BC Coalition of People with Disabilities | Transition page 1 | sPring 2012 BC Coalition of People with Disabilities | Transition sPring 2012 | page 2

Contents

TransitionispublishedfourtimesayearbyBCCoalitionofPeoplewithDisabilities.Subscriptionsare$15/year.

Wewelcomearticles,graphicsandcreativewritingforconsideration.Theeditorsreservetherighttoeditand/orwithholdmaterialfrompublication.

Transitionmaterialmaybereprintedwithoutpriorpermission,aslongasthematerialispublishedinitsentirety,alongwiththiscitation:“FromTransition magazine,BCCoalitionofPeoplewithDisabilities,[editiondate].”Thankyou.

BCCoalitionofPeoplewithDisabilities204-456W.Broadway,Vancouver,BCV5Y1R3Tel:604-875-0188•Fax:604-875-9227Transitiononly:trans@bccpd.bc.caBCCPD:feedback@bccpd.bc.ca

Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement No.40051676

22 | Engaging With EATi | Laila & Ean

24 | Staying Connected

2 | Editorial by Paul Gauthier

6 | Choosing Hope by Alyas Omeed

7 | Engaging with EATi | geoff Jones

8 | Connecting with your Community: A How-to guide by Shelley Hourston

11 | Engagement is Life Changing by PJ Artman

12 | super navigators: Masters of Engagement by Linda Bartram

14 | Engaging With Our Peers by Ken Walker

15 | Social Capital: Better Than Money In The Bank?

17 | Engaging with EATi | Tom Mcgregor

18 | The great Accessible Outdoors by Leslie Timmins

19 | Rick Hansen Global Accessibility Map

20 | Engaging stories

21 | Ketchup and surprises: An Engaging Vacation by Brianne Nettelfield

Special10 | CPP-D resources

17 | Book Your Free Workshop with Advocacy Access

23 | Planned giving: A new Way to Contribute

Cover Art by PJ Artman. See page 11.

BCCoalitionofPeoplewithDisabilitiesisanexpertinCanadaPension

PlanDisability(CPP-D)advocacy.Weprovide:

• inperson,one-to-oneassistance

• assistancebyphone

• freeself-helppublicationsonwhatCPPis,howtoapplyandhow

toappealadenial(availableinEnglish,TraditionalChineseand

Punjabi)

What do I need to know about CPP-D?CPP-Dhasseveraladvantagesoverprovincialdisabilitybenefits.And,

recipientsmayreceiveprovincial(PWD/PPMB)disabilitybenefitsin

additiontoCPP-Dintheformofatop-up,iftheirCPP-Dbenefitsfall

belowtheprovincialminimum.

Please contact us to learn more.CPP-DAdvocacyProgram

Telephone:604-872-1278|Toll-Free:1-800-663-1278

Website:www.bccpd.bc.ca| Program information:OurWork/Advocacy

Access|Self-help guides:Library/Money&IncomeSupports

CPP-DISABILITYADVOCACY|

We’reheretohelp.• Wereyoupreviouslyworkingandnowhaveadisability?

• DoyouneedhelptoapplyforCPPDisabilityorappealadenialofbenefits?

Funded by The Law Foundation of BC

A BCCPD PROGRAM

BC Coalition of People with Disabilities | Transition page 3 | sPring 2012 BC Coalition of People with Disabilities | Transition sPring 2012 | page 2

Engage:

by Paul gauthier

WhenIwasaskedtodotheeditorialforthisTransition

on“Engagement”,IwasintriguedbecauseofmyexperienceswiththenewEquipmentandAssistiveTechnologyInitiative(EATI).

Inmanyways,IthinkEATIisbecomingamodelforwhatengagementamongcommunityorganizations,peoplewithdis-abilitiesandgovernmentcanlooklikeandhowitcanbeawin-win-winsituation.

Forthoseofyouwhodon’tknowEATI,inanutshellweprovidefundingtopeoplewithdisabilitieswhoneedassistivedevicesforemployment-relatedgoals.Since2010,we’veputover$5millionofassistivedevicesintothehandsofalmost700peoplearoundBC.

There’ssomuchinterestinEATI,wehaveawaitinglistoffourmonthstorespondtoapplica-tions.We’relookingatwaystoreducethiswaittimeforpeopleseekingoursupport.

So, What’s Different About EATI?Inmyopinion,thetwomostim-portantandfairlyamazingthingsare:ourpartnershipwiththepro-vincialandfederalgovernments,andthatthepartnershipisbasedonamodelthatputspeoplewithdisabilities’goalsfirst.

Fromthebeginning,EATIhasusedtheParticipationModelforservicesandprogramswhichissimple,butquiteradical(pleaseseesidebar).Westartfromaperson’sgoals,thenlookattheob-staclestothosegoalsandfinallywhat’sneededtogetpastthoseobstacles.Thisisverydifferentfromtheconventionalapproachwhereaperson’sgoalsarereallynotpartoftheequation,iftheyarelookingforequipment,forexample.

Where the Engagement BeganForseveralyears,anetworkofor-ganizations,includingBCCPD,hadbeenworkingonvariousprojectsaimingtobetterconnectpeoplewithdisabilitieswithpersonalsup-portsandequipmenttheyneedtolivefullandindependentlives.Weallbroughtskillsandexpertisetothegroupanddevelopedaclearvisionforanewprogram.Wewereabletospeaktogovernmentwithaunitedvoice.Ithinkthisunitywascrucialinconvincinggovern-menttoengagewithus.

Eventually,wealliedtoformthePersonalSupportsWork-ingGroupcomprisingpeoplefromdisabilityorganizationsandgovernment.Webegantotalkaboutpeoplewithdisabilities’

needs,howexactlytheParticipa-tionModelcouldworkintheareaofpersonalsupports,andhowwecouldpartnerwithgovernmenttoassistmorepeopleinthecommu-nity.And,governmentbegantotellusabouttheirconcernsaboutpolicies,aboutfunding,andaboutmanagingrisksforpeoplewithdisabilities.

An Evolving RelationshipIt’sbeenastonishingtoseeoverthesepastseveralmonthshowthesemeetingshavechanged.Inthebeginning,therewasmoretalkingthanlistening,andsomedistrustoruneasebetweencom-munityandgovernment.Now,there’smoremutualunderstand-ingandmoretrust.Ourrelation-shiphasmatured.We’reworkingtogetherandmoreengagedinajointvisionforEATI,sowe’remoreeffective.

Inoticedatarecentmeetingthateventheseatingarrange-mentshavechanged.Atthebe-ginningofthisprocess,wewouldseegovernmentstaffononesideandcommunitypeopleontheother.Thatseparation’snolongerthere.

Putting People at the CentreThe Participation Model is a new way of looking at the delivery of goods and services to people with disabilities. The following is from the brief, A Participa-tion Model for a Personal Supports Program for People with Disabilities in BC.

Vision & ValuesBritish Columbians have access to the personal supports that they need in order to achieve their goals and have the opportunity to participate fully in the life of the province.

InclusiveBritish Columbians with disabilities have the right to participate fully in society and have access to the personal supports that they need to do so.

ChoiceBritish Columbians with disabilities have the right to self-determination and will be given every opportunity to make decisions about the resources they need for their participation. Individuals who require assistance with their decision mak-ing can be represented by their family and/or support network.

AccessibleAccess to personal supports is based on need and is not tied to other factors such as individual or family income, assets, eligibility for other services, geographic location or age. Disability programs and supports are barrier-free and able to accommodate all forms of communication.

RespectPrograms and supports respect language and cultural diversity, protect indi-vidual privacy and treat all citizens equitably, compassionately and respectfully.The vision, values and principles for the Personal Supports Program in BC underlie every component of the model. The desired outcome is participation to whatever degree the individual desires. The Personal Supports program is envisioned as open and accessible to all British Columbians with a disability, whatever their age.

The model describes a process that begins with the individual. Each individual has goals and a plan for achieving those goals. A goal can be as straightforward as wanting to go shopping once a week or as complicated as travelling the world.

Download the Participation Model brief from www.bccpd.bc.ca, in the independent Living section of the Library.

From left to right: foster son Derek, Paul, Sarah and baby Matteo

Engaging OurCommunities

continued on next page

Editorial

participate in, take part in, join in, play a part in, share in.

BC Coalition of People with Disabilities | Transition page 5 | sPring 2012 BC Coalition of People with Disabilities | Transition sPring 2012 | page 4

We are seeing a kind of ripple effect of “engagement” that flowed from our person-centred approach: from engaging community groups to come together, engaging government in the idea of a person-centred approach, engaging people with disabilities in defining their goals, and being able to deliver supports that help people to engage in our communities.

What I’ve LearnedI’velearnedafewthingsfromtheEATIexperiencethatcanbeap-pliedtoanycommunitycampaigntodevelopnewservices.First,myconvictionhasgrownthatthePar-ticipationModelcouldandshouldbeusedindeliveryofanygovern-mentservice.Ratherthanofferingavarietyofdisconnectedservices,fromdisconnectedsuppliersandorganizationsthatmayormaynotmeetpeople’sneeds,every-oneneedstostartbyenablingpeopletodefinetheirgoalsandthenworkwiththemtoovercomethebarrierstothosegoals.Wedothisbestandmostcosteffectivelywhencommunityorganizationscollaborateandformpartner-shipswithgovernmenttouseourscarceresourceswisely.

