Disability

Personnes handicapées

Updated February 23, 2008
Page révisée le 23 février 2008

---

[ Go to Canadian Social Research Links Home Page ]

Federal Government / National Links

Guide to Government of Canada Services for People with Disabilities (part of PWD Online)
Lists more than 60 federal government resources for people with disabilities, their families and caregivers, including information on employment, accessibility and education, health, income support and tax benefits.

-----------------------------------

From the Human Resources and Social Development Canada website:

Persons with Disabilities
- incl. links to the following :
* Financial Benefits
o CPP Disability Benefits
o Federal Worker's Compensation
o International Benefits
o Survivor Benefits
* Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities
* The Office for Disability Issues (ODI)
* Social Development and Support Initiatives
* Child Disability Benefit (from the Canada Revenue Agency)

Canada Celebrates International Day of Disabled Persons
News Release
December 4, 2006
"(...) In honour of the International Day of Disabled Persons, Minister Finley released the fourth Federal Disability Report, Advancing the Inclusion of People with Disabilities (2006) today. The report provides an overview of the activities, results and expenditures of more than 50 federal programs and initiatives that support the needs of Canadians with disabilities."

Complete report:

Advancing the Inclusion of People with Disabilities (2006)
HTML version
PDF version (1.2MB, 109 pages)
Text version
Advancing the Inclusion of People with Disabilities 2006 is the Government of Canada’s fourth comprehensive report on disability in Canada.
"The 2006 federal disability report provides information on over 50 federal programs and initiatives, their level of expenditure, the key findings of any available internal or external evaluations or audits, and any research studies or client surveys of which these programs and initiatives were the subject matter. All these programs and initiatives reflect the Government of Canada’s commitment to address disability issues and reduce the effects of the socio-economic and physical environments."
The report's chapters: Human Rights and Culture * Accessibility and Disability Supports * Learning, Skills and Employment * Income, Income Support and Tax Measures * Health and Well-Being

Earlier reports - links to over a dozen reports, programs and other resources
Other disability publications --- links to 20+ reports going right back to the 1981 Obstacles report

Source:
Office for Disability Issues (HRSDC)

Good news budget? (federal budget 2007)
March 17, 2007
Helen Henderson
There could be some good news in Monday's federal budget for people with disabilities and their families. Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is expected to announce a registered disability savings plan that would help parents set aside money to provide a future for their children. Last year, Flaherty set up a panel of experts to look into the matter. If he follows their recommendations, the plan would work very much like a registered education savings plan and be available to people who qualify for the current disability tax credit.
Source:
The Toronto Star

-----------------------------------

Canada’s New Government Introduces Draft Legislative
Proposals to Implement the Registered Disability Savings Plan
October 2, 2007
The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, and the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today released draft legislative proposals to implement the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) announced in Budget 2007.
(...)
RDSPs are being introduced in response to the recommendations of the Minister of Finance’s Expert Panel on Financial Security for Children with Severe Disabilities, which tabled its report in December 2006.
(...)
Under the new measure, individuals who qualify for the disability tax credit, or their parents or other legal guardian, will be able to establish an RDSP. RDSPs will be eligible to receive payments of the new Canada Disability Savings Grants (CDSGs) and, for low- and modest-income beneficiaries, Canada Disability Savings Bonds (CDSBs).
(...)
Interested parties are invited to provide comments in writing on the draft legislative proposals. Comments can be sent jointly to the Tax Policy Branch, Department of Finance and the Office of Disability Issues, Human Resources and Social Development Canada at 140 O’Connor Street, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0G5 on or before October 23, 2007. Following this consultation period, the Government intends to introduce legislation, including regulations under the Canada Disability Savings Act, to implement the program as quickly as possible.

Related Document:

Legislative Proposals, Explanatory Notes and
Overview Relating to Registered Disability Savings Plans

Source:
Department of Finance Canada

-----------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From the Department of Finance Canada:

Canada's New Government Receives Recommendations
on Savings Measures to Help Children With Severe Disabilities
News Release
December 12, 2006
"(..) Government must better enable parents to set aside funds today to financially support a child with a severe disability, when they are no longer able to provide support."

Complete report:

A New Beginning -
The Report of the Minister of Finance's Expert Panel on Financial Security for Children with Severe Disabilities
December 2006
HTML version
PDF version (325K, 82 pages)
Table of Contents:
Acknowledgements * Introduction * The Mandate of the Panel * The Composition of the Panel * The Constitutional Constraints * The Fiscal Policy Framework * Plan Concepts * Plan Definitions and Details * Federal-Provincial Issues * Costing the Plan * Future Directions * Recommendations * Appendices (incl. the July 31/06 news release announcing the appointment of a "Panel to Help Children with Severe Disabilities" and the Terms of Reference for the Panel)

Related Link:

Report recommends tax break for parents of disabled children
December 13, 2006
Parents of severely disabled children should be able to set aside up to $200,000 tax free for their care, in the same manner that parents can now create savings plans for the higher education of their children, a panel set up by the federal Finance Minister to investigate the issue has concluded. In a report presented yesterday to Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, the group also calls on Ottawa to provide parents of children with severe disabilities with cash grants of at least $1,000 annually over 20 years, and to double those payments to low-income families.
Source:
The Globe and Mail

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Government of Canada supports employment for Persons with Disabilities in the Halifax Regional Municipality
News Release
October 13, 2005

