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Disability and Poverty: Addressing the economics of Social Justice through the implementation of the Canadian Disability Benefit

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Imagine yourself in the shoes of a person living with a disability; as you navigate the barriers to accessibility and inclusivity in the community, you are also struggling with the rising costs of living for day-to-day items, lack of accessible and affordable housing, and inadequate support services. But that’s not all—there are extra costs associated with managing your disability including non-covered healthcare services, assistive devices, and personal supports. Now imagine trying to manage all those expenses on a yearly income of $12,250, the typical income for a Canadian with a disability.

This is the reality for over one million Canadians with disabilities. In Canada, where we pride ourselves on our drive for a more socially just society, it is disheartening to see a significant portion of our fellow citizens struggling to make ends meet. According to a report put out by Statistics Canada in 2021, 16.5% of people with disabilities lived in poverty. This compares to 8.6% of people without disabilities who lived in poverty.

The Canadian Disability Benefit (CDB) is a crucial step towards elevating people with disabilities out of poverty in Canada. It will provide much-needed financial assistance tailored to their unique needs and challenges and will significantly improve their quality of life. However, this has not been a priority for the Federal government since 2020, and Canadians with disabilities can no longer afford to wait. We need the CDB to be budgeted for and implemented now, in 2024.

ABLE2 joins The Daily Bread Food Bank and over 40 other organizations in the Fund the Benefit campaign, to urge the Government of Canada to include funding for the CDB in their 2024 budget. Budgeting for and implementing the CDB this year is about staying true to our commitment to a more socially just society. It’s about providing people with disabilities the opportunity to improve their quality of life, and to be treated with dignity and respect.

Today, as we celebrate the World Day of Social Justice, I urge you to act now. Rally your communities, write your MP, tell them to include the CDB in the 2024 budget. Our fellow citizens with disabilities should not live another year in poverty. Everyone deserves the ability to live a fulfilling life and be seen as able, important, and valued.

Sources:

Disability without Poverty. “2023 Disability Poverty Report Card.” 02 June 2022.

Statistics Canada. “Housing Experiences in Canada: Persons with Disabilities.” 10 June 2022.

CBC News. “Financial Support to Keep People with Disabilities Housed Falls Short of What’s Needed: Advocates.” 23 July 2023.

Published by

Heather Lacey

Experienced Non-Profit Executive Director

Read Heather’s other articles here

ABLE2’s 50 Years of Community Service: A Story of Impact

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Over the last 50 years we have seen an evolution in our attitudes and actions in the areas of inclusivity, equality, and accessibility, from the enactment of key pieces of legislation to the development of assistive devices and technology, ABLE2: Support for People with Disabilities (formerly Citizen Advocacy Ottawa) has been present through it all.

ABLE2’s story began in the mid 1970s, as Citizen Advocacy of Ottawa Carleton (CAOC). CAOC a non-profit, charitable organization began with a program that matched individuals with disabilities (called Friends) to volunteers (called Allies). The Allies would spend time with their Friends participating in activities within the community and advocating for supports and services that would help their Friends to lead the lives they desired. The Matching Program as it is called today would often result in the development of long-term friendships beneficial to both the Friend and Ally.

Over the years, ABLE2 added more programs, in response to the changing needs of individuals with disabilities and with the addition of these programs came a need for a new name. In 2020, CAOC became ABLE2. This change was not merely sematic; it represented the organization’s changing vision and mission, better represented the range of programs that we offered and the individuals that we serve.

Today, ABLE2 provides not only the matching program but programs that assist individuals with disabilities to build support networks, plan for and build a good life, and manage their individualized funds. We provide support for children, youth and adults impacted by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and through our recent amalgamation with Reach Canada, ABLE2 can now offer a legal referral service to support individuals with disabilities who face issues accessing the justice system.

As ABLE2 celebrates its 50th year of service to the community, there is so much to be proud of, the relationships which have been facilitated, the lives we have impacted, the programs we have built, the partnerships we have made and the part we have played and continue to play in championing the rights of individuals with disabilities.

ABLE2’s story is one of community service and impact, underscored by our vision of an inclusive community where all people are seen as able, important, and valued, but our story does not end here.