Changingthewayaninstitu-tionthinksandworksisnotasmallthing–andgovernmentisnoexception.So,havingaclearvisionandhavingstrengthinnumbers,isveryimportant.Communityorganizationsarealwaysover-workedandunder-funded,andit’sdifficultforanyoneorganizationtochangethedirectionofalong-standingprogramorwayofdoingthings.Agroupoforganizationsworkingtogetherstrengthensthemessageandhasmorepowertoengagegovernmentinanewdirection.Andfindingoneideayoucanallagreeonasaprior-ity,amongthemanymanyneedsinthecommunity,isanecessarystep,too.

And,finally,bestrongandbewillingtolisten.Government

Editorial, continued from previous page

prioritiesandmethodswillusuallybedifferentfromthoseofcom-munityorganizations.Youneedtobelieveinyourideaandbewillingtostandupforit.And,wealsoneedtolistentowhat’simportanttogovernmentandworkhardtofindwhereourneedsandgovern-ment’sneedsoverlap.

EATIworksbecausewewereabletoclearlyidentifytheprob-lem,makeastrongcaseforanalternativeandtoworkcoopera-tivelywithgovernment–and,lastbutnotleast,wewerealsofortu-natetofindfederalfundingthatfitwithourgoalsandgovernmentgoalsformoreinclusionofpeoplewithdisabilities.

EATIisn’tperfectandit’sstillaworkinprogress.But,wearesee-ingakindofrippleeffectof“en-gagement”thatflowedfromourperson-centredapproach:fromengagingcommunitygroupstocometogether,engaginggovern-mentintheideaofaperson-cen-tredapproach,engagingpeoplewithdisabilitiesindefiningtheirgoals,andbeingabletodeliversupportsthathelppeopletoen-gageinourcommunities.

InthisTransition,welookatsomeofthewayspeoplelivingwithadisabilityareengagingintheirlivesandintheircommuni-ties–andshowing“what’spossible”whenprogramslikeEATIprovidesupportsthatallowustoengageinnewandamazingways.

Paul gauthier has been a personal and community advocate for over 20 years. He is the network Coordinator of the BC Personal supports network. n

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BC Coalition of People with Disabilities | Transition page 7 | sPring 2012 BC Coalition of People with Disabilities | Transition sPring 2012 | page 6

M ynameinPersian,means“hope”andthisisthename

Ichoseformyselfseveralyearsagotoreflectmyattitudesandlifeviews.

IlostmyeyesightattheageofsevenintheCivilWarinAfghani-stan.Thereweremanyharddaysinmychildhood,butatimecamewhenIbecameavoiceformanysilencedpeopleinAfghanistan.

I’moftenasked,“HowwereyouabletofinishyourstudiesinAfghanistanandPakistan,wheremostpeoplebelievethatpeoplewithadisabilitydon’thavethecapacitytostudy,tobecomeahumanrightsactivistortobeanactivememberinthesociety?”

SinceIlostmysight,allmyeffortwentintoshowingAfghansocietythatapersonwhohasadisabilitycanhaveaconstruc-tiveroleinsociety,ifonlypeoplewouldbelieveinourcapabilitiesandstrengths.

Inmysituation,Iwastoldnottoattendschool.Theargumentwasthat,sinceIcouldnt’see,classactivitieswouldneverbenefitme.Themostpessimisticargumentwasthatmyeffortsineducationwouldnotassistmetobeaninde-pendentpersonandactivemem-berofsociety.Iwastoldregularlybymembersofthecommunity,“Evenifyoufinishhighschool,youwillnevergetajobbecauseyouareblind.”

Decidingnottotakethisadvice,Icompletedmysecondaryschoolingandsoonafterearnedapositioninanon-governmentalorganizationinAfghanistan.

Dearreaders,youmightbecurioustoknowwhatgavemethedrivetosucceedinmyen-deavours.Ihavetwoattitudesthatkeepmemotivated:hopeandaim.Despiteallthechallenges,Ihavebeenhopeful.Ialwayshopetoseeabettertomorrowandalife

Choosing Hope by Alyas Omeed

Our thanks to the Health sciences Association for their donation toward our Disability Benefits Help Sheets series.

These self-help guides on topics ranging from the People with Disabilities Benefit to the Registered Disability Savings Plan are BCCPD’s most requested and downloaded resources.

We’re grateful to HSA for their ongoing and generous support of these Help Sheets.

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WhenGeoffJonesapproachedEATIinJanuary2011,hehadagoaltoworkinthefinancialcus-tomerserviceindustry.Hisbarrierwaslowvisionthatpreventedhimfromreadingnormalsizedprintandtext.Hehadlivedwithhisdis-abilityforfiveyearsandhadmanydiscussionswithhispeersaboutwhatmighthelp.Geoffisaself-admitted“technologynerd,”sohelookedforwardtoresearchinghisoptionsforassistivetechnology.

Basedonhisresearch,EATIprovidedhimwithseveralvisualaids.TheAiSquaredZoomtextMagnifierissoftwarethatenlargesandenhanceseverythingonhiscomputerscreen,allowinghimtoquicklyaccessinformation.GeoffkeepsthemagnifieronaUSBkeysohecanuseitonanycomputer.HealsoreceivedaReineckerManoPortableVideoMagnifierwhichallowshimtoreadeverything

whereverhetravels,frombusstopsignstoprintedmaterialsinoffices.

GeoffnowworksintheCityofVancouver’smaincallcentre.WhenaVancouveritehasaques-tionaboutanyofthecity’smunici-palservices,policiesorprograms,callingGeoffisthefirststeptogettingananswer.

Geoffisalsobeginningtoworkwithemergencyservicestoprovidethemwithphonesupport.Oneofhismoreexcitingdaysinthiscapacityoccurredthemorn-ingafterVancouver’sStanleyCupriots.Inthisrole,Geoffdissemi-natedinstructionsfromtiplinesandprovidedinformationforthecity’son-the-groundstaff.Geoffisprovidingthecustomerservicethatheenvisionedwhenheap-proachedEATIandhisassistivetechnologypreparedhimtobethebestcandidateforthejob.n

Engaging with EATi | geoff Jones

Connectionsamongpeopleaddvaluetoa

societyinmuchthesamewaythatfinancialcapital

does.Socialcapitalreferstothecollectivevalueof

allsocialnetworks–orwhopeopleknow.”

–RobertPutnaminBowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community

Despite all the challenges, i have been hopeful. i always hope to see a better tomorrow and a life of success.

ofsuccess.IdecidedtochangemylastnameafterIfinishedhighschooltoremindmyselfandthecommunityofmyachievement.

AlthoughtherehavebeentimesIhavefeltlessthanhopeful,Ihavealwayshadaims:lifegoalsthaturgemetocontinue.Anaimislikeaclosefriend,closerthananythingandanyoneinlife.Infact,havinganaimhastaughtmehowtoplaninordertoreachmygoalsandkeepmefromlosingmypath.

Finally,myunderstandingof“aim”and“hope”isthatifhumanbeingsdonothavehopeandaim,theyarelikeafishoutofwater.

Alyas is a now living in Vancouver and is avail-able for writing or other work projects. You can reach him at a.omeed@gmail.com. n

BC Coalition of People with Disabilities | Transition page 9 | sPring 2012 BC Coalition of People with Disabilities | Transition sPring 2012 | page 8

i fyouarenaturallyintrovertedlikeIam,musteringtheenergyandcouragetogooutintoun-familiarsituationscanoftenfeeloverwhelmingandjustnotworththeeffort.

Participatinginacommunity–whetherit’syourneighbourhoodoracommunityofbirdwatchers–canbeachallengeformanyofus.Ifyou’relivingwithadisabilityorchronichealthcondition,yourdai-lylifemaybecomplicatedbylowenergyandfatigue,pain,physicalbarriers,medicationside-effectsorotherfactors.

Livingwithadisabilitycanalsoaffectyourself-esteemandconfidence.

Researchershaveshown,however,thatthereisastrongconnectionbetweencommunityparticipationandimprovedhealthandsenseofwell-being.Andthegoodnewsisthatevenoccasionalinteraction–attendingameetingtwiceamonthorvolunteeringonceamonth–isenoughtogener-atepositiveresults.InCanada,wehaveidentified“socialsupportnetworks”–whatwedevelopwhenweparticipateinacommunity–asnumbertwointhelistofdetermi-nantsofhealth.**

Ifthisisenoughevidencetoencourageyoutoventureinto

yourcommunity(orincreaseyourinvolvement),letmesharemytipsforcommunityparticipa-tion.Rememberthat“communityparticipation”cantakeplaceinmanyways:inperson,overthetelephone,lettersinthemailorviatheInternet.

Five Steps to ParticipationDon’tknowwheretostart?Askyourselfthefollowingquestionsandmakealistofyouranswers.

