B.C. Disability White Paper Consultation (December 3rd, 2013 – March 11, 2014)

Online Public Comments

Topic: Social Networks to Support People in Community

Please note that these comments were moderated and published according to the Moderation Policy and the Terms of Use guidelines in place at the time of the consultation.

2013-12-04 / I have a daughter with severe disabilities and i also work for the Fort St. John Association for Community Living.
My suggestions:
People to slow down, quit being so busy and spend some time with people in the community - people with disabilities.
If you know someone with a disability, get to know them better, ask how you can get more involved in their life.
Get over your fear of people that are different - get to know people with disabilities, you will be suprised at how they will impact your life for the better.
2013-12-04 / Time stoplights so that PWD's don't get run over trying to cross the street.
Support SPARC.
2013-12-04 / I feel that the PWD office should be separate from the income assistance office as you spend countless time and energy trying to teach proper social skills to those with developmental disabilities to throw them into the social circle of a income assistance office and unless you wear rose coloured glasses you know the attitudes and social skills that are taught down there and yes I no not all on income assistance are like that because when I first became a single mom I to had to rely on the system.
2013-12-05 / Designing programs that include people with disabilities as part of the community, not as a community unto themselves is something sadly lacking in our society. Artists helping Artists and VASS, are exceptions to the rule, and sports and arts programs offer such opportunities. It is a challenge that should be properly funded for the health of our overall society. Inclusion works when people are included.
2013-12-06 / I think for us all to live in respectful and inclusive society, it takes two to tango. People without the so called "disabilities" need to maintain an open mind, be respectful and welcoming. People with so called "disabilities" need to continue to have an open mind, respectful, and welcoming. We all are people first, and we all have needs, regardless whether you are a person with a disabilities or not. Each of us needs to communicate our needs, whether it is independently typed, spoken, through another person, or through a communication device.
As an individual with a disability, I am aware that I need to communicate to each person about my needs, limitations, and abilities as no one knows what it is like to live in each person's shoes regardless of disabilities or not.
2013-12-06 / I dream of a day when we no longer have to identify whether the person has a disability or not (or whether ethnic, what gender, etc)... we just talk about people, unless it is relevant to the situation. Minds and attitudes needs to be shifted. I don't use any mobility aids or there are no visual clues when people see me initially. But my gait and speech is impaired - and on a number of occaissions, people thought of me as mentally challenged, drunk, or unable to live and work independently. Assumptions are brutal. We (including people with disabilities) all need to keep an open mind, and just be welcoming of each other.
2013-12-08 / I am disabled by MS, have taught kids with disabilities for more than 30 yrs and am parenting a young man who has concurrent disorders. We all have one simple, but very difficult problem. There is too much information to sift through to get to any satisfactory solution.
My wishes are that one navigator be assigned to each person diagnosed with a disability. The ACT teams are the closest I've seen with a solution model.
With housing, each new place built should have at least 5 places developed for accessibility and affordability. Same goes for rental buildings in all of Vancouver. Though the DTES may be the best and easiest place to study there are so so many disabled people across the city. If they had one navigator to help with housing applications , connection with health services, etc it would take the stress off them. I have lots of skills and a lot of experience but when it comes to solving problems closest to home I haven't a clue. After spending almost full time learning the disabled system for mental health I have given up trying to find the best system to help my own family members. Unfortunately a huge problem is the lack of services being on the same page.Good luck. Again, one navigator for one person and the navigator having a manageable case load.
2013-12-09 / Unless you live in a larger urban centre, there are not a lot of social networks for kids/ teens with physical disabilities (without additional intellectual disabilities). In my community (pop. 36,000) there is quite a lot for those with intellectual disabilities. There is NOTHING for a kid with just a physical disability. Even in the schools, he's not fully included, despite our best efforts to educate and inform. In PE, he's often been left out because none of the adults involved where sure how to adapt an activity or they didn't treat his efforts to self-advocate with the respect and consideration they should have. He doesn't fit in with the kids that have intellectual challenges, nor does he fit in with the kids who are not disabled in any way. He's just left out. If we want to make BC a truly inclusive place, we NEED to ensure that there are opportunities available and that adults are making a conscious effort to ensure inclusion in schools in a way that treats the individual with the disability with dignity and respect. In school and when they finish school, we need to ensure that there are not only accessible buildings, washrooms, etc., but that there are inclusive activities and events available.
2013-12-09 / Sadly, my son often has to deal with those faulty assumptions... people see his wheelchair and assume he is either also mentally challenged (esp. because all the other kids in his high school who use wheelchairs are also mentally challenged), or just assume he is incapable of participating in activities because of his physical disability. He doesn't get invited to join in anything and he's just gotten tired of trying to change things so he doesn't try to include himself any more...
2013-12-10 / Why do you think it’s important that we reduce barriers and increase accessibility for people living with disabilities in B.C.?
It wasn't that many years ago that some families made the decision to drop their children off at Woodlands Hospital in British Columbia. It wasn't that many years ago that many families believed they had little or no choice. It wasn't that many years ago that there were no ramps to public buildings, no public washrooms with wheelchair accessibility. As we grow in understanding as a society to some of the ways which would enable ALL British Columbians to enjoy the highest quality of life possible. Access buildings, washrooms, movie theatres, job sites, restaurants, etc., as we have all become more aware it becomes increasingly apparent how important it is.
