The BCCPD is participating on the Decontamination Exercise Committee for the SIMTEC project, which is a four year research project administrated by the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) that aims to develop training and resources to assist first responders in attending to the diverse needs of their community during times of crisis.

Every year in British Columbia, Police, Fire and Rescue and Ambulance personnel treat thousands of patients who need to undergo decontamination processes. This can be the result of being pepper-sprayed in a mall hold-up; being in the vicinity where someone has spilled some toxic chemicals; finding oneself downwind from a source of insecticides or pesticides; or even finding oneself in a toxic smoke cloud from a burning building or living next to a meth lab.

Little work has been done to reduce the trauma of the event for children, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, those in wheelchairs or accompanied by a guide or therapy dog. Every week people are put through a decontamination process which could be much less stressful than the way the process is carried out now.

In mid-March 2013, in partnership with the City of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Service, the RCMP, BC Ambulance Services and Lions Gate Hospital, the JIBC will be conducting a decontamination drill to allow first responders to practice new protocols that have been developed. The SIMTEC project is looking for individuals with disabilities who are willing to participate in the upcoming drill with the hope that they will be able to participate and share your experiences to inform us on how your needs can be met in times of crisis.

Individuals who are interested can participate in two ways:

1. You can participate in the decontamination drill. You would act as a civilian who has been contaminated and first responders would assist and direct you through the decontamination process. Please note that this drill will take place outdoors and may involve some physical discomfort if the weather is very cold (although we will have hot beverages and shelter close by).
2. You can participate in an interview with one of the researchers. These interviews would explore how you believe you would react in a decontamination situation and how you believe your psychosocial needs could be met.

Participants will be given a $50 honorarium for helping the project validate its strategies to lessen the stress of decontamination for others.

For more information about participating please contact Karen Martin at the BCCPD, karen@bccpd.bc.ca or 604-875-0188.

A trained tax prep volunteer from ACORN Canada can help complete your taxes for free. If you are receiving PWD, help ensure your taxes are filed on time and correctly. Please note: ACORN is not a professional accounting service.

What:
Free Tax Clinic with a tax prep volunteer from ACORN Canada.
By appointment, only. Call 604-872-1278 to register. *Appointments are 30 minutes long.

Where:
BC Coalition of People with Disabilities, #204- 456 West Broadway in Vancouver

When:
In February: Feb. 18, 2013; Feb. 25, 2013
In March: Mar. 4, 2013; Mar. 11, 2013; Mar. 18, 2013; Mar. 25, 2013
In April: April 8, 2013; April 15, 2013; April 22, 2013

To register: Call 604-872-1278, BC Coalition of People with Disabilities or visit Advocacy Access reception at #204- 456 West Broadway in Vancouver.

*Suggested eligibility: Individuals receiving PWD; Individuals earning up to $25,000; Couples earning up to $35,000

Please note:
– ACORN’s tax assistance can be directly accessed at: 101- 630 Columbia St. in New West.
– ACORN does taxes under the auspices of the CRA and their tax prep volunteer program, our ACORN volunteer at the BCCPD office is not providing professional accounting services.
– Volunteers do not prepare returns for complex situations such as: Returns for deceased persons; individuals who file for bankruptcy; self-employed individuals; individuals who report capital gains or losses; individuals who report employment expenses, business or rental income & expenses

BCCPD thanks ACORN for all of their help and support!    

BCCPD Community Update
February 2013

Dear Community Partner,

The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) has made changes to the rules governing withdrawals from the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). As a result, RDSP holders have more choices about what they can use withdrawals from their Plan for without impacting their eligibility for provincial disability benefits (PWD or PPMB).

According to the new policy, RDSP holders can use withdrawals in various ways without jeopardizing their benefits. If an individual chooses to save money to buy a large item that exceeds their asset limit (a single person on PWD is allowed to have up to $5,000 in assets), they will no longer risk losing their benefits as long as they clearly document that the funds originated directly from their RDSP.

For example, Bob starts making regular withdrawals from his RDSP. He wants to save enough money to buy a $10,000 boat. Under the old rules, having more than $5,000 in the bank or owning a non-exempt asset worth more than $5,000 would mean that he could no longer receive his PWD income (under normal circumstances a boat would not be an exempt asset). The new policy allows Bob to save money and own a boat without risking his PWD.

For More Information

The MSD’s policy on assets and exemptions for the RDSP is at:

http://www.gov.bc.ca/meia/online_resource/verification_and_eligibility/assets/policy.html

Or contact us about this change or for general information on the RDSP at 604-872-1278 or toll free 1-800-663-1278