Financial planning

Alberta reforms AISH process, allows online applications

New forms for those with disabilities simplifies language to remove barriers. Community and Social Services Minister Irfan Sabir poses with Alberta MLAs and AISH clients to discuss the province’s new AISH guide. Government of … READ MORE

The CRA makes life more difficult for Canadians with disabilities

People with severe disabilities face a number of challenges in everyday life, chief among them financial – including barriers to employment and additional costs to manage their conditions, from mobility devices through to … READ MORE

‘I can’t continue to do this forever’: Families with children aging out of care seek answers

CBC Radio’s Crisis of Care panel brought together concerned families and a group of experts. Matthew Canto with his parents Rose and Tony. Rose spoke about her fears for Matthew’s future as she struggles to find … READ MORE

How Canada is harming its most vulnerable citizens

The tangled web of disability governance and policy in Canada bodes poorly for Canadians with severe disabilities. National Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier, standing during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament … READ MORE

Province hiring its first advocate for people with disabilities

‘This doesn’t answer all of the issues, but it’s definitely a start.’ Minister of Community and Social Services Irfan Sabir is overseeing the creation of a new office that will advocate for people with … READ MORE

Families agonize over who will care for their severely disabled children as they age

Deane Daprato when he was six-years-old and a day student at what was then called Bloorview MacMillan Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. CTV News Sandie Rinaldo, Anchor, National News Weekend & Reporter, CTV News W5 March 17, 2018 When … READ MORE

Long waits for wheelchairs like having ‘your legs taken away,’ disability workers say

‘It feels like I am not a valued member of my community… I could disappear, and it’d be no big deal’ Glenda Hyatt bought a new scooter last week with money raised by her friends online. She gave up on the … READ MORE

‘I am absolutely furious,’ says mother trying to renew disability tax credit

CRA complaints include lost documents, rejection of previously approved applicants. More Canadians are speaking out about difficulty dealing with the Canada Revenue Agency as they apply for the disability tax credit. Canadians are … READ MORE

Alberta spends $2.4M an hour on health care — how do we reduce spending?

In the coming year, the Alberta government will spend about $22 billion on health care. That’s almost 40 per cent of the provincial government’s total budget. Foothills Medical Centre, Alberta Health Services By Brooks … READ MORE

AISH recipients slam changes, saying more is needed

Critics say auditor general report recommendations not fully considered. Calgary AISH recipient Mary Salvami says she feels the benefits should be indexed to the cost of living. Radio-Canada David Bell, CBC News Calgary March 20, 2018 … READ MORE

Disabled Albertans with trust funds can qualify for AISH under new bill

Alberta last Canadian province to stop penalizing Albertans for having trusts set up for their care. Community and Social Services Minister Irfan Sabir introduced Bill 5 in the Alberta legislature on Monday afternoon. CBC Michelle … READ MORE

Better workplace accessibility for Canadians with disabilities would boost economic growth

New research suggests that failing to make accessibility for people with disabilities a higher priority for Canadian businesses would cost the country billions of dollars in lost economic growth. Rick Hansen, pictured in Richmond BC … READ MORE

Expert pressed about risk in closing NS facilities for people with disabilities

Inquiry examining whether 2 Nova Scotians have the right to live in supported housing rather than institutions. John Walter Thompson chairs a Nova Scotia human rights board of inquiry, dealing with persons with disabilities and their … READ MORE

What it’s like to have a sister with special-needs, AKA Boo-Bear

Meet the next generation of caregivers. Ellery and Clare are sisters to Gilly, who has special needs. Gilly has high-needs autism meaning that she will never work or live independently. She requires constant 24-hour care and … READ MORE

‘The community needs to step up’ says caregiver advocate

Yona Lunsky studies the mental health needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their families. She works at Toronto’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Dr. Brian Goldman, White Coat, Black … READ MORE

Cake, balloons, goodbye: What happens when your special needs child ages out of the system