What are my interests?• Whatcatchesyourattention

onthenews,innewspapers/magazinesorontheradio?

• Whatisyourfavouritepast-timeorleisureactivity?

• Whatmakesyoulaugh?• Whatmakesyouangry?• Doyouhaveneighbours,

familymembersorfriends–nearbyorinanotherpartoftheworld–whoareinvolvedinactivitiesorprojectsthatinter-estyou?Whatarethey?

• Doanyofthestoriesorideasinthisinspireyoutotrysome-thingnew?

What kind of experience would I prefer?• Socializewithagroupoflike-

mindedpeople?• Contributetoacauseoractiv-

ity(volunteer)?

• Learn?• Teach?• Createsomethingnew?• Exchangeknowledgewith

others?• Advocateforsocialchangeor

justice?• Trynewthings?• Justpassthetime?

How would I like to participate?• Inperson?• Telephone?• Internet?• Mail?

Now that I have a list of interests, how do I participate?• Whodoyouknow(inyour

communityorbeyond)whosharesoneormoreofyourinterests?Askthemformoreinformationandhowyoucanbecomeinvolvedtoo.

• Arethereorganizationsinyourcommunitythatrelatetoyourinterests?Visittheminperson,callthemorvisittheirwebsites.Dependingontheinterestsyou’venotedinthequestionsabove,asktospeaktosomeoneintheorganiza-tionabout:socialorsupportgroups,volunteeropportuni-ties,educationalorinforma-tionevents,discussiongroups,advocacyactivities,oroppor-tunitiestomentorothers.Find

outhowyoucanparticipate,anycostsinvolvedandhowyoucanreceiveinformationaboutfutureactivities.

• Don’tknowhowtostart?Maybeaone-timeactivity,suchasanauthorreading,ateleseminar,oracomputerworkshopisawaytobegin.

• Don’tknowifthereisanorga-nizationorresourcerelatedtoyourinterest?Here’showtostart:- YellowPages–checkunderallheadingsthatmayrelatetoyourinterest.- Telephonebook–checkunderrelevantorganizationnames.Notethatinsomecasesanationalorprovincialofficemaybelistedwithatoll-freenumber.Callandaskforcontactsinyourcom-munity.- Bulletinboardsinyourneighbourhood(oftenlocatedinsupermarkets,libraries,communityandrecreationcentres,churches,etc.)oftenhavepostersforevents,groupsoractivities.- Serviceproviders:socialworkers,communityhealthnurses,counsellors,andoccupationalandphysicaltherapistsaregreatsourcesofinformation.- PublicLibrary–callorvisityourlocalpubliclibraryandaskthereferencelibrar-ianforinformationaboutyourareaofinterest.It’simportanttoaskforhelpasthelibrarianwillshowyou

directories,reports,journalarticles,localeventsched-ules,communitycontacts,etc.,thatyoumaynotknowabout.Explainthatyou’regatheringinformationandarelookingforopportuni-tiestobecomeinvolved.

But do I have to talk to anybody while I’m there?Ifyou’reshyoruncomfortableinnewsituations,thisisn’tanun-usualquestion.Research(andmypersonalexperience)showsthataskingquestionsisanexcellentwaytostartaconversation.

Prepareacoupleofquestionsinadvancetogetyoustartedandthenletthemflownaturallyintotheconversation.Bybeingnaturallycuriousandinterested(ratherthaninterrogating,likeyou’reinacourtroom!),yourconversationpartnerwillfindyoufascinating!

Ifyoudecidetotrythesehow-tosteps,Iwouldlovetohearfromyou.Whatdidyoutry?Didyouhavefun?Didyouencounterbarriersorchallenges?Yourstorieswillhelpustokeeptheconnec-tionsgoingamongourreaders.

Goodluckandrememberthebenefitsofconnectinggofarbe-yondwhatyoumightexpect.

*Helliwell,JohnF.andPutnam,RobertD.(2004)TheSocialContextofWell-being.PhilosophicalTransactionsofTheRoyalSociety(London)B(359),1435-1446.Retrievedfromhttp://ti-nyurl.com/yklz55s.

**WhatMakesCanadiansHealthyorUnhealthy?PublicHealthAgencyofCanada.Retrievedfrom:http://tinyurl.com/yfp64kr.

reprinted from Transition Fall 2009 n

Connecting with Your CommunityA How-to Guide by Shelley Hourston

Visit Us OnlineIf you haven’t already visited our “new” website launched in late 2011, come check us out. Our new and improved library features hundreds of searchable, free resources on topics including Money & Income Supports, Independent Living, Health and Well-ness, and more.

And, we now have a blog for all the latest news from BCCPD and other disability-related community news.

www.bccpd.bc.ca

BC Coalition of People with Disabilities | Transition page 11 | sPring 2012 BC Coalition of People with Disabilities | Transition sPring 2012 | page 10

Engagement is life changing by PJ Artman

BCAssociationforIndividualizedTechnologyandSupportsforPeoplewithDisabilities

BCHydroEmployeesCommunityServicesFund

BCRehabFoundation

CanadianCo-operativeAssociation

CityofVancouver

CouncilofCanadianswithDisabilities

GovernmentofCanada’sSocialDevelopmentPartnershipProgram-DisabilityComponent

HealthSciencesAssociationofBC

HomelessnessPartnershipStrategy–HumanResourcesandSkillsDevelopmentCanada

TheLawFoundationofBritishColumbia

TheLawFoundationofOntario

LegalServicesSocietyofBritishColumbia

NotaryFoundationofBC

PlannedLifetimeAdvocacyNetwork

ProvincialHealthServicesAuthority

TELUSEmployeesCharitableGivingProgram

UnitedWayoftheLowerMainland

VancouverCoastalHealth

VancouverFoundation

We acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.

We couldn’t do it without youThank you to these organizations, companies and government departments who support BCCPD’s work on behalf of people with disabilities.

LEArn MOrE ABOUT CPP-D

BCCPD has updated its self-help CPP Dis-ability Series (CPP-D). These four resources are available in English, Punjabi and Traditional Chinese.

Benefits ChecklistLearn about the various programs and discounts you may be eligible for if you receive CPP-D.

Application guideThis guide walks you through the six steps to apply for CPP-D.

Appeal guide Part 1: The reconsidera-tion requestIf your application has been denied, this guide will help you with the first stage of the CPP-D appeal process.

Appeal guide Part 2: Appealing to the Canada Pension review TribunalThere is a second stage of appeal for CPP-D. This guide explains the CPP review tribunal.

Copies can be downloaded for free from our Web Library/Money & Income Supports page at www.bccpd.bc.ca. Or, contact Val at feedback@bccpd.bc.ca for printed copies.

Our thanks to the notary Foundation and The Law Foundation of BC for funding the CPP-D series. n

Formanyyears,Iwasslowlylosingmyvision.Ididn’trealizeit,untilonedayIranthecompanyvanintoaparkedcar.IhadmyeyescheckedandwastoldIwaslegallyblind.Ineverdroveagain.Ihadtoquitmyjobof16years.

Idecidedtogetbackintocreatingart.Arthasalwaysbeenmyhappyplace!Ofcourse,itwasveryhardtoseewhatIwasdoingbecauseIhadnorealvisioninmyrighteyeandblurryout-of-focusvisioninmyleft.Oneday,afriendbroughtoveranoldprojectorlenstoseeifthatwouldhelp.Itwasamazing.Itdidn’tmakethingsclearer,butitbroughtwhatIwaslookingatcloser.Forafewyears,Icreatedartwithit.Itookthatlenseverywhereanditbecameahugepartofmylife.

Overtime,technologyforpeo-plewithlowvisiongotbetterandbetter.Then,myfriendDebbietoldmeaboutaprogramthatmightbeabletohelpmegetequipment.She,andacoupleofotherfriends,helpedmefillouttheforms.

Afewweekslater,AlbertRuel,fromtheEquipmentandAssistiveTechnologyInitiative(EATI),calledme.Hewassoniceandkind.Heaskedmesomequestionsaboutmyvisionimpairment,tohelpmegettherighttools.

AlbertcalledmeonJanuary25,2011,andtoldmethegreatnewsthatIwasapproved.Iwassoexcited.

IwastrainedonmynewequipmentandthenIwasonmy

i decided to get back into creating art. Art has always been my happy place! Of course, it was very hard to see what i was doing because i had no real vision in my right eye and blurry out-of-focus vision in my left.

own.Isoondiscoveredthattheequipmentwasnotjusttotallyamazing.Itwaslife-changing.

OnceIbecamefamiliarwiththecamera,thefirstthingIdidwasslidealetterunderit.Forthefirsttimeinmanyyears,Iwasabletoreadmyownmail.Iknewfromthatmomentmylifeasalowvisionpersonandanartistwasabouttogetmuchbetter.

Eightmonthslater,I’mproudtosayIwasright.MyqualityoflifehaschangedforthebetterandI’mmoreindependent–fromwritingemails,paintingpicturesorgroceryshopping–thankstoallthenewtoolsIhave.

