDs – cross-dis (sic)
Gov’t contractors must have X% PWDs
Similar to hiring minorities – why not asking if a persona has a disability
A job w/routines can be really helpful for certain people
Find jobs to fit the individual’s needs
Need for supports would go down over time once trained
More customized employment
Employers need to know where to get supports/services/education
Incl. indiv. In determining needs
Inclusion in employment – PWDs need to be part of the work team
Increase rates so families don’t have to pay out of pocket
Often have to live at home
Need more assisted independent living
Sometimes have to choose housing that does not support PWDs to be included in community
Prioritize where funding goes – huge $ going to house people in prison – could do early ppreventon to get savings then increase funding for
PWD
Funding needs to go up w/in inflation
Get corporations involved
Feedback:
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Need whole community approach
Team approach Is needed to bring up lowest member
Start w/ourselves – kill them w/kindness
What does the Marriot do – do they invest in community?
Incentives for community to be more inclusive – incl. home share
Events – PWDs involved in community runs (organized by community partners)
Disability organizations getting involved in general community events increases awareness
Find sponsorships to participate
Dis. Sector needs to branch outside the sector and have community come to them and go out to community – take it on ourselves
Knowledge about home share and other housing opts. Need to be marketed
Facebook – important – online social chats – safe chat room
Make more of comm. resources – more public terminals at libraries – maybe rec. centres
when I’m told I can’t have an interpreter, I print off the Act to show to my employer
in US – American Disabilities Act which clearly identifies interpreter
Canada should have similar Act
Youth graduating have support until transition – need supports after high school into adulthood
Use of teleconference – no cc on teleconference which doesn’t allow me to contribute – am left out of conversations- left behind and no
chance to share
Lack of TTY which doesn’t allow me to talk to Revenue Canada
No cc in phone call
Online services or phone (cc) available in US – need in Canada
3rd party cannot speak to a hearing person on my behalf because of confidentiality
Bank – bring my daughter to interpret and it is rude
I never have the gift of being treated like anyone else
Gov’t should pay for interpreters to that I can go to bank do whatever so that I can be treated like anyone else
Eye exam – no interpreter to help me - daughter had to interpret and didn’t work out well
Campaign to educate community – we com. differently but we are the same
Increase understanding
Deaf is an “invisible” disability
Difficult to determine deaf person and hard of hearing – diff?
Assume I can hear and when I need access I have to show them the law
Ministry dismiss deaf and HoH – we become invisible
Feedback:
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Perceived as not ‘smart’ enough
Diff. experience for people who have grown up deaf
Always educating the ministry
We internalize our anger and resentment grows –enough is enough
More support/funding for Habitat for Humanity
Offer to individuals not just families
Coop housing
BC Housing increase funding
Need devise to live in my home – form that dr. has to fill in – property tax form – dr. doesn’t know about it
Most people don’t know about this
At bank they didn’t know about this form
Deaf/HoH is invisible and others don’t acknowledge it
Out of pocket to purchase accessible devices to live independently at home
Needs to be a fund for this
Banks aren’t aware that there is a property tax subsidy
Constantly educating everyone
I am constantly educating - rehashing over and over again
Cost of dr.’s form – funding for this
Interpreters needed for real estate transaction/situations
MSO – retaining medical benefits indefinitely once AEE limit is reached
MSO – getting cut off of MSO puts people into a cycle
Federal/provincial – social union framework agreement
AEE: more information for PWDs – qualifying criteria, pilot project?
AEE: retention of MSO – PWD and clients flipping back and forth
Eligibility criteria for AEE
Diminishing the requirement to reapply
Inefficient
Less paperwork
Reporting schedule
MSO – aging out to OAS/GIS
Mandatory rental subsidy?
Reapplication for GIS has been diminished
Feedback:
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Limbo list – some people do not have physical barriers so funding levels are lower
Therapy and intensive life skills
CLBC – needs to accept opinion of caregivers
Issue: CLBC is mostly concerned about budget, not quality of service
Assessments and evaluations– different level of service to help transition clients with barriers
More efficient and increases dignity of residents
Nowhere to turn – need for an interagency for mediation – website for sharing ideas
Example: brain injury program in AB that helped hospital patients to transition from hospital to group homes, or independent living – skills
training to allow re-evaluation so people can move to a better program
HandiDART – negative service – retraining within the organization – agencies do not understand the different need of PWDS
Transportation workshop – HandiDART is a separate entity and will not deal/problems
Training with non-violent crisis resolution/prevention
Agencies who hire PWDs may better understand the need of PWDs
Example – LA – access transit, use of minivans, personalized interaction
Challenge: length of trips – pickup times make HandiDART difficult to use
Motivating people to get involved – youth – motivate the parents; adults – systems need to line up – can’t use bus pass on HandiDART
BC bus pass dos not fund HandiDART, financial barrier since both passes needed
Aging out – example: aging out of hospital resources, doctors, are all spread out
Health services are a huge issue
Having all specialists in one location
Changing the health services model
More housing
Landlord tax incentive to support housing
Housing first initiative – (US) – provides fixed address
Enforcing accessibility in historical buildings
Cities to provide more accessibility paring
Ensure parking can be enforced on private land (towing)
Ensure contradiction btwn regulations support accessibility
Housing provided based on regional per capita – prevent stigmatization or ghettoization
Clarity on who enforces parking
Create aids that can connect ppl in rural settings – simple, innovative
Universal design specific design elements to support multiple disabilities to encourage better use of space
Feedback:
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Bus transportation – not as accessible for blind community - greyhound
Need for universal design (that are good for everyone) eg. buildings, homes, playgrounds, curricula
‘universal design’ should not be limited to physical space – there’s a need for culture and attitude change
Accountability is needed
$ can be spent on accessibility but the more important issue is inclusion
Accessibility is an important building block towards greater inclusion
Smart phones can be very useful why can’t they get funding for that?
