Disability

Rick Hansen speaks Thursday (July 27, 2023) at the BC SPCA Richmond Animal Shelter after the provincial government announced $5 million in funding for the Rick Hansen Foundation BC Accessibility Grants Program. Eight communities had already received grants, and now two Indigenous communiities and five additional municipalities will also be selected. (Lauren Collins)

Rick Hansen Foundation gets $5M boost from B.C.

2 Indigenous communities, 5 more municipalities will be selected to improve accessibility

 

Disability Without Poverty created bleakmarket.com, a landing page filled with listings meant to “evoke the dark web” to show how some Canadians have had to resort to selling essential items to make ends meet. (bleakmarket.com)

Canadians living with disabilities forced to sell essential items just to survive: Advocacy group

Website highlights lack of awareness, calls on government to pass Canada Disability Benefit Act

 

Jonathan Neufeld (right) and the mobility scooter he donated to Wayne Pavich on March 31, 2023 after finding out Pavich’s scooter was stolen from a shed at his home. (Paul Henderson/ Chilliwack Progress)

VIDEO: Chilliwack man donates mobility scooter to senior who had his stolen

Chilliwack Progress story last week prompted 2 offers to help Wayne Pavich

 

Mechanical engineering professor Nick Dechev talks about a prosthetic limb made from using a 3D-printer and polylactic acid for amputees and kids in Canada and the US part of the Victoria Hand Project in the engineering lab wing at the University of Victoria in Victoria, B.C., on Tuesday, December 3, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Victoria group lends a helping hand to Ukraine, setting up prosthetic clinics

Victoria Hand Project provides low-cost, fully functioning 3D-printed prosthetic arms

Mechanical engineering professor Nick Dechev talks about a prosthetic limb made from using a 3D-printer and polylactic acid for amputees and kids in Canada and the US part of the Victoria Hand Project in the engineering lab wing at the University of Victoria in Victoria, B.C., on Tuesday, December 3, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
FILE - Judy Heumann, center, is applauded during her swearing-in as U.S. Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Service by Judge Gail Bereola, left, in Berkeley, Calif., on Tuesday, June 29, 1993. Standing at left is Berkeley Mayor Loni Hancock with sign language interpreter Joseph Quinn, and Julie Weissman, right, in attendance with a large audience. Heumann, a renowned disability rights activist who helped secure legislation protecting the rights of disabled people, has died at age 75. The news of her passing on Saturday, March 4, 2023, in Washington, was shared on her website and social media accounts. (AP Photo/Susan Ragan, File)

Judy Heumann, disability rights activist, dies at age 75

Heumann contracted polio at age 2 and lost her ability to walk. She devoted her life to advocacy.

FILE - Judy Heumann, center, is applauded during her swearing-in as U.S. Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Service by Judge Gail Bereola, left, in Berkeley, Calif., on Tuesday, June 29, 1993. Standing at left is Berkeley Mayor Loni Hancock with sign language interpreter Joseph Quinn, and Julie Weissman, right, in attendance with a large audience. Heumann, a renowned disability rights activist who helped secure legislation protecting the rights of disabled people, has died at age 75. The news of her passing on Saturday, March 4, 2023, in Washington, was shared on her website and social media accounts. (AP Photo/Susan Ragan, File)
Pictured alongside her father Dave Essery and Bobbi Neal with West Shore Parks and Recreation, Marnie Essery has been chair of the Intermunicipal Advisory Committee on Disability Issues for nearly 30 years. The committee has been advocating on behalf of all residents, regardless of ability, within the West Shore and Greater Victoria regions since 1989. (Courtesy of Marnie Essery)

‘Nothing about us, without us’: West Shore accessibility committee breaks down barriers

The Intermunicipal Advisory Committee on Disability Issues has been ahead of the curve

Pictured alongside her father Dave Essery and Bobbi Neal with West Shore Parks and Recreation, Marnie Essery has been chair of the Intermunicipal Advisory Committee on Disability Issues for nearly 30 years. The committee has been advocating on behalf of all residents, regardless of ability, within the West Shore and Greater Victoria regions since 1989. (Courtesy of Marnie Essery)
Carla Qualtrough, minister of employment, workforce development and disability inclusion, speaks during the second reading of the Canada Disability Benefit Act in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

New disability benefit would make ‘major difference’ in many Canadians’ lives

The Canada Disability Benefit Act is awaiting Senate approval

  • Feb 7, 2023
Carla Qualtrough, minister of employment, workforce development and disability inclusion, speaks during the second reading of the Canada Disability Benefit Act in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Hannah Steven, RVYC sailing staff, and her companion sailor, a DSA client, cruise in Cadboro Bay aboard Freedom a Martin 16 sailboat. (Courtesy Disabled Sailing Association Victoria)

Oak Bay yacht club rescues swamped Victoria adaptive sailing program

Victoria Disabled Sailing Association sees successful summer programming

Hannah Steven, RVYC sailing staff, and her companion sailor, a DSA client, cruise in Cadboro Bay aboard Freedom a Martin 16 sailboat. (Courtesy Disabled Sailing Association Victoria)
Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion Minister Carla Qualtrough smiles as she speaks to media after tabling a bill in the House of Commons Thursday, June 2, 2022 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Bill to create Canada Disability Benefit reintroduced but with few details

Canada Disability Benefit is to be modelled after the Guaranteed Income Supplement

Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion Minister Carla Qualtrough smiles as she speaks to media after tabling a bill in the House of Commons Thursday, June 2, 2022 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
A report by the B.C. ombudsperson says the province kept federal money for almost three years that should have been passed along to the caregiving grandparents of a disabled girl. (Pixabay photo)