Related Link:
Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities

Source:
Social Development Canada

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Minister of Finance Releases Draft Legislative Proposals Implementing Remaining Budget 2005 Income Tax Measures
August 15, 2005
"Minister of Finance Ralph Goodale today released a package of draft amendments to the Income Tax Act to implement measures originally proposed in Budget 2005.
These measures include:
* Introducing a new tax credit for adoption expenses such as adoption agency and legal fees.
* Improving the disability tax credit and making it more widely available.
* Further changes to improve the tax treatment of persons with disabilities and those who care for them, for example, by doubling the amount of disability-related and medical expenses that can be claimed by a caregiver, and expanding the list of expenses eligible for the medical expense tax credit and the disability supports deduction.
* Helping agricultural cooperative corporations through a new tax deferral in respect of certain patronage dividends."

Related Documents:
* Legislative Proposals Relating to Certain Income Tax Measures Announced in Budget 2005
* Explanatory Notes to Legislative Proposals Relating to Certain Income Tax Measures Announced in Budget 2005

Source:
Department of Finance Canada

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Advancing the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities 2005
"...the Government of Canada’s third comprehensive report on disability in Canada."
December 2005

Executive Summary
HTML version
PDF version (458K, 6 pages)
Text version

Main Report
HTML version
PDF version (2.5MB, 99 pages)
Text Version

Earlier reports - this link to the home page of the website of Social Development Canada's Office for Disability Issues includes links to over a dozen reports, programs and other resources
Other disability publications --- links to 20+ reports going right back to the 1981 Obstacles report

Source:
Office for Disability Issues
[Social Development Canada - now Human Resources and Social Development Canada]

From the Canada Revenue Agency:

People with disabilities
"...easy access to publications and forms dealing with tax credits, benefits, and services for people with disabilities"
Disability Amount - Fact Sheet
July 2003

Information Concerning People with Disabilities
Includes links to : Expanded criteria for the disability tax credit - Information concerning people with disabilities [read this one first] - Medical expense and disability tax credits and attendant care expense deduction - Forms (Disability tax credit certificate, Attendant care expenses, Application for refund of federal excise tax on gasoline)
Source : Canada Revenue Agency

Child Disability Benefit Comes Into Effect July 2003
July 17, 2003
"The Canada Customs and Revenue Agency announced today the implementation of the new Child Disability Benefit (CDB) for children who have a severe and prolonged impairment. The first payment of the CDB supplement will be issued with the March 2004 Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) payment and will include a retroactive amount from July 2003 to March 2004 inclusively."

Child Disability Benefit - Fact Sheet
July 18, 2003

Disability supports in Canada, 2001
"This article is the second in a series of releases of data from the 2001 Participation and Activity Limitation Survey (PALS). This article presents data on the various support measures for adults (persons aged 15 and over) with disabilities. The themes included in this document are specialized equipment, help needed for everyday activities, dwelling modifications, local and long distance transportation, and tax credits.(...) The survey was conducted between September 2001 and January 2002, from a sample of 35,000 adults and 8,000 children with disabilities."
- incl. links to detailed statistical tables
Source:
Statistics Canada

Related Links, also from StatCan:

December 3, 2007
Participation and Activity Limitation Survey, 2006
More than 4.4 million Canadians—one out of every seven in the population—reported having a disability in 2006, an increase of more than three-quarters of a million people in five years, according to a new report.
Source:
Statistics Canada

September 12, 2006
Study: Disability and well-being, 1991
Canadians born with a disability are likely to be happier than individuals who experienced a disability later in life, according to a new study that explores the determinants of subjective well-being among people with disabilities. The study found that well-being, measured as self-reported levels of happiness, is independent of the type of physical disability. However, people with mental disabilities have lower levels of well-being than those with physical disabilities. Also, people with more severe disabilities are less happy than those with less severe disabilities. Overall, about 21% of people with disabilities reported being "very happy", 65% "pretty happy", and the remaining 14% "not too happy".
NOTE:
The study "Impact of the timing, type and severity of disability on the subjective well-being of individuals with disabilities," was published in Social Science & Medicine, Vol. 63(2).
A one-paragraph abstract is available, in English only, online (www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/02779536). The complete report costs $30 (order from the abstract page).

Related links from StatCan:

Participation and Activity Limitation Survey (PALS)
Survey of Canadian adults and children whose day-to-day activities may be limited because of a condition or health problem. The survey covers themes such as activity limitations, help with everyday activities, education, employment status, social participation and economic characteristics.

Survey years available at this site:
2001

See also:
Health and Activity Limitation Survey - older studies in 1991 and 1986

A Profile of Disability in Canada, 2001 (PDF file - 159K, 24 pages)
December 2002
A joint initiative of the Housing, Family and Social Statistics Division of Statistics Canada and the Applied Research Branch of Human Resources Development Canada
- findings on the prevalence, type and severity of disabilities by age and sex
A Profile of Disability in Canada, 2001 (HTML Version)

Participation and Activity Limitation Survey (PALS): Children with disabilities, 2001
July 29, 2003
"An estimated 155,000 Canadian children between five and 14 years old, or 4% of all children of this age group, had some form of activity limitation in 2001, and many of their parents reported that they weren't getting the help they needed to deal with their child's condition, according to the PALS data released today."
Highlights
Children with disabilities and their families - complete report
HTML version --- use the buttons on the left sidebar of that page to navigate through the report
PDF version - 387K, 20 pages
"This article is the third in a series of data releases from the 2001 Participation and Activity Limitation Survey (PALS). This survey provides the most up-to-date and detailed information on children with disabilities in Canada, including information on the impact of their condition or health problem on the family."
Source : The Daily [Statistics Canada]