Internet costs should be an eligible expense for PWD
Producers of tech should help with cost containment (when they present their business case)
There are successful programs in various facilities eg. Queen Alexandra - but there is a huge gap between the supports specialists provide
and the supports available in the community
Supports and services provide by specialists need more integration into communities
There is a need for a big coaching infrastructure in BC
Services provided by specialist facilities – segregate PWD from others
More access needed to community support workers
Having ppl who have autistic children influence the policy/services
Make paperwork accessible – not enough human contact (who to ask questions)
Gov’t culture/language on forms
Travel time (lots of back and forth eg. dr./office/dr) to get services – bus pass takes 3 weeks
Public transit is the ‘lubricant’ to get access to services
Access to training and education
Technology is great but don’t want to leave ppl behind
Save $ by closing offices 1-800 # often don’t know? (sic)
Lack of knowledge of person on 1-800 #
DTC – going trough 50 ppl to ge the issue resolvd (even w/all the correct paperwork)
You need DTC for RDSP
Acknwoeldgement that it’s a barrier to fill out forms
Nightmare for ppl w/o a disability can’t imagine w (PWD)
No access to computer
Ppl need an advocate to help
No access to a phone
Risk of homelessness while waiting
Feedback:
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Application process –hard time for ppl b/c of barriers and long wait
No designated workers (EAWS) – training to deal w/PWDs to staff
While in hospital PWD no longer gets support $ - left w/$325 which adds further pressure to the client
Jurisdictional issues of on reserve/off reserve
Interdepartmental (ministry) communication – eg. MCFD to MSDSI
Dollars are following the person (jurisdiction, school, gov’t)
Everyone (gov’t) wants to be payer of last resort – person who fights the last/most
Nice to not have policies of discouragement
Certain criteria to make sure accessible
Policy inclusive from the start – reinstate the disability lens (NS uses) – review and update
Involve advocates/self-advocates in the review of the lens
Premier’s advisory council (Vanderzalm) – gov’t wide council for the ear of gov’t all year round
‘green paper’ – good things came out
BC was a leader, now follower
Ministries won’t talk to individuals – you have to get press coverage to get attention
Have to go through litigation
Adversarial relationship btwn community/disability/government eg. have a conduit (like disability office)
Squeaky wheel may get more results
Policies shouldn’t’ apply to just a certain type of person (eg. not dependant on criteria, supplement)
Workers had more discretion for emergency $
Lack of resources for ppl who don’t have PWD
Had to use Red Cross or other agency
BC Disability card could hep ppl access different – could be labeling though
Beyond PWD designation
Could also be more inclusion
Bus pass for all PWD (not just on PWD)
Co-payer for devices outside of the welfare system and funding is provided for that item/need
No longer rely on charities and fundraiser for life necessity devices – always individual decisions but not to rely on charities) eg. group
homes need to ask charity for a lift
BC used to be most accessible – look at how we used to look like and the past work (sic)
Make summit accessible (not just one location)
Dedicated worker – no relationship – ‘scammer/cheat’ lens
Feedback:
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Hard to navigate funding – streamlined way to find funding – assistance/ease
More resources over 65 – if under 65, fewer resources, less information
Unfairness/inequity between over/under
Access to recreation (gym classes)
Barrier even within school, and then community
Important to longer terms health
Spiral to more dependence on health services
Specialist in schools wont’ adapt to allow participation
No linkages
Disconnects
No one to make reasonable decisions
Need to make it easier to connect/not harder
FOIPPA makes it harder
How quickly innovative programs have become “bureaucratized”/shelved
Rules (privacy)
Flow of information/connectiveness
Difficult to connect w/others to become advocates
Disempowers
Lack of adaptation lead to isolation
Sometimes blamed on liability
No requirement for teachers to take classes/training in adaptive learning/movement/sport
More progressive – teachers could be more progressive
Focussed on inclusion, not segregation
From education/formal training
Fiscal restraints always impact the social – the most vulnerable, the least voice – need to stop doing that
A ‘mental state’ of the community at large – break down stigmas, lead to inclusion, need to think differently
Thinking is geared towards the ‘norm’ or the ‘elite’
Business has to become involved in the discussion
Employment – lack of communication results in fed $ going unused
Example – disabled person couldn’t’ leave house because no one to help put on coat – remove rule against 2 PWDs living together
Couldn’t leave apartment – door only opened 1 way – couldn’t leave – market rental unit
Scooter has to be stored in the garage – how do they get to the garage? No one to assist
Feedback:
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Budgets/ministries/organizations narrow limits of funding in each silo results in no funding of certain supports
Example – hospital for stroke – ALC level of care shelter % of PWD went to hospital, so when he was released he had no home to go to
anymore led to homelessness
Rules need to be flexible ie. bus passes, clothing for individual with different size for a job
Disconnect – no more case managers family advocates/navigator
Linkages are lost
Nobody connecting and able to make reasonable decisions
Also happening in health care
Suggestion: more employment for PWD in the prov. Gov’t
Stigma – invisible disabilities stay invisible
PWD – allowed to make $800 – good thing
Employer couldn’t cope w/unpredictability
AEE – works for some people
Need to open up to all people
More info – what does WorkBC do?