‘Disturbing’ case highlights inequity in disability benefit: B.C. ombudsperson

B.C. acted unjustly, delaying thousands of dollars in federal payments to disabled girl’s caregivers

A report by the B.C. ombudsperson says the province kept federal money for almost three years that should have been passed along to the caregiving grandparents of a disabled girl. (Pixabay photo)
A Vancouver Police Department patch is seen on an officer’s uniform in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on Saturday, January 9, 2021. The department is searching for witnesses in a March 31 assault on a visually-impaired man. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Visually-impaired 69-year-old punched in Vancouver crosswalk

Police seeking witnesses in unprovoked March 31 assault

A Vancouver Police Department patch is seen on an officer’s uniform in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on Saturday, January 9, 2021. The department is searching for witnesses in a March 31 assault on a visually-impaired man. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Victoria resident Melissa Sephton, who has cerebral palsy, is pictured in her Cook Street home on March 17. Sephton has saved up $14,000 towards a new van vital for her lifestyle, and along with her caregivers is asking the community for help fundraising more. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Victoria woman with cerebral palsy loses vital van; replacement sought

‘Melly loves to see the world,’ fundraiser note says; $14,000 saved from disability cheques

Victoria resident Melissa Sephton, who has cerebral palsy, is pictured in her Cook Street home on March 17. Sephton has saved up $14,000 towards a new van vital for her lifestyle, and along with her caregivers is asking the community for help fundraising more. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
Since May 2020, CanAssist has helped over 90 people with learning, cognitive, physical or other forms of disability find employment. (Pixabay)

UVic’s CanAssist programs offer timely employment boost for people with disabilities

Labour force entry barriers range from lack of small accommodations to outright discrimination

Since May 2020, CanAssist has helped over 90 people with learning, cognitive, physical or other forms of disability find employment. (Pixabay)
Those with mobility challenges continue to encounter utility poles on sidewalks in Saanich, like this one on an often-busy Cedar Hill Road near Mount Douglas Cross Road near two large trees. Mobility advocates say the district needs to do more work to address such safety issues in its road and sidewalk planning. (Photo courtesy of Dean Murdock)

Saanich disability advocate calls for more inclusive sidewalk, roadway designs

Utility poles on sidewalks one area of improvement needed to help those with mobility challenges

Those with mobility challenges continue to encounter utility poles on sidewalks in Saanich, like this one on an often-busy Cedar Hill Road near Mount Douglas Cross Road near two large trees. Mobility advocates say the district needs to do more work to address such safety issues in its road and sidewalk planning. (Photo courtesy of Dean Murdock)
Lifetime Networks of Victoria executive director Wendy-Sue Andrew (left) celebrates fellow staffer Melissa MacDonald, winner of Community Living BC’s Widening Our World award, in a modest ceremony Dec. 8. (Photo courtesy of Caitlyn Sassaman/Community Living BC)

Victoria woman awarded for uplifting vulnerable communities during pandemic

Dozens have received support from Melissa MacDonald and her Lifetime Networks Victoria team

Lifetime Networks of Victoria executive director Wendy-Sue Andrew (left) celebrates fellow staffer Melissa MacDonald, winner of Community Living BC’s Widening Our World award, in a modest ceremony Dec. 8. (Photo courtesy of Caitlyn Sassaman/Community Living BC)
Real estate agent Brian Cyr opens an elevator to the basement of what has been called the gold standard of homes for people with disabilities in St. Albert, Alta., on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

‘About freedom’: A look inside an Alberta home adapted for physical disabilities

‘This is something I’ve never seen before in my 15-year career’

Real estate agent Brian Cyr opens an elevator to the basement of what has been called the gold standard of homes for people with disabilities in St. Albert, Alta., on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
B.C. minister of children and family development Mitzi Dean announced the new system on Wednesday, Oct. 27. (Arnold Lim/Black Press)

Advocates raise concerns as B.C. moves to new support model for children with disabilities

Individualized funding for autism to be phased out by 2025 and replaced with community service hubs

B.C. minister of children and family development Mitzi Dean announced the new system on Wednesday, Oct. 27. (Arnold Lim/Black Press)
Rachel Levy (left) and their partner Eva Hocking in their Saanich-area apartment. (Photo courtesy of Eva Hocking)

Saanich couple’s wheelchair fundraiser passes $10,000 in 24 hours

Rachel Levy says a motorized wheelchair would help them regain their independence

Rachel Levy (left) and their partner Eva Hocking in their Saanich-area apartment. (Photo courtesy of Eva Hocking)
A Beacon with the logo of the CNIB is pictured on a wall in the group’s hub in Toronto’s Yonge and St.Clair neighbourhood, Friday, July 14, 2017. The CNIB says the federal government’s new ArriveCAN app is inaccessible to some Canadians. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Advocate says ArriveCAN app technology is not accessible for blind Canadians

Travellers to Canada must use the ArriveCAN app or online portal to submit vaccine and test information

A Beacon with the logo of the CNIB is pictured on a wall in the group’s hub in Toronto’s Yonge and St.Clair neighbourhood, Friday, July 14, 2017. The CNIB says the federal government’s new ArriveCAN app is inaccessible to some Canadians. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Another 16 Micro Bird G5 handyDART buses are being added to Victoria’s fleet this week. The models are equipped with rear lifts to help riders with mobility aids on and off the bus. (Courtesy of B.C. Transit)

New handyDART buses in service around Greater Victoria

Among new model’s features are rear lifts to help passengers with mobility aids get in and out

Another 16 Micro Bird G5 handyDART buses are being added to Victoria’s fleet this week. The models are equipped with rear lifts to help riders with mobility aids on and off the bus. (Courtesy of B.C. Transit)