By Carol Stinson I have been so busy in the last year or so with fi-nancial issues at the CPABC I sometimes forget to thank the hard-working people who are keeping us afloat. So, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff who have supported the CPABC through tough times, Feri Dehdar and Tammy van der Kamp. Feri is our Office Manager and she is the person you speak to when you call the office. Feri is accomplished at just about everything, from keeping the books to negotiating with suppliers. Tammy is our Family and Individual support person

and is the face of the organization, representing us at consultation tables, resource fairs and public-speaking engagements. Tammy also responds to most of the requests for information that come into the office. If she doesn’t know the answer, then she knows either who to ask or who to refer on to. One of our biggest successes this past quarter has been to produce a new brochure – a brochure with a “new attitude”. We will be distributing it across the province in the next few weeks, so watch for it! We are also working on a new and improved sta-tionery bike race fundraiser. There wasn’t enough time to get sponsors and teams to make a go of it this year, but we have laid the foundation for a great event next year. Again, watch for more news!

CPABC President’s Message

The CPABC would like to know if youth (13 – 21 years) living with CP would be interested in meeting four or five times a year at a location outside of Vancou-ver. The GF Strong Centre has been running a program called Teen Scene on Satur-days from their location in Vancouver for many years. When talking to parents and teens we have discovered that, while Teen Scene is a great program, the day and location have been a prob-lem. We would like to be able to offer a teen group at an alternate time and place.

The Teen Scene program will share the curricu-lum they have devel-oped over the years – topics in-clude: social skills – including how to respond to intrusive comments; where will I live as an adult; and relationships – including healthy sexuality. The CPABC group will be led by Tammy van der Kamp who has trained extensively in fa-cilitating youth groups. Please call Tammy at the CPABC office: 604.515.9455. Or, if you would like to find out more about Teen Scene at GF Strong, please call Y v o n n e v a n T u n e n a t 604.737.6284.

SPRING 2004

Inviting all youth with CP: Would you like to get together?

New Employment Opportunities

2

CPABC Clothing Drop box locations

4

Classifieds & Misc. 4

Advocacy Tips for Parents

5

Tax and Budget Info 6

Networking Group 7

Membership Info 8

Inside this issue:

The Roundtable Cerebral Palsy Associat ion of Bri t ish Columbia

PAGE 2

By Mathew Levy

T he British Columbia Paraplegic Association (BCPA) is pleased to inform the Cerebral Palsy

Association that a Ministry of Human Resources contract has been awarded to the BCPA that will prvide employment assistance to clients with CP and other mobility related disabilities! Many people may already be aware of the recent initiatives of the Provincial government to re-tender the former community contracts and overhaul the Vcational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) into a more performance based, accountable system. As of Sept 15 03, the BCPA signed on as a community contrac-tor for the Province of BC under the auspices of the new contract, the Employment Program for Persons with Disabilities (EPPD). The BCPA has a province wide mandate to serve all those with spinal cord injury or other mobility re-lated physical disabilities. There are many exciting facets of this new contract that will hopefully be sp-ortive toward the employment aspirations and efforts of our determined clientele and encourage or em-power individuals who may not be aware of the sup-port available to them. Eligibility: Anyone in the province with medical documentation of a chronic condition likely to persist for at least two years, who is legally able to work in BC and not cur-rently receiving ICBC, WCB or other insurance pro-vider vocational rehabilitative assistance to return to work, qualifies for funding under this contract. Differ-ing community contractors have specific mandates to cover clientele. For example mental health, vision, hearing, and some contractors are awarded regionally specific contracts. The BCPA’s mandate is much broader than previous offerings as eligibility is not dependent upon being a PWD recipient and is not means tested. This allows eligibility for appli-cants with various sources of income e.g. PWD, CPP, family, savings, previous settlements, etc.