TATE – assistive technology
EATI – “maybe get funding again”
Example – was working , got a cancer, got something else, had to work w/housing authority
Sick for indeterminate amount of time- 2 years – could lead to homelessness – health issues can be unpredictable
Scooters and wheelchairs – difficult navigating the urban terrain – curbs, sidewalks
Public transit – platforms, not accessible, no sidewalks to the next accessible stop – upgrades required
ON pilot program – adult protective service worker
Result of current strategy /lack of support for mental illness is high rate of suicide
b/c mental health is difficult to deal with/treat it is ignored
employer $$ incentives required for hiring PWD
measures to make PWD competitive with broader labour market
first priority quota for PWD jobs – gov’t jobs should set example
provincial task force – on mental illness, on PWD employment
choices in support for independent living – need to grow this program
access to sport - wheelchairs
PWD should be paid more than once per month
PWD separate from welfare
Feedback:
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No spousal penalty
Very low fraud rates – yet don’t trust whole caseload
Invest in people to improve productivity and turn people into net contributors
PWD amount is too low – increase amount – separate from welfare – add “dignity” into process
PWD $ amount should not decrease if you live with someone
Invest in training and support for PWD because the $ will be returned through tax $ when they start working
Remove “welfare” mentality of the PWD – make the system work for them instead of against
PWD amount is too low – increase amount – separate from welfare – add “dignity” into process
PWD $ amount should not decrease if you live with someone
Invest in training and support for PWD because the $ will be returned through tax $ when they start working
Remove “welfare” mentality of the PWD – make the system work for them instead of against
Entire support system for PWDs v. hard to navigate – simplification required
Don’t download on non-profits without providing sufficient funding
Write universal design into the building code
Accessible for all disabilities and look at all the details
3 hotels in Victoria with roll in showers
Apts are very hard to find for families
Tax breaks for developers who make accessible housing
Fewer opportunities in smaller communities
Small details are forgotten in design
If people can’t afford the supports what is the point
Connect funding and the stuff
Look at assit. Hearing standard in Europe – there are technologies available
Think tanks on accessibility
Federal standards on disability assistance instead of prov. To prov.
Universal office or website to find out what is available
Getting the word out consistently not just at opening events
Being a part of the community is huge, gyms, centres
Not just one accessible place but standards in all the community gyms, centres, libraries
Train the personnel on accessibility so it doesn’t all fall to families, social workers, etc. particularly for kids
Pot of money for each community
More personalized options – the wrong equipment doesn’t assist
Feedback:
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Everything boils down to money
Only pay for vocational training – you don’t get a say
Care workers more training , vetting – care workers could get in the door, one showed up drunk
Client has to train the worker
Workers in private co. not allowed to dust, not allowed to vacuum, so why are they there?
Huge burnout and turnover rate because the system isn’t fair to them either
More regs. Over home support worker training and standards – more accountability to companies
DND does more – look at what they are doing
Spending cuts are narrowing options – taking away inclusion
CISL is/was a good program for supports
More inclusive PE class in schools, kids are excluded from some team sports because of disabilities
Teachers are uncomfortable changing lessons, but some are great
Programs for 35+ adults needed
More focus on physical fitness 50% for people with dis. are obese – would prevent huge future health problems if phys. activities were
funded
Lack of funds stops you at every turn
We don’t have to reinvent the wheel ; consult clients for simple solutions
Retailers set prices on equipment and the $ difference varies by a lot
Gov’t could give beaks or set regs. To control the mark up on devices
With assets the more you make the more they take
Takes away motivation to work unless you can get a really high paying job
RDP is a step forward but still needs more flex. For needed purchases
The older you get costs go up – more asset and tax breaks as you get older- would also help the general aging population
An affirmative action plan for employer s: XX employers – you must have X employees w/disabilities = tax breaks
PWD incentive to work and employer incentive to hire
Training and an exit plan to employ PWD after training
Deal with the simple barriers like doors, washrooms, stairs, transport
PWD can’t be isolated
Stigma needs to change
Waste of gov’t funding to put restrictions on benefits
It’s worth helping individual find employment
self-esteem – ppl getting value out of work and their contribution
Feedback:
 cross talk amongst organizations , orgs. are bleeding, need to talk to each other to know how to be effective and efficient
 experts through experience
 75% unemployment for PWD (development disabilities)
 Stats are not accurate
 Wage subsidy programs – hoops to jump through
 Gov’t website that lists the required accessibility for all office, service providers, housing, etc.
 A bridge for kids transitioning to adulthood, to jobs, to independence
 What about the Ministry of Disabilities – health, access, employment/training/transition
 Communication
 Central places for info
 Ask the person what they need for access
 National standard small and large
What can we do?
 National rep for PWD that is accountable to the court
 Gov’t staff should go thru disability sensitivity training
 Break down recipient – ministry staff barrier
 EA office is not friendly/inviting
 Unknown – RDSP?
 Confusion about RDSP
 Need someone with knowledge to explain
 Info on RDSP needs to be accessible
 ASL is first language for deaf people not English
 Website needs to be set up in ASL – video embedded in link
 People who are deaf can’t contribute
 Policy definition of disability is restrictive therefor a barrier
 Cap on the RDSP is not a realist amount to support retirement
 Increased linkages between gov’t and banks – training, increased education to tellers about what gov’t offers
 Clarity on impact of a student loan on RDSP
 Transition home in and out of the RDSP
 Assistance w/down payment to get a home
 Financial institutions not aware
 No advocate to help people to get disability tax credit
Feedback:
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Predatory companies helping people apply for DTC
No funding to non-profits that could help apply – workers, advocates program required
Advocacy not bureaucracy!
RDSP – not enough known about RDSPs
When is the best time for a family to start, how can they learn more – how do we get the word out to the community and make it clear and
understood?
Can an older person contribute? When can it be used?
Contributing from your own pay cheque when on PWD isn’t realistic
Progressive would look like a large population taking out RDSP
Banks and gov’t need to team up to promote RDSPs
CBC radio = public education
Use lots of outlets
Do they not advertise because it would be a significant expense?