Benefits and Services for Persons with Disabilities (from the Social Union Website)
"In June 1996, persons with disabilities were identified as a priority area of joint social policy reform at the First Ministers' meeting. The Working Group on Benefits and Services for Persons with Disabilities was subsequently established with four primary areas of focus: reform of Vocational Rehabilitation for Disabled Persons, harmonization of benefits and services, development of a vision/framework for reform, and analytical research."
- includes a description of what governments have been doing in each of the four areas, plus links to relevant reports

News Releases and Papers - scroll down this page to access news releases and a collection of papers back to 1998 on the subject of benefits and services for persons with disabilities
Some recent reports:
Advancing the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities - A Government of Canada Report - December 2002
Employability Assistance for Persons with Disabilities - National Report 1999-2000, 200-2001 - May 2002
In Unison 2000: Persons with Disabilities in Canada - March 2001
In Unison: A Canadian Approach to Disability Issues (1998)

House of Commons Standing Committee on
Human Resources, Skills Development, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA)
(formerly the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons With Disabilities)
[NOTE: you have to click "Next" in the top-right or bottom-left corner of each page to read the reports below]

Government of Canada Response to "Accessibility for All":
Eighth Report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills Development, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities
- October 2005
HTML version
PDF version - 217 kb, 32 pages
Table of Contents:
1. Overview
2. Background
3. Summary of recommendations
4. Synopsis of Government response
5. Leadership and instruments: the foundations of accessibility
6. Access to services
7. Access to programs
8. Government as a model of accessibility
9. The way forward
10. Steadfast commitment
11. Detailed responses to the recommendations
12. Conclusion
13. Appendix 1: List of Recommendations from Accessibility for All

Source:
Social Development Canada

Related Links:

Accessibility for All:
Report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills Development,
Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities
Raymonde Folco, M.P., Chair
Subcommittee on the Status of Persons with Disabilities
Ken Boshcoff, M.P., Chair
June 2005
Table of Contents:
1. Follow-up on Recommendations by the Technical Advisory Committee on Tax Measures for Persons with Disabilities
2. Accessibility of Federal Buildings
3. Accessibility of Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits
4. Accessibility of Modes of Transportation Under Federal Jurisdiction
5. Accessibility of Jobs in the Federal Public Service
6. Accessibility to the Parliamentary Precinct
Conclusion
List of Recommendations
App. A - List of Witnesses
Request for Government Response
Dissenting Opinion - Bloc Québécois
Minutes of Proceedings

More HUMA Reports and Responses

Source:
House of Commons Standing Committee on
Human Resources, Skills Development, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA)

Government of Canada Response to
"Listening to Canadians: A First View of the Future of the Canada Pension Plan Disability Program"
The Fifth Report of the Standing Committee on Human Resource Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities
November 2003
Complete report (HTML)

Listening to Canadians: A First View of the Future of the Canada Pension Plan (Disability) Program
Tabled in the House June 12, 2003
Report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities
Subcommittee on the Status of Persons with Disabilities
June 2003

The Government of Canada's Response to the
First Report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the
Status of Persons With Disabilities
Posted May 9, 2003
"On December 11, 2002, the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities tabled the report entitled Tax Fairness for Persons With Disabilities. In the report the standing committee makes seven recommendations dealing with policy and administrative issues concerning the disability tax credit (DTC)."
- includes a review of 2003 federal Budget measures for persons with disabilities and responses to each of the Committee's recommendations
Source:
Department of Finance Canada

Tax Fairness for Persons with Disabilities - review of the Disability Tax Credit (DTC)
- Tabled in the House December 11, 2002
NOTE: you have to click "Next" in the top-right or bottom-left corner of each page to read this report

The Government of Canada's Response to the Seventh Report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons With Disabilities
- Getting it Right for Canadians: The Disability Tax Credit
Posted September 19, 2002
PDF version (146K, 23 pages)
Source:
Department of Finance Canada

Getting it Right for Canadians: The Disability Tax Credit
Seventh Report of the Sub-Committee on the Status of Persons with Disabilities
(Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities)
March 2002

A Common Vision: Interim Report
Tabled in the House June 12, 2001

Government Response to A Common Vision (PDF file - 133K, 43 pages)
November 2001 (PDF file date)

CPP Disability Program Subcommittee on the Status of Persons with Disabilities of the
Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities

Website of the Sub-Committee on the Status of Persons with Disabilities
June 12, 2002
"The Sub-Committee on the Status of Persons with Disabilities, as part of its study of the CPP Disability program, has launched a new web site. The site includes a broad range of information on the issue the Sub-Committee is studying, the members and role of the Sub-Committee, and the testimony and briefs presented to the Sub-Committee. You can check out previous reports prepared by the Sub-Committee, and how the Government responded to them. There is also a mechanism to allow you to contact the Sub-Committee, subscribe to Our News List and e-mail your friends to tell them about the site."
Source : Parliamentary Internet

General Information
- incl. 60+ links to studies on CPP and related income security programs by research institutes, government studies on CPP and related income security programs, information about the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP), and facts and figures.

