Submission from North Shore Disability Resource Centre

Innovation

Innovation is all about exploring a diverse range of new ways to support people with disabilities to live the life they choose, as well as looking at how we design and use existing programs and services.

From programs, technology and independent living to policy and processes and practices, innovation can lead to greater community inclusion, increased freedoms, and greater choices for people living with disabilities.

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Innovation leading to efficiency in communication technology and transportation can increase independence and inclusion at a lower cost
Visual communication technology (e.g. skype) allows homebound persons to remain in closer contact with their community.
Innovation within public transit benefits persons with disabilities to a greater degree than the public at large as a majority are not able to drive or use bicycles. This is a very important area of focus.
Driverless cars will be a reality. This could allow both blind and physically disabled to use cars independently. Or driverless vehicles could be included in public transit planning.
Apply driverless car technology to power-wheelchairs. This could allow many persons with impaired motor-skills to use powerchairs by sensors preventing them from bumping into objects or driving off sidewalks, etc…
Integrate wheelchair accessible routes and facilities into smartphone map apps.
Smartphone and Bluetooth technology could allow persons with disabilities to control the environment remotely rather than have to reach physical buttons which are often in hard to reach places (eg. open doors electric doors, pay bus fare, call for elevators).
Need innovation within community centre programming. Most programs are not suitable/accessiblefor people with disabilities.
Time required for documentation by support staff could be reduced with better technology (e.g. voice dictation). Furthermore, portable IT devices (tablets and smartphones) will allow data input to be done anywhere. This allows staff to do it during down time (e.g. on transit) and/or in the company of the person they support rather than secluded in an office.
Government must take active lead is setting universal industry standards for emerging technologies. For example, by setting a standardized Blue Tooth frequency in elevators and for electric doors would allow developers to program for a much larger market that if they try to negotiate a proprietary contract with specific companies (I am having difficulty phrasing this idea but essentially by setting a fixed frequency for various remote control devices, it would open up a large market for developers)

Personal supports, aids and devices

Personal supports, aids and devices enable people with disabilities to carry out the activities of daily living and fully participate in the life of their community.

Personal supports help to level the playing field for people with disabilities as they are the building blocks for improving access to income, employment and increased freedoms.

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Funding for all but essential equipment is difficult to obtain.
Lifestyle equipment is rarely funded. One of my clients would benefit from having a wheelchair table to do various activities but as it is not viewed as essential (e.g. eating or postioning requirements) it is not funded. Moreover, tablet computers are amazing portable multipurpose devices (e.g. skype,calendar, adaptive communication, camera) which many believe should be provided for free to every person with a disability. The government should at least use their purchasing power to drive down the price of such devices for persons with disabilities (and perhaps for low income persons as well)
Increase use of skype and similar services as visual communication is often much more useful for persons with disabilities than solely verbal or written.
Very complex bureaucracy when applying for services. Process for applying for mobility devices, nutritional requirements, and therapy services have very different application procedures.
Process to apply is often very wasteful of taxpayers money as most funding requests require a doctor’s note/assessment (for which the doctor probably submits a charge in the $100-300 range). Physio/Occupational therapists generally know what equipment is requiredand that should suffice. Government files must know whether a person has a permanent disability or not so why waste both time and money.
Government should use their purchasing power to drive down prices. For example, tablet computers are very useful for many persons with disabilities but they are also living on a lower income. If the government negotiated with maker to provide one tablet computer for every person in the province they would be able to negotiate a very good price.

Work and Contribution

The employment rate for people with disabilities is 18 per cent lower than for people without disabilities. Reducing barriers to employment and increasing community inclusion helps to ensure that people with disabilities have the opportunity to work and contribute as they are able.

Fostering diverse workplaces that include employees with disabilities can improve the capacity of B.C. businesses to compete in the global economy and ensure people with disabilities have the opportunity to contribute to the economic growth of the province.

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More flexible labour laws to allow for adapted hours, job carving, customized employment, et al.
Unions must also provide some flexibility with in collective agreements to allow for adapted hours, job carving, customized employment, et al.
Government bureaucracy must be streamlined to facilitate, rather than hinder, companies who want to modify employment practices to accommodate persons with disabilities.
Corporate liability concerns occasionally leads to companies being unwilling to hire the person with a disability directly. Instead they contract directly with the non-profit service provider, who is then responsible for paying the employed person with disability. This is a discriminatory practice but is tolerated as it is better than the person not working at all.
Work preparation programs should begin early in high school and continue past graduation at the same school until age 21. This was the Washington State model where the idea was that “the first day of work should look like the last day of school”. Idea was to avoid an abrupt break upon becoming 19 or graduating and being sent to a day program. Day programs should only be looked at once feasibility of obtaining employment has been thoroughly exhausted.
More opportunities for volunteer work. Expand volunteer subsidies from the government.
Introduce the concept of “Living Wage” for all persons with disabilities.

