JOB POSTING: Staff Lawyer: 1-Year Contract
1-year contract starting June 26, 2023
(exact start date can be flexible)
Our Mission
For 45 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 throughout BC, in certain disability-related areas of law, including:
- Human rights and discrimination, including disability-related complaints to the BC Human Rights Tribunal (BCHRT) and federal human rights agencies.
- Disputes about income support for people with disabilities, especially disability assistance from BC’s Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. The DLC works with DABC’s Advocacy Access program on appeals of Ministry decisions, at the Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal (EAAT). The DLC also represents clients in applications for judicial review of EAAT decisions.
- Questions or disputes related to decision-making rights, especially in cases where BC’s Public Guardian and Trustee or a court-appointed committee make decisions on behalf of a person.
- Questions about private long-term disability insurance benefits.
The DLC currently consists of two lawyers, one articling student, a full-time legal assistant/advocate, and a part-time intake worker/legal assistant. This position is a temporary position while one of our lawyers is on leave.
You can find more information about our services on our website, at https://disabilityalliancebc.org/program/disability-law-clinic/
Duties and Responsibilities
- Interviewing clients, conducting legal research, preparing pleadings, and representing clients in disability-related human rights complaints to the BC Human Rights Tribunal (BCHRT) and federal human rights agencies.
- Representing clients in appeals to BC’s Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal (EAAT), in cases involving disputes about provincial government disability benefits.
- Providing summary advice and representation services to the DLC’s clients
- Delivering public legal education sessions and workshops, for people with disabilities and disability-related organizations.
- Supporting administrative staff and helping to manage client intake process.
- Preparing and providing training for advocates in DABC’s Advocacy Access program
- Supervising law students and volunteers
- Supporting DABC’s systemic advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities, including organising advocacy campaigns and preparing written submissions to policy-makers. A particular focus will be the development of accessibility standards pursuant to the Accessible BC Act.
Required
- Membership in the Law Society of BC, or eligibility for immediate transfer
- At least 3 years experience as a practising lawyer
- Familiarity with human rights laws or other relevant areas of law
- Outstanding organizational skills
- Demonstrated success in working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds (e.g. cultural, religious, age, sexual orientation, etc.)
- Demonstrated understanding of ableism, colonialism, and other structures of oppression
Assets
- Experience working from an anti-ableist perspective
- Experience organising public advocacy campaigns, particularly on law reform, and/or preparing formal submissions to policy-makers.
- Experience working with people with disabilities and other marginalized communities.
- Experience working with people in crisis and familiarity with trauma-informed practice.
- Understanding of legal issues affecting people with disabilities, and strong research and communication skills.
We encourage applications from members of communities that experience structural discrimination and marginalization, especially people with disabilities.
The position is located in Vancouver, on the Unceded Territories of the Musqueam, TsleilWaututh, and Squamish Nations.
DABC currently uses a hybrid work model, and the staff lawyer will work in person at DABC’s office at least two days per week, and remotely the rest of the time. Occasional travel to other parts of BC may be required.
Compensation: Salary will be between $80,000 and $95,000 per year, depending on experience. Compensation also includes extended health and dental benefits and 3 weeks of annual vacation plus 2 weeks of paid time off during DABC’s annual holiday office closure.
To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to Andrew Robb, Managing Lawyer, Disability Law Clinic, by email: andrew@disabilityalliancebc.org
Closing date: April 28, 2023
*This position is funded by the Law Foundation of BC*
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.
