October is RDSP Awareness Month! Help us to spread the word and join us for the three events Access RDSP will be hosting this month:
Read more about RDSP Awareness Month here: https://www.rdsp.com/rdsp-awareness-month/
Open: March 3, 2023
Closes: March 17, 2023
Location: Vancouver, BC
Category: Community and Social Services Job
Type: Full Time (4 days/week), Maternity Leave Cover, for a 12-month period
Salary: $48,000/year (prorated to $38,400/year)
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
Access RDSP is a DABC program in partnership with Plan Institute and the BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS). This program is part of the financial literacy arm of our Advocacy Access Program.
Building on the work of our collaborative partnership, the objective of this program is to promote the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) and the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) across BC, and to assist people with disabilities to access the DTC and open an RDSP.
Job Description
DABC is seeking a Community Advocate for our Access RDSP program. Under the supervision of the Program Manager, the Advocate will work one-on-one to help people with disabilities apply for the DTC and learn about the RDSP. The Advocate will also help raise awareness about the RDSP through the development of strategic partnerships and community outreach. The successful applicant will also have administrative responsibilities associated with the day-to-day operation of the program.
The position will be based out of DABC’s Vancouver office but requires occasional travel to other BC communities.
This position is to cover a maternity leave for a 12-month period and may be extended; it is for 4 days per week (pro-rated to $38,400 annual salary) with the possibility of increasing to 5 days per week ($48,000 annual salary).
The successful applicant must:
The following are strong assets for this position:
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 at cynthia@disabilityalliancebc.org using the subject heading “Job Application: Community Advocate”. No phone calls or faxes please.
Applications are due no later than 4:30 p.m. on March 17, 2023. DABC welcomes all applications, however, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview. Interviews will be conducted at the end of March and the position start date will be at the start of April.
Last October, Access RDSP did a call out for stories about the barriers people with disabilities face when applying for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). We asked to hear from you about fees charged by medical practitioners or application fees or requests for a percentage of your return by a for-profit company. This year, in honour of RDSP Awareness Month, we would like to share these and help raise awareness of these barriers.
The following are some of the stories we received from clients:
“I recently renewed [my DTC] and my doctor charged me $40 to fill out her part of the form…which was basically what she had said the first time.”
“I had to pay 15% to [a for-profit company] five years ago. On my renewal this past year, I had to pay $80 to my doctor for DTC. Very unfair against persons with disabilities!”
“I was charged $75 by my GP to do the form, and the accountant also charged fees that meant nearly all of the benefit was absorbed. I know that in future tax years I will have that DTC in place, but it was distressing to have hundreds of dollars absorbed by the admin.”
With stories like these, we can see how important it is to break down these barriers that contribute poverty and hardship to people with disabilities. At DABC, we continue to advocate for the removal of these barriers and urge people to help us raise awareness of these injustices. If you or anyone you know has had to pay fees to access the DTC, send us an email at rdsp@disabilityalliancebc.org.
All things exciting at Disability Alliance BC!
Find the most current news from DABC and selected community news here.
March is Make It Monthly! Disability Alliance BC is excited to launch our monthly donor club: Advocats. Advocats are supporters of DABC who choose to
Since 1977, Disability Alliance BC has been a provincial, cross-disability voice in British Columbia. Our mission is to promote a more inclusive and equitable society for people with all disabilities through direct services, community partnerships, systemic advocacy, research, and publications.
We acknowledge and have deep gratitude to work together on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Selíl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations of the Coast Salish people. We honour the many territorial keepers of the lands.
DABC is a proud member of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD)and BC Poverty Reduction Coalition.
DABC is proud to be certified as a Living Wage Employer by Living Wage for Families BC! We are glad to be able to support our staff to feel valued in their roles and provide them with the opportunity to thrive in their communities.