Housing and accessibility in the broader built environment

When we think about the “broader built environment,” we are thinking about the world around us — our homes, communities, buildings, transit systems and anything that has been built up in our environment.

Creating and improving accessibility in our homes, towns and cities enables people with disabilities to live life as they chose, live where they wish to live, and enjoy the same freedoms as their fellow citizens.

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More affordable, accessible housing in all communities
Accessible housing should be focused around rapid transit areas.
Wider range of supported living options (Home Sharing is great for some but it feels as if CLBC is funneling everyone towards this regardless if other options may be a better solution)
City planners should zone for smaller commercial nodes which are within walkable distance to all residents. These should include coffee shops and the like which act as social hubs for their community.
Persons with disabilities who do NOT live in areas close to rapid transit (i.e. only bus service) are increasingly isolated due to funding reductions in the following areas which are having a very serious cumulative effect (I would actually call it systemic isolation):
Funding cuts to non-profits (so called “efficiencies”) result in organizations not purchasing wheelchair equipped vehicles.
Funding cuts (“efficiencies”) to HandyDart results in fewerwheelchair lift equipped vehicles. Substituting the HandyDart vehicles with taxis (current proposal by HandyDart) does not work for many persons in oversized wheelchairs nor does it permit 2 persons in wheelchairs to travel together.
Reduced availability of private vans and HandyDart is funneling more seniors and persons with disabilities onto a fixed supply of Translink buses. This service is excellent but only 2 spaces are allocated for wheelchairs and these are also used by seniors and strollers. Moreover, wheelchairs cannot access their designated spaces when the bus is crowded (rush hour) unlike ambulatory persons who can squeeze in.

Publicly funded and publicized lifting devices in large changing rooms throughout the community (e.g. malls, community centres) would be very useful.This is important as WCB rules prevent staff from doing physical transfers which means that persons in wheelchair who need assistance in bathrooms often have to return home much earlier than they want.

Rancher-style houses in residential areas are ideal for seniors and persons in wheelchairs as they avoid need for elevator and staircases.
Government should lead by developing Universal Access Building Codes. This will allow houses/apartments to be easily adapted for persons with disabilities and meet need of seniors.

Social Networks to Support People in Community

Having a strong social network is important for every British Columbian.

Social networks may include friends, family, co-workers, neighbours or more widely spread contacts within a community. A support network can be made up of people or organizations that you can turn to for help with favours, assistance during challenging times, or for just having fun.

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Social networks are essential. But the push towards having persons with disabilities rely increasingly on unpaid supports to access the community is not good policy and leads to increased isolation for the following reasons:
Family and friends often work during weekdays so are not available for socialization during those periods.
Aging family members (parents) often do not have energy to take person out into community for socialization so expanding ones network is a challenge.
Often social networks are composed of other persons with disabilities who are unable to provide the requisite assistance during outings.
Paid staff allows persons with disability to direct their support and how they want to use their support hours. Relying on unpaid social networks make them dependant on the kindness of others.
Increased visibility of persons with disabilities in the community increases the community’s disability awareness and comfort. This aspect is vital to changing perceptions. Unfortunately - and this has been noted by many I meet –community members report a noticeable decrease of persons with disabilities being out and about. Funding cuts in community access supports is leading to an “out of sight, out of mind” mentality that negatively affects the dialogue on disability and human rights. People are increasingly stuck at home. The model which BC built in the 1990’s is NOT failing; however, constantcut backs have eroded the original moder to the point where persons with disability are once again at increased risk of isolation. “Out of sight, out of mind” is a very dangerous road to follow and will be much more expensive in the long run than providing sufficient funding now.

Asset Accumulation through Registered Disability Savings Plan

Having the ability to accumulate assets can give people living with a disability and their families’ comfort, knowing that resources are available for necessary services and supports.

The Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) is a national, tax-deferred, long-term savings plan for people with disabilities who want to save for the future, as well as for families who want to help ensure the financial security of their loved ones with a disability.

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Improve public awareness of RDSP
Address concern that the RDSP might result in reduced access to government provided services in the future (e.g. purchase of wheelchair or other essential equipment)

Document Prepared by Fred Eiserman with assistance from persons with disabilities, family members, friends, and employees at the NSDRC during the month of January 2014.