Planning Assistance: A trained Vocational Counselor works with a client to formulate a Client Service Plan.and commit to a planning process that would allow for formal and in-formal assessments of potential benefit to their per-sonal career development. Examples of formal as-sessments include testing such as Vocational Psycho-logical Assessments, Neuropsychological Assess-ment, Functional Capacity Evaluations, Medical As-sessments, Learning Disability Assessments and Driver Assessments. Varied other more informal test-ing includes Work Site Analysis and Transferable Skills Analysis. Many current clients or members can verify that valuable career directions linked to intelli-gence, physical capacities, aptitudes, personality, in-terest and values are suggested by formal testing. Of-ten, when a person is thinking again of vocational di-rections they report bewilderment at the challenge. There is usually a need to redefine their own voca-tional identity to include a disability. Formal testing therefore often aids in this process and gives some ob-jective, scientifically based foundation for further planning and exploration. This may be your opportu-nity to explore some new possibilities with a voca-tional professional. All BCPA formal testing is con-ducted by professionally certified testing Psycholo-gists and Vocational specialists. Training (Educational )Assistance: Training or Educational assistance is inclusive of many types of potential programs and options includ-ing: • Upgrading; including secondary education high

school upgrading • Post Secondary Education towards any certificate,

diploma, or recognized degree in the province. (Continued on page 3)

THE ROUNDTABLE SPRING 2004

New opportunities for employment

training

• Training on the Job: situations that provide a client with an opportunity to engage in productive and meaningful work that provides knowledge or skills essential to full and adequate performance of the job, and strongly linked to future employment at the end of the Training period.

• Public Service Training Program (PSTP): provides development of meaningful skills that will assist a client to become meaningfully employed within the public service or private sector. This is administered directly by the Ministry of Human Resources EPPD Service Coordinators and provides approval for PSTP placement.

• In-house training which is designed to meet the spe-cial needs of an employer or group of employers.

Qualified training expenses include: • Course / Tuition fees • Customized Training Fees • Books and Supplies for formal training Courses • Transportation Allowance; if required • Training-On-the-Job The maximum allowable limit for all qualified training expenses set by the Ministry per client per year without further written approval is $6000.00 (Cdn). Clients wishing to spend more per year on their education may well be allowed to exceed that level with a relevant rationale, and sound planning assis-tance. Clients are reminded that application to the EPPD program must be made prior to registration or payment of any tuition fees and that the Ministry is not prepared to reimburse for any outstanding balances or expenses incurred prior to program acceptance. Disability Supports: Through this BCPA EPPD contract employment re-lated disability supports are made available. These may include: • Computer or Technical aids including communica-

tion devices (By BCPA referral through AT-BC)* • Restorative Equipment (wheelchairs, canes, crutches,

walkers etc) • Assistance with vehicle modifications (hand controls,

van lifts etc) • Attendant or interpreter/captioning services • Workplace access and modifications (ramps, lifts etc) Vocational Crisis: While working (before or after service with EPPD) a disabled worker may face immanent job loss due to a

disability related issue. They may need costly wheel-chair repairs, new hand controls, wheel chair replace ment, canes, crutches, walkers, an ergonomic chair or other accommodations. They may need employer liai-son and advocacy coupled with the above as well. Again the EPPD contract can provide funding for these services and at a “fast tracked pace”(compared to regu-lar planning applications) in order to quickly save jobs of currently employed disabled workers. In the life of this new contract, the BCPA EPPD has already sup-plied wheelchairs and hand controls to help disabled workers keep their employment! Employment Placement Assistance: Employment placement assistance through EPPD may relate to Vocational counselors assisting the client or member to achieve volunteer work (minimum 5 hours per week), part time work (5-29 hours per week) and full time work (30 + hours per week). BCPA staff will follow along with that client for a minimum of one year post placement date, providing services as needed. Staffing and Contact Information: Currently the area covered by the EPPD contract is temporarily limited to Greater Vancouver / Lower Mainland due to staffing constraints. Efforts are under-way to link all BCPA regions with services. Informa-tion on service providers in your area is available on the MHR website, www.mhr.gov.bc.ca/contact/index.htm; (or call toll free 1.866.866.0800 and ask for the Employment Assistance office near you.) BCPA is working to hire Administrative and further Vocational Counselors to adequately cover the provincial mandate of this contract. Contact Information: Project Coordinator: Matthew Levy, MA, RRP Vocational Rehab Counselor mlevy@bcpara.org 604.326.1232 or 1.877.324.3611 *Assistive Technology BC (ATBC) will coordinate all technical /computer / communication related assis-tance. They will require a BCPA EPPD referral prior to application to their office. www.at-bc.ca For Assistive Tech solutions not available through their agency, applications made through BCPA can be contracted to our in house Technology for Independent Living (TIL) program.