The next 50 years promises to be even more impactful and exciting and ABLE2 is committed to being part of all of it.

In closing, I would like to thank all the donors, volunteers and supporters who believe in our vision and who are part of our story. Most importantly, I want to thank the individuals with disabilities and their families for allowing ABLE2 to serve you for the past fifty years and helping us to make a positive impact in the community.

Published by

Heather Lacey

Experienced Non-Profit Executive Director

Read Heather’s other articles here

Human Rights Day: A Time for Reflection

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Last November 30, Senator Chantal Petitclerc invited ABLE2 representatives as guests to the Senate of Canada Chambers, where she delivered her statement for International Day of Persons with Disabilities. As a champion of human rights and for building a more inclusive society, Senator Petitclerc recognized ABLE2’s work in providing programs and services that empower people with disabilities to assert their rights and participate fully in the community.  

You can watch/listen to Senator’s Petitclerc’s statement here: https://youtu.be/R8ChBkqOiHQ?si=z3vVGbCrz_DVJ9Je 

Human Rights Day is an important occasion to reflect on the intersection of disability and human rights. People with disabilities face a range of challenges in accessing their rights, including discrimination, poverty, and social exclusion. In order to address these challenges, there is an urgent need for legal services that are tailored to the needs of people with disabilities, so that they can challenge discrimination and have an ally in advocating for their rights.  

According to a study by Statistics Canada in 2014, people with disabilities are more likely to live in poverty than people without disabilities. Due to additional barriers like accessing education, employment, and healthcare, people with disabilities have limited opportunities, which can impact their ability to fully participate in the community. Having access to legal services, people with disabilities and their families will have the resources and support they need to overcome these barriers and achieve their goals.   

(Source: Statistics Canada https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/75-006-x/2017001/article/54854-eng.htm) 

Earlier this year, Reach Canada merged with ABLE2 and as a result we have increased our impact on people with disabilities in our community. This merger has helped to further our mission to continue working with partners to provide the tools, choices and connections that empower people with disabilities to build lives of meaning and joy, including fostering access to justice. The Reach Legal Referral Program connects people with disabilities to a network of over 200 volunteer lawyers, mediators, and paralegals in the Ottawa region who provide up to three hours of free, confidential, and personal legal advice. This program helps people with disabilities with a variety of legal issues, such as discrimination, employment, housing, family, education, health, and more.  

Last year alone, the program’s lawyer referrals drastically increased by 45%, revealing the urgent and growing need for legal services tailored to the needs of people with disabilities.  

The impact of providing access to legal services can be seen in Olga’s story, one of the beneficiaries of the Reach Legal Referral Program at ABLE2.  

“…when I started having difficulties walking due to severe pain (I have spine stenosis) I went to the HR contact and inquired the number of handicap parking spaces available, as by the time I started work, the spaces closer to the building I worked, were already taken…  

After hearing my situation and the challenges I was going through, Reach connected me with a lawyer, issued me a certificate and I met with a lawyer free of charge.  

 What I value most about my relationship with Reach, is that they indeed care for individuals like me, they listen and act accordingly, after this, I went back a second time for another issue and again, I was helped.  

 Thank you so much for your assistance and the great work you do helping people with disabilities, at times, I personal feel like having a disability it’s like a stigma, I have a handicap parking permit and I have been approached more than once by individuals questioning my disability, we have gone a long way but there’s still a lot to be done to resolve the many challenges people with disabilities face.. God bless you all involved in this organization, you and all the lawyers helping us are a blessing,” – Olga Medin, Reach Program Beneficiary 

ABLE2’s work is an integral part of creating a more inclusive and equitable society. In providing legal referral services, we can support people with disabilities in achieving their goals and realizing their dreams, whether that means gaining independence, creating a social network, obtaining an education, or securing employment. With the help of our committed partners, generous donors, dedicated volunteers & supporters, we will continue to strive for a world where everyone can thrive and reach their full potential.  