Only design for parents and children
No really for adults
Need to raise rate to move out of poverty
System is paternalistic
Set up by parents
Develop provincial RDSP program to encourage saving (eg. match fed. grant)
Address stigma attached to PWD status
Incentive programs to build to accommodate
HAFI – increase funding – have to meet criteria – again working middle class don’t qualify
65 and over – tax relief – for helping to do home adaption
Prov to federal = push tax relief for costs to adapt homes – would help the middle working class
Prov provide municipal dept’s training – accessibility eg. curb cuts, tactile, site specifics CSA
Enforcement existing building code
Initiatives to encourage existing bldgs. to be modified to 2014 BCode rules
Existing human rights law trumps BCode
Outdoor spaces – need to be explored – build environment – CSA standard – accessible design CSA B651-12
Increasing awareness within the community, businesses
Better educating the community re: accessibility issues
Training for businesses
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Transportation – intimidating – HandiDART requirements difficult, too many obstacles
In schools, physical activity facilities need to be accessible
99% of housing is inaccessible
Is there a gov’t body that holds building contractors, etc. accountable as regards accessibility
BC does not have a disability or accessibility act; we need this
Accessibility is necessary to support inclusion
Reducing isolation increase health, reduces health and service costs
Accessibility is the key to employment
Why can’t we ask gov’t to build X # of units for PWD
Shelter cost
New housing models – cohousing – not accepted yet – community develops around the person/people – get around privacy issues
PWDs can’t move in together, except for intellectual disabilities
When getting into a relationship – can impact the access to supports
Assisted living – states 19+ who meets criteria is eligible – under 55 is discouraged – need to stop ghettoization – need more accessible to
other groups
Physical accessibility – need to do this – older schools are not acceptable – real problem – needs a proper retrofit for accessibility, like
seismic
property value threshold for PWD – improvements far too low
lack of $$ for accessibility improvements in public/subsidized housing
house support program (provincial) is available for houses under $200k but most is not used b/c most house costs are >$200
public infrastructure (sidewalks, buildings) should have ramps and be easy to access
Not enough wheelchair accessible housing
No affordable housing at that
New construction should have a certain quota that is accessible and relate to the population
Restricted to those who need it
All new builds should require a power door (new condos, rec. centres, anything)
Issues with strata councils and cost and requirements
Making older building accessible too
Transit is pretty good- perhaps program to show individuals how to use transit
Restaurants – need actual accessible washrooms, not storage room for extra high chairs, etc.
Sometimes there is a need to be vocal to be able to participate – need ramp, etc.
Subsidy for home renovations, experience was that Victoria has the lowest amount allotted in the province = insufficient
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Legislation/regulation for new housing build to be accessible
Insufficient $ for housing
Lack of coordination of gov’t programs/services
Too siloed
Tie to cost of living
British Columbians can learn how to communicate with an individual with serious mental illness in an effective way. This will reduce the
stigma and help with accepting mental illness.
The innovations that would make it easier for people with disabilities are the communication model, visual connection mapping (google,
communication model annuska and refer to the approximately 100 pages in the online blog) as well as keeping existing programs such as
the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) program, the Hope and Recovery Program offered at the British Columbia Schizophrenia
Society. As well as psycho-social activities such as the Pandora Arts Collective, Movie Mondays at the Royal Jubilee Hospital and meals at
Our Place.
British Columbia would be a very accepting province, where dialogue about serious mental illness, emotions, symptoms and episodes will
be talked about in an open transparency model versus a secret fear based model. The open communication model will dismantle the
stigma and dismantle power struggles making British Columbia a safe place for individuals with serious mental illness to strive and live a
life, not in fear, but in comfort and with equal opportunities. The "Charter of Rights" will be a living document - which shows true for all
layers of society.
EATI - awesome – need funding back
LMA – funding changed – prove $ not there – mentioned UN report
Eval – broad spectrum – physical, intellectual, mental health
Not covered by ICBC or WCB
Middle class disabled get caught b/w cracks – expected to pay – excessive/expensive, can’t afford
Technology designed more institutional spaces but in community wear and tear faster – cost to those to the users (sic)
CSIL HLTH – very important to those who need the funding – please don’t touch the $
Clear need inter-ministry integrated services – improve communications –silos
Need direct line for agencies to get info = navigate systems not the 1-800# (SDSI needs)
Need integrates service model of gov’t service providers, user groups – collaborate for delivery of services across continuum of need
Adaptable housing –optional BC Building Code – should be nonoptional (sic) for municipality
Access to technology – no time limits to technology programming
Online applications
Combined applications
Always have online option
Which forms to combine?
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Discussions, forums to find better ways to do forms
More flexibility with wording necessary in forms – be more flexible with language required
Social media and technology – takes away physical barriers
Demographics have different needs
CLBC transition to group homes
Some clients cannot live in group homes – degrading
Difficult to find care givers
Transition plan – 6 moth training for group home residents
Issue: people in limbo between homes
Forums to keep the conversation going
Community involvement on gov’t committees
Act for Accessibility similar to Ontario (Accessibility for Ontarians w/Disabilities Act)
Multiple formats to accommodate all disabilities for gov’t and businesses (ie. face to face, phone, technology)
Modify interface btwn gov’t and people in communication
Crating better accessibility on the internet
Improving processes to enhance accessibility (ie. bus pass requires 65 ‘clicks’ to obtain)
Transition improvements btwn different ages and/or stages in life (child-adult/elem-high school – university)
Internal to gov’t communication btwn ministries
Individual planning opportunities
Publishing of books in multiple formats standard practice
Allows everyone to realize full citizenship
For inclusion, disability is interaction b/w person and condition and their environment
There’s continuum of ability and we are all on it
The Minister of the PWD designation, but not the Welfare Ministry
AB’s autism services are great
More funding and longer (age)
Funding mechanisms for children in schools (should be attached to child)
Lack of staff training in BC schools
BC schools have lack of parent consultation (be enshrined in legislation)
Too much of a political process
What services do they get in schools for autism
Resources and training for staff
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Patchwork of services
People move hard to transfer services
Have MSDSI workers go out into community much like these consultations – instead of gathering information go out and give information
face to face to groups
My foster daughter in care from 3 years old moved in w/me at 15yrs. I thought she was FASD. Her MCFD worker said she wasn’t yet
assessed because she’d ‘only’ been in system for 11 years. My foster daughter moved homes, is now aging out of MCFD with failing school,
no support w/no diagnosis and no support for independent living skills. Now MCFD won’t have her assessed because she is too old.
