In April 2013, the process to appeal the denial of Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPP-D) changed when a new system, the Social Security Tribunal (SST), replaced the Review Tribunal. We have prepared a new guide, The Social Security Tribunal, to help people who are representing themselves to the SST. Advocates may also find our new guide useful in helping their clients.

For the time-being, the guide will be available on-line only. The SST is very new and advocates are still learning how the new system operates. We will make changes to the guide as necessary.

Our sincere thanks to the Law Foundation of Ontario for funding this guide.

The BCCPD has received the following notice from West Coast LEAF:

Job Posting
West Coast LEAF
Vancouver, B.C.

Research Assistant – 2014

West Coast LEAF’s mandate is to achieve equality by changing historic patterns of systemic discrimination against women through BC-based equality rights litigation, law reform and public legal education. West Coast LEAF encourages applications from historically marginalized women. www.westcoastleaf.org

Job Title: Research Assistant

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the Manager of Community Outreach, the Research Assistant will support qualitative research for our Mothering with Disabilities Project. Our project aims to understand the legal issues facing mothers with disabilities, how existing laws and policies impact these women’s rights as parents, and how such laws and policies can be reformed to ensure greater respect for the rights of mothers with disabilities.

Tasks will include:

 Attendance at interviews and focus groups with mothers with disabilities
 Transcription and summarization of recorded interviews
 Data entry and coding
 Participation in project team meetings
 Additional research, as required by the project team

Qualifications and Skills:

 Undergraduate degree completed or in progress
 Familiarity with social science research methodology
 Experience with data management
 Excellent typing skills (70 words/minute or better)
 Strong spoken and written communication skills
 Sensitivity to the needs of diverse groups of women with disabilities

Hours:

The position will be approximately 30 hours per week for 8 weeks between May and June 2014. The hours will be dependent on the amount of work required and may fluctuate.

Terms of position:

West Coast LEAF is an equal opportunity employer, and encourages applications from all qualified applicants. We encourage applicants from traditionally underrepresented groups including Indigenous women, women of colour, women with disabilities and queer women to self-identify.

Pay rate:

$17/hour plus 4% vacation pay.

To Apply: Email familylaw@westcoastleaf.org with your resume and cover letter by March 28, 2014, addressed to Shahnaz Rahman, Manager of Community Outreach. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

The Disability Without Poverty Network (DWPN) has released a new document,  entitled “What would it take to make British Columbia the most progressive jurisdiction for people living with disabilities?” This submission constitutes the DWPN’s response to the province’s Disability White Paper consultation process.

The document makes 6 recommendations:

– Provide disability supports using a person-centered approach
– Provide adequate disability income supports
– Secure access to safe, secure and accessible housing for people with disabilities
– Support employment and social inclusion in a meaningful way
– Do not eliminate current disability-based supports in an effort to simplify the system
– Allow vulnerable families to benefit from child support payments

To read the full submission, please visit the following link: Disability Without Poverty Submission – March 2014