To learn more about ABLE2’s Reach Legal Referral Services, and other programs, visit our website at https://www.able2.org/ 

Published by

Heather Lacey

Experienced Non-Profit Executive Director

Read Heather’s other articles here

Building a More Accessible and Inclusive Community

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I appreciated this article from Senator Chantal Petitclerc, a tireless advocate for the contributions people with disabilities have made to our society. She plays a definitive role in building a more inclusive society and inspires people to overcome their obstacles and achieve their full potential.

https://sencanada.ca/en/sencaplus/opinion/we-all-have-a-role-in-creating-an-accessible-canada-senator-petitclerc/?utm_source=senate-enewsletter&utm_campaign=Issue-86&cmp=1&utm_medium=email

With Bill C-22, the Canada Disability Benefit Act, receiving Royal Assent in June there is much to do to alleviate the poverty conditions for people with disabilities. The Canada Disability Benefit Act creates a new supplemental income for people living with a disability, which seeks to support financial security for a community that is twice as likely to live in poverty.

The new Canada Disability Benefit has not been implemented yet. Cabinet must agree on a date when this legislation “comes into force” and then the regulatory process will begin. It is this process that will determine important elements of the Canada Disability Benefit, such as eligibility, the application process, appeals process, and the amount of the benefit. Importantly, the federal government has committed to co-designing this program with the disability community and has pledged to do so in the legislation. This legislation will make a difference for people with disabilities in their day-to-day lives, and move us closer to a more accessible and inclusive community.

Published by

Heather Lacey

Experienced Non-Profit Executive Director

Read Heather’s other articles here

Celebrating National AccessAbility Week

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Last week we celebrated National AccessAbility Week. On Wednesday May 31, 2023, I joined the City of Ottawa 20th annual AccessAbility Day activities with Mayor Sutcliffe delivering the Proclamation of AccessAbility Day in Ottawa followed by a variety of engaging speakers who shared their perspectives on the topic.

On Thursday June 01, 2023, myself and the team at ABLE2 had the honor of meeting with Stephanie Cadieux, Canada’s Chief Accessibility Officer. Ms. Cadieux is an independent special advisor to the Ministry of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion. Her role, the first in Canada, was created under the Accessible Canada Act. She is responsible for monitoring and reporting on outcomes achieved under the Act, as well as providing the Minister of Employment and Social Development, The Honourable Carla Qualtrough with advice on systemic and emerging accessibility and disability inclusion issues.

The Accessible Canada Act (ACA) is a landmark federal legislation in Canada aimed at creating a barrier-free society by 2040. Ratified in 2010, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) served as a commitment by the Government of Canada to advance the rights of individuals with disabilities. The legislation established Accessibility Standards Canada (ASC) to develop national accessibility standards. ASC has established several technical committees that are actively developing standards that remove barriers in several different priority areas. Compliance with standards developed by ASC is voluntary unless they are adopted into regulations.

2040 is not that far away to fulfil Canada’s commitment to ensure that all Canadians, including the over 6 million individuals with disabilities, have equal opportunities to fully participate in society.

ABLE2’s work is part of the solution. Our belief in a society where everyone is included, valued and respected is at the heart of what we do. Our programs and services are designed to support people with disabilities achieve what they want in their life. That can be gaining their independence, creating a social network, obtaining an education or landing a job. We look forward to working with Ms. Cadieux and our other partners to achieve a Canada that celebrates everyone’s abilities and achievements.

To learn more about ABLE2’s programs and services please visit our website or contact me through LinkedIn.

Published by

Heather Lacey

Experienced Non-Profit Executive DirectorPublished

Read Heather’s other articles here

Volunteering with ABLE2: Making a Difference in Your Community

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Volunteerism is the foundation of ABLE2

ABLE2, formerly known as Citizen Advocacy of Ottawa-Carleton, started in 1974 by David Hall, and Eileen Scotton was the first Executive Director. ABLE2 aims to create opportunities for people with disabilities to lead fulfilling lives by providing them with support, resources, and services.

Initially, the organization recruited volunteers from local communities who would offer one-to-one assistance to individuals with intellectual disabilities through the Matching Program. Over the years, ABLE2 expanded its services and programs to support a broader range of people across the disability spectrum, including Build Community, Person-Directed Planning and Facilitation, Funding Brokerage and the Fetal Alcohol Resource Program.