PAGE 3 THE ROUNDTABLE SPRING 2004

Medical Scooters – free to a good home

Two medical scooters have been donated to the CPABC. The first is a Shoprider three-wheeler, lightly used, battery may need replacement soon. The second is a Cobra three-wheeler, may also need a new battery. No delivery. Please phone the office for more details.

The CPABC relies on our clothing boxes for our fund-raising and we are always working to develop new loca-tions for our clothing drop-off boxes. If you or your place of business can host a clothing drop-off box and you are located anywhere in the Lower Mainland, please call Feri at the office. Remember, the CPABC partners with the Salvation Army so all of the money raised goes to a non-profit organization. Drop-off box locations in Vancouver:

♦ Champlain Hts Community Centre ♦ Vancouver Aquatic Centre ♦ Kensington Community Centre ♦ Riley Park Community Centre ♦ West End Community Centre ♦ Britannia Community Centre ♦ Dunbar Community Centre

REGISTER NOW FOR SUMMER CAMPS!

There are some great summer camps available for children with disabilities in BC. Most are taking registrations now. If you would like some ideas for summer camps call Tammy van der Kamp at the Association office: 604.515.9455 or 1.800.663.0004

NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...NEWS.

Rep Agreements Threatened by Provincial Government After 15 years of good faith negotiations and thousands of volun-teer hours given by dedicated BC citizens and community groups The Representation Agreement Act was achieved. This innovative legislation allows EVERY adult in British Columbia to make a Repre-sentation Agreement. These Agreements are legal plans that let indi-viduals name family and friends, whom they trust, to help manage their personal affairs when they need assistance because of illness, injury or disability. The Representation Agreement Act was conceived and designed to make guardianship a LAST RESORT in managing people’s personal affairs. Now – the provincial government wants to eliminate the Representation Agreement Act Guardianship will be the ONLY RE-SORT left for many citizens of BC, especially seniors and people with disabilities. We need your help now to save the Representation Agreement Act We intend to provide the Attorney General with a list of individuals and organizations that support the Representa-tion Agreement Act. For more information, please call:Christine Gordon: 604.875.0188 (Represen-tation Agreement Resource Centre) to join the list of supporters.

PAGE 4 SPRING 2004 THE ROUNDTABLE

CPABC “picks up” funds with clothing

www.cerebralpalsymagazine.com New US-Based quarterly magazine focussed on CP. The September issue has an interesting article on CP & aging.

Find films depicting people with disabilities (also ratings) http://www.disabilityfilms.co.uk/index.html

Support the CPABC! Play Bingo at Burnaby Bingo Country

Middlegate Mall 7155 Kingsway,Burnaby

Learn Infant Massage: Topics include benefits, babies with special needs, teaching and communication skills, the massage sequence and adaptations. Contact: Leslie Aldridge, Canadian Health Centre, 613-224-7222,

Order 100 name labels for summer camp ($11 Cdn includes tax and shipping) http://www.ontcamp.on.ca/

By Tobi Sather Once again the Bridges to the Future staff and youth have been busy with many cool events, as well as reaching personal goals. As the project continues to grow and become better known, Bridges becomes busier with each passing day. We have connected with over 50 youth living with physical disabilities in British

Columbia. Bridges is a great resource for youth living with Cerebral Palsy who are beginning to look towards their future. Project staff has met with many youth with CP and have supported some to achieve their goals. If you have any questions regarding Bridges to the Future or would like to become involved in the

project please contact Tobi Sather at: 604.788.7124 or tsather@bridgestothefuture.ca. Remember, the project is for youth between the ages of 15 to 24 looking to make changes in their life and to start working towards their future goals.

PAGE 5

By Dr. Mark Nagler Advocacy is a vital task. Once you have mastered the strategies of advocacy, you will be able to deal with all of the problems encountered by your special child. Advocacy means representing your child with vigor and commitment, whether with medical personnel, teachers, employers, friends, or relatives. This will be your most important task as a parent, as it will have an effect on all aspects of your child’s life. Advocacy can ensure proper medical diagnosis, treatment, integration, accessibility, and independence. You must be prepared to push organizations on a regular basis to ensure a reasonable and adequate accommodation of your child’s needs. What You Need to Become a Successful Advocate: There are many ways to advocate on your child’s behalf. The following keys, combined with a large dose of commitment, can lead to success. Knowledge: Begin by obtaining all available information which includes: a details of what your child needs, how best to meet these needs, what personnel and services are required and if they are available, costs and financial resources available and your legal rights. Gather this information from medical, support groups, libraries, relevant specialized institutions, and experienced professionals. Commitment: While the vast majority of health care professionals are qualified, dedicated and caring, your child will often be one patient among many, all of whom have numerous needs that must be fulfilled. It cannot be stressed enough that if you make it your job to always put your child first, you will find the rewards of successful

