DABC is planning to redesign our website to become easier for people to use and built with accessibility in mind. It is our preference to work with a web developer who has lived experience with disability and previous demonstrated experience designing accessible websites. If this is you, please reach out to feedback@dabc.ca.

About DABC

Disability Alliance BC (DABC) is a provincial, cross-disability non-profit and registered charity.

Our mission is to support people, with all disabilities, to live with dignity, independence, and as equal and full participants in the community. DABC works to fulfill this mission through our services, programs, community partnerships, advocacy, research, and publications.

We envision a society where people with disabilities are not only fully included, but also recognized as valued contributors; fostering a culture that upholds diversity and equity.

Context

DABC is undertaking a redesign of our website. It has been around 8 years since our website was last updated, and since then, we have taken into account lessons learned on content and design to improve the website. Our current website is quite slow, and difficult to navigate: https://disabilityalliancebc.org/

In preparation for the website redesign, DABC staff and board have put in the work to prepare strategic documents, feedback, and a vision for what we want our new website to be. We are looking for a web developer who can make our vision a reality. The web developer we work with will have access to these documents and responsive collaboration from our website redesign working group.

We are looking for a web developer who:

• Has experience and knowledge in building accessible websites. We want to ensure that our website is as accessible as it can be, for as broad of types of disabilities as possible, by designing a site that does not rely on an accessibility overlay/widget.
• Is values driven, and is inspired by the values of DABC.
• Is able to find actionable solutions to the sheer volume of information we have on our website, and can make this more digestible and navigable for the user.
• Can develop a website which requires minimal back end website knowledge in order for DABC staff to regularly maintain and update the website after it is created.

Timeline:

DABC is seeking quotes from web developers on estimated costs to build DABC’s new website.  We are hoping to carry out this work in the fall of 2024.

Disability Alliance BC (DABC) is seeking passionate and motivated volunteers to support our front-desk reception as we work to bring back our advocacy work in-person at our office in downtown Vancouver. DABC is a provincial, cross-disability non-profit, charitable organization that champions issues impacting the lives of people with disabilities through our direct services, community partnerships, advocacy, research and publications.  

Our reception volunteers are often the first face or voice that a client interacts with when connecting with DABC. They exhibit an empathetic and professional attitude and respond to inquiries about our services. DABC provides a variety of services that assist clients with applying for provincial and federal disability benefits, Disability Tax Credit, Registered Disability Savings Plan, tax filings and tax credits, legal aid, and wheelchair accessible housing. Reception volunteers will be trained and mentored on an ongoing basis through regular supervision from the Advocacy Access Reception Coordinator, Advocacy Access Program Manager and Director of Tax AID and Access RDSP Programs. All of our current reception volunteers have lived experience with a disability.   

Our Reception Volunteers:  

• Respond to client inquiries over the phone, email and in-person  

• Screen clients for eligibility of our services and conduct intake of client contact information for our waitlists  

• Keep detailed and accurate records of visitor requests/calls  

Reception Volunteers should have the following skills and qualifications:  

• Be computer literate and proficient with Microsoft Office software, specifically Excel, Word and Outlook   

• Have strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to communicate complex concepts in plain language  

• Have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with clients and staff across many diverse backgrounds  

• Be self-motivated, adaptable, and able to work effectively with a team as well as independently  

• Maintain a professional, respectful and empathetic demeanor with clients and have the ability to manage client expectations as it relates to the capacity and scope of DABC’s services  

• Lived experience with disability  

The following are strong assets for this position:  

• Lived experience with provincial disability benefits (PWD/PPMB)  

• Experience in the non-profit sector  

• Experience supporting people with disabilities  

• Knowledge and understanding of community resources available to people with disabilities  

Volunteers will receive a small monthly honourarium for their contribution to DABC’s advocacy work.   

Hours Per Week: 1-2 shifts per week (each shift is 4 hours)  

100% of DABC’s staff and volunteers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Many of the clients that DABC serves have medical conditions which make them vulnerable and more susceptible to severe symptoms of COVID-19, and so it is vital that DABC strives to protect our clients from risk of transmission. It is DABC’s policy to request that all volunteers be fully vaccinated.   

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.  

To Apply: Please send an email expressing your interest with the subject line “Volunteer Application”, along with a resume to advocacy@dabc.ca. No phone calls or faxes please. 

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

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@dabc.ca (Please indicate “Volunteer Tax Preparer” in the email subject line.