Dr. Lee A. Cowley, D.C., LL.B.

300-13805 104 Avenue, Surrey, BC V3T 1W7P: 604-583-3000 F: 604-583-3045W: cowleylawcorp.ca

Cowley & CompanyCar Accident Lawyers

Dr. Lee A. Cowley, D.C., LL.B.

300-13805 104 Avenue, Surrey, BC V3T 1W7

P: 604-583-3000 F: 604-583-3045

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Cowley & CompanyCar Accident Lawyers

Cowley and Company

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I’mworkingonturningmytalentsintoafull-timebusiness.Withoutthesetools,noneofthiswouldhavebeenpossible.ThecommentsI’vebeengettingonmyartaresoinspiringandover-whelming.

Havingtherighttoolsforthejobhelpsustodotheverybestwecan.

PJ created the amazing art on the front cover. see the back cover to learn how you can own a piece of PJ’s art. n

BC Coalition of People with Disabilities | Transition page 13 | sPring 2012 BC Coalition of People with Disabilities | Transition sPring 2012 | page 12

i ’dliketotellyouaboutmyroleasaSuperNavigator(SN)withtheEquipmentandAssistiveTechnologyInitiative(EATI).SevenmonthsintomyroleasaSuperNavigator,IcantrulysaythisisthemostchallengingandrewardingjobI’veeverbeenpaidtodo.

AsaSuperNavigator,it’smyroletofindoutwhereanapplicantisontheirjourneytowardtheiremploymentgoalandliterallynavigatethemthroughtheEATIapplicationprocess.

Istartwithatelephoneinter-viewwherewecompletesomeformsanddeterminetheperson’seligibility,basedonthecriteriasetoutbytheagreementbetweentheprovincialandfederalgov-ernments(LabourMarketAgree-ment).

Allthismaysoundratherfor-malandbureaucratic,butasSuperNavigators,wetakea“cupoftea”approachandhopefullysweetentheexperiencewithacoupleof“lumpsofsugar”.Aspeoplewithdisabilitiesourselves,theSNsknowandunderstand,tosomedegreeatleast,whatthepersonisexperiencing.Goodlisteningskillsandanempatheticeararetwoes-sentialsforthisjob.

Oncethispaperworkisoutoftheway,therealnavigatingbegins.Thepersonthenanswersthreequestionswhichactasastartingpointforourdiscussions.

Understanding the GoalThefirstquestionhelpsmetounderstandtheperson’semploy-mentgoal.Somepeoplehaveaverycleargoal,whileothersarestillclarifyingtheirs.Somegoalsareverylofty:“Iwouldliketorunfortowncouncil,”whileothersarequitemodest:“Iwanttobeabletowalkdogsindependentlyforafee.”

Forsome,thegoalisimmedi-ate:“Ihaveanopportunitytoworkforanot-for-profitorganizationonceIhavethetechnologythatwillmakethispossible.”Forothers,thegoalmaybeseveralstepsandseveralyearsdowntheroad:“Iwanttobecomeacounselor,butfirstIneedtobeabletogetoutofmyhome,soIcangainsomevolunteerexperienceasapeermentor.”

Whatevertheemploymentgoal,it’scriticalthattheSNandapplicantcometoacommonunderstandingofthegoal.Ittakesskill,imaginationandanon-judg-mentalattitudeonthepartoftheSNtohelpthepersonreachthisunderstanding.

What’s in the Way?Thesecondquestionlooksatthebarriersstoppingtheappli-cantfromachievingorpursuingtheirgoal.We’reallawareofthemanybarriersthatpeoplewithdisabilitiesface(e.g.,financial,educational,attitudinal),butEATI

isprimarilyconcernedwiththefunctionalbarriers(i.e.,seeing,hearing,mobility,learning,com-municating,breathing)relatedtoadisability.Thesearethebarriersthatcanoftenbeovercome,atleastinpart,byequipmentandassistivetechnology.

TheSNoffersashoulder,actsasasoundingboardandoccasion-allyprovidesarealitycheck,whilelettingtheapplicanttelltheirstory.Toooften,therearenoexist-ingprogramstohelpandthosethatdo,oftenfallshortofwhatisreallyneeded.Oneapplicanttoldmehecouldprobablygetacomputer-basedjob,buthefirstneededtolearnhowtousethecomputerwithaccesstechnology.HewasintheproverbialCatch22:youcan’tgetthejobunlessyouknowhowtousethetechnology,butyoucan’tlearnhowtouseaccesssoftwarebecauseyoucan’taffordtobuyitbecauseyoudon’thaveajob.Or,anotherapplicanttoldmehecouldhaveawheel-chairfundedthroughtheMinistry,butitwasn’tthechairheneededtodothejob.

What Do You Need?Whatmakesthisworksoreward-ingisthethirdquestion:“Whatdoyouneedtoovercomethesebarriers?”Ourhopeistobeabletofundapieceofequipmentorassistivetechnologythatwillhelpthepersonovercomethebarriers.It’snotunusualfortheapplicant’s

super navigators: Masters of EngagementEATI staff help people to think big by Linda Bartram

frustrationanddespairtobecometearsofexcitementandhope.Iwillconfess,I’vesharedthosetearsonoccasion.

Afterwe’vediscussedthesethreequestions,thenextstepistodeterminewhichspecificequip-mentorassistivetechnologyisneeded.Insomecases,aprofes-sionalassessmentisrequired.TheSNoverseesthisprocessandoffersassistance,ifit’sneeded.Ifaprofessionalassessmentisnotre-quiredornoprofessionalisavail-able,andtheapplicanthassuf-ficientexperienceandknowledge,theSNwillguidethemthroughaself-assessment.

Thistypeofassessmentcantakeweeks,sometimesmonths,tocompleteandwekeepintouchtooffersupportandencourage-ment.ThisaspectoftheNaviga-tor’srolecanbeverychallenging.TheSNneedstobeawareofthe

manytypesofequipmentandassistivetechnologythatmightbeconsidered.ThisiswhereIrelyonmycolleaguesasIbecomemorefamiliarwiththeever-changingfaceoftechnology.Here’swherethesoon-to-be-launchedInclusiveTechnologiesCo-operativewillbeinvaluableinprovidinginforma-tiontoapplicants.Ioftenhear,“Ijustdon’tknowwhat’soutthere!”

The Final StepsOncetheassessmentiscomplete,anotherNavigatortakesovertheapplication.ItisthisNavigator’sroletoensurethequotefortheequipmentorassistivetechnologybeingrequestedreflectstheap-plicant’sneedsandremovestheirfunctionalbarriers.Thiscantakeseveraldiscussionswithboththevendorandapplicant.ThisSNalsotakesanotherlookattherationalefortheequipmentorassistive

technologybeingrequestedandaddstheirinsight.Bythetimetherequestgoesforward,ithasbeenconsideredfromseveralvantagepoints.

Navigatorsmonitortheadjudication,answerquestionsthatariseduringtheadjudicationprocessandkeeptheapplicantinformedaboutthestatusoftheirrequest.TheSNalsoprovidesfol-low-upsupport,ensuringthattheapplicantreceivestheirapprovedequipmentorassistivetechnologyandthatitismeetingtheirneeds.

SuperNavigatorsrequireanunderstandingandcommitmenttotheparticipationmodel,andexcellentpeopleandtechnologyskills.

Linda Bartram’s story begins about ten years ago when she made a commitment, following an Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians annual general meeting, to work towards the provision of assistive devices for residents of BC who are blind, partially sighted and deaf-blind. This work led her to the Provincial Equipment and Assistive Devices Committee where she took on the co-chair role alongside of her soon-to-become mentor, Christine gordon.

“i feel privileged to have been part of the en-tire journey: from meeting with Ministers, to the development of the Participation Model and now as a front line worker.” n

some goals are very lofty: “i would like to run for town council,” while others are quite modest: “i want to be able to walk dogs independently for a fee.”

Super Navigators helped Tom McGregor get his new wheelchair. See more on page 17.

BC Coalition of People with Disabilities | Transition page 15 | sPring 2012 BC Coalition of People with Disabilities | Transition sPring 2012 | page 14

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tativesofvariousprograms,andofvarioustipsandstrategiestohaveneedsmet,togetrelevantinformation,andtoconnectwithresourcesthatwere,upuntilthen,unknowntosome.

We’vealsobrainstormedideasforparticularsituations,like,“Whatcanyoudoifyoudon’tfeelcom-fortablewithyourdoctor?”and“Strategiesforwhennooneoffersaseatonthebus.”

Smallandlargegroupdiscus-sionshavefocusedonavarietyoftopics,includingfindingourjoy,promotingwellness,dealingwithchallenges,celebratingpersonalaccomplishments,interactingwithothersinourlives,andmanymore.

Attheendofeachmeeting,there’stimetochatandfinishsnacksaspeoplemaketheirwayout.Bothco-facilitatorsareavail-ableifanyonewouldliketotalkwithus.

Thepeersupportgroupisaplacetotellourstories,celebratesuccesses,acknowledgechalleng-es,explorenewpossibilities,andtobewithothersdoingthesame.