advocacy to be worthwhile for your child and the entire family. Expertise: With time you will learn techniques that will help you advocate for your child. Keeping an open mind, choosing opportunities with care, asking questions, and being ready to change if something isn’t working will go a long way to getting the results you need for your child. Problem Solving: Learn non-confrontational ways to deal with problems as they confront you. Write letters and make phone calls, use allies such as support groups, demonstrate your genuine interest in finding a solution. Keep constant notes on your child’s medical history, education and recreation to help show others what your child has accomplished in the past. Advocacy is a strategy you can use to ensure that your child has the most appropriate opportunities in all phases of his or her life. By using advocacy you will become informed about your child’s disability and you will learn how to select the personnel who will be most beneficial to your child. Advocacy will provide you with organizational skills, a clear focus on what to attain and the confidence

that you will achieve the best possible care and treatment for you child. Remember, “Yes You Can!” Dr. Mark Nagler is a motivational speaker for

people with disabilities. He was born with Cerebral Palsy and has triumphed over his disability by becoming an expert in the Disability Studies field. He has a B.A. from the University of British Columbia, a Masters degree from the University of Chicago and a Ph.D. from Stirling University in Britain. Although never able to write, he was able to achieve his impressive array of degrees and author 12 books. His book, “Yes You Can”, illustrates his own experience in over coming disability and his other

THE ROUNDTABLE SPRING 2004

Bridges to the Future still going strong!!!

Advocacy: Tips for parentsAdvocacy: Tips for parentsAdvocacy: Tips for parents

PAGE 6 THE ROUNDTABLE SPRING 2004

“Good News” Budget from Federal Gov’t The Federal Budget of March 23rd had some positive news for persons with

disabilities and their families. New initiatives include: Employment – A $30 million investment in federal, provincial and terri-

torial agreements for persons with disabilities is a substantial down pay-ment towards the effective engagement of persons with disabilities in the labour market. The additional funding for provinces and territories represents an opportunity to advance new employment and employ-ment-related supports.

Disability Supports – A new deduction for disability support-related expenses for employment or education purposes signals a trend towards improving tax fairness for persons with disabilities and their families.

Family Caregiving Strategy – Additional tax relief for families provid-ing care to a family member with a disability recognizes the out-of-pocket costs families incur. This $20 million investment is a start in bet-ter offsetting these costs.

Education – A new up-front grant of up to $2000 for persons with dis-abilities will assist in reducing barriers to education faced by persons with disabilities.

Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax Act – This Act is amended to increase the maximum refund amount for fuel tax paid by persons with disabilities to $500 from $400.

CAROL STINSON(President) Burnaby SIMON COX (Vice President) Vancouver JUDY BRITON (Treasurer/Secretary) North Vancouver MIKE LANG Gibsons JONN OLLDYM Vancouver RICHARD RHEAUME Vancouver DON RENAUD Burnaby PETER SHIPLEY White Rock YOSHINORI TANABE Vancouver

CPABC DIRECTORS

03/04

T he Child Disability Benefit is a non-taxable supplement to the Canada Child Tax Benefit

(CCTB) and Children's Special Allowances (CSA). The CDB will provide up to $133.33 per month ($1,600 per year) to low- and modest-income families to help them with the costs of raising children under 18 who have a severe and prolonged mental or physical impairment. Who can receive the CDB? Not all children with disabilities will qualify for this benefit. In addition to being eligible to receive the CCTB for your child, the child must also qualify for the disability amount. The disability amount, also known as the Disability Tax Credit, is a non-refundable tax credit that reduces the amount of income tax that an individual has to pay. Form T2201, Disability Tax Credit Certificate, explains the eligibility criteria. How to apply? Your benefit will be calculated automatically if you receive the CCTB for your child and you or your current or former spouse or common-law partner has already submitted an approved Form T2201.