As far as we have come, there is such a long way to go!
I do not see accessibility as a "Disability Issue", but rather a Human Issue. We all have much to gain or to lose in this scenario. As a society we will prosper only as far as the most vulnerable are able. It is more than a nice thought or a good idea, it is an absolute requirement of any society which wants to move forward and grow and evolve to address the needs of all.
I work with some pretty amazing people everyday that are desperate to live full lives. They only require some supports to assist them. To get upstairs in their own home, to enter a building somewhere, communication devises to share all that is in them, to go to the washroom independently, to use adaptive equipment to place a phone call or keep them safe in their home, scooters to be able to go to work or shopping or out for coffee. An employer that will understand that they can do a wonderful job but they may require modified work hours, possibly a shared position.
•What can British Columbians do to welcome the contributions of people with disabilities, and what barriers can we remove?
Barriers removed will likely come through education. I believe it was Maya Angelo that said "When people know better, they do better". As British Columbians gain knowledge and understanding of all the possibilities for those living with disabilities we can begin to work together to remove barriers and create opportunities.
•What would make it easier for people with disabilities to work or contribute to the community? What needs to be in place?
The challenges and strengths of British Columbians living with disabilities are as unique as each of us. Some might benefit from things like: a modified work program, adaptive equipment, accessibility in the workplace to name a few.
All British Columbians are better able to contribute in a welcoming environment.
•What would B.C. look like as the most progressive place in Canada for people and families living with disabilities.
When people living with disabilities and their families are not only accepted but rather appreciated for who they are, all of who they are, they will succeed.
I don't know of anyone that like to be "accepted" for who they are. As in, "Gee, Joe's a great guy considering his disability"....
Most people, want to contribute, want to be appreciated, want to succeed....
BC has an opportunity to prosper! To get to a place where we are able to see the value in all people. And to gain from each other, because we are better together! We might want to be asking ourselves what are we missing out on when we are not all involved? If the playing field is really leveled and people have the freedom, support and opportunity to be all they can be, the sky is the limit!
2013-12-12 / Community Inclusion does not happen when you have groups that do not want us in their neighborhood. The news described a hotel for supported housing recently?
There's a lot of talking, but not much walking the talk.
What I have seen from these discussions is people with disabilities want the following:
First, An increase in the PWD rate, at least to the low income seniors federal rate (OAS/GIS)
Second, More acceptance by community, employers etc
Third, people's medical needs met without the red tape and denials happening
(I needed a ice machine for my acl surgery recovery and someone wrote a 20 plus page report to explain my denial, REALLY? wouldn't it cost about the same to approve my equipment and have this government worker put to better use?
Fourth, People do not want to deal with a ministry that is like going to a parole officer
Disability population should be separate from a welfare office
Less legislation, more readable guidelines
Many people with disabilities need a lawyer in order to understand government policies
More dialogues in the community for people to have a chance to understand some disabilities many people fear (mental illness)
There's a lot of stigma and fear. I am sick of NIMBY and other groups that feel entitled to not have people in their neighborhood
This is not apartheid people !!!!
I lived in social housing for 8 years, not once did a tenant cause serious disruption to the neighborhood
BC can go big or go home with a progressive society that is number one in the province
or do a lot of talking and spin the conversation to their favor making it look like they've done something but rather spent some millions on dialogue that hasn't helped anyone
2013-12-13 / I applaud your attitude and agree with you. At the same time it is exhausting having to explain issues and limitations to everyone you interact with. Many people are uncomfortable confronting illness/disability and while they might be sympathetic they don't really want to spend much time thinking about it - until it happens to them or their family members. Another reason why having the built environment being accessible is important, it allows you to be in the community without being dependent upon the community members. It improves everyone's comfort level.
2013-12-13 / We all know that social networks are important. The issue is how social networks are formed. They require some sense by all the members that they have some similarity, interest or experience in common that they can relate to each other about. This means that the disabled person needs to be able to participate in those shared activities and communicate with the other members about their experience and views. To be able to do this may require technology or additional people to interpret.
The intervention of this technology or people is in and of itself a barrier to social connection. Better technology that is less obtrusive can help but for the non-disabled it requires that the experience of interacting with a disabled person be long enough or frequent enough that they become comfortable in communicating in what for them is a novel way. Unfortunately this often doesn't happen and that makes the development of RELATIONSHIPS between people challenging.
The whole frame of this section is about the development of social networks to support disabled people. To me that presupposes formalized funded structures with able bodied people assisting those with disabilities. I'd rather have relationships with friends who I can hang out with and go places with. That is not as easy as it should be.
If we go for a walk I need to sit down every block or so. In many areas the only places to sit are at the bus stops or in coffee shops with tables and chairs so close together that no one can squeeze through them let alone those with canes or chairs. So more public seating would be appreciated, not just in the parks but on the street so that I can get to the park.