Do you use a mobility scooter?
At the GF Strong Research Centre Dr. Ben Mortenson and his research team are conducting a study on the reliability of several new measures and tools related to scooter use. This study involves answering questions about your scooter use and daily life as well as completing a scooter mobility test. From the information gathered from this study they hope to conduct larger intervention studies on how training programs can help increase community participation.
(You must be over 19 years of age and have owned your scooter for at least 3 months. You must also have the ability to read, write and speak English.)

Have you had a spinal cord injury (SCI)?
Another study they are conducting involves comparing differences in mobility and social participation among those ageing with SCIs and those who sustain a SCI later in life. This study involves completing a series of questionnaires and an interview.
(You must be 55 years of age or older and have had a spinal cord injury before the age of 30 OR 55 years of age or older and sustained a spinal cord injury at least two years ago and after the age of 50.)

Both studies require two visits and a stipend will provided for each visit. The studies can be done at the GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre OR Blusson Spinal Cord Centre. If you are interested in either of these studies please contact Mary-Ellen Johnson at maryellen.johnson@ubc.ca or call 604-714-4108

To help British Columbia residents with physical disabilities regain their ability to travel independently, March of Dimes Canada, through the Istvan and Barbara Haas Vehicle Retrofit Fund, will provide up to $15,000 to retrofit a vehicle. This is the second time this competition has run in British Columbia. The application deadline is February 16, 2014.

The funding is intended to provide vehicle modifications for an eligible individual or family to enable a person with disabilities that restrict mobility to participate in his/her community. 

For information on eligibility and to access the application forms, please visit March of Dimes’ website here or contact:

Istvan and Barbara Haas Vehicle Retrofit Initiative 
301 – 1212 West Broadway, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H 3V1
haasretrofit@marchofdimes.ca
Tel: 604-738-6219
Fax: 519-432-4923

The Province announced yesterday that it will implement an Annualized Earnings Exemption (AEE) model in January 2015. This means that the $800 monthly earnings exemption that PWD recipients are eligible for will be calculated over the year ($9,600) rather than the month. This will provide much more flexibility and choice and is a positive change. If you have any questions about this, please call Robin Loxton at 604-872-1278 or 1-800-663-1278.

For more information, please visit this link: http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/2014/12/flexibility-helps-people-with-disabilities-earn.html