Reducing barriers is a citizenship issues
Same opportunity to be in the discussion and fully participate in society
Society’s strengths judged by how we treat the most vulnerable
Barriers come in a variety of forms
Barriers to understanding g- education needed for everyone
destigmatize mental illness
Money needed for mental health counsellors
Ontario program – build wood ramps for access and gave to businesses – help raise awareness and access
Serving it right for PWD – gov’t mandated
First aid for mental issues – widely offered training
Up to date meaningful consultation – not lip service – past gov’t action has destroyed gov’t consultation credibility
Innovation looks like a group of PWDs being supported to have their own business
Supports, consultants – accountants, book keepers, marketing
Widely accessible, easy to find (Google, etc.)
Auditing system of organizations – find out level of effectiveness – make them effective for people – economic development cooperation
does it, why aren’t we?
Org set up by well-established business ppl. helps – let’s offer services for other organizations
Do we need more heart and soul?
But we need more knowledgeable communication
What good are programs if we don’t know about them? Ie. free education program at VIU (Vancouver Island University)
Vocational rehabilitation services used to be the experts? Where are they now? Was great program (closed 13 years ago)
Letting PWD be the idea makers, help create innovation ideas, be part of the process
Coop opportunities
Priority placement opportunities – is this still around?
Same old programs work – bring back!
Resources (ex. Case Manager at VIHA) doesn’t have all the info
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Information dissemination
More forms, like this , share info, experts
CanAssist is huge = ++ con’t support
UVIC has done a good job in consulting
Poor consult in the details – doors, ramps, etc.
Individual consultation from CanAssist very important – more support and promo
Centralized hub for info
Universal design
Self direct program and services rather than thru 3rd part provider (employment and other services)
Make application more accessible
Web accessibility
Universal design
Require application met accessible standards
Sensitivity training in an immersive environment
Legislation for accessibility
No enforcement on legislation (eg. BC Guide Animal Act)
Need more money, lack of funding, long waitlist
Gap in prog/services for sensory disability
More enabling policy/program to build community (crowd sourcing) (sic)
EATI
Have to be poor or qualify for welfare to get necessary equipment in BC (AB, SK, MN, have various programs to assist)
Prov gov’t employee – celling for employee health extended benefits – use up long before middle class – age to retirement
Need prov gov’t to engage fed gov’t to waive capital gain (exemption) for those with disabilities – helps cover costs for themselves
Again middle class fall b/w cracks
PWD – don’t have funds for physio – especially those with PWD
Universal initiative to review and develop a program responds to extraordinary costs of a disability – regardless of type
Initiative 12 years ago – BC universal identification program – medical certificate – need ID – ones stop shopping
Need universal definition – across all levels of gov’t/ministry/programs
Disabled should have to continue to navigate or travel to prove over/over
Legalize marijuana – with the change to the medical marijuana rules disabled will once get caught – fall through cracks – cost increase,
accessibility decreases
Spinal cord injuries, blindness, MS
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Tax could go to supporting those with disability
Reduce barriers to be a part of community
Interpreters, cc, education to employers, teachers, visual cues
Funding for above
Need additional $ to support inclusion
Working for gov’t – can’t afford to hire interpreter – doesn’t allow me to get ahead
The right is there but the law isn’t enforced
Need a law to support employer eg. gov’t funding and employer or tax subsidy for employer
Life skills training- employment training
Adaptive technology tax benefits
Update funding to match technology advancements
Definition of ‘disability’ is restrictive to provide the supports necessary
Faster adoption of technology as personal support
Strengthen the private sectors ability to modify their workplace and create custom adaptive technology to accommodate employees
Increased support for R&D of new technologies
Address gap btwn 19 and 65 for receiving technology
Training for adaptive technology (funding for training)
90% assistive tech abandoned – could be reduced through training and trialing technology
Skills training as well that help w/transition into school and work place
If you enable ability, you enable inclusion
Technology is a great equalizer – we need to be more creative, eg. iPhones – you can do a lot with them – is cost of technology an issue?
There are cheap tools available
Ministry policies need to be in step with new technologies
SDSI policies regarding what PWD clients are eligible for need to be reviewed
For example cheap cellphones vs. complex landline systems
What is SDSI currently funding? Can it fund inexpensive apps?
Lack of training in technologies can be a barrier, $ can be invested on this eg. in schools.
Some technologies are not easy to use
Leaving hospital – mobility issues – access of an outpatient, but your window to improve is very limited – no funding for ongoing support
Lack of brain injury funding
Sooner the better to get treatment
Continue care once you leave a hospital – could make fundamental impact
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Continuity care instead of time limited care for ongoing health issues
Healthcare vs. illness care
Cost benefit analysis
To get funding you have to have narrow restrictions
Always having to keep repeating ‘your story’ again and again
Understanding man
Personal supports are not just technical/physical devices but also human support
Homeowner grant for seniors but what about families w/children or ppl who acquire disabilities – GAP (non-PWD)
Zero support for non-permanent disability
What about renters?