The Sub-Committee on the Status of Persons with Disabilities Begins Its Consultation
with Canadians Today on the Canada Pension Plan Disability Program
January 3, 2003
"The Sub-Committee will be consulting with Canadians from December 3, 2002 to February 3, 2003. There are three ways that you can get involved: by taking our issue poll, through sharing your story, and by presenting your solutions. Please take the time to carefully review the instructions for each of the consultations tools before you begin. This will ensure that your contribution is maximized.
- Our Issue Poll : Work through and answer questions on some of the major issues facing the CPP Disability program.
- Share Your Story : Share your experiences with the CPP Disability program.
- Present Your Solution : There are many challenges facing the CPP Disability program. We are looking for your solutions to those challenges."

Current Disability Issues in Canada: a Background Paper
"This background paper provides an overview of how disability issues fit into the Canadian system of government. In addition it provides a brief overview of the demographic and social characteristics of Canadians with disabilities, disability programs and the overall policy framework for governments. This analysis was prepared by the Parliamentary Research Branch as background material for use by Members of the Sub-Committee on the Status of Persons with Disabilities."

Government of Canada Response to Reflecting Interdependence: Disability, Parliament, Government and the Community
November 1999

Reflecting Interdependence: Disability, Parliament, Government and the Community
Sixth Report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources and the Status of Persons with Disabilities
June 1999 Future Directions (June 1999)

Assistive Technology Links - updated link
"Led by Industry Canada, this site will assist persons with disabilities and employers to find information on assistive technologies, accommodation issues and accessible information."
- incl. links to tools to help people who buy electronic or information technology or other services for their organization to ensure "universal accessibility" of products and services.
- also includes links to federal and provincial government accessibility websites (+ nine related international sites)

Workplace Accommodation Toolkit - excellent collection of information on how to accommodate the workplace for a person with a disability. Covers a number of areas, including : General Office Accommodations - Hardware - Media and Content - Software - Telecommunication Products - Training - Web sites / Web Applications.

Source: Industry Canada

Related site:
Starling Access Services - "Access a World of Possibility"

1996 Federal Task Force on Disability Issues
EQUAL CITIZENSHIP FOR CANADIANS WITH DISABILITIES: THE WILL TO ACT
Final report of the Federal Task Force on Disability Issues - October 1996 (Govt. of Canada)
- this link takes you to the press release - scroll down the page to the report table of contents

Related NGO Link :

Disability Task Force - from the website of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities

Improving Social Security in Canada
Persons With Disabilities: A Supplementary Paper
1994
(178K, 87 pages)
This isn't really new, but I've just recently added it to this site. It was one of the supplementary papers released in 1994-95 during the ill-fated Social Security Review.

Related Link:

Canada Assistance Plan / Canada Health and Social Transfer Resources Page (a Canadian Social Research links page)
- Click on "1994 Social Security Review" in the blue text box near the top of that page for links to the complete text of the Social Security Review discussion paper ["Improving Social Security in Canada"] and supplementary papers on the Canada Assistance Plan, guaranteed annual income and income security for children (in addition to the above link).

Non-Governmental Organizations
(in alphabetical order)

Ability Online
"A computer network designed to enhance the lives of children and youth with disabilities or illness by providing an online community of friendship and support."
Graphic version of this site
Text version of this site
En ligne directe (French version of this site)
"Ability OnLine is a free internet community where children/youth with disabilities/illness and their parents can meet others like them, make friends from all over the world, share their hopes and fears, find role-models and mentors, and feel like they belong. Ability OnLine began in 1991 and has grown from a small Bulletin Board Service (BBS) to a web based network with members from around the world."
- Ability Online recently recorded the three millionth visit to its website (in 10 yrs.)...
About Us - read why Ability Online was created and how it's evolved since then.

ARCH Disability Law Centre (Toronto)
[formerly known as ARCH (Advocacy Resource Centre for the Handicapped): a Legal Resource Centre for Persons with Disabilities]
ARCH is a specialty legal aid clinic funded by Legal Aid Ontario that is dedicated to defending and advancing the equality-rights of persons with disabilities.
- incl. links to : About ARCH * Direct Service * Litigation * Law Reform * Public Legal Education * Library * Contact Us * Database * Links * Publications * FAQ * ARCH Alert * Site Map

The Disability Supports Deduction: A Big Small Step
Caledon Commentary
By Sherrie Torjman
March 2004
"This commentary analyzes the impact of the new disability supports deduction announced in the 2004 federal Budget. Persons with disabilities who are attending school or working will benefit through greater awareness, lower income taxes and higher disposable incomes. They may even become eligible for some benefits for which they had not previously qualified. Additional disability-related and other social policy measures are assessed in Caledon’s forthcoming response to the 2004 Budget."
Complete report (PDF file - 38K, 4 pages)

Related Link:

Federal Budget: Budget Plan - Persons With Disabilities
(from the DAWN-Ontario website)

-----------------------------------------------------------

The Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefit
February 2002
"This report presents a policy history of the Canada Pension Plan disability benefit. It discusses the strengths and unique features of this national program, trends in caseload and cost, key issues related to the disability benefit, appeals procedures and options for reform."
Complete Text (PDF file - 150K, 62 pages)

