Resources

Resource TypeStepsWeb Site / Contact NumberDetails
Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation to view the Blank form fo Applying for PWD
www.eia.gov.bc.ca/forms/pdf/HR2883.pdf• See the Blank form for Applying for PWD. This will have "SAMPLE" written across it but this will give you an idea of what you will be asked.
• Put down the most extreme answer in each case.
• You will have to go to a Ministry office to ask for the Official PWD Application Form ...get 2... one for you ... one for the Doctor (or more in case of mistakes!).
• Fill out one of the forms (a practice copy) so the Doctor can "Borrow" the information that you can attest to being true about your child, in case your Doctor doesn't know him/her well enough ..... this will make the Doctor's job easier .... and faster for you! YOU know your child BEST! This will help with the Doctor expediting the process!
• Get your Doctor and or Psychologist to write something similar to this: "This person has a disability that will prevent him from functioning in a 'typical world' and such is a "Permanent Impairment".
Find Support BCwww.findsupportbc.com

Phone: (604) 540-8374 ext. 523

Toll Free: 1-800-441-5403

Email:
[email protected]
A searchable database of disability related supports services and community based activities that connects families of persons with disabilities with resources available to them.

A great website
Government of Canada to get a copy of the Disability Tax Credit Certificate Form/Applicationwww.cra-arc.gc.ca• When you get to the site, select your language of choice, English or French.
• Once inside the site, click in the "Search Box" and type T2201. This will take you to a page where you can select this form. You can print it off.
• You may want to have at least 2 copies, one for you and one for your Doctor.
• This form is for Federal Application for the disability credit and for the caretaking credit.
• Once you apply for this, the CRA will go back a set number of years and you may be entitled to tax a tax refund. Your accountant can tell you how many years the CRA will go back, or you can call the CRA directly.
• The caretaking credit travels with the person who has the disability. It is based on where they live.
• You need this designation to apply for the Federally funded RDSP - Registered Disability Savings Plan Program.
DoctorNetwork with friends, families, co-workers. Call the College of BC Physicians and Surgeons. www.cpsbc.ca
• If you do not have a family doctor who knows your adult child, you need to find a doctor who understands Disabilities and the Application process.
• Call organizations such as Square Peg Society; ACT; PLAN; CLBC - to see if they can recommend someone.
Accountantwww.cga-bc.org
www.ica.bc.ca
• Try and find an accountant that understands the process of applying for the Federal Disability Tax Credit.
• The T2201 form is filled out and sent in with your tax return once, unless the government asks for a review of your application.
RDSP (Registered Disability Savings Plan
Registered Disability Savings Plan
See Government of Canada website
http://www.esdc.gc.ca/eng/disability/savings/grants_bonds.shtml?_ga=1.129225487.2055460099.1423172962
• A savings plan for retirement that the Federal government set up for people with diagnosed disabilities.
• The Canada Disability Savings Grant is a matching Grant the Government will deposit into your RDSP to help you save. The Government provides matching grants of up to 300 percent, depending on the amount contributed and the beneficiary's family income. The maximum Grant is $3,500 each year, with a limit of $70,000 over your lifetime. Grants are paid into the RDSP until the end of the calendar year in which you turn 49 years of age.
• Grant Eligibility
• Grant Apply – eg. Bank of Montreal; Van City
• Grant amount
• Grant Example
PLAN
Planned Lifetime Advocacy Nework
www.plan.ca

Telephone: 604.439.9566
• PLAN was established in 1989 by families who wanted an answer to the question ”What will happen to our sons and daughters with disabilities when we are gone?”
• In order to answer that question, we work with our members to give their loved one with a disability a network of caring relationships, a sound financial plan, opportunities for contributions, supported decisions making options and a place to call home.
• Great organization, but costs money. I understand that there may be some grants available, that can be applied for.
• Your adult child must have a diagnosis, and must have applied for an RDSP.
NIDUS Personal Planning Resource and Registrywww.nidus.ca
• Personal planning involves making arrangements, in case you need help managing your affairs during your lifetime due to an illness, injury, or disability. Personal planning differs from estate planning, which is about making arrangements for after your death.
• Personal planning covers all areas of your life: health care, personal care, legal affairs and financial affairs.
• You may come across the term ‘Advance Care Planning.’ This term is used by the Ministry of Health and the Health Authorities. It emphasizes planning and discussion about the health care aspect of personal planning.
• Personal planning does not replace informal help provided by your friends and family. Instead, personal planning formalizes this support and gives the people you choose the legal authority necessary to help you. The best time to do personal planning is before a crisis occurs.
ACT Autisim Community Training
www.actcommunity.ca