If you receive the CCTB for a child with a severe and prolonged mental or physical impairment, but Form T2201 has not been filed on behalf of the child, obtain Form T2201, have it completed and signed by a qualified person, and send it to your tax centre. If you have not applied for the CCTB for your child, but the other criteria have been met, complete and mail Form RC66, Canada Child Tax Benefit Application, to your tax centre. The CRA will determine whether or not you are eligible to receive the CCTB and the Child Disability Benefit. When will the CDB be paid? The CDB will be paid monthly as a supplement to CCTB and CSA payments. The first payments will be issued to eligible families and agencies in March 2004. The March 2004 payments will include a retroactive amount for the period from July 2003 to March 2004. For more information about the CDB please see: www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/tax/individuals/segments/disabilities/menu-e.html Or Contact Canada Customs and Revenue: 1.800.387.1193

Have you received your Child Disability Benefit Yet?

PAGE 7 SPRING 2004

When Where Topic

Tuesday April 20 7 – 9 PM

Developmental Disabilities

Association 3455 Kaslo Street

Corner building,18th & Kaslo (Near Sunnyhill Hospital)

Vancouver

Leisure Fair:

Come out and get valuable information about what your son or daughter (children and adults) can do for fun this summer! Many organizations will be available to dis-cuss their programmes with you and your family.

Thursday May 13 7 – 9 PM

Richmond Association for

Community Living Richmond Caring Place

7000 Minoru Blvd Richmond

Creative Funding: Where can parents go to find sources of funding for services which are not covered by either the Medical Services Plan or the Ministry for Children and Families? Our guests will be parents who have found new and innovative ways to fund their child’s needs. We will also have information and applications from alternative funders like service organizations.

THE ROUNDTABLE

The Cerebral Palsy Association of BC, The Developmental Disabilities Association and The Richmond Society for Community Living are co-sponsoring support and information meetings for individuals with

disabilities and family members of people with disabilities.

***Please post and share***

Lower Mainland Family Support and Information Group

For more information or to have your name put on our email reminder list or if you require child care (please request at least one week in advance),

Please call: Feri Dehdar at CPABC 604.515.9455 See you there!!

Celebrating 50 Years in British Columbia! The Roundtable is the official newsletter of the CPABC.

The CPABC and the editor of this newsletter take no responsibility for, nor do they necessarily agree with, the

opinions contained in this publication.

Contributing Writers: Carol Stinson (editor), Feri Dehdar, Mathew Levy,

Tammy van der Kamp, Dr. Mark Nagler, Tobi Sather

Cerebral Palsy Association of British Columbia 102-317 Columbia St.

New Westminster, BC V3L 1A7 Phone: 604.515.9455

Toll-Free (Enquiry CP): 1.800.663.0004 Fax: 604.515.9466

Email: info@bccerebralpalsy.com Office Hrs: 9 AM to 5PM, Monday to Thursday

PAGE 8 THE ROUNDTABLE SPRING 2004

Now…more than ever before – your membership will help to

“Realize equality in a diverse society!” Become a member today!

Membership: $20 Or whatever you can afford Donation: I would like to make a donation to support the services and programs of the Cerebral Palsy Association of British Columbia. Income tax receipts are only issued for donations of $10 or more, unless requested. $100 $75 $50 $25 My choice: _________ Method of Payment: I have enclosed a cheque payable to the CPABC or: Visa #:________________________________ Expiry Date: _____________________ Name on Card: _________________________ Today’s Date: ____________________ Signature: _____________________________ Please mail to: Cerebral Palsy Association of British Columbia 102 – 317 Columbia Street, New Westminster, BC V3L 1A7 Charitable Registration Business Number 10690 4204 RR0001

Enquiry CP: 1.800.663.0004

Printed information from CPABC: - How to Create a Trust: - a resource

guide for people receiving PWD (NEW) - Speak Up! — Advocacy tips - BOTOX — Treatment for CP - HBOT — Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy - Equipment Funding Package - Early Intervention for Cerebral Palsy - CSIL Program Information - Welcome Kit — CPABC services - Putting the Puzzle Together — a tool

for parents and educators-$30.00 - Living with CP — Resource manual for

persons living with CP -$10.00 Members with expertise are available

for public speaking engagements. Call the office for more details

We’re on the web: www.bccerebralpalsy.com

Name:

Address:

City: Postal Code:

Email Address: Phone No: