The Spring 2024 edition of Transitionmagazine is here!
The theme of this edition is Challenges and Supports for Newcomers with Disabilities.
Download it from our website in PDF format here and in text only format here.
OurTransition team is always glad to receive feedback and to consider articles or creative work from our community partners and from people living with a disability.
Since 1977, Disability Alliance BC (DABC) has been a provincial, cross-disability voice in British Columbia. We champion issues impacting the lives of people with disabilities through our direct services, community partnerships, advocacy, research, and publications.
Our mission: to support people, with all disabilities, to live with dignity, independence, and as equal and full participants in the community.
Program Description
Tax AID DABC partners with the Together Against Poverty Society, the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society, and the Active Support Against Poverty Society, to provide free support to people with disabilities across BC to file their taxes.
Job Description
DABC is seeking several volunteers who are passionate about community work to join our Tax AID program, year-round. Volunteers will work one-on-one to assist people with disabilities with their income taxes, with supervision of the Senior Tax Advocate. Volunteers will work remotely and will be able to set their own schedule.
Skills and Assets
Successful Volunteers must have:
2+ years of experience with client tax filling, including self-employment taxes
Good computer and technology skills; (Microsoft Office Suite, experience working with UFile is an asset)
Excellent attention to detail
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
A strong desire to help and serve our community of people with disabilities
An ability to maintain strict confidentiality
Successful Volunteers must also be able to:
Pass a Criminal Record Check
Obtain an EFILE number (personal tax filings are current; no outstanding tax debt; not in bankruptcy)
Duties
Complete income tax returns in accordance with Revenue Canada guidelines
Report questions or concerns to the Income Tax Clinic supervisor
Benefits of Volunteering
Help individuals get or maintain uninterrupted access to benefits and credits
Give back to the community
Increase personal tax knowledge
Gain new skills and improve existing ones
Receive training, support, and reference materials including free tax software
Training and Orientation
Orientation to Tax AID DABC programs, policies, and procedures
Canada Revenue Agency online webinars
Virtual supervision by Income Tax Clinic supervisor
Application Deadline: rolling application until all spots are filled
DABC is an open and diverse organization that promotes inclusive hiring practices. We encourage applications from qualified applicants who identify as visible minorities, Indigenous persons, and of all sexual orientations, gender expressions and identities. People with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.
If you are interested in applying, please submit a resume to Cynthia Minh, Director, Tax AID, cynthia@disabilityalliancebc.org (Please indicate “Volunteer Tax Preparer” in the email subject line).
Since the Tyee article linked above came out yesterday, DABC has seen reactions from members of the disability community on social media channels. Secure and stable income is vitally important to everyone, but especially so for low income people with disabilities that rely on disability assistance. For years now, the disability community has been waiting for the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), to seek clarity on what the Benefit will look like and how it will be rolled out. We are still waiting.
So, when an article such as this comes out questioning whether the BC Government will claw back PWD income from the CDB, it rightly strikes a strong reaction of fear and anger for those who depend on PWD income for their livelihood and well-being.
Yesterday, DABC and other advocacy groups met with Minister Malcolmson during a luncheon organized by Disability Without Poverty BC. DABC and others had an opportunity to question Minister Malcolmson on the Tyee article. Minister Malcolmson said to us that she felt her interview with the Tyee was taken out of context and that the BC Government can’t officially declare a decision on the treatment of CDB income until the Federal Government shares with the provinces what the CDB will look like. Additionally, she said that the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (SDPR)’s approach to the treatment of CDB income will likely be in the same spirit to how SDPR treated income from the Canada Emergency Relief Benefit (it did not claw back PWD income).
DABC also heard from Minister Malcolmson in 2023, when she stated verbally during a community stakeholder meeting that the Province does not intend to claw back CDB payments from PWD income. DABC will continue to hold Minister Malcomson and the BC Government to account on this, to ensure that when the Canada Disability Benefit is rolled out into the bank accounts of people with disabilities, it does not claw back PWD income.
We also call upon the BC Government to take a more active role on the federal level in being kept up to date on new developments around the design and implementation of the CDB. There are approximately 200,000 people in our province on PWD, and they deserve a Ministry that is proactive, transparent and communicative on this incredibly important issue that has a great potential to increase their income and overall quality of life.
An update from our affiliate national non-profit, Disability Alliance Canada: Earlier this year, the #Alberta government decided that the Canada Disability Benefit (#CDB) will be
Earlier this year, the Alberta government decided that the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) will be considered “non-exempt” income for Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) recipients. …