Telephone:
604-205-5467
1-866-939-5188
(toll-free)
• ACT – Autism Community Training is an information and referral service that supports individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families across British Columbia. We also welcome calls from community professionals.
• If you need help finding resources relevant to your situation please call to speak with an ACT Information Officer for individualized support
CLBC
Community Living BC
www.communitylivingbc.ca

Telephone:
604-664-0101
Toll Free:
1-877-660-2522
Email: [email protected]
• Community Living BC (CLBC) is a provincial crown agency, mandated under the Community Living Authority Act, that funds supports and services through service agencies for adults with developmental disabilities and their families in British Columbia. CLBC is working to create communities where people with developmental disabilities have more choices about how they live, work and contribute.
• CLBC introduced the Personalized Supports Initiative (PSI) to provide services and supports which are separate from the CLBC services for individuals with developmental disabilities, and focuses on adults who have both significant limitations in adaptive functioning and either a diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
• May be able to help you get a diagnosis, if you do not have one yet, or, will assist in directing you to the professionals that can test and provide diagnosis.
Portal ConsultingCindy Lee

Telephone:
604-329-2753
• Provides individual and/or family consulting for whatever is needed by the client, such as, creating life plans; making connections; supported employment; social groups activities and organization connections.
• Consultants have had many years experience working with transitioning youth from high school, onto the next steps in their life.
• Consultants have worked with all types of disabilities and understands autism and the autistic spectrum disorder.
• Web Site is coming
• Fee based.
posAbilitieswww.posabilities.ca

Telephone:
604-299-4001
Email:
[email protected]
• posAbilities provides a broad range of services to persons with developmental disabilities and their families. Our team of about 600 employees includes community and residential support workers, community connectors, employment specialists, behaviour consultants, other professionals and a network of shared living contractors. We currently serve more than 1,200 children and adults in Metro Vancouver and other parts of BC.
o We offer four primary service areas:
• Community inclusion – day support
• Employment – competitive, community-based work and work experience in our social enterprise
• Home living – support to live independently, to share your life with a caregiver, or to join roommates in a staffed home
• Behaviour consultation, training and support
• Has useful links, under the resource tab.
CBI Consultants
(Communication, Behaviour, Instruction)
www.cbiconsultants.com

Telephone:
604-320-1960
Toll Free:
1-877-320-1960
• Our mission is to improve the quality of life of people throughout the world. We believe that all citizens have the right to be included in their neighbourhood schools and communities, have rich social lives, live in homes of their choosing and have access to fulfilling work for real pay.
• To achieve our vision and deliver the highest quality support, we are committed to:
• Person centered planning
• Activity and lifestyle changes
• Collaborative teaming practices
• Games theory and win-win negotiation strategies
• Support across the lifespan in multiple life domains
• Recreation leisure
• Social inclusion
• Personal management
• Community access
• Employment
• Education
• Positive support strategies
• Systematic instruction
• Positive Behavioural Support
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication Strategies
• Social inclusion and peer mediated learning
Family Support Institute of BChttp://www.familysupportbc.com/

Phone: (604) 540-8374 ext. 523

Toll Free: 1-800-441-5403

Email:
[email protected]
• The Family Support Institute (FSI) is a provincial non-profit charitable society registered in 1985.
• FSI supports approximately 10,000 families who have a family member with a disability each year. This support stems mainly from our large volunteer network of Resource Parents (RP’s) who offer to support other families faced with similar circumstances.
• Currently, FSI maintains a RP Network of over 200 volunteers who support families across the province by:
- sharing experiences and expertise
- connecting families with each other
- guiding families to supports/services and community supports in their regions
- facilitating training and educational sessions
- attending meetings and/or taking notes for families
- developing relationships so families know they are not alone
- FSI’s supports and services are free to any family.

