DABC and 18 other organizations are urging the federal government to provide emergency financial supports for people with disabilities – specifically, people who rely on CPP-Disability (CPP-D) as their main source of income. This significant gap in COVID-19 related supports must be addressed to ensure people with disabilities can stay safe and meet their basic needs during this crisis.

Read our open letter to Minister Carla Qualtrough here.

We are very glad to see that the BC government has responded to concerns about the impact of COVID-19 hospital visitor policies on people with disabilities, and announced a policy revision allowing family members or essential support person(s) to accompany people with disabilities in hospitals and health care settings.

For more information, read the CBC News article. The full policy is also available here.

What if your loved one with a disability needed to be admitted to hospital today? What if their care worker who is essential for communication and interpretation of their needs was turned away at the hospital doors, leaving your loved one alone and unable to effectively communicate with hospital staff? 

People with disabilities are being denied access to essential supports at hospitals. Share your experience with Family Support Institute of BC to help urge the government that an essential support person is a Human Right.

Survey Link: http://surveymonkey.com/r/JB6NNKJ