The National Institute of Disability Management and Research (NIDMAR) proudly announces a fully funded initiative to reduce poverty through early intervention and occupational rehabilitation. Funded by the Province of British Columbia and the Government of Canada, this program supports individuals who are injured or become ill outside of work, as well as their employers, aiding in the return-to-work process with Certified Disability Management Professionals (CDMPs).

Program Highlights:

• Eligibility: Individuals off work due to injury/illness outside of work, and employers
  needing accommodations. Please view eligibility section of website to learn more.
• Supports Available: Access to physical and mental health treatment, case
  management, workplace accommodations, and more.
• Locations: Prince George, Kelowna, Nanaimo, Vancouver and surrounding area up
  to 75km.

For more details and to apply, visit Reducing Poverty Initiative.

In June, the federal government published their proposed regulation for the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB). The CDB will likely provide a maximum of $2,400 per year–$200 per month–to eligible Canadians with disabilities. Eligibility will also be limited to people who qualify for the Disability Tax Credit. Applications to the CDB are slated to open in Spring 2025.

Consultations on the proposed regulation are currently underway. DABC has been working on our in-depth review of the proposed regulation, which we hope to share with our networks very soon. This review will also be sent to the federal government as part of the consultation process.

 In addition to this advocacy work, we are also planning to discuss the topic of the Canada Disability Benefit in our next issue of the Transition magazine, and we want to hear from you!

What do you want to tell government to consider in their future deliberations around the CDB process or the benefit amount? Please send your short response of up to three sentences to transition@dabc.ca by September 12th for our upcoming edition on the CDB. We can publish your comments anonymously or with your name(s),  whichever you choose.

-For Immediate Release-

Vancouver, BC – August 2nd, 2024

Today, Disability Alliance BC (DABC) has announced that its 2024/2025 Accessibility Projects Grants are open for applications as of Friday August 2^nd.

The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction has provided $450,000 to DABC to distribute as community grants to improve and promote accessibility and inclusion in British Columbia. The Accessibility Projects Grants were first launched in 2018 to commemorate BC’s first Accessibility Week, and over 80 projects have been funded since.

Says Danielle Gauld, the Accessibility Projects Grants coordinator, “We have funded a huge range of projects in the past – everything from accessible fishing and skiing to literacy, nature and art projects, from climate change focused employment rights education to IBPOC Deaf Interpretation Training and a social network pilot for youth with developmental disabilities. We encourage applications from rural regions and multiply-marginalized disability communities, as well as projects that are informed by the lived experience and expertise of people with disabilities. We can’t wait to see who will apply this year!”

Organizations may apply for up to $40,000 for community engagement projects that will support lasting change for the more than 900,000 people (24.7% of population over age 15)[1] in BC living with disability. Projects will focus on one of the following objectives:

• Accessible employment;
• Accessible emergency planning and response;
• Accessible arts, culture and tourism;
• Accessible sports and recreation;
• Accessible education and learning;
• Accessible community participation.

“With the funding from DABC for the Memories In Motion transportation project, participants have expressed that their lives and overall wellbeing have been positively transformed by accessing this service. Together we are creating a better tomorrow for people living with disabilities and a community ‘where everyone, can go everywhere,’” said Debora DeLyzer of the People in Motion project that is examining the role that accessible transportation choices make in addressing issues of social and economic inclusion among people with disabilities living in Kamloops, Te’kumlups First Nation and the broader Thompson-Nicola Region.

The deadline to submit applications is September 13^th, 2024 at 12pm Pacific Time. Successful applicants will receive funding to implement their accessibility project in 2025.

To learn more and download the Call for Proposals (CFP) and application forms please visit: Accessibility Projects Grants | DABC (disabilityalliancebc.org).

Media Contacts:

Helaine Boyd
Executive Director
helaine@dabc.ca

[1]https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1310037401&pickMembers%5B0%5D=1.13