Disability rights

Are you eligible for the new Canada Disability Benefit?

Eligible Canadians can begin applying for the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) as of June 20. Bank of Canada notes are displayed at the Bank of Canada museum in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press By … READ MORE

‘We are not a priority:’ Disability advocates say lack of minister sends a message

This undated handout photo shows Rabia Khedr, national director of Disability Without Poverty. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Disability Without Poverty *MANDATORY CREDIT*SDV Nicole Thompson, The Canadian Press May 15, 2025 TORONTO – The … READ MORE

Turning 18 should be a celebration not a setback for youth with disabilities, report suggests

Turning 18 isn’t so sweet: The Critical gaps in health care for young adults with disabilities, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital By Jemicah Marasigan, City News Toronto October 15, 2024. Last Updated October 16, 2024 … READ MORE

Alberta to claw back federal disability benefit from AISH recipients

Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services says AISH benefits highest in Canada. Jason Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services, says Alberta plans to reduce AISH payments by $200, the monthly amount for a new … READ MORE

How school systems can honour the human rights of people with disabilities

Schools need to hire, support and promote disabled educators and administrators to help model and envision inclusive communities. Over a quarter of all Canadians are part of the disability community. Demonstrators, about 300 of whom … READ MORE

Alberta introduces plan to allow people with disabilities to work and receive benefits

Alberta Disability Assistance Program expected to begin July 2026. Jason Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services, announced details of the new Alberta Disability Assistance Program on Tuesday. Mike Symington/CBC … READ MORE

How scientists with disabilities are making research labs and fieldwork more accessible

Disabled scientists are trying to make research labs and fieldwork more accessible. Scientists with disabilities are trying to make research labs more accessible. A recent field trip to the San Andreas fault is an example of how the … READ MORE

Disability advocate Alice Wong on resistance in the new year: ‘Life is a dumpster fire, but I’m not alone’

The activist, who received a 2024 MacArthur ‘genius’ grant, reflects on a moment that changed her life – and why she finds hope in sci-fi.. Alice Wong in 2023. Photograph: Courtesy of MacArthur fellows program Maanvi Singh, The … READ MORE

Man with cerebral palsy who gave up hope of finding work models for Primark

Elliot Caswell was photographed for a fashion campaign this week. BBC Grace Dean & Rachel Price, BBC News 2 November 2024 A man with cerebral palsy who had given up hope of getting work has landed a modelling job after featuring … READ MORE

Alberta publishes new accessibility design guide, but minister says more needs to be done

First major update to the document since 2017. A file photo of Alberta Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver. McIver, whose portfolio includes the provincial building code, said the changes will be helpful to some, but more can be … READ MORE

Disability Rights Activist Receives MacArthur Fellowship

San Francisco-based writer, editor and disability justice activist Alice Wong was recognized by the MacArthur Foundation this month with one of its prestigious fellowships for her work on increasing representation of people with … READ MORE

Lawsuit alleges Alberta government discriminating against students with disabilities

Statement of claim says students Charter rights breached without access to in-person supports. Members of CUPE Local 3550 started strike action on Jan. 13. Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press Madeline Smith, CBC News Edmonton January … READ MORE

Provincial support delays are hurting disabled Albertans and families, reports find

Inclusion Alberta surveyed families about access to PDD and FSCD programs Jason Nixon is Alberta’s minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services. CBC Michelle Bellefontaine, CBC News Edmonton January 23, 2025 Children and … READ MORE

Rick Hansen Foundation School Program

Empowering Students Through Lived Experience. Abilities Canada, January 14, 2025 In a world that strives for inclusivity and equality, understanding the diverse experiences of others is an essential part of education. The Rick Hansen … READ MORE

Alberta government axes funding for 3 disability advocacy groups

Disability organizations decry ‘cruel’ move to cut funding within 90 days. Jason Nixon is Alberta’s minister of seniors, community and social services. The ministry told three self-advocacy groups their funding … READ MORE

Feds ‘committed to doing more,’ but minister offers no timeline for Canadian Disability Benefit boost

Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities Kamal Khera rises during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Patrick Doyle Spencer Van Dyk, … READ MORE

Woman with Cerebral palsy overwhelmed by outpouring of support

After returning home from yet another lengthy hospital stay, a 32-year-old with severe cerebral palsy has received over 500 letters of encouragement from across the country. Patrick Tehan/San Jose Mercury News/TNS by John Walk, … READ MORE

Riders and drivers bemoan ‘inaccessible’ Lethbridge transit system

Union says scheduling pressure is causing mental fatigue for drivers CityLink was launched as a cost-effective and efficient transit system, but many in Lethbridge, Alta., say it does not meet the needs of the city’s most … READ MORE

Austerity & disabled people in the UK: Q&A with Frances Ryan

Dr. Frances Ryan is a journalist, broadcaster and author. Her weekly Guardian column, Hardworking Britain, has been at the forefront of coverage of austerity this decade. Ryan was highly commended Specialist Journalist of the Year at … READ MORE

Making science more accessible to people with disabilities

Researchers suggest ways to improve accessibility in advance of International Day of Persons with Disabilities. A biologist examining a skull. Credit: Anthro Illustrated John Brhel, Binghamton University via EurekAlert! AAAS December … 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

Canadians with disabilities getting new benefit — but critics say it’s coming late and with few details

Bill creating monthly disability benefit for working-age Canadians died when Trudeau called 2021 election. The Liberal government has reintroduced legislation to create a monthly disability benefit payment for working age Canadians. … READ MORE

Worker shortage could threaten summer camps for Albertans with disabilities

Camp He Ho Ha could turn away hundreds of campers if it can’t hire enough staff. Counsellors canoe with a camper at Camp He Ho Ha on Lake Isle, west of Edmonton. Submitted by Greg Nielsen Madeleine Cummings, CBC News Edmonton … 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

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

The pandemic highlights the importance of walkable and wheelable neighbourhoods

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of neighbourhoods and how they fare in terms of walkability and wheelability. He is in a wheelchair, she has multiple sclerosis, but their neighbours know Grzegorz and Magda as a … 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

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

For Canadians with disabilities, supports are often too little, too late

Inclusion and equity must be at the forefront of the design of government policies, not an afterthought. On June 5, 2020, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced new federal supports for Canadians with disabilities. For the son of … READ MORE

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