We're Hiring: Community Engagement Specialist (Vancouver Island)

Community Engagement Specialist | 
Access RDSP Program  

Post Open: November 10, 2022 

Post Closes: November 25, 2022, 4:30pm 

Location: Vancouver Island, BC 

Category: Community and Social Services 

Job Type: Contractor (3days/week)  

Term: Two years, with possibility of extension 

Salary:  $28.00/hr  

Report to:  Director-Access RDSP Program, Disability Alliance BC 

Who We Are 

Disability Alliance BC 

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. 

DABC works in partnership with Plan Institute, and the BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS) on the Access RDSP partnership to promote the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) and the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) across BC. 

Project Background 

Through a new RDSP initiative, Access RDSP partners are working to reduce poverty and barriers to long-term financial stability for children and youth with disabilities living on Vancouver Island. The RDSP is a long-term savings plan designed to help people with disabilities access significant financial savings for their future. The successful candidate will help to increase access to the RDSP by raising awareness about the program and supporting people across Vancouver Island communities to navigate through the application process.  

Duties & Responsibilities 

Under the supervision of Disability Alliance BC’s Access RDSP Program Director, the Community Engagement Specialist will: 

  • Develop and lead the community awareness and outreach strategies for the project using a variety of means including the development of educational materials, delivery of virtual and in-person workshops, and establishment of new community partnerships to improve RDSP uptake for children and youth with disabilities on Vancouver Island 
  • Provide one-on-one support (remote and in person) for people with disabilities to apply for the DTC and learn about the RDSP. Direct services will include facilitating mobile clinics across Vancouver Island and will require access to a motor vehicle to travel across Vancouver Island 
  • Create and deliver training modules to community service providers as well as health, educational, and financial professionals on the DTC/RDSP to build capacity for sustained support within local communities 
  • Work closely with Access RDSP program partners, the Island Health Authority (IHA), and community partners by:
    – Attending regular meetings with DABC 
    – Attending and facilitating meetings with IHA team leads
    – Attending outreach and quarterly meetings with Access RDSP partners 

The successful applicant must:  

  • Be able to work effectively with people with disabilities  
  • Have strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to communicate complex concepts in plain language  
  • Be computer literate and proficient with word-processing software including the Microsoft Office Suite  
  • Be self-motivated, adaptable, and able to work effectively with a team  
  • Have excellent organizational skills  
  • Maintain the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive client information  
  • Have a driver’s license and access to a motor vehicle 
  • Have a laptop  
  • Be able to pass a criminal record check and vulnerable sector check.  

The following are strong assets for this position:  

  • Experience with disability benefits, including the DTC and RDSP  
  • Experience in the non-profit sector  
  • Experience with community outreach or program planning  
  • Experience with presenting complex information to diverse audiences  
  • Experience working with Adobe Creative Suite  
  • Strong knowledge of social media  
  • Experience with a disability and/or supporting people with disabilities  
  • Access to a printer  

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 encouraged to apply. 

To Apply: 

Please submit a resume and brief cover letter addressed to Cynthia Minh (Director, Tax AID & Access RDSP) cynthia@disabilityalliancebc.org using the subject heading “Job Application: Vancouver Island Community Engagement Specialist”. No phone calls or faxes please. 

Applications are due no later than 4:30 p.m. on November 25, 2022. DABC welcomes all applications, however, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview. Interviews will be conducted in September and the position start date will be as soon as possible. 

Prosper Canada Launches Revamped Benefits Wayfinder

Prosper Canada has launched the newly revamped Disability Benefits Wayfinder (an online tool that makes it easier for Canadians with disabilities to identify and access government benefits) along with its companion the Disability Benefits Compass! DABC assisted in drafting the website, in partnership with Prosper Canada.

Wayfinder: https://benefitswayfinder.org/

Disability Benefits Compass: https://disability.benefitswayfinder.org/

Read the media release for more information.

#Disability#DisabilityBenefits#DisabilityAssistance#PeoplewithDisabilities

From RDSP Awareness Month to Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (IDAM)

RDSP Awareness Month Event in Victoria

Parliamentary Secretary for Accessibility Dan Coulter visits Access RDSP partner BCANDS' table at RDSP Awareness Month event in Victoria.
Parliamentary Secretary for Accessibility Dan Coulter visits Access RDSP partner BCANDS’ table at RDSP Awareness Month event in Victoria.

On October 5th, Disability Alliance BC (DABC), Plan Institute, British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS), Inclusion BC, and BC’s Human Rights Commission, came together to promote the Registered Disability Savings Plan in front of the Victoria Parliament Buildings! The event was organized by BCANDS.

We were thrilled to answer questions about the RDSP and to promote awareness. “Less than one-third of eligible residents in Canada (up to age 59) have a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)—about 31.5% in 2020″ (source).

The RDSP was created by the federal government as a long-term savings plan for people with disabilities and their families. Disabled people can benefit from an RDSP even if they cannot put any money into the plan and it will not affect their other disability benefits. Individuals who qualify for the RDSP, can gain up to $90,000 in grants and bonds for their retirement from the government.  

We handed out free RDSP t-shirts and had delicious RDSP themed cakes! Thank you to everyone that enjoyed our free coffee and popcorn as well. We were visited by our local MLAs, including the MLA for Chilliwack and Parliamentary Secretary for Accessibility Dan Coulter and Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction Nicholas Simons, and MLA for Fraser-Nicola and Assistant Deputy Speaker Jackie Tegart. RDSP Awareness Month and the importance of the RDSP was mentioned in Parliament that afternoon. Additionally, the non-profits, including DABC were acknowledged in Parliament for our work surrounding the RDSP.  

Thank you to everyone that came by to learn about the RDSP. For more information on the RDSP, please visit: www.rdsp.com or contact rdsp@disabilityalliancebc.org/

604-872-1278 Toll Free 1-800-663-1278.

November is Indigenous Disability Awareness Month!

DABC staff wearing masks and Access RDSP shirts created by BCANDS
DABC staff in Access RDSP shirts created by BCANDS!

As we mentioned above, one of our Access RDSP partners is BC Aboriginal Disability Network Society (BCANDS). BCANDS created Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (IDAM) in 2015, designating November as IDAM.

From BCANDS’ website, where you can learn more about IDAM: “Indigenous peoples of Canada experience a disability rate significantly higher than that of the general population. Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (IDAM) brings awareness of these barriers and the issues that Indigenous peoples living with disabilities and their families face every day. More importantly though, in spite of these barriers, IDAM celebrates the achievements of Indigenous peoples living with disabilities and recognize the significant and valuable contributions they make to our communities socially, economically, and culturally every day.”

At the RDSP Awareness Month in Victoria discussed earlier in this post, BCANDS provided us with Access RDSP t-shirts! Enjoy the picture of DABC staff in their new t-shirts above!