Update re: In-person appointments at DABC 

After much discussion and consideration of the risks associated with COVID-19 as well as the needs of clients who require in-person support, DABC’s office will re-open soon to some clients. We will be re-opening using a staggered approach to lessen risk and allow us to adjust to welcoming clients to a new space. This means that some programs will start welcoming clients in-person before other programs. 

The first program to start taking in-person appointments will be Tax AID DABC. Other programs will tentatively start welcoming clients later in the summer, dependent on COVID-19 transmission levels and guidance from the BC Centre for Disease Control.  

DABC will continue to offer remote appointments. Most of our staff will be offering both in-person and remote appointments going forward, in order to reduce the number of people in the office at any one time. This means that in-person appointments will be at certain times throughout the week depending on our staff schedule. Please expect that if you require an in-person appointment, there may be a longer wait time. 

Screening for cold or flu like symptoms will be carried out by our reception staff and advocates, and all health and safety measures will be posted online and in-person at our office. We have a communicable disease prevention plan in place to limit the spread of COVID-19. This involves detailed health and safety measures such as sanitization of surfaces, the use of air purifiers, physical distancing, and the requirement for all staff and volunteers to wear masks. Any clients booking an in-person appointment will also be expected to wear a mask at this time. If a client arrives at the DABC office, they will be provided with a mask to wear. 

Clients will not be forced to have an in-person appointment – it will be entirely optional. As we start to open up our office to the public, we may need to prioritize in-person appointments for those that need one. If a client is able to take a remote appointment, they should consider this an option. 

If any clients are sick, ie: experiencing cold/flu like symptoms, they should stay home; their appointment will be rescheduled to a later date. Clients can rest assured that all DABC staff and volunteers will stay home when they are sick as well. 

Clients will not be able to meet with advocates in-person unless they have booked an appointment – there will not be any walk-in appointments available. 

Thank you very much for your understanding and patience.  

JOB POSTING: Intake Worker/Legal Assistant, Disability Law Clinic

Our Mission

For over 40 years, Disability Alliance BC (DABC) has been a provincial, cross-disability voice in British Columbia. Our mission is to support people with all disabilities to live with dignity, independence, and as equal and full participants in the community. We champion issues impacting the lives of people with disabilities through our direct services, community partnerships, advocacy, research, and publications. We are a member organization of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities and the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition.

In 2020, DABC opened the Disability Law Clinic (DLC). Funded by the Law Foundation of BC, the DLC is the first non-profit legal clinic in BC that works exclusively in the area of disability rights. The DLC provides free legal advice and assistance to low-income people with disabilities, directly to persons with disabilities from across BC, on certain disability-related areas of law. You can find more information about our services on our website, at https://disabilityalliancebc.org/program/disability-law-clinic/.

The DLC currently consists of two lawyers, an articling student, and a full-time legal assistant/advocate. This posting is for a new position, for a part-time intake worker/legal assistant.

Duties and responsibilities

• Answering calls from clients, entering information into our database, determining clients’ legal issues, directing calls to the appropriate staff member and taking messages
• Providing clients with referrals to other agencies, sending public legal education material and providing limited legal information
• Answering other calls, taking messages, arranging couriers, sending and delivering mail
• Maintaining accurate database and filing system
• Providing advocacy and litigation support for advocates and lawyers
• Assisting with IT and website
• Other duties as required

Required

• Completion of a legal assistant or paralegal program, or other comparable program
• At least 2 years of experience in a similar role

Assets

• Lived experience as a person with a disability
• Fluency in a language other than English
• Knowledge of legal and community resources in BC
• Excellent judgment in matters of ethics and confidentiality
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to deal with distressed clients in a calm and respectful manner
• Ability to prioritize and respond to shifting program needs
• Ability to work under pressure, be flexible, and adapt to changing situations easily
• Ability to work well with all types of personalities and levels of responsibility
• Ability to work with minimal supervision, and as part of a team

This position is for 3 days per week. The position will be located at DABC’s office in Vancouver. The successful candidate may be required to work at home one or two days per week.

We encourage applications from members of communities that experience structural discrimination and marginalization, especially people with disabilities.

Compensation: $27,000 per year, extended health and dental benefits after 3 months

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to Andrew Robb, Managing Lawyer, Disability Law Clinic, by email: andrew@disabilityalliancebc.org.

Closing date: July 15, 2022

*This position is funded by the Law Foundation of BC*

DABC's Tax AID program is seeking Volunteer Tax Preparers

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: 

• 1-2 years of experience with client tax filling  
• 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 

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).