-----------------------------------------------------------

First Ministers' Last Priority (Abstract)
Sherri Torjman
September 2000
Complete report (PDF file, 2 pages, 21K)
- Commentary concerning the recent First Ministers' Meeting, government services for people with disabilities and the In Unison report

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Canada's Community Inclusion Initiative
Changing communities for people with an intellectual disability and their families. Creating Communities for ALL

HIV and Poverty in Canada
"This website contains tools, resources and information about HIV and Income in Canada. It’s hosted by the Canadian AIDS Society (CAS), and promotes information that can help individuals AND fight community poverty. Visit our News section for more information on conferences, campaigns and reports from other organizations. Check out our Resources section for tools and reports published by the Canadian AIDS Society."
- incl links to : Home * About CAS * Resources * News * Links * Thank You * Contact Us

Selected Featured News and Resources:

Tools for Activists: Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project (CHAMP) posts advocacy training materials more...

The Online Compendium of Provincial Income Support Programs - What provincial benefits are you entitled to?

The Canadian AIDS Society Guide to Income Advocacy

Why Canada Needs More Research on HIV and Poverty

HIV and Poverty Information Sheets

Source:
Canadian Aids Society

Canada WorkinfoNET (CanWIN)
- WorkinfoNET is a network of equal partners in all provinces and territories working together to develop an information network for all Canadians to connect to work and learning opportunities.

Canadian Association for Community Living
"The Canadian Association for Community Living is a Canada-wide association of family members and others working for the benefit of persons of all ages who have an intellectual disability."

Links to provincial and territorial Canadian Associations for Community Living

------------------------------------------

Community Living Ontario - Building Inclusive Communities
"Community Living Ontario advocates for, promotes and facilitates the full participation, inclusion and citizenship of people who have an intellectual disability. (...) Community Living Ontario is a province-wide federation, rooted in a strong network of individuals who have an intellectual disability, families, friends, member organizations and community partners. It will be guided by, adhere to and strive to achieve its Goal and Vision in all its actions."
- incl. links to information in the following areas : Todays News - Advocacy - Community Participation - Education - Employment - Family Support - Government - Human Rights - Self-Planning - Letters and Opinions - Search this site - News Archives. Also includes an extensive Directory and a Calendar of Events

Canadian Association of Independent Living Centres (CAILC)
"Founded in 1986 by the Independent Living movement, the Canadian Association of Independent Living Centres is the national umbrella organizations, representing and coordinating the network of Independent Living Resource Centres at the national level. CAILC is a national, bi-lingual, non-profit organization, and is governed by a Board of Directors which is comprised of a majority of people with disabilities."
- incl. links to : What is Independent Living? - What is CAILC? - Who is CAILC? - Announcements - IL Services and Development - National Projects - Research and Independent Living Activities - Publications - Independent Living Library - Independent Living Resource Centres - Social and Disability Policy - Website Links - CAILC Awards - Contact Information
[ graphic site ]

Social and Disability Policy
- incl. links to resources in the following areas : Disability Policy Frameworks - Disability Supports - Housing - Income Support - Employment/ Training - Transportation - Home Care/ Support

CAILC Links - incl. links to: Government - Educational Institutions - International Disability Organizations - National Disability Organizations - Policy Research Organizations - Disability On-Line Resources

International Day of Disabled Persons: World Premiere and Live Webcast
World Premiere and live Webcast: Bearing Witness: Luke Melchior
December 3, 2003 - International Day of Disabled Persons
"In recognition of the United Nations International Day of Disabled Persons, the National Film Board of Canada and the Canadian Association of Independent Living Centres will present a special live web cast screening and discussion of the film "Bearing Witness: Luke Melchior. The Honourable Jane Stewart, Minister of Human Resources Development Canada and Lead Minister on Disability issues will speak on behalf of the Federal Government of Canada."

Canadian Association of Professionals with Disabilities
"The Canadian Association of Professionals with Disabilities is a federally incorporated non-profit dedicated to the inclusion, job retention, and advancement of current and future professionals with disabilities. Our non-profit is solely and permanently committed to meeting the complex and emerging concerns of professionals with disabilities. We are a cross-disabilities based organisation and are controlled by professionals with disabilities for professionals with disabilities."

Canadian Council on Social Development

Disability Information Sheet #20
June 2005
"In this Information Sheet, we examine the medication and health care patterns of children with disabilities."
PDF version - 221K, 8 pages
HTML version

Disability Information Sheet #19
May 2005
Canadian Council on Social Development
"In this Information Sheet, we examine the combination of both hearing and seeing disabilities, and combined disabilities for agility/mobility and pain. We also provide basic employment rates by disability types (including combinations)."
PDF version (201K, 8 pages)
HTML version

Source:
Disability Research at the CCSD
NOTE: Click the link above for links to the complete collection of information sheets, covering a wide range of disability-related issues.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers responsible for Social Services
Release of "Supports and Services for Adults and Children with Disabilities in Canada: An Analysis of Needs and Gaps"
News Release
December 3, 2004

Complete report:

Supports and Services for Adults and Children Aged 5 – 14 with Disabilities in Canada:
An Analysis of Data on Needs and Gaps
Commissioned by Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers Responsible for Social Services*
December 3, 2004
By Gail Fawcett, Coryse Ciceri, Spyridoula Tsoukalas, and Angela Gibson-Kierstead
PDF Version (512K, 89 pages)
HTML version
Table of Contents:
Part One: Supports And Services For Adults With Disabilities In Canada: An Analysis Of Needs And Gaps
- Aids And Devices - Help With Daily Activities - School Supports - Housing Features - Work Supports - Profile Of Unmet Need - Conclusion
Part Two: Disability Supports In Canada For Children With Disabilities Aged 5-14: Needs And Gaps
- Aids And Devices - School Supports - Home Supports - Gaps

Source:
Canadian Council on Social Development

Related Link:

Benefits and Services for Persons with Disabilities
[ Social Union website ]
*NOTE: the Social Union website is where you'll find more links to information by and about the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers responsible for Social Services.

