(Vancouver) May 7, 2014

Anti-poverty advocates at social justice organizations around the province report that the BC Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation’s computer system has been crashing for much of the last week, and remains mostly offline.   During this time, the Ministry has not been able to provide many of its clients with much-needed services, including shelter and support payments, security deposits, crisis grants, and eligibility assessments for people with an immediate need for welfare.

Advocates view this computer crash as the latest, and most egregious, example of the Integrated Case Management (ICM) computer system’s failure to deliver high quality and efficient services to British Columbians in need.

Kris Sutherland, Manager of Advocacy Services with the Kettle Friendship Society, said that “Many of us view the ICM as an unacceptable institutional barrier to welfare, disentitling people who are unable to navigate the system’s complexities to get needed assistance.”

Sarah Khan, Staff Lawyer with the BC Public Interest Advocacy Centre added that “These problems, and the Ministry’s lack of a reliable backup plan, are placing vulnerable welfare recipients in situations where they could lose their housing and the ability to meet their basic needs. This is an unacceptable result from a $211 million expenditure on the ICM.”

In 2012, BC’s Representative for Children and Youth Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, found that senior government officials should be held accountable for the “colossal failure” of the ICM.

Advocates are calling on MSDSI Minister Don McCrae to let the public know when the problems with the ICM will be fixed, and to outline a plan for how welfare applicants and clients will be able to access services the next time there are technical problems with the ICM.

For more information, please contact:

Didi Dufresne, First United Church
Ph: 604-681-8365  ext. 105

Sarah Khan, BCPIAC Staff Lawyer
Ph: 604-687-3063

Robin Loxton, BC Coalition of People with Disabilities          Ph: 604-872-1278

Kris Sutherland, Kettle Friendship Society                             Ph: 604-253-7922

Winner: L to R: Robert Navalta,
Jane Dyson, Jon Dodge, Starbucks

Vancouver, BC. The BC Coalition of People with Disabilities (BCCPD) has given its first award to a BC employer who has demonstrated excellence in the hiring and employing of people with disabilities. A BCCPD committee selected Starbucks (1500 West 2^nd Branch) as the inaugural Award winner. The Starbucks branch was nominated by Café Attendant Robert Navalta and his Employment Specialist at posAbilities Employment Service. Starbucks has successfully recruited seven employees through the Service and employs people with disabilities across Metro Vancouver. BCCPD selected Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) as its Honourary Mention winner, nominated by employee Maninder Sanghera.

Honourable Mention: L to R: Maninder Sanghera,
Pat Danforth, Satbir Cheema, PICS

Both winners were announced at BCCPD’s Swing into Spring Annual Fundraiser on April 9, 2014 in Vancouver at the Holiday Inn.

Jane Dyson, Executive Director of the BCCPD said, “It’s important to celebrate employers who support people with disabilities in finding and maintaining employment. Employers like Starbucks and PICS are demonstrating that inclusive hiring practices benefit everyone involved. Through this Award, BCCPD hopes to encourage more employers to hire people with disabilities.”

For his part, Robert Navalta was delighted with the outcome of the nomination and added, “I am so happy that Starbucks won this award, it’s a really great company to work for. I hope to work here for a very, very long time.”

Starbucks and PICS representatives were delighted by the recognition, and Starbucks Store Manager, Jon Dodge said, “Robert picks up the pieces, when we all fall down.”

“We’re incredibly grateful to have received the Honourary Mention for the Outstanding Employer of the Year Award 2014,” says Charan Gill, CEO of PICS Society. “At PICS Society, we strive to build a more inclusive and mutually respectful society. We’re pleased to reflect that within our organization by creating an inclusive workspace for employees with disabilities. We celebrate our employees for their talents, skills and passion – that’s what enables us to do better for the community every day.”

 Kalena Kavanaugh, Manager of posAbilities Employment Services says, “I am delighted that Starbucks won this award. They have been wonderful to work with and have embraced some simple practices to foster an inclusive work environment. We know that individuals with developmental disabilities make great employees, and now we see that businesses know it too! Productivity, morale and profits have been proven to increase with inclusion.”

The BC Coalition of People with Disabilities

For over 35 years, the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities (BCCPD) has been a provincial, cross-disability voice in British Columbia. BCCPD’s mission is to support people, with all disabilities, to live with dignity, independence and as equal and full participants in the community. We champion issues impacting the lives of people with disabilities through our direct services, community partnerships, advocacy, research and publications.

The Nominators

posAbilities Employment Service

Working in partnership with job seekers, families and employers, the Service promotes beneficial and lasting relationships in communities through the world of work. Competitive employment provides individuals with more than a paycheck. Working builds confidence, develops independence and introduces individuals to new social circles. Over the past year, posAbilities Employment Service has assisted 66 individuals with diverse abilities to prepare for, secure and maintain competitive employment. Services may be accessed by Community Living BC or directly by self-referral. There are no fees for employers who choose to partner with the Service.

Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS)

Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) Society is a registered non-profit society, United Way Agency, and PCTIA registered organization. We actively promote harmony and intercultural understanding to build a more inclusive and respectful society by providing programs and services that directly assist youth, seniors, and new immigrants in the community.

For more information please contact

Jane Dyson, Executive Director
BC Coalition of People with Disabilities
Ph: 604-875-0188
Email: jwd@bccpd.bc.ca
Web: www.bccpd.bc.ca

Kalena Kavanaugh, Manager
posAbilities Employment Service
Ph: 604-291-1902
Email: KKavanaugh@posAbilities.ca
Web: www.PESworks.ca

Jane Dyson, Stephen Quinn and David C. Jones

Our Swing Into Spring fundraiser was a great success and we would like to sincerely thank everyone who came out to support the BCCPD and have some fun with us last night.

Thank you to our generous sponsors:

• Vancouver Taxi Association
• BC Government and Service Employees Union (BCGEU)
• Hospital Employees Union (HEU)
• Canadian Union of Public Employees BC (CUPE BC)
• Simpson, Thomas and Associates Trial Lawyers
• Vancity (Fairview Community Branch)
• Trial Lawyers Association of BC

Thank you to our wonderful MC, CBC’s Stephen Quinn, and to entertainer David C. Jones and musician Lazare Halk for making our evening so special. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Thank you to all the volunteers who gave so generously of their time to make sure that everything ran like clockwork.

• See the Employer Award Winners
• See photos of the event!