A day with Gilly, a teen with autism and developmental delay on the cusp of aging out of the system – and her parents who are expected to pick up the slack. Gilly is a full-time student at a Toronto school for kids with special … READ MORE

Many parents of children with disabilities don’t make care plans

Fewer than half of parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities make long-term plans about who will take over their child’s care if the parent or other relative providing care dies or becomes incapacitated, a … READ MORE

Groundbreaking case seeks to make supported homes for disabled declared a right

Lawyer Vince Calderhead says case could help hundreds of Nova Scotians with disabilities. Vince Calderhead argues the Department of Community Services is breaking the Human Rights Act by housing Joseph Delaney and Beth MacLean in an … READ MORE

From para-athlete to advocate: Tony Flores is Alberta’s new disability advocate

‘The role is simply a voice for our community’ Tony Flores has been named the province’s first Advocate for Persons with Disabilities. He competed for years in Para-Nordic skiing. Tony Flores supplied photo CBC News … READ MORE

Direct Funding means freedom for many people with disabilities. Is it accessible enough?

When Lisa Crigger advertises for staff on Kijiji, she’s mainly looking for people who can follow direction. Crigger has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair; she needs assistance with bathing, housekeeping, and child care. Briana … READ MORE

Unacceptably low number of Albertans receive disability tax credit

Process too complex and ambiguous, critics say. Only one in three Albertans with disabilities are benefiting from the federal disability tax credit, according to a report from the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy. … READ MORE

Cancelled notices cost AISH recipients Christmas dinner

Provincial program for severely disabled adults stops sending Christmas Bureau applications without warning. The Edmonton Christmas Bureau gives grocery gift cards to people who can’t afford a holiday meal. Paul Chiasson, The … READ MORE

We’re really getting left behind: AISH recipient laments lack of new funding

Benefit payments for disabled Albertans stagnate as province’s minimum wage continues to rise. A stormy view of the Alberta legislature, as AISH recipients call for increased benefits. CBC News By Alicia Asquith, CBC News … READ MORE

Study finds disabled people living in ‘deep poverty’

‘To me it’s unacceptable,’ says study author Julie Gaudet. ‘We’re not living in a Third World country here.’ Kathleen Leger says a limited income has left her scrambling, trying to pay for rent, … READ MORE

Woman with cerebral palsy says disability benefits rules prevent her from working

A Moncton, New Brunswick woman with cerebral palsy who wants to open up her own business says the government is penalizing her for wanting to work. “I want to be a contributing member of society,” she said. Kourtney Stevenson, … READ MORE

Disabled Albertans ignored, says Edmonton mother

“People with disabilities have become an afterthought.” Leah McRorie, a mother of two adult children with disabilities, is calling on the Notley government to deliver on its promise to review the Program for Persons with … READ MORE

I am at my wit’s end: Manitoba man says limited home-care hours too restrictive

Alex Lytwyn is calling for changes after a decade-long battle to get home-care hours increased. A Manitoba man living with cerebral palsy is calling for changes to the province’s Vulnerable Person’s and Home Care acts to … READ MORE

Celebrate the Journey – Transition Fair for Families in Calgary Sept 30, 2017

See you Saturday, September 30, 2017 – 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Marlborough Park Community Association – 6021 Madigan Dr NE, Calgary AB. The transition from children’s services to adult services for youth with a disability can be … READ MORE

Rental market unkind to those with developmental disabilities

As people with developmental disabilities increasingly live in community-based settings, a first-of-its-kind report is finding that they face a multitude of barriers in obtaining housing. Housing Opportunities Project for Excellence, … READ MORE

Changes coming to Alberta’s troubled support program for severely disabled adults

Problems with access, delays in processing applications, criticized by auditor general. Community and Social Services Minister Irfan Sabir announced changes to the AISH program in a response to the auditor general’s damning … READ MORE

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