There's room at the top for workers with disabilities:
Research shows union membership and gender are key factors
Communiqué
May 25, 2004

CCSD research staff were responsible for the development of Chapter 5 (Young Children with Disabilities in Canada) of the Government of Canada's report The
Well-Being of Canada's Young Children.

Boomers Beware: People with Disabilities Falling Between the Cracks
Press Release
May 20, 2003
"Too many Canadians with disabilities are failing to get the medication or medical attention they need according to Gail Fawcett, Senior Research Associate at the Canadian Council on Social Development (CCSD). This situation is particularly worrisome at a time when the demographic bulge of the baby boomers is heading into age groups which are at higher risk for disabilities."

Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB)
"The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) is a national voluntary agency providing services to individuals across Canada to whom loss of vision is a central problem in personal and social adjustments. The CNIB also acts as a consultant and resource agency to the helping professions, government departments and private industry.

Landmark report shines spotlight on unmet needs of
Canadians who are blind or living with vision loss
News Release
November 2, 2005
"According to a hard-hitting new report released today, scores of highly educated and qualified blind and visually impaired Canadians are living in poverty because they cannot find work. The report also shows that although the number of seniors living with permanent vision loss is skyrocketing, access to transportation and low vision aids is limited. Alarmingly, it confirms that many of the barriers faced 30 years ago still exist today."

Message from Jim Sanders (President and CEO of the CNIB)
Word file (49K, 2 pages)
PDF file (29K, 2 pages)

Executive Summary (Word file - 86K, 21 pages)

Complete Report:

An Unequal Playing Field: Report on the Needs of People
Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired Living in Canada
- Word file (838K, 189 pages)
- PDF file (1.04MB, 189 pages)

Source:
Canadian National Institute for the Blind

CanChild
"CanChild is a centre for childhood disability research that seeks to maximize the life quality of children and youth with disabilities and their families. CanChild is comprised of a multi-disciplinary team working in the field of childhood disability. The aims of this research centre are to:
• take a leadership role in identifying emerging issues for research, practice, policy and education
• conduct high-quality research
• effectively transfer knowledge into practice at clinical and health system levels
• provide education for consumers, service providers, policy makers and students"
- incl. links to: What's New - Our Research - Online Publications - List of Articles & Books - Measures & Multimedia - Browse by Theme - External Links - Order Form - Contact Us
Source:
McMaster University Faculty of Health Sciences

Citizens With Disabilities - Ontario
"Citizens With Disabilities-Ontario (CWD-O) is dedicated to the full participation of all persons in the social, economic and political life of their communities. It actively supports and promotes the rights, freedoms and responsibilities of individuals to determine their own destinies. Key areas of activities are community development, social action, social development, referral, and member services. Its primary activity is to advocate on behalf of persons with disabilities and promote their personal participation in changing social and physical barriers that allow for full participation in the mainstream of society."
CWD-O will adopt the policies, activities and goals of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD).

Council of Canadians with Disabilities

Support the Court Challenges Program (CCP)!
September 28, 2006
Below you will find links to a letter to the Prime Minister and several background documents regarding the Court Challenges Program. A Steering Committee representative of both language rights and equality rights communities has prepared these materials and is asking that you do the following:

Inform the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) by noon of Monday, October 2, if you or your organization are willing to be listed as either a supporting organization or individual on this letter, or both.
(See http://dawn.thot.net/ccp/ for contact info)

Sign on to the Letter to the Prime Minister in Support of the Court Challenges Program
http://dawn.thot.net/ccp/ccp1.html

The Court Challenges Program: An Important Access to Justice Institution
http://dawn.thot.net/ccp/ccp2.html

The Court Challenges Program: An Effective and Accountable Institution
http://dawn.thot.net/ccp/ccp3.html

The History of the Court Challenges Program
http://dawn.thot.net/ccp/ccp4.html

Source:
Council of Canadians with Disabilities
DisAbled Women's Network - DAWN Ontario

DAWN DisAbled Women's Network Canada
"DAWN Canada is a national organization controlled by and comprised of women with disabilities. We are from all backgrounds and all disabilities. We are a feminist organization working to achieve control over our lives and end the stereotype that labels us dependent burdens on society."
- incl. links to : Our National Network - Our Mission Statement - Our History - Profiles of Women - Special Initiatives - DAWNing Groups - Related Links - Guestbook - DAWN Canada's Email Discussion

DAWN DisAbled Women's Network - Ontario
"DisAbled Women's Network (DAWN) Ontario is a cross-disability, feminist organization working towards access, equity, and full participation of Women with disAbilities through public education, coalition-building, self-advocacy, resource development, and information & communication technology."
- incl. links to : Text version - What's New - Resources - Publications - Justice Issues - Health Issues - Inclusion Award - Access Checklist - Online Community - Research Posts - Who We Are - What We Do - Our Vision - Herstory - Fact Sheet - Action Alert - Membership - Join E-List - Guestbook - Feedback - Contact Us - Credits
Links - Links to hundreds of websites about women and disability - excellent resource!