What about PWDs who make more $ than PWD
‘welfare lens’
Legislation allows but relation restricts
‘in your home’ vs. allowing for people to leave their home – leads to isolation
Lens for inclusion access all legislation and regulation
Do not close equp. and assistive technology initiative – need pro advice to help use the technology and assess what tech to use
$$ to purchase
80% of devices purchases are shelved b/c no training or not good enough
No pay phones – PWD can’t always afford a phone – access to telephone
Not just the minimum but what is needed for the person, for example a cheap wheelchair that doesn’t meet the client’s needs
Huge gap in provision of mental health services – a staff person required
Knowing what is out there and making that accessible eg. places to go, exercise
Hindered by costs of access
19+ nowhere to go for free physical therapy (limited)
Education needed for ‘assumptions’ of what people ‘need’
No central place for someone with a disability to go to find out what they can get – big things and little things
Knowledge and cost are the big barriers
Restricting of financing on how to cover costs of access
A person in a wheelchair is not able to rent a vehicle that accommodates/accessible van (ex. Budget, Avis, Enterprise, etc. do not have
these to rent)
Approached Victoria Car-Share said that cost of van and insurance is too high
Data they could use – PWD have a lower probability of getting in an accident
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Companies may need a vehicle to get ppl to work
EATI program needs to continue- very important for the blind and others to be able to integrate into society to be provided with support
needed
Accommodations in the workplace – technology, working from home
Accommodations for PWD shouldn’t’ be seen as “too expensive”
Self-employment can be very expensive- need staff too
First step – getting the job (may require specialize d assistance) – help finding suitable work, skills utilized – change how we hire ppl (no
typing test, etc.) – change how we screen ppl
Mentorship is so important (helps encourage, support)
Attitudes of employers and coworkers – treatment equal? – perceptions
Need legislation and regulation
No $/program for rehabilitation (ie. vision loss)
Health issue with vision loss
No support for “mental health” issues
Equality issue for funding and program/services
Where will be deaf and HoH go for support
Need a place for support
Gov’t s/b giving a fuel tax benefit
Fees for forms for property tax forms etc. should be waived
‘taps’ form should be accessible to everyone
As a driver fill in and submit and received stipend (gas allowance)
What can we do as a community?
Access to entertainment and recreation and integration and life passes
Barriers – financial – passes, etc. help with financial barriers; social – solutions, need to help people learn socialization
Example – lifetime networks – buddy system – escalating foundation – take people from different aspects of life, join together – get people
involved
Finding social activities with similar interests
Managing transportation and other supports
Lack of ability to plan spontaneous trips due to transportation restrictions
Keep disability resource centres open later - lack of resources
Recognize alternate forms or definitions of ‘family’
Address gaps btwn institutional support (ie. hospital to university both say the other can help)
Find ways to connect agencies to start the conversation on what is working w/creating or support networks
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Build spheres of social connection for people (friendship, work, etc.)
Community connections supports students staying in school
Needs facilitation to maintain positive focus/safe space
Encourage all university/colleges to develop student/disability advocate body/office – requires funding
Change BC bus pass policy for ppl on CPPD
Again, technology can help PWD access social networks
Social networks also contribute to greater health reduced health and service costs)
Mentorship should be tapped, supported
Role models are important; create a ripple effect
Are linked up w/volunteers and HandiDART, but can’t always get transportation to medical appointments, much worse for social inclusion
issues – too expensive, too much panning, no spontaneity possible
Profound depression and anxiety in the community
Social networks start in school, as kids, accessing swimming lessons, playdates
Lost in middle and high school, segregation starts, physical separation
Need more adult day programs for younger PWDs – there are none
Having fun, participating costs -$$
If not going to school, or work had to meet people and socialize
Program where socializing is the goal – but not disability specific – staff to facilitate
Helping people integrate through training for social skills – maybe through education system and transitions
Create opportunities in education system to have kids with disabilities participate at all levels so that it is normalize for all kids to
participate, ie. use PE; engage kids with disability so they learn to play with each other
Peer support programs – social programs – not disability specific
Social isolation – school and work are main areas to meet people but if you aren’t able to do those then you are missing out
No programs for people over 25 years and under 65 years
Use sport and rec as a hub for programs – we don’t know who the PWDs are and the PWD don’t’ know what the program are – need the
connection (Victoria Wheelchair and Sport Club)
Ppl. need the right technology, aids and devices
Support for assistive devices
More ability for participation
Social networks established at work, rec. centres, organizations
Knowledge of programs being offered
Barrier of logistical challenges to participate, whether it be work, community activities
Cost, transportation, piece of mind – financial stress – not having to choose or compromise
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Need for more peer support groups, lots are strapped because of private funding, not enough
Volunteer driver program – Cdn. Institute for the Blind program was great but cancelled because of insurance issues – gov’t should help
In order to ask for help someone has to be comfortable to ask
Trying to find out which programs help, there are too many loop holes
What can my institution do?
PWD need friends, help with participation
We need to see PWD working in every area, trade
The eternal environment is what creates the restrictions
With changes in gov’t programs disappear
Miscommunication between feds and prov and spending the $
Sensory disability group cannot get access to CSIL program
Develop ‘central’ matching/peer support system
Provide incentive link in with restorative justice program
Encourage immersive/inclusive sensitivity training for employer/public service/community employee, etc. on disability issues
Regression on K-12 education system
Cost more to go to work, couldn’t get costs of equipment covered
Barrier for those on SA to get to work
Use a gradual transition process to move those from being supported to more financial independence – if you want to work support should
be there to make it happen
Not a barrier – no choice but to stay home
Rules around PWD – to get costs covered for medical services must continue
Working shouldn’t cost the middle class economically
PWD rates need to be increased – attached to individual – whether or not a partner
Belter access for medical approval for PWD
Employer awareness program s- incentives for hiring – private/public – ensure public service – mgrs. Hiring are doing
Human rights – employer duty to provide
Providing knowledge of requirements to employers
Provincial/federal resource website – or other access identifies programs, funding grants, resources
Less than 8% - small pop of deaf people – not sure how to hire , lack of interpreters
Assume that deaf people pay for interpreters
More challenging – emp. program can provide interpretation for 5 weeks and then it is up to employer – the employer doesn’t always want
this
s/b a subsidy for employers
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acts and bylaws for employers/pop
this is across Canada federally – Human Rights Act
constitution already established
employers/pop not aware of this
Funding to agencies that provide support to enter the workforce
University may provide assistance and support to enter the workforce but gap exists for those who can’t/aren’t accessing the education
route
Employers recognizing the skills that exist and how to maximize those skills
Closing the gap btwn visible and invisible disabilities
Recognize the needs of various disabilities not assume homogeneity
Removing the stigma
Universal approach within the workplace such as a needs assessment
Start at a younger age – accessibility to employment supports
Allows for a true transition rather than a start at 19
Consistent transition programs from youth working to training programs/education to employment
Training/support for university profs.
