DABC's guarantee re: MAiD
DABC will not, under any circumstance, recommend Medical Assistance in Dying as an alternative to necessary supports and services.
The above sign is displayed at the DABC office and we encourage other disability organizations to follow suit and post their own statements. This is an initiative started by BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS).
We're seeking volunteer receptionists!
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 Administrative Assistant, Advocacy Access Program Manager and the Access RDSP Program Manager. 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
The following are strong assets for this position:
- Lived experience with disability
- 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@disabilityalliancebc.org. No phone calls or faxes please.
We're Hiring: Community Engagement Specialist (Vancouver Island)
November 10, 2022 by DABC
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.