Sample reports from DAWN-Ontario:

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) Alliance Update
Major Tide of Opposition Rises in Opposition to McGuinty Government's Plans to Weaken the Ontario Human Rights Commission -- but McGuinty Government Has Not Answered Our Important Questions, and Signals it is Not Listening to Us
March 24, 2006

Related Links:

DAWN Ontario's Open Letter to Premier McGuinty
Re: Proposed Reforms to the Ontario Human Rights Code
March 19, 2006
"We, DAWN Ontario: the Disabled Women's Network Ontario, are writing to voice our strong opposition to your Government's plans to weaken the Ontario Human Rights Code, announced on February 20, 2006." [see the link below to the Feb. 20 govt. announcement].

Human Rights Reform Action Kit (DAWN-Ontario)
Help Prevent the Gov't from Weakening
Enforcement of the Ontario Human Rights Code
"On Feb. 20, 2006, the Ontario Gov't said it will introduce a law (likely late March or April) to change enforcement of the Ontario Human Rights Code. That system needs reform. It's too slow, frustrating, and hard for many to use. Yet, the Government's proposal will make things worse, not better. It will create new barriers that make it harder for people to get their human rights respected."

From the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General

Ontario Government to Modernize Human Rights System:
Better Serving The Public The Aim Of Proposed Changes
February 20, 2006
News Release
"A stronger, faster, more effective human rights system that better serves the public is the aim of changes being proposed by the McGuinty government, Attorney General Michael Bryant announced today."

Disabilities Online (non-governmental site)
Canadian directory of hundreds of links (many U.S. and international) in over two dozen categories, from accessible design to travel and transportation.

Disability Rights Promotion International (York University - Toronto)
"Disability Rights Promotion International (DRPI) is a collaborative project to establish an international monitoring system to address disability discrimination worldwide.Monitoring the human rights situation of people with disabilities will:
* promote greater awareness of disability discrimination
* inform advocacy for equal rights
* encourage development of inclusive laws and policies."

- incl. links to : Text Only version - Human Rights and Disability - The UN Human Rights System - Contact Us - About DRPI - Why Use a Human Rights Perspective? -
Why Monitor the Human Rights Situation of People with Disabilities? - History of DRPI - Five Areas for Monitoring - DRPI Phase I: Background Research
DRPI Phase II: Implementation

PHASE I REPORT: Opportunities, Methodologies, and Training Resources for Disability Rights Monitoring (PDF file - 1.4MB, 86 pages)
November 2003
"The report:
* describes the United Nations international human rights treaties and opportunities for the promotion and protection of the human rights of people with disabilities
* reviews various methods for collecting human rights data and ensuring thorough monitoring activities
* lists human rights training resources for various audiences and describes them in relation to their usefulness in the disability context

EnableLink - Canadian site
"Linking people with disabilities to a world of resources"
This site was overhauled and relaunched back in April of 2002, but I hadn't taken the time for a thorough visit until now. Excellent job! Wow - what a TON of content!
- incl. announcements, classified ads, events, links to Canadian and international resources on a wide variety of disability-related topics, directories, links to articles, organizations, advocacy and support groups, services and products, accessible transportation, the Community Information Access Project, Women with Disabilities Violence Prevention Resource Guide, Abilities Magazine and much more...
TIP: When you click on any topic in the sidebar on the left of the home page, that topic expands to offer you links to articles, message boards, organizations, chat lines, Canadian and international resources, etc. --- or you can just go to the EnableLink Site Map to see the whole collection of links on one page.
Source : Canadian Abilities Foundation (CAF)

An Open Letter From Friends of the Canadian Abilities Foundation
December 21, 2006
Dear Colleagues,
The Canadian Abilities Foundation is a national treasure that, since 1986, has been a key communication resource to all Canadians, and in particular, those with disabilities. Abilities Magazine, the outstanding publication produced by the Canadian Abilities Foundation is the glue that holds the "disability" sector together. They are in danger of disappearing. This urgent matter has just come to our attention. Due to unprecedented financial circumstances, the Canadian Abilities Foundation and its projects, including Abilities Magazine are endangered. [more...]

Source:
SNOW - "Special Needs Ontario Window --- the Education component of the University of Toronto's Adaptive Technology Resource Centre"

Esmerel's Disability Resources
Esmerel's Collection of Canadian Disability Sites

www.handicaps.ca - [French only]
"un site Web conçu pour les personnes francophones vivant avec une déficience en Ontario"

"La vision des créateurs du site se définit comme suit :
- Créer un outil efficace et facile d’accès pour informer, regrouper et communiquer
- Favoriser la mise en commun de l’information et de l’expertise
- Faciliter la création de liens dans le Secteur des Besoins spéciaux
- Augmenter la visibilité des agences qui offrent des services aux personnes handicapées de l’Ontario
Le site offre un accès facile à l’information grâce à un répertoire de liens-ressources sur les programmes et services dans les domaines de l’accessibilité, l’éducation, l’impôt, les droits, le logement, l’emploi, la santé tandis que la bibliographie thématique présente une liste de sites classés par thèmes."