Marry PWD are very smart, can’t get a job (sic)
Current PWD income exemption can be a disincentive – PWD try for lower paying jobs so as not to lose their benefit
Lack of general public awareness of the contributions PWD can make
PWD need continuous support to keep their jobs (does not stop at placement and pre-employment training )
Continuous support should be available as needed (individualized)
Support should be client centred (not employer focused)
Funding needed for programs that support employment for PWD
Funding needed for youth with disabilities especially those who don’t’ access PWD benefits
More gradual sliding scale needed for PWD benefits relative to earnings
You need education before you get a job for example high school (more career planning)
Just b/c you choose a private school you lose half of $
Son was at job – matching skills to job
Culture of jobs
General experience for work experience and coops for all students (disabilities, etc.) eg. students with disabilities/range of disability
Scrap BC Bid – to let individual contractors (who have a disability) who are self-employers or unemployed
Education for employers (disability competency)
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Lots of different pots of funding
Employers w/tax credits – get employers and unions on board
40 – 65 year or all – lack of formal education, technology, concentration – their contribution not valued by society
Although this Is changing, self-employment
Funding for advocacy and volunteering is low, under compensated
Flexibility of rules
Incentive for employers – tax breaks?
Problem is they only last 6 months takes longer than that to learn, legislative change, more integration with union/employers – need to
allow through their rules
Get youth working – only 3 months, must work 30 hr/week, but some can’t do that- excludes them
More assistance/mentors to assist people to train and retain employment
Missing a huge pool of talent
Keeping PWD in the workforce
Flexibility and accommodation s- working from home, hours
Financial support – transportation to and from work
Making $ doesn’t help with other benefits (PWD + supplements) = huge barrier – only able to make so much financially
Employment changes one’s life
PWD insufficient, fiscally limiting – rent is expensive
Community – companies help create community –what is our community? How can we take part? Awareness!
Social attitude – PWD seen as incompetent = stigma
PWD need jobs, not to be secluded – increased health costs need to be able to live their life
Mental health is just as important as physical health
Continuity of services
Enforce and fine employers for violation
Reinstate Camosun College’s ESA program
Develop internship program
People fear loss of PWD status with SDSI
Lack of/no information on education
Hardship transitioning in/out of PWD
Programs are short term and lack continuity and progression
Inequity in eligibility for education upgrading
Self-directed education
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Reduce bureaucracy
EATI – reward those who are employed
Penalize those who have employment/$
Hard to meet elig.
Discontinue of program to elig.
Inequity of elig.
K-12 to post-secondary
Require program for assistive technology
Grants/initiative come and go
Solution Wall Posts:
Reframe dialogue with PWD are not the problem, but that public spaces designed to include all peoples are at issue. We need a BC version of the
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 to make all public spaces accessible to all persons with physical and cognitive disabilities. We
need a PWD designation that is independent of financial assistance to be used by all government bodies to provide for the needs of PWDs.
Need to open AEE up to all people
Flexibility in the workplace ie. change minimum hours for part time work
If we enable ability we enable inclusion
Even school individualized education plans include specific, accountable goals for physical education
Provincial program to supplement RDSP for adults with dis. On PWD/in poverty
Self directed programs in employment and other systems
More $ for services
Accessibility enforcement – physical, sensory, intellectual, etc.
Ethical approaches
Address fear people have of losing PWD
Visitability legislation for housing development
Increase rehabilitation and mental health
Assistive technology access and funding
Need flexibility in employment programs and funding also assistance and mentorship
Reassess two year time frame for PWD application health is unpredictable
Tax breaks for accessible housing, workplace
Immersive inclusive training for public servants and facilities
FOIPPA makes it difficult to connect need mechanisms that allow connection
Silo in funding results in lack of funding for specific supports (owing to strictness and focus)
Increase PWD rates
Government led committees so that all PWD have regular and continual access and opportunity to be heard and participate
Follow European standards
Reducing isolation increase heath and reduces health and service costs
Paradigm shift towards ensuring PWDs are not considered to be second class citizens
Funding for youth to begin employment training BEFORE transitioning out of high school
Access supports for people with sensory disability
Need proper retrofits for older schools to allow accessibility
There should be more community resources available especially for children with disabilities
Government takes an inclusion lens to all regs and legs – requested by MSDSI
Need more/any adult day programs for young adults
Change rules to allow people to move in together without losing supports
Look at inequity across disabilities and programs
Social networks start in school, need to be supported through middle and high school
Require gov’t to follow accessibility standards for all web content and applications
Increase education around disability so that general awareness understanding improves
PWD need continuous and individualized supports to keep their jobs
Post secondary ed and training support
Need for power of attorney for PWDs who don’t meet current criteria for public guardian and trustee and who cannot afford a private POA
Access to PWD without financial penalty or garnishing our other access to funding
Allow comparing w/solutions access to decision makers
People receiving CPPD who have a low income but too high for PWD should get access to bus pass, MSO (non life threatening needs), nutrition
supplement etc. as they are quite unable to pay for these
Ministry policies need to be instep with new technologies eg. funding for smartphones and apps
Federal disability assistance
Remove barriers to physical education in schools – particularly attitudinal barriers by increasing Pro-D workshops
Supports for PWD (employment) should be client centered and not simply employer centered
Provide the resources and financial support to agencies dealing with customized employment
More formal classes/training for teachers in inclusion
Better access to transportation, HandiDART, scoots for mobility so that people can get out and socialize
No adaptation = no inclusion
Use sport and recreation as opportunities to improve health, well being, social networks, et.