FSI is unique in Canada and is the only grass roots, parent to parent support organization with a broad volunteer base.

FSI is not an advocacy organization.

FSI believes that families are the experts, and ultimately the strongest voice, when it comes to their children.

FSI supports all families, with children of all ages and all disabilities including mental health challenges.

FSI celebrates diversity!
Applying for PWD - Persons with Disability Designation - necessary for application to any government supports, and provides monthly income
www.disabilityalliancebc.org/docs/hs2.pdf
• Look for HELP SHEET 2 on the website - it will break down abilities and skills to help you define your son/daughter/grandchild's capabilities/disabilities.
• Make notes on what level of support your child needs or if they can do it all.
*One Doctor used the phrase "Permanent Impairment/Disability" as a descriptive.
• For example: If a person requires a PROMPT of any kind (as simple as reminding them to take a shower many times a day, till they take one), then you can write down they need full support.
• Anything that affects their ability to perform their activities of daily living is a need.
• What you may consider an exaggeration, may in fact, when looked at realistically, be reality for your adult child.
Open Door Group
www.opendoorgroup.org

Telephone:
604-872-0770
Toll Free:
1-866-377-3670
• Open Door Group is a non-profit organization that operates on the fundamental belief that all British Columbians have the ability to succeed. We provide employment and leisure programs and focus on building strong partnerships within BC communities.
• Open Door Group and its business champions are recognized leaders in securing employment for unemployed persons in BC. No fees for employers or participants.
• Open Door Group provides employment services in eight locations, including Vancouver, Kamloops, the Sunshine Coast, South Okanagan, and Lillooet. We deliver employment services to over 20,000 individuals per year across the province and are partnered with over 20 organizations to deliver these services.
• In addition to Open Door Group's employment-focused services, we provide specialized skills training and job readiness programs for individuals living with disabilities and/or mental illness in both Vancouver and Kamloops
• We believe in the power of strong, collaborative partnerships within the communities we serve. This includes connecting with clients, families, the business community, other service providers, and all levels of government. In addition to our regular programs, some of our collaborative initiatives include: the BC Employer Diversity Forum, a progressive network of businesses that promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace, the BC Workplace Diversity and Inclusion Awards, the annual Open Door Group International Disability Film Festival, and several other local and regional initiatives that support inclusive communities
• JobOptions BC - An employment and skills training program that can help unemployed British Columbians, who are not EI eligible, to gain the skills, confidence and experience they need to find employment, or move on to further training.
• Four to six weeks of classroom-based activities, including self-assessment, life skills and basic skills upgrading, including computer training, resume writing, short-term certificate training and job search skills. Groups usually include 10 to 12 participants.
• Four to six weeks of further skills training and/or work experience in either an employer, community-based or volunteer work experience. These work experiences can give you updated skills and a recent reference to help you in your search for paid employment.
• Follow-up support if you need additional help to find and maintain employment.
• No Fees or Charges.
WorkBCwww.workbc.ca
Telephone:
250-952-6914
Toll Free:
1-877-952-6914
Email: [email protected]
OnLine Chat:
Mon – Fri
8:30am – 4:30pm
• WorkBC is the provincial government's access point to the world of work in British Columbia. It was created with one key goal – to help all British Columbians to successfully navigate B.C.’s labour market.
• WorkBC helps people find jobs, explore career options and improve their skills. We also help employers fill jobs, find the right talent and grow their businesses.
• In addition to a wealth of practical information, WorkBC offers:
• the most comprehensive database of B.C. job postings
• career tools that bring occupations to life
• a blog featuring trends, job-search tips, employment programs and more
• an interactive map of WorkBC Employment Services Centres across the province
• live chat for instant help with using the website and finding information
VCC (Vancouver Community College)
www.vcc.ca