Join the Next GroupAnothergroupisplannedforlateSpring.Visitourwebsitetolearnmoreortosignupforoure-news-lettertogetallthecurrentBCCPDandcommunitynews.n

A level of comfort develops as the weeks pass; people often say how accepted and understood they feel, and that it’s nice to be with a group of people that “get it”.

Mostofusspendalotoftimethinkingaboutcapital–orlackofitmorelikely.Cashinthebankandassetslikerealestatetendtobehardearnedandbeyondreach.

Researcherssaythat“socialcapital”–“thewebofrelationshipsthatgiveusasenseofconnection,belongingandcommunity”*–maybeasimportanttoourwell-beingasmoneyforhousingandfood.**Thisisgoodnewsbecausecreat-ingsocialcapitaliswithinreachofeveryone.Ifyouarewonderinghowtoboostyoursocialcapital,checkout“WhattoDo:150ThingsYouCanDotoBuildSocialCapital”athttp://www.bettertogether.org/150ways.htm.

Buildingsocialcapitaldoesn’thavetocostmoneyandneed

noteveninvolvebeingespecially“social”.Examplesincludepickinguplitteronyourstreet,goingtoafreepubliceventatyourpubliclibrary,writingalettertotheedi-torofyourlocalnewspaperaboutsomeoneinyourcommunitywhoiskindorhelpful,holdingthedooropenforthepersonbehindyouorsayinghelloorsmilingatpeopleonyourstreet.

*SocialCapital:BetterTogether.http://www.bettertogethernh.org/bluepic.pdf

**Holt-LunstadJ,SmithTB,LaytonJB(2010)Socialrelationshipsandmortalityrisk:Ameta-analyticreview.PLoSMed7:e316.http://www.plos-medicine.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000316n

social Capital: Better Than Money in The Bank?

F orsometimeatBCCPD,therehasbeentherecognitionofthe

needforpeersupportforpeoplewithdisabilities.Astheresultofagenerousdonation,aseriesofpeersupportgroupsforpeoplewithdisabilitieshasbegun.Ourvisionistoprovideasafe,caringspaceforpeoplewithdisabilitiestomakeconnectionswithothers,toexploretheirrelationshiptotheirdisabilityordisabilities,andtoshareinformationandstrate-giesrelevanttoindividualneeds.

Twosessionshavenowbeencompletedand,asaco-facilitatorofthegroupswithSamBradd,IappreciatetheopportunitytoletTransitionreadersknowwhatwe’redoingandtoinvitepeopletojoinusforupcomingsessions.

Inordertogiveasmanypeopleaspossibleachancetoattend,eachgroupofnewmem-

bersmeetsforacertainnumberofweeks.Sofar,we’veruntwogroupsthatmetfortwohours,onceaweek.Thefirstsessionranforfiveweeks,thesecondforsixweeks.Theagerangehasbeenfromearlytwentiestolatesixties,andthere’sbeenamixofabout2/3womenand1/3men.

Generally,themeetingsstartwithpeoplechattingastheyar-rive,gettingsnacksanddrinks,andsettlinginbeforethegroupbegins.Atthebeginningofthefirstmeeting,wetalkaboutwhathasbroughtpeopletothegroupandwhattheymaywantfromtheexperienceorfromthegroup.Together,weagreeonguidelinesaboutrespectfulinteractionsandhowwe’llcreateaspacethat’saswelcomingaspossibleforevery-one.

Althoughparticipantsdon’tknoweachotherbeforejoiningthegroup,bytheendofthefirstdaythereisalreadyagrowingsenseofcommonexperience.Alevelofcomfortdevelopsastheweekspass;peopleoftensayhowacceptedandunderstoodtheyfeel,andthatit’snicetobe

withagroupofpeoplethat“getit”.Inbothgroupsessions,peopleexchangedcontactinformationonthelastdayandparticipantsvoicedtheirdesiretogettogetherafterthegroupended.

Themeetingsareverycasualandpeopleparticipatetowhatev-erextenttheyarewillingorable.Wehaveoutlinesforeachweek,butnothingiscastinstone.Eachgrouphasitsowndynamicandweoftenfindourselvesexploringrichandunexpectedtopics.

Discussionshavebeenverylivelyandfar-ranging.Thesubjectof“NavigatingtheMedicalSystem”hasbeenagreatexampleofthegroupdynamicinaction.Westartwithaninvitationtodiscussthetopicandparticipantshavehadalottosay.Therehavebeenac-countsofhowthesystemhasorhasn’tworkedverywell,ofcaring,sensitivecaregiversandrepresen-

At the beginning of the first meeting, we talk about what has brought people to the group and what they may want from the experience or from the group.

Engaging With Our Peers by Ken Walker

Peer | One that is of equal standing with another.

support group | A group of people with common experiences and concerns who provide emotional and moral support for one another.

BC Coalition of People with Disabilities | Transition page 17 | sPring 2012 BC Coalition of People with Disabilities | Transition sPring 2012 | page 16

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I accept your invitation to join the BC Coalition of People with Disabil- i-ties and enclose my membership fee of $15 (groups and individuals). I am also sending along a tax-deductible donation of $__________.

your voice counts | become a member of bccpd

Pleasereturnyourpayment/donationwiththisform,toBCCPD,204-456W.Broadway,Vancouver,BCV5Y1R3.Youcanalsobecomeamemberordonateonlineathttp://www.bccpd.bc.ca/supportdonate.htm.

Thank you for your invaluable support.

Name______________________________________________

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City/Prov_______________________PostalCode____________

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i nthesequeltoBorn That Way,Made That Way reunitesreaders

withtheintrepidyoungSylvia,whoischallengedbyageneticdisorder,wildabouthorses,anddeterminedtofindsolutionstotheobstaclespresentedbyherlifeingeneral.Sylviawantstobe

arealhorsewomanandshe’sex-citedaboutgettingherownhorse,evenifthehorseisarrivingataless-than-perfecttime.Brooklynis,well,notquitearegularhorse.Hehasbigears,makesstrangesounds,andhe’salreadybittenthetransportdriver.

AuthorSusanKetchencap-tures,withhumourandpathos,thedevelopingpersonalityandgrowingpainsofanotquitefifteen-year-oldgirlwhowouldjustliketobenormal.Sylviaalsowantstobetreatedasanadult,butsometimes,nooneseemstolistenveryclosely,andshemustpuzzlethingsoutonherown.

ThestrengthofthisbookliesinKetchen’sexaminationofsometopicsthatparentsandchildren

mayfinddifficulttodiscuss.Whatdoesitmeantobenormalordisorderedanyhow?Wheredoesayoungpersonturnwhenherparentsdon’tlisten,whensheistormentedatschool,andisnowfaced,notwithherdreamhorse,butonewhoappearstobecom-plicatingherlifeevenfurther.

Ketchen’swritingisfast-paced,compellingandfullofsurprises.Made That Waycanbereadinonesitting,butSylvia’spersistenceandcreativityinovercomingherlife’schallengeswillinspirethereaderforalifetime.

VisitSusanat:www.susan-ketchen.ca.

Excerpted from a review by Carol M. Upton. First published in Horses All: www.horsesall.com. n

BooksT omMcGregorhadadream.Hewantedtocombinehisloveof

naturewithhiswritingandspeak-ingskillstocreateafutureforhimselfasalandscapeandacces-sibilityconsultant.

AsaVancouverite,Tomiswellacquaintedwithmanyoftheurbanparkslocatedinthecity.However,becauseofprogressivemusculardegeneration,Tomhasmovedfromacanetoascooterandfinallytoapowerwheelchair.And,navigatingparksinhisold,of-tenbrokendownwheelchairwasatricky,oftenimpossiblebusiness.

TomcontactedEATItoseeifhewouldbeeligibleforanewwheelchair:anX-5FrontierPowerwheelchairthatisspecificallydesignedforavarietyofterrains.Tom’sapplicationwassuccessfulandherevvedhiscareergoalintohighgear.

Tom’sincreasedmobilityistheinspirationforhisnewblog:AccessEcoBC(http://accessecobc.blogspot.com/).HedocumentshisexcursionstomanyofBC’soutdoorattractions,includingJerichoBeach,CoalHarbourandBurnaby’sDeerLake.FormanyofthelocationsTomvisits,heassignsanaccessibilityscoretohelpotherpeoplewithdisabilitiesdecidewhichmaybemostsuitableforthem.Intheblog’sshortlife,ithasattractedseveralthousandhits,aswellasaspotonCBCRadio’sBCAlmanac.

Inadditiontowritinghisblog,Tomhasraisedhisprofileandnet-workingability,andheisacquiringnewskillsbyvolunteeringwitha

varietyofgroupsliketheFriendsofEverettCrowleyParkwhichadvisesthecityonaccessibil-ityissues.TomalsoorganizedanEarthDaycelebrationwheretheFriendsofEverettCrowleystagedademonstrationofhowpeoplewithdisabilitiescanusenewassis-tivetechnologytobetternavigatetheoutdoors.