Need a broad range of innovative solutions to ensure that everyone can participate and contribute
Inequity b/n resources/supports over/under 65
Raising the PWD rate and don’t cut it when move in with someone else
‘innovative’ ways to connect isolated individuals living independently (eg. rural communities)
Universal standard for buildings and structure
Ensure coach education courses include PWD in all levels eg. active start, fundamentals
More opportunities to have these discussions (first time in 13 years)
Centralized info – universal standard
The CEISL program works – add more $
Increasing housing portion PWD and TIETO COLA (sic)
Define levels of disability and accessibility
Technologies are available and not necessarily expensive
Accessibility is an important building block toward greater inclusion
Current PWD income exemptions can be a disincentive – PWD try for lower paying jobs so as not to lose their benefits
Universal design should not be limited to physical space – there’s a need for attitude and cultural change
Innovation allows everyone to realize full citizenship
No dedicated worker results in a lack of linkages, disconnect with supports, and no one to make reasonable decisions
Many PWD are very smart and cannot get a job
Increase training of pre-service educators in learning assistive technologies
Assistive listening devices installed in all public places to help the hard of hearing community
Public awareness campaign to decrease stigma
Continue to fund EATI
Increase support for families who have new children with disabilities
Programming should be based on long –term planning rather than short term budget
MSO – no cut off after earnings exemption reached – after 1 year
AEE – more flexibility for registration
Focus on people’s abilities not disabilities
If you qualify PWD (sic) in one province you qualify in BC – no need to reapply
Reframe problems as design problems that do not allow full inclusion rather than providing special help for persons
Transition programs for post-secondary education for students with a disability
Designation of a minister responsible for disability issues and not the welfare minister
More planned activities for elderly with a disability
Equal opportunity, equal access – need funding from ground up – need dis. Community to step out
Constitution Act – should emphasize to employer to provide interpreter
PWD designation independent of social assistance so can help all government sectors meet the needs of PWDs
Regular and continual access to participate in creating and expanding upon policies sand procedures
PWD designation independent of financial assistance
Accessibility Act! BC Version!
Always including the disabilities community when making policy that impacts PWDs
CLBC innovative programming to include assessment treatment and re-evaluate – not all services are long term
Proactive investment vs. reactive program service delivery
Website needs to be set up in ASL – video embedded in link – first language for deaf people
Public entrances
Mandated building code amendments
Premier advisory committee
“an inclusive BC action plan” with a vision, goals, targets, timelines, and accountability
Job training
Start transformation with yourself and your community
Affordable accessible housing
Revamp human rights code make it accessible
Let a person’s government funding follow the person even when adults
Make it easier for people who lack funding to participate in the community
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act for BC
Case specific focus on financials case management system
Not having to rely on charity for equipment
General work experience for work experience and coops for all
Safe and secure home environments
More funding
Easier access to MSDSI – agencies that are helping PWDs should be able to contact MSDSI directly (another # than 1-866)
We want to get to a point where PWDs are no longer recognized as a disability
Incentives for community to be more inclusive in housing accessibility (home share)
Disabled people having a voice
More awareness
The disability community becoming more visible
Stigma stamping, attitudes, workplace and everywhere
Normalize PWDs (diversabilities)
Advisory council PWD on BOD to help
Equal access, equal opportunity
Voc rehab programs and priority placements
Macro evaluations
Revamp human rights code and process as it is inaccessible to British Columbians with disabilities
Recognizing all disabilities, even the “invisible” ones
Ministry whose prime responsibility is disability – staffed by people with disabilities
Address financial inequality by tax relief fed/prov tax policies
Complete integration into communities
Reinstitute ‘disability lens’ across gov’t to ensure leg & policies and procedures are inclusive find coordinated from outset
Increased support
Disabled people have asset protection during a divorce
Widen the scope of the homeowner’s grants/programs
Tax breaks for the middle class
Legalize marijuana and use profits for PWDs
Cutting Red Tape:
Separate welfare from PWD
It takes 64 pushes of a computer button ti issue 1 bus ticket – need to curtail the red tape!
Continuity re: programs, initiatives, grants
Be kind
Create a BC Disabilities Act
Ministry of Disabilities
Post PWD manual on line
Independent appeals committee for students to get accommodations in a timely manner
Provide assistance for RDSP applications
People with solutions should not have to jump through hoops to get to the correct person in government
Letters going out to clients are automatically filled with the worker’s email name ie. Nicollette Romano is given as Nicoroma – then an advocate
tires to contact this person the request goes nowhere as there is no one named Nicoroma to send it to – so the client gets no response – nor does
the advocate
Tax breaks over penalties
Funding underlies most needs (sic)
Eradicating conflicts of interest in universities, where student’s societies and human rights departments are controlled by post-secondary institutes
Consultation without follow-through means little
Ministry can work more closely with community advocacy groups to collaborate for the good of PWDs rather than feeling adversarial
Cross talk between organizations
Clear info dissemination
Parallel ethnic minority and identify recognition with disabilities
Life choices for PWDs should not be impacted by earnings exemptions and loss of benefits
Stop the policy on losing PWD benefits when in prolonged hospital stays – results in loss of housing, stress, amplification of health problems and
stops lower income/disabled persons for accessing health service due to fear of homelessness