Open: November 15, 2024

Closes: November 29, 2024

Location: Vancouver, BC

Category: Community and Social Services Job

Type: Full-time, Part-time, 6-month contract with possibility of extension

Salary: $54,000 (prorated to number of days working)

Who We Are

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

The Access RDSP program provides direct support through the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) and related benefits including the Child Disability Benefit, Canada Disability Benefit and Registered Disability Savings Plan to promote financial literacy and financial security for people with disabilities in British Columbia. Access to the DTC and related benefits has become more relevant, as many people with disabilities will need the DTC to apply for the upcoming Canada Disability Benefit. We are seeking advocates passionate about social justice issues to join our dynamic team and help grow our impact in BC and beyond.

Job Description – Community Advocate

You will join a team of advocates, working one-on-one with people with disabilities to provide in-depth support through the DTC and associated benefits. You will help raise awareness about DTC through the development of strategic partnerships and community outreach. You are also an active team member, able to contribute to the additional administrative responsibilities associated with the day-to-day operation of the program.

The successful applicant must:

• Be able to work effectively with people with disabilities
• Have a minimum of 2 years combined post-secondary education and/or applicable work experience
• 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 available for occasional travel to communities across BC
• Be self-motivated, adaptable, and able to work effectively with a team
• Have excellent organizational skills
• Have strong knowledge of social media
• Maintain the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive client information

The following are strong assets for this position:

• Experience with the DTC and other disability benefits (e.g. RDSP, Child Disability Benefit, Canada Pension Plan-Disability)
• 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
• Experience with a disability and/or supporting people with disabilities
• A driver’s license

This is a fixed term position, ending at the end of March 2025 and can be negotiated to be either part-time or full time (anywhere between 3-5 days/week) and will be based out of DABC’s Vancouver office, with occasional travel across Canada.

Depending on future funding, this role may be extended and may further develop to involve direct client work when the contract period ends.

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 at cynthia@dabc.ca using the subject heading “Job Application: Community Advocate”. No phone calls please.

Applications are due no later than 4:30 p.m. on November 29, 2024. DABC welcomes all applications, however, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview.

Download a PDF of the job posting here.

Disability Alliance BC (DABC) is excited to announce the launch of our updated Disability Tax Credit (DTC) online app, now called “My DTC”, which can help people with disabilities across Canada to more easily access the DTC and its related benefits. Check out the app here. 

Why the DTC is important 

The DTC has always been one of the principal benefits available for people with disabilities. As a non-refundable tax credit, it helps reduce taxes owing. But more importantly, it is also one of the primary ways the federal government recognizes disabled populations in Canada. Over the years, the DTC has been connected to other financial programs like the Canada Workers Benefit Disability Supplement, Child Disability Benefit, Canada Dental Care Plan, and Registered Disability Savings Plan. In July 2025, DTC recipients with lower incomes will be able to access up to $200/month through the anticipated Canada Disability Benefit. Altogether, applying for the DTC can mean hundreds or even thousands of dollars to put towards immediate needs and/or future savings, depending on individual circumstances. 

Most people eligible for the DTC do not have it yet  

The DTC continues to be underutilized due to significant barriers to access. Some people do not know about the benefit, while others do not know that they can qualify. Applying for the DTC can feel overwhelming and can even be financially or administratively burdensome.   

Last year, DABC sent out a survey out to the community to share their thoughts about applying for the DTC. Some of the feedback we heard was:  

“It would be good to have a website of personal experiences of applying for and getting DTC.” 

“My medical practitioner did not think I would qualify but I did.” 

“Doctors need assistance in filling out the paperwork [to understand what] information is required…and how to explain [their] patient’s disability as many are not obvious or simple to explain” 

“The form that my GP filled out was very confusing for him. I ended up writing sections on how the disability affected my daily living based on the sections of the form” 

“I can’t imagine how difficult it must be for someone who doesn’t have experience with documents, or a condition that limits them from persisting” 

“The opportunity to connect with others who have applied and providing medical practitioners with tools [would be] very valuable” 

At DABC, we believe people should get the financial supports to which they are entitled. With this feedback, we were able to create an online app to make the application process a little bit easier.  

How to use the “My DTC” app 

Our new “My DTC” app is a tool created for your individual experience. It features different guides and tools that can help someone get the application process started.  

• Handbook for individuals: this guide will help applicants learn more about the DTC, its benefits and how to apply.  

• Handbook for medical practitioners: we recognize that misconceptions about the application process in the healthcare sector mean a lot of eligible people with disabilities are unable to apply. This guide walks through the application process for medical practitioners, so they can learn more about the DTC, how their patients may qualify, and how to help patients apply.  

• Restrictions Questionnaire Tool: there are a number of reasons why medical practitioners may not have all the information about their patients’ daily restrictions. People can prepare their applications by answering a detailed questionnaire about their restrictions. The tool will generate a custom PDF letter that medical practitioners can include as a supplement to an application, or as information to include on the form.  

• “My Tasks” Tool: remembering all the steps required to complete the DTC application process can feel daunting. This tool helps someone create a checklist that they can save as a PDF or send to themselves as a text to help them keep on track.  

Join us for a Lunch and Learn on November 15 at 12:00pm – 1:00pm, where we will walk through the My DTC app step by step.  

No matter where you are in the process, DABC can help.  

For more information about our programs and supports, email rdsp@dabc.ca. 

To help cover someone’s DTC medical certification fees, please visit: https://disabilityalliancebc.org/direct-service/dtc-medical-fees-fund/.