TomisplanningtopublishanaccessibilityguidetotheLowerMainland.Heenvisionsahard-coverbookthatdescribesattrac-tionsmuchlikehisblog,butingreaterdetail.Tomisalsoplan-ningtoincludechoicerestaurants,makingthepublicationamixofculinaryandaccessibilitycriticism!

Tombelievesthatheiswellonhiswaytoachievinghisgoal.ThefactthatEATIbelievedinTom’sdreamhasmadeiteasierforhimtoconvinceotherstobelieveinittoo.n

Book Your Free Workshop with Advocacy AccessCould your organization benefit from learning more about provincial and federal

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Our Advocacy Access staff are experts in these areas, including applications

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Engaging with EATi | Tom Mcgregor For many of the locations Tom visits, he assigns an accessibility score to help other people with disabilities decide which may be most suitable for them. in the blog’s short life, it has attracted several thousand hits, as well as a spot on CBC radio’s BC Almanac.

Phot

o by T

om M

cGre

gor

BC Coalition of People with Disabilities | Transition page 19 | sPring 2012 BC Coalition of People with Disabilities | Transition sPring 2012 | page 18

In2009,asthePresidentandfounderoftheAccessibleWil-dernessSociety(AWS),DanwasinvitedtospeakabouthisvisionatagatheringinPrinceGeorge.SittingnearhimattheheadtablewasMinisterShirleyBondoftheprovincialgovernment.“Ilovethis,”shesaid“HowcanIhelp?”

RightthereandthenMinisterBondtextedanothercabinetMin-ister,PatrickBellofForests,LandsandMines,onhercellphone.BellthoughttheAWScouldleaselandfromtheprovincefor$1ayear.

Twoweekslater,whenDanattendedameetingwithBondinVictoria,therewererepresenta-tivesoftwoothersMinistriesthereaswell.”Idon’treallyknowhowitworksinVictoria,butIthinktheytalktoeachother,”Dansayswryly.

NowtheAWShasacontractwiththeprovincialgovernmentforover20acresaroundLakeRob-erts,nearCampbellRiver.

Theaccessibilityofurbanspacesisgettingbetterallthetimethroughcurbcutsandramps,Dansays,butwildernessisoutofreachformany.

AsanathleticT12paraple-gic,Danisabletogetaroundonaccessibletrailsandsomesemi-accessibletrailsinhiswheelchair.Buthisvisionofabarrier-freewildernessfacilityisbroaderthanthis.Hewantsopportunitiesforkayaking,sailing,fishing,camping,aswellashiking.Andhewantsthoseopportunitiesforeverybody.

Seniorsandpeoplewithphys-icaldisabilitiesandtheirfamilieswillbeabletousethewildernessfacility.Youngpeoplewithdisabili-ties,whowereabletogotocampuntiltheywere18,willbeabletospendtimeinwildernessfortherestoftheirlives.

Theresortwillhaveuniversalaccess.Nostairs,nonarrowpark-ingspaces,no“accessible”rooms–

The Great accessible Outdoors

A BC man has plans for Canada’s first fully accessible wilderness resort. by Leslie Timmins

becauseeverythingwouldbedesignedwitheverybodyinmind.

“Thisisthefirstofitskind.There’snothinglikethisinCana-da,”Dansays.

ThecurrentofenergythatrippledfromthewildernesstoDanBauertoMinisterBondandtheothersalsoneededaburstofpractical,mechanicalpowertokeepitgoing.

LakeRobertsisaheavilytreedareawherethebushgrowsrightuptothewaterline.Danap-proachedtheMinistryofHousingandSocialDevelopmentaboutgettingamobilitydevicetohelphimaccesstheareaandoverseetheresortproject.HewastoldtheEquipmentandAssistiveTech-nologyInitiative(EATI)programmighthavewhatheneeded.

“Theseguyswereamazing,”Dansays.“WhenIfirstmetwiththem,theircriteriaseemedmoregearedtotypicaldeviceslikewheelchairsandwhatIneededwasaworkingvehicle.”ButEATIsoonapprovedadevicewithanamethatsuggeststhepowerandagilityDanwouldneed.It’scalledtheRhino.

TheRhinolooksanddriveslikeasmallall-terrainjeep,withhandcontrolsforthebrakeandaccel-erator,andspinnercontrolsforabettergriponthesteeringwheel.There’salsoabucketinthebackwhereDancanputhiswheelchair.

“IhaveawinchontheRhino,too,soIcanstrapontoafallenlog

andhelpoutinsteadofwatchingotherpeoplemoveit,”Dansays.Helaughs,“WhenI’mwheelingonroughterrainIreallyhavetocon-centratebecause,ifIdon’t,Icanenduphangingmybuttoverastump.Now,IcangetthroughtheroughareasIcouldn’tbefore.”

TheRhinohasmadeitpos-sibleforDantodirectlymanagethedevelopmentoftheproject,insteadofrelyingonotherpeople.

TheAWSistalkingwithgroupswhohaveexperiencesbreakingdownbarriers,likethosewhorunprogramsforoutdoorsports,whocanhelpidentifybarri-ersandwaystoremovethem.

Engagement–thepracticeofgettingpeopleinterestedandinvolvedinaproject–iscloselyrelatedtothiskindofeduca-tion,asDanseesit.Engagementalsomeanseducatingthepublic,especiallyaboutwhatpeoplewithdisabilitiesandseniorsarecapableofandraisingthatbar.

Theresortitselfwillraisethebarbymakingsurenatureisn’tharmedinthebuildingofit.Fortheresort’spowerneeds,theAWSislookingintowind,solar,geo-thermal,andmicro-hydroenergyinsteadoftraditionalsourcesthatcausegreenhousegases.

Won’titbedifficulttofundalternativeenergy?“WhenIseeabarrierIwanttoknockitdown,”Dansays.Nodoubtotherswillwanttoknockitdownwithhim.

Visit http://awsociety.org/ n

The Rick Hansen Global Accessibility Map is an easy-to-use online ratings tool for consumers to submit and search accessibil-ity reviews.

People with disabilities review buildings and public spaces (stadiums, parks, trails, etc.) in communities around the world, from a mobility, sight or hearing perspec-tive.

Through these consumer reviews, the Global Accessibility Map aims to raise awareness of the importance of improved accessibility.

The Map is part of the Rick Hansen Founda-tion’s ongoing commitment to improving accessibility and quality of life for every-one, including people with disabilities, seniors and parents with strollers. We want to help people make informed decisions on everyday activities such as where to eat, shop, work and play.

Join Rick’s journey towards creating a more accessible and inclusive world by visiting www.globalaccessibilitymap.com and submit your reviews! n

W henDanBauerdecidedtocheckouthikingtrailson

VancouverIslandonhiswheel-chair,hefound40trailsthatwereaccessible–and110thatwerenot.

Hewrotethe2011VancouverIslandTravelGuidethatfeaturesdetailsontheaccessibletrails,lo-calhotels,andattractions.

“Ilovebeingoutside,”Dansays.“IlovethefeelingIgetfromthetrees,thebirdsounds.Itmakesmefeelalive.”Althoughnotare-ligiousman,hesays,“Theforestismychurch.Idon’tknowwhatthatSupremeBeingis,butIdoknowI’malotclosertoitwhenI’minnature.”

Theideaforhiscurrentproject–abarrier-free,fullyacces-siblewildernessresort–cametoDannotlongafterhewasthrownfromacarin1985.

“Irememberthemaninthebedacrossfrommeinrehab,”hesays.“Hewasahigh-levelquadwhohadbrokenhisneckswim-ming.Hewastellinghiswifetoselltheboat,sellthecamperbecausetheywouldn’tbego-ingfishinganymore,wouldn’tbegoingswimming.Hiskidslookedliketheywererealizingforthefirsttimetheirdadwasn’tgoingtogetbetter.

“Thisreallybuggedme.Itputtheseedinmybrain.WhenwemovedtoVancouverIslandsixyearsago,Ithought,‘Thisistheplacetodoit,tocreateaccessiblewilderness.’”

BC Coalition of People with Disabilities | Transition page 21 | sPring 2012 BC Coalition of People with Disabilities | Transition sPring 2012 | page 20

flyalone.Itquicklygetsbackintoformationtotakeadvantageofthe“liftingpower”ofthebirdim-mediatelyinfront.Lesson | Ifwehaveasmuchsenseasagoose,wewillstayinforma-tionwiththoseweseewhoareheadedwherewewanttogo.

Fact | Whentheleadgoosegetstired,itrotatesbackintothefor-mationandanothergoosefliesinthepointposition.Lesson | Itpaystotaketurnsdoingthehardtasksandsharingleadership–people,aswithgeese,areinterdependentupononeanother.

Fact | Thegeeseinformationhonkfrombehindtoencouragethoseupfronttokeepuptheirspeed.Lesson | Positiveencouragementisastrongmotivator.Weneedtomakesureour“honking”frombehindisempowering,andnotsomethinglesshelpful.

