“EATI affords many participants the opportunity to assess their own needs and determine what assistive technology, device or equipment would work best for them.”
“One of EATI’s most notable differences from many other programs that deliver assistive devices to people with disabilities throughout Canada is that EATI has no list of approved assistive technology,…and instead remains open to funding any new AT as program participants’ needs direct….working on the Participation Model….and self-assessment.”
“…EATI does not set a price limit on the assistive technology requested.”
“…EATI represents the only non means-tested provincial program for people with all types of disabilities to access all types of assistive technology for employment purposes…”
As at January 2012, EATI had over 1,000 participants, and had provided funding for assistive technology to people with disabilities throughout BC. They are waiting whether the program will continue.
The report justifies the dollars spent, that the EATI program works as designed, and that the EATI program continue.
The EATI programs spans Personal Supports, Aids and Devices, Innovation, and Social Networks.
2014-01-28
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Many parents with children who have various types of disabilities have issues with finding appropriate respite caregivers. Famililes need this kind of respite support to allow them to deal with their own household tasks as well as having the odd weekend or evening away. Finding approved and trained caregivers require many checks. I believe the government should offer a service of finding caregivers for families.
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2014-01-28
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>> What personal supports, aids or devices would make it easier for people with disabilities to make contributions to the community? What needs to be in place?
In the same way that you have a supplement for many medical ailments, as well as for drug/alcohol treatment, a supplement for psychotherapy to assist those with a mental illness would be highly beneficial for some of us.
I attend therapy on a weekly basis in order to overcome an anxiety disorder that makes it difficult and often impossible to leave home; additionally, I've learned many techniques for coping with depression and recognizing oncoming hypomanic episodes making it possible for me to better manage my Bipolar I Disorder. I'm not cured, but without therapy I'd be worse off than I am now, I WAS worse off than I am now, and without continued therapy there is no chance of me recovering from these illnesses to a degree that I could function within society on medication alone.
I currently pay $10 per week at an income-adjusted rate through my local university; another local university charges a minimum of $20 per session. Covering some of those sessions would make a huge difference not only for myself but for many individuals whose best chances at getting well are through a combination of both medication AND therapy, but for whom covering the cost of that therapy may at times if not always be difficult. Not all of us are connected with the CMHA, and not all of us have found the CMHA to be helpful in their offerings; for us, a supplement needs to exist to help with the cost burden.
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2014-01-28
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Oddly enough, the 'technology' does not include simple things, like shoes. I have CP. one leg is shorter than the other. I face-plant a lot because my body jerks. Two years ago, I finally got permission for extra depth shoes and a lift, so that my gait is more even. Great, except I still throw out my leg when I walk, which results in me wearing out my right shoe faster. Can't get them replaced though-only once every three years. Never mind that now, because of the wear, I roll over on my ankle. No shoes for me. If I break my ankle, or a leg, I can get a cast though. I feel special, I can tell you.
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2014-01-28
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Is there going to be an afternoon session organized for Vernon and Kelowna if both evening sessions are now "full"? This does not appear to be an adequate way of enabling public participation. How can a "wait list" work? Is this list for purposes of allowing another session to be put together?
Thanks for your response to this question.
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2014-01-29
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Two and a half comments that don’t really fit the categories (so I'm posting in a number of sections):
1
As much as it sounds great to aim for employment and independence for everyone with disabilities…. that focus seems to be coming at the expense of services and supports for those whose profound disabilities mean they will never be employed and will alway be very dependent.
2
The child-to-adult transition seems to be a need of the government’s two-funding-ministry system — not the needs of those youths/young adults with disabilities.
For example, on his 19th birthday my son will no longer be able to spend the odd weekend in the group home where he knows the staff and they’ve come to understand his complex medical, communication and other needs. If we can find a new adult group home with space for occasional respite, staff there will have to be educated, and my son will have to face all sorts of challenges he’s not equipped for.
In the current system, that’s considered easier or better than having one ministry transfer funds to another…?