Telephone:
604-871-7000
Toll Free:
1-866-565-7820
• Career Awareness (Adult Special Education)
• This is a program for students with cognitive disabilities. VCC provides a supportive environment for students to explore employment options, increase their level of job readiness, gain practical experience in community work settings, and set work-related goals.
• Full time course – 9 months in length – starts in September – held at the downtown campus.
• Fees and charges.
Douglas Collegehttp://www.douglascollege.ca/programs-courses/faculties/child-family-community-studies/adult-special-education

Telephone:
604-527-5591
Toll Free:
Douglas College offers Adult Special Education (ASE) programs to people with disabilities or barriers to education and employment. Programs help students identify career paths, develop work skills, or move on to additional education or employment.

Graduates of our programs have obtained employment in a wide range of fields including: retail and wholesale, distribution and warehousing, assembly, food services, customer service, hospitality and tourism.
Career Preparation
These three programs help students explore what type of work they may do in the future:
• Career and Employment Preparation (CAEP)
• Consumer and Job Preparation (CJP)
• Transitions Program
Skills Training
These four program options train students in skills specific to one of the following areas:
• Basic Occupational Education (BOE)
• Customer Service and Cashier Training (CSCT)
• Light Warehouse Training
• 604-527-JOBS (5627)
Fees and charges.
Kwantlen Polytechnic UniversityContact: [email protected]
or Bryn Poirier
by calling
604-599-3095
• Work Exploration Program
• The Work Exploration program combines job-oriented classroom instruction with a work experience component. Work Exploration focuses on pre-employment and community access skills.
• Work Exploration is a 10 month full-time program with the possibility of extension if the student has nearly completed graduation requirements.
• Students pay an application fee to Kwantlen, plus a moderate tuition fee. In some cases, various government ministries may pay a portion of these costs.
• Work Exploration programs are offered on the Langley, Richmond and Surrey campuses.
• The Entrance Requirements:
• Adult (18 or older) by the start date of the program
• Have a disability
• Have completed at least one independent work experience
• Have demonstrated ability to work independently (unsupervised) for shifts of 4 or more hours at least 3 times per week
• Travel independently
Vancouver Parents Transition Grouphttps://vptg.wordpress.com/

Phone:
Liz 604-733-6252
Yuko 604-222-2258

Email: [email protected]
• The Vancouver Parents Transition Group is an education and support group for parents of youth with disabilities who are transitioning to adulthood. The group meets once per month and features guest speakers who provide information and support to families.

• Enter your email address to subscribe to their blog and receive notifications of new posts by email

• Great speakers, with relevant topics and information, with an opportunity to meet and mix with other parents in similar circumstances.
Square Peg Societywww.facebook.com/squarepegsociety
Contact: [email protected]
Or
[email protected]
We are engaged in common cause for the following objectives:
o To educate ourselves and others
o To provide life skills assistance not otherwise available to atypical, high-functioning adults.
• To lobby government, non-governmental agencies and the business community for age and skills-appropriate programs.
• Parents for independence and inclusion for Atypical and Aspergers adults
• Monthly meetings – speakers and discussion.
MLABritish ColumbiaDr. Terry Lake, Minister of Health www.terrylakemla.bc.ca; Tel Kamloops: 1-250-554-5413, Tel Victoria: 1-250-953-3547; email: [email protected]
MLA (Critic)British ColumbiaTBA – To be Announced. For Assistance you can call the main NDP caucus phone number – 1-250-387-3655. The office hours are Monday – Friday, 9am – 4pm
MPCanadaRona Ambrose, Minister of Health (Conservative) www.ronaambrose.com; Tel Edmonton AB: 1-780-495-7705, Tel Ottawa: 1-613-996-9778; email: [email protected]
MP (Critic)CanadaLibby Davies, Critic for Health (NDP) www.libbydavies.ca; Tel Vancouver: 604-775-5800, Tel Ottawa: 1-615-992-6030; email: [email protected]

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