Province Announces Funding for Accessibility and Inclusion Projects

June 1, 2021 by DABC

Kicking off AccessAbility Week, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, Nicholas Simons, announced on the weekend that the provincial government will, for the fourth year in a row, provide funding to community projects that improve accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities. The grants will be disbursed by Disability Alliance BC.

From the Province’s news release:

“AccessAbility Week is an opportunity to appreciate the many ways that people living with disabilities and their advocates have made our province more accessible and inclusive,” said Nicholas Simons, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction.

“This week, we celebrate the abilities of people, recognize the individuals and organizations who continue to go above and beyond, and raise awareness about what each of us can do to make our province more inclusive. Today’s announced grant funding will support organizations across the province in removing barriers and creating new local opportunities for British Columbians with disabilities,” said Dan Coulter, Parliamentary Secretary for Accessibility.

https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021SDPR0043-001041

DABC looks forward to supporting more organizations across the province and hopes that new organizations will apply for funding this year. The Call for Proposals will be announced mid-August.

DABC is seeking a Tax Advocate to join our Tax AID team!

May 28, 2021 by DABC

Since 1977, Disability Alliance BC (DABC) has been a provincial, cross-disability voice in British Columbia. We champion issues impacting the lives of people with disabilities through our direct services, community partnerships, advocacy, research, and publications.

Tax AID DABC (https://taxaiddabc.org/) is a program of DABC. The program’s mandate is to help people receiving disability benefits to get caught up on multiple years of unfiled income taxes. The program includes more complicated topics such as self-employment income, outstanding amounts owed to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), applying for other tax related government programs/benefits, and matters related to financial literacy.

We are seeking a part-time tax advocate to join our team. The successful candidate will conduct client intake for Tax AID DABC, prepare and submit income taxes for clients, and assist with increasing community awareness of the program across BC. The advocate will also work on other aspects of the program’s operations as needed including conducting workshops, assisting with program reports, and participating in team meetings/training.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Set-up files for new and existing clients and assist with completion of administrative work

  • Prepare complete and accurate tax returns while delivering outstanding customer service
  • Compute taxes owed and prepare personal and other tax files ensuring compliance with CRA standards
  • Respond to client questions and queries
  • Identify technical issues of client files with manager and seek direction from manager
  • Liaise and correspond professionally with clients as well as the CRA
  • Manage multiple files simultaneously
  • Compile and organize client records
  • Attend trainings to further develop accounting taxation knowledge as part of an ongoing professional development program

Qualifications:

  • Meet the requirements to be a tax filer through CRA’s Community Volunteer Income Tax Preparation (CVITP) program
  • Have more than 2 years of proven experience for clients using income tax preparation software to prepare income tax returns
  • Possess a four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent work experience
  • Be self-motivated and adaptable and able to work effectively with a team
  • Be detail-oriented with excellent organizational abilities and written skills
  • Be a good communicator who can accommodate and work effectively with people with disabilities
  • Ability to work independently, set priorities, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines
  • Desire to provide clients with extraordinary personalized customer service and commitment to a problem-solving approach
  • Demonstrate excellence maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive client information
  • Be computer literate and proficient especially in MS Excel and Power Point
  • Comfortable providing services in the field using mobile technology (laptop, cellphone, cloud-based software)
  • Ability and motivation to constantly learn new material quickly and improve with feedback
  • Be available for occasional travel to communities in Lower Mainland

The following would also be assets in the position:

  • Volunteer or coordination experience with the Canadian Revenue Agency’s CVITP Program
  • Working knowledge of income tax programs for people with disabilities including the Disability Tax Credit, Canada caregiver amount and other deductions
  • Completion of an accounting or tax certificate or diploma/degree
  • Lived experience with disability

Salary: $25,200

Work hours: 3 days per week, but may change depending on needs of the program. This position is until March 31, 2024 with the possibility of an extension.

DABC is an open and diverse organization that promotes inclusive hiring practices. We encourage applications from qualified applicants who identify as visible minorities, Indigenous persons, and of all sexual orientations, gender expressions and identities. People with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

To Apply:

Please submit a resume and brief cover letter addressed to Myung Lee, Program Manager for Tax AID: myung@disabilityalliancebc.therightfitbc.org (Please indicate “Tax Advocate” in email subject line). No phone calls or faxes please.

Applications are due no later than 12:00 pm on June 18, 2021. DABC welcomes all applications, however, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview. Interviews will be conducted late June – early July and the start date for the position will be mid-July 2021.

Part-time hours: 24 per week

Job Type: Part-time, Temporary

Salary: $25,200 annually

Benefits:

  • Extended Health Care
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid sick leave

Schedule:

8 Hour Shift

Upcoming workshop on the Fuel Tax Refund Program for persons with disabilities!

May 27, 2021 by DABC

Workshop poster, that includes the information outlined in the post below.

Tax AID DABC is inviting you to a workshop on the Fuel Tax Refund Program for persons with disabilities!

When:
– Thu, July 15, 10:00-11:30 am (Tax AID clients & their family members only)
– Thu, Sept 2, 1:30-3:00 pm (all welcome)
– Thu, Nov 18, 11:00am-12:30 pm (all welcome)

The Fuel Tax Refund Program allows for you to claim $500 per year. At the workshop, we will provide an overview of the program including eligibility, the registration process and benefits. We would also like to hear if you’ve had any challenges accessing the program.
We will also cover the ICBC vehicle insurance discount and the Federal excise gasoline tax refund program.

Register today at https://tinyurl.com/vchf8xnw!

For additional info: 236-477-1717/ 1-877-940-7797 or taxaid@disabilityalliancebc.therightfitbc.org.

Download the workshop poster here.

For more information about the Fuel Tax Refund program:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/taxes/sales-taxes/motor-fuel-carbon-tax/refund-disabilities

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/taxes/sales-taxes/publications/mft-004-fuel-tax-refund-persons-with-disabilities.pdf