2.5
A large amount of time, effort and money is spent on “transition.” Lots of education, workshops, social workers, etc.
But it’s like a car manufacturer selling vehicles with square wheels, and then offering workshops on how to build shock absorbers…
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2014-01-29
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Thanks for the reply. I am hoping that BC can move from a place where there is overwhelming alienation and despair among those who are living with marginalization, to the level where BC can be at the top of the social development heap in North America.
I would like to be able to have a chance to speak with the committee before the regional meeting on the subject of IDAs and getting this topic fully understood and accepted in principle. This would be much more of a focused process that starting cold in a consultation meeting.
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2014-01-30
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One of the challenges people face when accessing personal supports is the timeline involved. We as clients have a responsibility to submit requests for supports, such as non-local medical transportation with a reasonable head time to allow staff to process and approve the support request. Fair enough. However, recently, I submitted a letter from my doctor saying I needed to travel to Vancouver to see a specialist. I dropped the letter in the ministry office document drop box, and gave them a week to get back to me and let me know they were starting the ball rolling, and then that still gave them time to approve the request, print up a cheque for meals and transit, and then give me a couple of days to go down and pick it up. After waiting five business days and not hearing from the ministry and not being able to get through to somebody on the phone, I went to MLA's office. By the end of the day, I had a phone call that everything was approved, and my hotel was booked and the cheque would be ready for me to pick up the next day. That is good, but why did it take me having to go to my MLA's office to get things happening?
The last time I didn't go to my MLA's office and they had everything done Friday and I had to catch the Northern Health bus on Sunday. I had to drop what I was doing and wait in line at the office to get the cheque before I left. I'm doing my job and getting the information to the workers in advance, now they need to do their job and get things processed in a timely fashion. If this means that the government needs to hire more staff, then please do so as this is very frustrating. I really don't want to become a regular fixture at my MLA's office because pretty soon, they'll get sick of seeing me too.
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2014-01-30
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As with any service you request from any government, there is always paperwork to fill out. Now, I understand that by filling out a form, the Ministry can ensure they have all the necessary information to process and decide on the request. Also, it gaves then a paper record, so that if/when the Ministry is audited, they have documentation justifying the disbursement of tax funds to meet client requests. Now, I' am a well educated person, and as much as I hate filling out paperwork, I can usually figure it out (most of the time). There are people out there that can barely read/write or can't read/write at all, let alone comprehend and fill out complicated forms. A worker would simply tell you to find a friend or relative or advocate to help you. I think a great way to provide better personal supports to clients in this situation is to be able to schedule a one on one time with a worker or navigator, who can verbally collect the information and then do the written part themselves. It's great to have a friend or relative to help you, but sometimes they don't always understand the forms either. You probably could get help right now, but you'd have to wait in line for 30 minutes or more to see the receptionist, and then another 30 minutes or more to see a worker who can take the time to help you. Prince George and Victoria each had a Personal Support Centre for an 18 month pilot project. The people who worked there knew the system and could help you navigate it. Plus, there was always a worker that would go there once a week to help clients in person. It was a wonderful idea, that with a little tweaking could have easily been implemented across BC. Yet, instead they discontinued the funding at the end of the pilot project and closed the centres down. This government has come up with some good ideas from time to time, but they don't keep them going. I realize it's a cost, but they were being run by non-profits, so it was cheaper to do it that way, then run it directly by the government, and was probably more acccessible and more casual too. For smaller communities, you might not need an entirely separate centre, but it could be combined with an existing non-profit social service agency in the community. I know the government wants to be fiscally responsible and keep the budget balanced, but how cost effective is it to start something up and then shut it down 18 months later? Also, people with disabilities are among the most vulnerable members of our population, and if costs a little extra in the short term to see that they're being looked after, I think it's worth it. If someone's needs are getting met, it usually puts an increased strain on another part of the system down the road, such as the healthcare system. Research shows it's cheaper to look after and properly support people with disabilities than it is to not look after them.