Fact | Whenagoosegetssickorwounded,twogeesedropoutofformationtofollowhimorherdowntohelpandprotecttheirfallencompanion.Theystaywithhim/heruntil[s]heiseitherabletoflyagainordies.Thentheylaunchoutontheirownwithanotherformationorcatchupwiththeirflock.Lesson | Ifwehaveasmuchsenseasthegeese,wewilllearntostandbyeachotherasweachieveourgoals.

4“LessonsfromtheGeese,”sometimescalled“TheStoryoftheGeese”or“TheGooseStory”ap-pearsinmanyplacesontheInter-netandisfrequentlypublishedindisability-relatednewsletters.Theauthorisvariouslylistedas“Anon,”Dr.HarryClarkeNoyes,MiltonOlsonandothers.Beforereprint-ingithere,weweredeterminedtoconfirmauthorship.SueWidemarkhadfortunatelytravelledtheroutebeforemeandconfirmedmyin-troductoryresearch.ShedescribesherownresearchadventurestoryleadingtoaphoneconversationwithDr.RobertMcNeishwhohadwrittenthestoryin1972.Youcanreadmoreat:http://suewidemark.com/lessonsgeese.htm.

Buddha’s BrainWritingabout“contribution,”RickHanson,authorofBuddha’s BrainandJust One Thing,writes:“Itincludesbigthingslikeraisingachild,inventingthepaperclip,orcomposingasymphony.Butmain-lyit’samatterofmanylittlethings.Yougiveorreceivehundredsofsmallofferingseachday,suchasdoingthedishes,treatingcustom-erswithrespect,pickingupagumwrapper,encouragingafriend,havinggoodintentions,orstayingopentofeedback.Youcontributewiththought,word,anddeed,andbothbywhatyoudoandbywhatyourestrainyourselffromdoing.”“WhatCouldYouOffer?”inJustOneThing(JOT)newsletter(Janu-ary5,2012).http://www.rickhan-son.net/blog.n

Photo by Tom McGregor

Engaging Stories

isatdownwithLillianWongatacoffeeshopneartheBCCoali-tionofPeoplewithDisabilities(BCCPD).Lillian,anadvocateatBCCPD,toldmehowshespentherlastvacationvolunteeringattheUnionGospelMission(UGM).TheUGMservesbreakfastandlunchandprovideschapelservicesfivedaysaweekfortheirclients–peoplewhoarelivingonverylowincomesand/orarehomeless.Lillian’smaindutiesasavolunteerweretoservefood,mopupspills,cleantables,andbagvegetables,fruitandpastriesforgoodiebags.

Lilliandecidedtovolunteerbecauseshewantedtospendhervacationdoingsomethingmeaningful.Onewayforhertodothatwastotellpeopleaboutthedisabilityprogramsavail-abletothem.“It’sawayofmeet-ingpeoplehalf-wayinaneutralenvironmentwheretheyfeelsafe.”Helpingpeopleapplyforprovin-cialdisabilitybenefitsandlearnabouttheRegisteredDisabilitySavingsPlanareLillian’stwomainareasoffocusinherjobasadis-abilityadvocate.WhenIaskedherwhysomanypeopledon’tknowaboutthesebenefits,Lilliansaid,“Manypeoplejustfallthroughthecracks.”

WhatimpressedLillianabouttheUnionGospelMissionwashowtheyrespectedandnur-turedthedignityofeachclient,includinggivingpeoplechoices.“Everyonewassoparticularaboutwheretheywantedtheirketchup,

inonespot,overhashbrownsonlyorovereverything.”Manypeoplefeeloverwhelmedbychoiceandtakeitforgranted.Whenyou’repoor,youlosechoices.Peoplearetoldwhatthey“must”dotogetby.Evensmallchoicesgivepeopledignity,afeelingofcontrolovertheirlives,andawaytoexpresstheirindividuality.

ForLillian,thebestpartofvolunteeringwashelpingpeoplehavehopefortheirfuture.Bytalk-ingtopeopleatUGM,Lillianwasabletogettoknowtheregulars.“Yougettoknowthefamiliarones.Theygettoknowyouandsay“Hello”asyouwalkdownthestreetsinNewWestminster.”

ThoughLillianhasworkedwithpeopleonlow-incomeforalmosttwentyyearsthroughdif-ferentorganizations,shefoundthatworkingatUGMhelpedtobreakdownherownpreconcep-tions.WhenIaskedherwhatshetookawayfromherexperience,shesaidwithouthesitation,“Icameawaywithanewperspec-tive!Stereotypesandignorancepreventusfromtrulyrelatingtooneanotheronapersonallevel.Weforgetthatweareallhumanbeingswithalife,familyandfriends.”NotonlywasLillianabletohelpotherpeople,butshewasabletochallengeherownpreju-dicesandfears,andservedessertwhiledoingso.

Brianne works at BCCPD and recently began a director stream in Film Arts. she likes to spend time walking her Boxer, Duke. n

When you’re poor, you lose choices. People are told what they “must” do to get by. Even small choices give people dignity, a feeling of control over their lives, and a way to express their individuality.

Ketchup and surprises: An Engaging VacationBy Brianne nettelfield

Using HandyDArTscooter Weight & size restrictions

If you are planning on buying a mo-bility scooter and use HandyDART, please be advised that the scooter cannot be more than 48 inches long and 37 inches wide. The combined weight of scooter and user cannot be more than 550 lbs. According to TransLink, these rules on the weight and dimensions of mobility devices have been in place since at least 1999.

Lessons from the GeeseBy Robert McNeishWeliveinanareawheregeeseareverycommon.WeseethemcomingintheFallandleavingearlyintheSpring.Theirmigrationisanawesomesight.Thereisaninterdependenceinthewaygeesefunction.

Fact | Aseachbirdflapsitswings,itcreatesan“uplift”forthebirdfol-lowing.Byflyingina“V”formation,thewholeflockadds71%greaterflyingrangethanifeachbirdflewalone.Lesson | Peoplewhoshareacom-mondirectionandsenseofcom-munitycangetwheretheyaregoingquickerandeasierbecausetheyaretravelingonthethrustofoneanother.Asharedvisionandsenseofpurposecreatesynergy,makingthegoingalittleeasierforall.

Fact | Wheneveragoosefallsoutofformation,itsuddenlyfeelsthedragandresistanceoftryingto

BC Coalition of People with Disabilities | Transition page 23 | sPring 2012 BC Coalition of People with Disabilities | Transition sPring 2012 | page 22

Beforebeinghiredasapro-gramleader,LailavolunteeredonceaweekattheMaillardvilleCommunityCentre.Hernewas-sistivetechnologyhelpedhertoconvinceherpotentialemployerofherabilitytobeindependent.Lailaisalsoquicktocreditthesup-portiveattitudeofherco-workersatthecommunitycentreforhereventualemployment.Theequip-mentLailareceivedthroughEATIwasjustonepartoftheequation.Herpersistenceandheremploy-er’spositiveattitudehelpedtocompletethecircle.

Eanhadagoalofstartinghisownbusinessdoingmultimediadesign,computerrepairandcon-sulting.Hisbarrierwashisseven-year-oldlaptopthatcouldnotruntherecognitionsoftwarethatheneedstoovercomehisfunctionallimitations.Asaresultofspinalmuscularatrophy,Eanhaslimiteduseofhislimbsandrequiresaventilatorforbreathing.

EanaskedEATIforhelp.Be-causeofhiscomputerknowledge,hehadaverygoodideaofwhatassistivetechnologiesheneeded.

Eanreceivedavarietyofas-sistivetechnologiesfromEATI.ApowerfulSonyVaiolaptopcom-puterenableshisrecognitionsoft-ware.DragonNaturallySpeaking(softwarethatconvertsspokenwordsintodigitaltext)hasbeenindispensableinhelpinghimcom-municatethroughemail.HealsoreceivedaGefenKVMSwitchfromEATI.ThisseeminglysmallgadgethashadamajorimpactonEan’s

Engaging With EATi | Laila & Ean

productivity.Itenableshimtousetheonlymovementthathehas,thetwitchofhisthumb,totogglebetweenhislaptopcomputerandthatofanotheruser.

InFebruary2011,EanbecamethefounderiCANResourceGroup,anewlyincorporatedmultimediadesigncompany.iCANspecial-izesincreatingwebsites,businesscardsandcorporatelogos.Inaddition,itofferscomputerrepairservicesandclientconsultingforallthingscomputer-related.Thoughthecompanyisbrandnew,iCANhasalreadydevelopedasubstantialportfolioofworkandamultitudeofsatisfiedclients.

StaytunedforEan’snewweb-siteathttp://www.icanresource-group.com/.n

Laila hasabackgroundinearlychildhoodeducationandap-proachedEATItohelpherreachhergoalofobtainingemploy-mentinthisfield.Despiteherbestefforts,Laila’sprogressivevisionlossmadeitimpossibleforhertoobtainormanageinformationindependently.

ThroughEATI,Lailarequestedseveralpiecesofequipmenttoallowhertomanageherworld.Acolourdetectorhelpshertoiden-tifywhichclothestoweartogeth-er.AlaptopcomputerequippedwithJAWSenableshertonavigatetheInternetandconductonlineresearch.AnIntelreaderconvertsanyprintedtextintodigitaltextandthenreadsitaloudtoher.ThismeansthatLailacanreadthingslikefoodlabels,pamphletsandletterswithouttheassistanceofanotherperson.

