Health care delivery

Please parents, mask your children as they return to school

I can recall clearly the first day that each of my three children walked to and from school on their own. I worried about whether they would get there without mishap. But I took for granted that, once at school, they would be safe. (I … 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

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

COVID concerns of disabled people multiply as health protocols lifted

Governments must act to make sure disabled people are not left behind in the next wave or pandemic. Policy Options by Nancy Hansen, Shannon Sampert, Originally published on Policy Options March 28, 2022 In the two years we’ve been … READ MORE

Children with disabilities face special back-to-school challenges

Martha Manzo drops off Christopher at his school, the Blind Children’s Center, in the East Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles. The center is a free preschool for children who are blind or visually impaired. Heidi de Marco, KHN By … READ MORE

The end of public health in Ontario

“A recent report commissioned by the Canadian Medical Association showed that delayed or missed health care services may have contributed to more than 4,000 excess deaths not related to COVID-19 infections between August and … 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

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

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

Skin in the game: Transformative approach uses the human body to recharge smartwatches

UMass Amherst team designs prototype charging system for wearable devices. ShaZam charging via steering wheel. N. Mohammed et al. Nick Bild, Cut the Cord Patty Shillington, University of Massachusetts Amherst July 1, 2021 As smart … 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

Growing up is hard, especially for young people with disabilities

Iris vanDalen, 23, with her service dog, Stella. VanDalen is a student at the University of San Francisco. She has Crohn’s disease, which made adapting to college life difficult. Photo courtesy of Iris vanDalen. by Nadra Nittle, … 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

Alberta urged to reconsider cutting off hundreds of young adults from financial support

Province says young Albertans leaving program will be set up with right support. A current and former government employee in Children’s Services say adult programs don’t meet the complex needs of young adults transitioning … 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

Netflix’s ‘Crip Camp’ is one of the most important films about disability I’ve ever seen

This documentary proves we can tell human stories about disabled people and our lives. And through those stories, we can show both how far we’ve come and where we must go next. “Power, not pity.” Steve Honisgbaum / Netflix … READ MORE

What’s ahead for people with disabilities in the post-pandemic workplace?

Experts report on employment and vocational rehabilitation considerations for people with disabilities during and after the COVID-19 pandemic across health, work, and education in this special issue of the Journal of Vocational … READ MORE

Pediatric telemedicine services can work well under the right conditions

Interviews with pediatricians show that providing remote medical consultations is highly stressful and challenging, but this can be managed with extra skills and training. Telemedicine for children with disabilities in remote … 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

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

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