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2014-01-30
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how do i get a new afo splint and oversize shoes (15eee) i have been wearing these for years and shoe is held together by a screw, and splint doesnot fit, to tight casing bruizing and numeness. i am diabetic and my memory is not good. i am on cpp disability and social services. i need someone to help me so i can walk.thank you in advance
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2014-01-30
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TIME MATTERS: An Investigation into the BC Employment and Assistance Reconsideration Process – The Office Of The Ombudsperson Special Report No 35 dated January 2014
Finding 1 The Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation does not track reconsiderations by date of request which limits its ability to effectively plan and apply resources to address changes in volume.
Recommendation 1 The Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation take the necessary steps to ensure that its systems are able to accurately track reconsideration requests and compliance with time limits based on the date of submission.
Finding 2 A disproportionately high percentage of decisions to deny Persons with Disabilities (PWD) applications are overturned at reconsideration.
Recommendation 2 The Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation review its Persons with Disabilities (PWD) application process and make the necessary changes to improve the accuracy of decisions about PWD status made at the first level of decision making and track and report publicly the results of those changes.
Finding 3 When delay in reconsideration approvals beyond legislated time limits results in a later effective date of eligibility, Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation clients are unfairly denied assistance they should have received.
Recommendation 3 The Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation identify reconsideration approvals since June 2009 where delay beyond legislated time limits resulted in a later effective date of eligibility, and compensate the affected individuals for the amount of benefits they would have been entitled to if their request had been approved within time limits.
Recommendation 4 The Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation minimize the impacts of delayed reconsiderations on clients’ assistance by taking the steps necessary to make the effective date of an approval at reconsideration or a subsequent appeal no later than the date the reconsideration is required to have been made under the Regulations.
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2014-01-31
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I would love to actually see what it was you had to say ( the unedited, uncensored version). I agree with you fully that now matter what we have to say or how we have to say it is valid. Disability and the issues surrounding disabilities is person and needs to be shared fully without prejudice.
I would also like to add that B.C. can and needs to increase our PWD benefits. If B.C. wants to be the most progressive place in Canada for people and families living with disabilities then they need to lead by example. Poverty is a national problem but each government of each province have the responsibility to ensure that the issues of poverty are addressed in each and every province and to the federal government.
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2014-02-01
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Hands up, those of you on PWD who are secretly millionaires just wanting to milk the government cash cow dry.
Hands up those of you who wanted to be born/ become disabled.
Hand up those of you who wanted the same thing for your children.
Hands up those of you who would rather be living below subsistence level than engaged in meaningful, doable employment.
Hands up those of you who shower/bathe every second or third day ( when you can get help with the task) .
Hands up those of you who don't shower or bathe daily because soap and shampoo must be used sparingly.
Ditto for brushing your teeth and using the toilet.
Hands up those of you whose houses are not quite clean because you cannot handle a vacuum, wield a broom or get down on your hands and knees to scrub in the corners.
Hands up, those of you who only eat one meal a day, mostly starchy stuff, and do it because this is your idea of weight control.
Hand up those of you who LIKE always wearing other people's CASTOFFS, ESPECIALLY UNDERWEAR AND SOCKS.
Hands up, those of you who want to sit in-20 degrees wrapped in blankets with socks on your hands and the hydro turned as low as it can go without the pipes freezing.
Hands up those of you who often eat your one meal a day cold. These last two because the cost of hydro is exorbitantm.
Hands up those of you who like standing in line for hours to request something that you NEED, only to be turned down.
Hands up those of you who like to beg.
Hands up those of you who are living high on the governments largesse.
Hands up those of you who think the government would live this way.
WHOA ,Minister McCrae, not one hand is up! See, premier Clark, not one hand!
What does that tell you?
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2014-02-01
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What would B.C. look like as the most progressive place in Canada for people and families living with disabilities?