There are several ways to volunteer with ABLE2. One of the most popular options is still through the Matching Program. The program matches individuals with intellectual disabilities with volunteers from the community who act as their Ally. Volunteer Allies provide one-to-one support, assistance, and guidance to help the individuals achieve their goals and lead meaningful lives. The benefits for those who are matched include: reduced loneliness and isolation, help to achieve hopes and dreams, assistance to develop personal networks and relationships, decreased vulnerability, increased self-confidence and improved mental and physical health.

Grace and Maryse’s Story

Grace Daigle, who was feeling lonely after moving to Ottawa from Toronto, joined ABLE2’s matching program to find a companion. Maryse Cote-Singer, a volunteer, joined the program after learning about the need for volunteer allies on the organization’s Facebook page. Maryse saw many ways she could help Grace, and she provided practical assistance as Grace navigated a new city. Now, their visits are all about having fun. They celebrate milestones, birthdays, and holidays together, and spending time together and talking about their week means the world to both of them. Maryse considers Grace part of her Ottawa family, and Grace says Maryse makes her day.

ABLE2 achieves its goals is through volunteers. Volunteers play an essential role in the organization, and their contributions are critical to offering friendship and support to those in need.

By volunteering with ABLE2, you can make a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities in your community.

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Heather Lacey

Experienced Non-Profit Executive DirectorPublished

Read Heather’s other articles here

Canadian Disability Programs

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I have been watching how the disability benefit programs are developing for both the province of Ontario and the federal government. Patience remains the watch word for Ontario residents with disabilities as the federal senate debates a new Disability Benefit that would add federal dollars on top of provincial support allowances and other income sources (CPP, veteran’s pensions, private insurance, etc.).

The Liberals’ 2020 Throne Speech promised fast action on the benefit and – in terms of parliamentary speed – they delivered. The bill unanimously passed third reading in early February and went immediately to the Senate. But senators have slowed the pace as they ponder how many of the bill’s original cracks need filling.

Disability Without Poverty (DWP) is urging the senators to “move to Royal Assent with all haste” to prove that the government values the lives of Canadians with disabilities. The group points to the fact that 28% of working-aged Canadians with severe disabilities live in poverty (compared to 10% of people with no disability.) It wants the benefit paid without any claw backs but is willing to let the federal government work out those details once the framework of the benefit has been safely established. (An earlier bill died when the Liberals called an election in 2021.)

According to the Globe & Mail, some senators want to fully study the implications of Bill C-22 in relation to existing programs. Senator Kim Pate worries that without more clarity, recipients may lose their benefit income to private insurance companies and the provinces.

Meanwhile last fall, Ontario reduced its claw backs on income earned by residents receiving monthly disability support program assistance. After raising monthly rates by 5% to $1,328, the province announced it would allow recipients to keep up to $1,000 of earned income before cutting benefits. (A year ago, a wage earner would have only kept $600 of their $1,000 pay cheque.)

Community Living Ontario produced a chart to show the new policy’s effect on support payments, pointing out that recipients earning less than an additional $500 a month remain below the poverty line. The organization noted that the government was pegging ODSP and Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD) payments to the rate of inflation early this summer. 

ABLE2 supports both government’s effort to put this framework in place and to bring measures forward that give a basic income to people with disabilities. We will continue to watch the progress of Bill C-22 and encourage the Senate to act quickly in completing their review. People with disabilities are struggling everyday to make ends meet — asking them to wait a little longer does not recognize their true value to our community and society as a whole.

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Heather Lacey

Experienced Non-Profit Executive DirectorPublished

Read Heather’s other articles here

In Honor of Black History Month

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In recognition of Black History Month, I wanted to share research that has been done on the additional barriers that people of color with disabilities face in addition to managing their daily health conditions.

“Disability organizations in general “don’t talk about race, and specifically racism and anti-Black racism,” says Sadora Asefaw, who studied the experiences of Black families raising children with developmental disabilities for a master’s degree in environmental studies from York University and is now working on an independent digital storytelling project about how Black families and families of color experience disability.