LailaisnowworkingasaprogramleaderatthePlaceMail-lardvilleCommunityCentreinCoquitlam.Sherunstwoprogramsthatinvolvechildren:afamily-centreddrop-inandanewborneducationalseminar.Thedrop-inisafreeservicethatoperatesmuchlikeapreschool.Parentscanbringtheirchildreninforavarietyofactivitiesthatrangefromartsandcraftstocooperativegames.Thenewbornseminarisintendedtoeducateparentsonsomeofthechallengesthatcomewithrais-ingachild.Todothis,Lailainvitesguestspeakerstotalkaboutpopulartopicslikestressmanage-mentandestateplanning.

TheBCCPDhasanewPlannedGivingprogram.PlannedGivingistheopportunitytothinkaheadaboutcausesororganizationsthatyoumaywanttofinanciallysup-portbeyondyourlifetime.

Youcantakethetimenowtogatherinformationandleaveinstructionsinyourwill.

Byplanningahead,youcanresearchcharities,orhavesome-oneresearchcharitiesforyou,thatfityourvalues.Youwon’tfeelrushedorpressuredtomakeadecisionandyoucanensurethatyourmoneyisspentinthewayyouwant.

BenefitsTherearemanybenefitstoPlannedGiving.Bywritingdownyourwishes,youwillhavein-creasedpeaceofmindandcontroloveryourfinances.

ThroughPlannedGiving,youcanprovideasignificantfuturedonationwithoutreducingyourincometoday.

Agiftinyourwilltoareg-isteredCanadiancharityistax-deductible.And,yourPlannedGifthelpstheBCCPDtobehereinthefutureforthosewhoneedus.

Tax savingsYoucanrealizesignificanttaxsavingswithPlannedGiving.Forexample,stocks,bondsandmu-tualfundsthatyoumayhaveinatrustcanbetransferredinyourwilltoacharityandataxreceiptwillbeissued.AbequestfromyourestateofcashorRRSPswillreducethetaxesthatyourestatewillberequiredtopay.Otherwaysofdonatinggivetwofoldvalue:bynamingtheBCCPDasthebenefi-ciaryinalifeinsurancepolicy,youdonotincuranycostsnowandataxreceiptisissuedwhentheestateissettled.

To Learn MoreOurdonorsareimportanttousandwe’llworkwithyoutoberecognizedinthewaythatyou’dprefer.IfyouwouldlikemoreinformationaboutPlannedGiv-ing,pleasecontactNicoleattheBCCPDatnicole@bccpd.bc.caor604-875-0188.ShewillsendyouBCCPDPlannedGivinginforma-tionforyoutoreviewwithyourfinancialplannerorlawyer,familyandfriends.n

Planned giving A New Way to Contribute

You’ve always been there for others. it’s part of who you are. now, you can continue to give beyond your lifetime with Planned giving.

Your bequest to BC Coalition of People with Disabilities will promote and protect the dignity and independence of people living with a disability.

Find and follow BCCPD at www.bccpd.bc.ca/followus.htm.

You can also sign up for Our Voice, the BCCPD e-newsletter that will keep you up-to-date on important and interesting disability news between Transitions.

BC Coalition of People with Disabilities | Transition page 25 | sPring 2012 BC Coalition of People with Disabilities | Transition sPring 2012 | page 24

n effective and holistic method provides an individu-alized approach with emphasis on awakening the body’s innate potential to heal itself.

IEH treatment helps in reducing pain and anxiety, relieving stress and depression, providing support during chemo-therapy, strengthening the immune system, reducing effects of trauma, accelerating wound healing and post spinal cord injury, detoxifying from substance misuse and reconnecting with the body.

It is designed to complement, rather than replace, conven-tional approaches to health care.

sanare Awaken Your Healing Potential with Integrative Energy Healing

www.sanare.caTel: 604.727.4186

Marija Djordjevic #103-853 Richards St. Vancouver

SanareAd February 3, 2011 2:20 PM Transition magazine

An effective and holistic method provides an individualized approach with emphasis on awakening the body’s innate po-tential to heal itself.

IEH treatment helps in reducing pain and anxiety, relieving stress and depression, providing support during chemo-therapy, strengthening the immune system, reducing effects of trauma, accelerating wound healing and post spinal cord injury, detoxifying from substance misuse and reconnecting with the body.

It is designed to complement, rather than replace, conven-tional approaches to health care.

sanare Awaken Your Healing Potential with Integrative Energy Healing

www.sanare.caTel: 604.727.4186

Marija Djordjevic #103-853 Richards St. Vancouver

A 1

2

transitionFounding EditorRichard A. Watson

Editor/LayoutAnn Vrlak

Cover DesignFiona Gamiet

Contributors Jane Dyson, Shelley Hourston

ProofreadersAmanda Schuldt • Andrew Quinn

Alternate FormatsVal Stapleton • Elena Kubaseck-Berry

Admin AssistantElena Kubaseck-Berry

Mailout CoordinatorJanis Walsh

Editorial statement The views and opinions expressed within the pages of Transition are not necessarily those held by the total membership or Board of Directors. The material presented herein is meant to be thought-provoking and to promote dialogue. Transition is a forum to share information within the disability community, and with government and the general public. It is also an opportunity for people with disabilities to display creative talent.

Disclaimer Any firm or company advertising in Transition is for our readers’ benefit and does not constitute an endorse-ment by the BCCPD.

staying ConnectedFrom the Canadian Mental Health Association

Sometimeswedon’tconnectwithothersbecausewefeellow,anxiousorstressed.But,bynotconnecting,wecanfeelworse.Tostopthisvi-ciouscycle,werecommendyoumakeaplan.

Writedown:• Onesmallandrealistic“connection”goal(e.g.,“Visitmysisterevery

month.”)

• Whythegoalisimportanttoyou.

• Onesmallstepyoucantaketowardyourgoal.Bespecific!How,when,where,howoften?

• Whatmightgetinthewayandwhatyoucandoaboutit(e.g.,maybestartwithaweeklyphonecallandworkuptoavisit).

• Putyourgoalonyourfridge.Remembertorewardevensmallsuc-cesses!

Ifyouoftenfeellowandwanthelpgettingmoreoutoflife,youmightbenefitfromafreeCMHAprogramcalledBounceBack.YoucandotheBounceBackprogramfromyourownhome.Talktoyourdoctortogetareferralorvisitwww.bouncebackbc.caformoreinformation.

reprinted from Transition Fall 2009 n

helpsheetsbc disabil it y benefits

a d v o c a c y a c c e s s

Download our Help Sheets for free from our web library or ask us to mail them to you.

Some of our most down-loaded Help Sheets are now also available in Traditional Chinese and Punjabi.

Get CopiesOnline: www.bccpd.bc.ca/library.htm

Email: feedback@bccpd.bc.ca

Phone: Call Val at 604-875-0188

Our sincere thanks to the Human Resources and Skills Development Canada Homelessness Partnering Strategy and the Health Sci-ences Association of British Columbia for making our 2011 updates to this series possible.

2 The Persons with Disabilities Benefit Application

3 Checklist for the Persons with Disabilities Benefit

5A Appealing Denial of the PWD benefit: The Reconsideration

5B Appealing Denial of the PWD Benefit: The Appeal Tribunal

6 Persons with Persistent and Multiple Barriers (PPMB) to Employment Application

7 Health Supplements for People with Disabilities

8 Trusts for Persons with Disabilities (PWD)

9 Employment and People with Disabilities

10 Employment, Education and Training Supplements for People with Disabilities

11A Appealing Denial of PPMB: The Request for Reconsideration

11B Appealing Denial of the PPMB Benefit: The Appeal Tribunal

12 Income Assistance Application Process for People with Disabilities

13 Rate Amounts for PWD and PPMB Benefits

14 Registered Disability Savings Plan and the Disability Tax Credit

15 People with Disabilities on Reserve: The PWD Designation

BC Coalition of People with Disabilities,Suite 204, 456 West Broadway, Vancouver BC V5Y 1R3(604) 875-0188 • fax (604) 875-9227 • tty (604) 875-8835trans@bccpd.bc.ca • www.bccpd.bc.ca

Take our one-of-a-kind SITEworkshop to:

• meet your WorkSafe BCrequirements

• identify the safety needs of staffand clients who have disabilities

• develop a comprehensive plan

FULL DETAILS AT

www.bccpd.bc.ca/site.htm

ASK ABOUT NON-PROFIT DISCOUNTS

Contact Karen tobook your SITEworkshop today.

604-875-0188karen@bccpd.bc.ca

A PROGRAM OFBC COALITION OFPEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

To see more of PJ's beautifulart and buy framed prints,greeting cards and morevisit:

pj-artman.artistwebsites.com

LEARN FROM THE EXPERTS IN INCLUSIVE EMERGENCY PLANNING OWN ART BY PJ ARTMAN

Training for businesses,community organizationsand government

Training for businesses,community organizationsand government