I would be able to travel to Vancouver for life saving or specialty medical appointments without the worry of falling short financially with the expenses required to make that trip. We are now given $12.00 a day for food and 20 cents a kilometer for gas allowance. You can hardly find one meal a day for $12.00 in the most expensive city in this country and 20cents a km does not even cover the cost of the gas let alone the wear and tear on a vehicle. There are tax paying citizens who out of the goodness of their hearts give their time and energy and even in some cases taking time off work so they can help me get to these appointments. Stop treating them like second or third class citizens by only compensating expenses by 1/2 to a 1/3 of the actual expense of gas and wear and tear on their vehicle compared to what a government employee would compensate. I would like to see how government workers or even private sector persons would manage to go to appointments requiring travel when they would only be compensated the same allowance I am allotted by the ministry to reach vital medical appointments that are not available in the city I live in. In addition it is cheaper for the person transporting me to be compensated for mileage at a reasonable rate than it is to use high cost taxi cabs which the ministry will willingly pay for. Seems to me that this is costing them a lot more just in cab fares than it would by paying the person assisting me 45 to 55 cents a km or at least a reasonable travel allowance to cover transportation as most people are allowed at any job. The ministry at one time did pay for a room and board expense with family or friends but no longer supports this option. Instead they now choose to spend a lot more money on hotel rooms.
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2014-02-01
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What would B.C. look like as the most progressive place in Canada for people and families living with disabilities?
I would be able to go to a physiotherapist, a chiropractor or a massage therapist, as needed without asking myself “Do I alleviate the pain that I have to endure because of my disability or do I endure the pain so that I can eat?” I would be able to count on services that actually help me instead of watching these services continuously being cut or number of visits being restricted. How are cutting these saving any money if more medical, hospital and mental health services visits are required due to the cuts?
We have a Society for brain injured persons in our city. They no longer have funding to employ a registered trauma counselor that is desperately needed by the majority of persons with acquired brain injury. All of us who have suffered from a brain injury of any kind have suffered trauma which in most cases going untreated increases the chances of mental health issues as well as PTSD. These societies spend the majority of their money they receive from government grants on administration and very little on programs and activities for their clients.
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2014-02-01
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These societies need to stop taking supports away and continuously making cuts to programs that work to cover administration. We are constantly hearing about them no longer being available to us due to lack of funding.
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2014-02-01
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I just want to state that I found out about this white paper from someone who found out about it from someone else who happened on it by accident. How come?
For those of you who are not aware, people on PWD status receive a paystub every month. This is an 8 ½ X 11 sheet of paper divided into thirds. The top third has our address on it that peeks through the plastic window on the envelope. The middle third is our paystub. The bottom third is blank and it is used to send messages like “don’t forget to do your taxes”. It would not cost them anything to write one sentence about the white paper in this spot as well. I do realize that PWD people are a fraction of people with disabilities in this province but the government would have at least reached over 83,000 people with this form of notification.
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2014-02-03
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The ministry needs to start up the CVS (Community Volunteer Supplement) again.
It is a program that allows a PWD person to volunteer at a non-profit and collect an extra $100. towards the expenses generated by attending that position.
What has happened is the ministry has stopped any new openings but as time passes people move or get sick or even die and those spots just just down, it will be just a matter of time that the CVS is 100% gone.
I know a number of PWD clients that have been hired after volunteering, without that $100. the cost of leaving your house stops. People need transportation, food and clothing.
The ending of the CVS is just another brick wall for PWD's.
Society benifits by all the volunteer work being done at non-union rates.
Do the right thing and bring back the CVS.
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2014-02-03
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It would be nice to be able to afford food let alone have money to do anything else. Welfare rates haven't been raised for years. The least the government could do is give people a raise since everything else has gone up but the rates. I know I can't go on living like this because I am already a couple grand in the hole!!!
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2014-02-03
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The Canadian Deafblind Association - BC Chapter believes that individuals with deafblindness have a unique disability and therefore must have Deafblind Intervenor Services in order to participate to their full potential within their environment, using a Total Communication Approach. A Deafblind Intervenor acts as the eyes and ears for individuals who are deafblind and supports them in gathering information from their environment, as they are not able to do so independently due to their dual-sensory impairment.
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