Learning Disabilities Resource Community (LDRC) - Canadian!
"The Learning Disabilities Resource Community has been developed to provide knowledge-building and communication tools for individuals and groups involved in the education of those with learning disabilities and to support research and development in associated fields. Our goal is to create a repository archiving Canada's knowledge of learning disabilities, and bring together all those across the country who are affected directly or indirectly by learning disabilities.

LDRC partners include: The University of Toronto's Adaptive Technology Resource Centre - The Learning Disabilities Association of Canada - The Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario - The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education - The Hospital for Sick Children's Learning Disabilities Research Program - The Office of Learning Technology - Community Learning Networks Initiative."
Excellent new resource, includes some great tools for information-sharing:
* A Chat that allows you to chat in real time with other members of the community who are also currently online.
* A Board to promote communication between all members of the LD community: linking researchers across Canada; linking experts to parents and teachers.
* A Who's On tool from which members can view profiles, page members currently online, or send private messages to another member.
* An Events Calendar where members can post, review, search and personalize a list of community events related to learning disabilities.
* A searchable Directory of LD-related organizations across Canada.
* A large collection of LD-related Web sites.
* A site Stats page (Stats Archives)

National Centre for Child Care Inclusion

Children with special needs: The need for child care
by SpeciaLink: The National Centre for Child Care Inclusion
What are the principles of inclusion? Why should child care be inclusive? What does research say about the benefits of inclusion? These questions are answered in a fact sheet from SpeciaLink.
April 2005

National Children’s Alliance (NCA)

Proceedings of the First National Roundtable on Children with Disabilities (December 2002)

Source:
First National Roundtable on Children with Disabilities
December 9 and 10, 2002 - Ottawa
The National Children’s Alliance held a national roundtable on December 9th and 10th, 2002 on the topic of Children with Disabilities.
The objective of this participatory event was to link research to practice and to policy using the lens of children with disabilities and their families.
Full agenda (PDF file - 31K, 5 pages)

Related Link:

Children with Disabilities and Their Families in Canada (PDF file - 118K, 33 pages)
A discussion paper commissioned by the NCA for the First National Roundtable on Children with Disabilities
Louise Hanvey
November 2002

National Institute of Disability Management and Research

International Forum on Disability Management
Vancouver, Canada May 27-29, 2002

Related Links:

Code of practice on managing disability in the workplace - (PDF file - 172K, 31 pages)
International Labour Organization
Tripartite Meeting of Experts on the Management of Disability at the Workplace
Geneva, October 2001

ILO Code seeks to improve job prospects for the disabled
Press Release
Friday 30 November 2001
Source : International Labour Organization

Ontario Association of Children's Rehabilitation Services (OACRS)
"The Ontario Association of Children's Rehabilitation Services (OACRS) promotes a province-wide, co-ordinated, community-based service system for children and youth with special needs and their families, and supports its member centres to achieve responsive, family-centred care.
OACRS, the Ontario Association of Children's Rehabilitation Services, is a non-profit independent organization representing, with a collective voice, the 19 children's treatment centres in Ontario.

Family Net
[version française : Entraide-Familles ]
The Family Net web site is committed to providing information and support to those families in Ontario who have a child or children with any kind of special need. Join us here, to find answers to your questions, share stories of your triumphs and to gain support from others who have 'walked a mile in your shoes'. Join us to improve your advocacy skills - individually and as a collective of families. Let's help each other."
- incl. links to : Today's News - About Family Net - Contact Family Net - Education - Parent to Parent - Community Resources - Our Sponsors - Letters and Opinions - News Archives - Rate Our Website - Send a news tip - Ask Lindsay Moir - How to use this site - Search this site - Search for resources - Disability Links - Ministry Links - Advocacy Information - About OACRS

Parenting with a Disability Network - ... a Resource and Support Network (Toronto-based)
"The Parenting with a Disability Network (PDN) is a peer support and information-sharing network for parents and prospective parents with a disability. The aim of PDN is to develop consumer friendly approaches to parenting with a disability by providing opportunities for networking, peer support, information-sharing and education."

Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN) - British Columbia
"PLAN is a registered non-profit charity created by and for families who have a relative with a disability.
We have two main functions:
1. To assist families plan a good life for their relative with a disability both now and in the future.
2. To ensure a safe and secure future by fulfilling the wishes of parents, after they die, or are otherwise unable to. We do this by supporting, monitoring and advocating for their son/daughter for the rest of their lives."
- incl. links to : About PLAN -Publications - Media Articles - Member Services - Forum - Our Vision & Our Beliefs - What We Do - Who We Are - Future Planning - Personal Networks - PLAN for Younger Families - Workshops - Join PLAN - Site Policy Statement - more...

Securing a Good Life for Our Family Members with Disabilities: A Proposal for Federal Reforms (PDF file - 179K, 7 pages)
August 22, 2003
- includes a number of proposals to help families plan for the time when they can no longer take care and provide financial assistance for their relative with a disability
- proposals include a new Registered Disability Savings Plan and Disability Expense Tax Deduction, improvement of the RRSP/RRIF rollover provisions, and better harmonization between Old Age Security with provincial disability pensions.

PLAN Affiliates
- contact and (where available) website URL for organizations in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec as well as Seattle (Washington) that are affiliated with PLAN.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next link below is to the PLAN affiliate in Ottawa.
I had the pleasure of speaking with a gentleman and his son who are part of the LNO during