Disability Alliance BC has received the following posting from Kimberly Bartfai, a Master of Social Work student at UBC:

Are you the mother of an adult child who has a significant developmental disability?
What is your perception of the quality of services your loved one is receiving?

I am a Master of Social Work student at the UBC’s School of Social Work. As part of my research class, I will be studying how mothers who have an adult child with a severe developmental disability perceive the quality of services their child is receiving. These services can be financial, recreational, educational or housing-related.

You are eligible to participate in the study if:
• Your child is over 19 years of age
• Your child has a severe developmental disability
• Your child is engaged in a day program, group home or home share situation
• You are in touch with service providers on a regular basis
• You speak fluent English
• Are willing to participate in one interview of maximum 2 hours, and a possible follow-up interview (1 hour maximum).

You will be offered $20 for participating in the study. Any identifying information you share with me will be kept confidential. This study is being supervised by Vaughan Marshall, instructor at UBC’s School of Social Work (email: Vaughan.marshall@ubc.ca).

If you would like to participate please do not hesitate to contact Kimberly Bartfai by phone at 604-308-6043 or email k.bartfai@alumni.ubc.ca

Comox Valley Community Services has been working with the homeless and low income throughout the Valley helping them to: 1) open their own bank accounts 2) stop smoking 3) sleep better 4) unlock addiction and depression. Thanks to President‘s Choice Bank In Superstore, residents no longer require picture ID to open accounts nor require holds on their cheques.

COMOX VALLEY RESIDENTS
______________________________________________

Superstore “No Fee” Banking

– No Picture ID Required To Open Account
– No Hold On Welfare And Disability Cheques
– No Hold On Direct Deposits
– No Fees…Free Cheques
– Points For Free Groceries When You Use Your Card

***Ask For “Cameron” At Presidents Choice Financial In Superstore…He’s Expecting You!

For More Information Call Comox Valley Community Services At 250-218-9420 Or Email Them At canichangeit@gmail.com

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