Sadora Asafaw learned through interviews for her thesis: Amplifying the Experiences of Black Youth with Developmental Disabilities and Their Families: At the Margins of Policy and Practice, that racism, bias, socioeconomic status, and gender inequities produce barriers that affect the care pathways of black youth and their families.

Sherron Grant and her family experienced a system of support that did not address their needs when her son was diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) and, later, autism. “During these events, parents would discuss navigating the medical system, the school system, gaining resources; but it was not from a lens that I could relate to,” Sharon explains in an article by Autism Ontario. As a result of her frustration, she and her husband created The Black Parents of Children and Adults with a Disability Support Group (BPSG) to provide a safe space for families of African descent to come together to meet and connect, share resources, expertise, and needs, and to inspire and support one another through our unique, challenging, and isolating journey of raising Black children or supporting a sibling of any age with a disability. Today, over 130 families meet on Zoom and connect and share over Facebook.

BPSG is a volunteer-run group that meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month via Zoom. To register or for more details, email bpsgroup2020@gmail.com. You can also find them on Facebook.

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Heather Lacey

Experienced Non-Profit Executive DirectorPublished

Read Heather’s other articles here

Thank-you David Onley

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I would like to recognize and thank David Onley, Ontario’s 28th Lieutenant Governor who passed away on January 14th for his service.

It is not often that we see representation of people with disabilities in community and leadership roles. We appreciate the role model Mr. Onley was for the disability community when he was with Citytv and more prominently as the lieutenant-governor for Ontario.

Using a motorized scooter throughout his life after contracting polio as a child he would insist on delivering the Citytv news with his cane or scooter visible, bringing disabilities into the public view and setting the stage for a lifetime of advocacy on accessibility rights for all.

His son said at his father’s funeral Monday that his greatest wish was for all disabled people to have the ability to fully participate in the social, cultural, and economic life of Canada.

When he became lieutenant-governor he discovered that the legislature wasn’t fully accessible. Mr. Onley set about addressing this situation. “He wouldn’t accept temporary accessibility measures,” Jonathan Onley said. “It needed to be permanent. He wanted to ensure all those who came after him had the same access, the same ability to fully participate.”

At ABLE2, we are committed to the same values of inclusion, respect, and dignity for all people with disabilities.

More than 50% of Canadians have a relative living with a disability. In Ottawa, there are 161,445 people living with disabilities. Three quarters of this population has more than one disability and one third are over the age of 65. This marginalized population is diverse in ethnicity, age, and type of disability.

ABLE2’s programs channel the power of compassionate people to provide hope and support to the city’s most vulnerable citizens in several ways.

Please visit the website to learn more about the programs and services.

If you know someone that may need support, please call 613-761-9522. 

Published by

Heather Lacey

Experienced Non-Profit Executive DirectorPublished

Read Heather’s other articles here

Alcohol Consumption for Pregnant Women

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Last week, you probably heard the news about the release of the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) new report on guidelines for alcohol consumption. The CCSA wanted to bring the existing Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines in line with the latest evidence on alcohol consumption health and safety risks.

We were pleased to see within the report there are new guidelines that recommend people who are pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding avoid drinking alcohol entirely, even in small amounts.

Did you know that more than one million Canadians could have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)?

And that, many people with FASD are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with disorders such as Autism and ADHD. The damage can occur during any stage of pregnancy. When a developing baby is exposed to alcohol, the resulting damage to the brain and body is permanent and may lead to life-long impairments and disabilities.

At ABLE2, we lead the Fetal Alcohol Resource Program (FARP), which offers support for individuals of all ages affected by this permanent physical neurodevelopmental disorder. Through education and community leadership development the program draws together resources, skills and knowledge that exists in Ottawa and provides clinical support and community navigation for individuals with FASD and their families.

To learn more about the FARP program and other services available please visit our website

If you know of someone that may benefit from this type of support, please contact us at 613-761-9522.

Published by

Heather Lacey

Experienced Non-Profit Executive Director

Read Heather’s other articles here