A PHD Candidate at UBC’s School of Social Work is conducting research aimed at generating knowledge on the experiences of transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) people who identify as disabled regarding their access to gender-affirming care (GAC) in British Columbia, Canada. They are leading this study, under the shared supervision of Dr. Hannah Kia (UBC School of Social Work) and Dr. Tim Stainton (Canadian Institute for Inclusion and Citizenship), and are currently recruiting participants.

Selected participants will complete a 60-90 minute interview on Zoom and receive a $50 e-transfer upon completion of an interview. A person may be eligible to participate in this study if they:

• Identify as transgender, non-binary or gender diverse (TGD).
• Identify as a disabled person- This study validates all aspects of disability identity including invisible ones.
• Are 19 years or older and live in British Columbia, Canada.
• Have experience with any aspect of gender-affirming care (GAC), including medical interventions and/or psychosocial support.

Anyone who is interested in participating can learn more by either following this link https://blogs.ubc.ca/gacdisabledtgdstudy/ or scanning the QR code on the poster.

We have received the following information from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction.

“We want to provide you with a further update on potential delays in mail delivery, including client cheques and ministry documentation, due to impacts from the Canada Post strike.

Although mail delivery is resuming this week, the ministry is continuing to take special measures to ensure disability and income assistance cheques for December are not delayed due to possible backlogs at Canada Post.

Monthly assistance payments through direct deposit will be automatically deposited as usual. For clients who normally receive a monthly assistance cheque by mail, cheques will be available for pick up at their local ministry office on or after December 18.

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If clients are unable to do direct deposit or attend their local ministry office, they can write a letter and sign it to allow someone else to pick up the cheque on their behalf. To avoid future delays, we recommend setting up direct deposit. This service allows clients to receive ministry payments directly into their bank account. To set up direct deposit, provide their bank account information to the ministry by phone, online at MySelfServe.gov.bc.ca, or in person at a local office.

Anyone concerned about not receiving an assistance cheque is encouraged to contact the ministry at 1 866 866-0800 to discuss options.

The ministry is actively planning the transition back to regular mail distribution, taking into account any backlogged mail.

The December cheque issue will proceed as planned. We aim to return to normal business processes for the January cheque issue, scheduled for January 15, 2025.”

We have been asked to share a petition to help a person with (Marcia Doherty, known publicly online as Madeline), and all people with ME in British Columbia. The petition is not limited to residents of BC – people across Canada and the world can sign.

It calls on the Government of British Columbia, Canada, to take action “to address systemic bias and ensure adequate, life-saving supports for Marcia and the thousands of other British Columbians with ME.”

Please sign and share: https://bit.ly/Marcia_petition!