Canada Health Act

This mom sits outside her child’s school all day. She wants more help for students with disabilities

An estimated 1 in 6 students in Ontario have a disability and face barriers to education, advocate says. Michelle Cousins makes herself comfortable with a pillow and a blanket in her accessible van while she camps out near her … READ MORE

B.C. teenager waited almost 2 years for scoliosis surgery

Solutions to shorten wait times include triaged referral system, incentives to reach timeline targets. Cael Perry (middle) with his parents Sharlene and Chris. Cael was diagnosed with severe thoracic scoliosis in November 2020. David … READ MORE

Canadians less satisfied in their access to health care than Americans: poll

15% of Canadians satisfied with access to care, while 29% of Americans satisfied with access, poll finds. A health-care worker pushes a patient across a connecting bridge at a hospital in Montreal, on Thursday, July 14. The findings … READ MORE

Time for fast action on a Canada Disability Benefit

Over one million Canadians with disabilities live in poverty. If implemented, this new benefit will work in the same manner as the Guaranteed Income Supplement and the Canadian Child Benefit. Photo by Marcus Aurelius from Pexels By … READ MORE

Experts plead for more pediatric telehealth

A specialty group is asking federal and state governments to preserve and expand access to telehealth services for children with developmental and behavioral problems. Monterey County pediatricians adjust to shelter in place. Monterey … READ MORE

The doctor won’t see you now: Why access to care is in critical condition

In addition to patient care, many doctors also have heavy administrative burdens, including insurance company requests and government forms that advocate for their patients’ needs, as well as all the challenges of running an office. … READ MORE

Study shows troubling lack of knowledge by physicians about the Americans with Disabilities Act

To achieve more equitable care and social justice for patients with disability, considerable improvements are needed to educate physicians about making healthcare delivery systems more accessible and accommodating. – Lisa I. Iezzoni … READ MORE

Alberta government’s failure means we must protect ourselves

It has become clear that the Alberta government has given up on its role to protect us from the acute and long-term risks of COVID-19. “Everyone will get it” seems to be the mantra of the day. This defeatist ethos is a … READ MORE

How a worker shortage is affecting Albertans with disabilities and their families

Disability workers say a chronic problem has become a crisis in some parts of the province. MIchael Marchuk, 47, is currently living with his brother Stan in Vancouver because of a lack of disability support workers in his Alberta … READ MORE

CERB helped Canadians during COVID-19 — but not the most vulnerable

To coincide with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Dec. 3, Statistics Canada released new data about workers with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Low employment rates, coupled with limited government … READ MORE

Albertans in pain look elsewhere for treatment, as COVID surgery delays compound wait times

‘We’re in a bad place, to be honest,’ says orthopedic surgeon at Red Deer hospital. Alberta cancelled all elective surgeries during the fourth wave as the province’s intensive care units filled up with very … READ MORE

700 families waiting for children’s health services at Toronto hospital, as pandemic backlog grows

Autism program, wheelchair fittings have months-long waits. Ivona Novak’s five-year-old son, Noah, who uses a wheelchair, is among hundreds of Ontario kids on a growing wait list for key health services at a Toronto … READ MORE

Breaking down barriers: ‘Learning health systems’ for communities

At every clinic and hospital, scientists work with health leaders to test health-care innovations. Umayangga Yogalingam, Illustrator Wendy Glauser, Healthy Debate June 10, 2021 As you read this, researchers are trying to improve … READ MORE

Pandemic disproportionately affects those with disabilities and chronic health conditions

‘The pandemic has exacerbated pre-existing inequalities,’ says UTM professor David Pettinicchio, who launched a national online survey of 1,027 Canadians with disabilities and chronic health conditions to find out how … READ MORE

Taxes and disability benefits: Maximizing the opportunities

A disabled person may qualify for the Disability Tax Credit. If you have never applied for this benefit before and you happen to qualify for it, you can request that Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) adjust your previous years’ tax … READ MORE

Evolving business models in orthotics

Nancy Schneider, Braceworks Custom Orthotics, Calgary. This submission provides an important historical context for understanding the current challenge facing the Orthotic and Prosthetic community in Alberta including Alberta Aids to … READ MORE

Like polio, the long-term impact of COVID will be measured in disability

Will the large numbers of people with disabilities from COVID make our society more accessible and inclusive? Polio causes paralysis is about one in 200 patients. Survivors like Gifford, shown here age 2 at the Sudbury General … READ MORE

New report raises critical issues around disability rights in Alberta

13 advocates, known as Radical Inclusion, compiled report for U.N. committee. Roxanne Ulanicki is the lead facilitator of the Radical Inclusion report that was submitted to the United Nations on Tuesday. Submitted by Roxanne Ulanicki … READ MORE

Disability advocates call for easier access to ‘life-changing’ technology

Assistive devices can improve quality of life, but their high cost keeps them out of reach for many. Tammy Martin’s eSight helps her magnify images, as well as change their colour, contrast and focus. Tammy Martin Feleshia … READ MORE

Beyond long-term care: The benefits of seniors’ communities that evolve on their own

The global COVID-19 pandemic has shown Canadians that we need to think differently about how we support older adults. The media and all levels of government have focused heavily on long-term care, and rightly so. However, the vast … READ MORE

Equity in access and use of rehabilitation services in Canada

Two Canadians, equal under the law. Only one gets rehabilitation services. What gives? By Nivetha Chandran, rehabinkmag February 4, 2021 To answer this question, we must start by understanding what the Canadian healthcare system is … READ MORE

A national electronic health record for primary care

The Canada Health Act states that health care should be portable — but health records are not. Despite billion-dollar efforts to promote information transfers between jurisdictions, sharing health information today often requires … READ MORE

Caring for children and youth with special health care needs during the COVID-19 pandemic

As COVID-19 continues to spread, children and youth with special health care needs may be at increased risk for complications. This includes children with chronic conditions, disabilities, and those with medically complex conditions. … READ MORE

Capital funding of health care in Canada is critical, yet declined in last 20 years

Capital funding of health care, used to build new hospitals, redesign or upgrade existing facilities and invest in new technologies, has declined in Canada over the last 20 years, according to an analysis in CMAJ Canadian Medical … READ MORE

‘What does this mean for us?’ People with developmental disabilities left out of vaccination planning

As COVID-19 vaccine distribution and prioritization plans roll out across Canada, people with developmental disabilities, their families, support workers and community agencies have been asking: What does this mean for us? Dr. Yona … READ MORE

Pandemic has brought unexpected joy for some families with autism, ‘wake-up call’ for others

Sask. government promised to expand funding for autistic children in 2021. Declan, who recently turned six, is autistic. His mother, Tarah Degelman, says the pandemic has been hard on him because of the lack of access to therapies and … READ MORE

People with disabilities excluded from re-opening plans, advocates warn

People with disabilities have been shut out of the conversation as Canadians plan to return to school, work and play, further jeopardizing their health and safety in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, advocates warn. The woman in the … READ MORE

Program involving community volunteers shows promise for reducing health care use by seniors

Incorporating community volunteers into the health care system shows promise in reducing health care usage by older adults and shifting health care from hospitals to primary care, according to new research in the Canadian Medical … READ MORE

Families, advocates of students with disabilities seek clarity in school reopening plans

Additional funding urged along with comprehensive plans and clear directives. Students with disabilities face extra complications heading back to school in a pandemic, including how to access support services, and parents say more … READ MORE

Child care after the pandemic should be more inclusive of children with disabilities

When child-care centres reopen, they should consider the needs of children with disabilities. Across Canada, some provinces have either opened or are looking at opening their child-care centres again following pandemic closures. But … READ MORE

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