Simcoe County Association for the Physically Disabled Spring 2009 Newsletter S.C.A.P.D. and The Learning Centres – A Winning Partnership! In January 2008, equal customer service for people with disabilities was passed into law. Under the provision of the Customer Service Standards developed under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA, June 2005), employers are required to ensure that their staff are trained to provide equal quality customer service to people with disabilities. The goal of this law is to make Ontario fully accessible to people of all abilities by 2025 which will, without a doubt, improve both the economical and social fabric of our society. S.C.A.P.D.’s Public Education program has supplied such Disability Awareness and Sensitivity training to many municipalities throughout the Counties of Simcoe, York, and Dufferin, as well as into the District of Muskoka. “Working with the diversity of this population has been an amazing experience. The sharing of experiences that occurs adds immeasurably to the learning experience.” says S.C.A.P.D.’s Christina Strong. Another client who has received S.C.A.P.D’s training are The Learning Centres. At their campuses in Barrie, Orillia, Midland and South Simcoe, S.C.A.P.D.’s “I’m A Person First” Disability Awareness and Disability Sensitivity programs are offered to students as part of the curriculum for the Personal Support Worker program. The training focuses on understanding the barriers and challenges that face people with disabilities and offers communication tips for positive and respectful interaction with people who move differently, think differently, and communicate differently. Every training session is highly participatory and experiential while providing ‘real life’ stories to heighten the learning process. In addition to the two sessions, S.C.A.P.D also offers a session with a volunteer client. This volunteer lives in The Learning Centres local community and uses the services of a personal support worker to remain independent and continue living in their own home. These sessions are positively received by the PSW students as they have an opportunity to ask questions to better prepare themselves for their work in the community. In addition to providing very subject specific educational material which assists the students in making career choices, S.C.A.P.D.’s Human Resources Coordinator, Brian Young, notes that The Learning Centres students who apply for work at S.C.A.P.D. are much more knowledgeable and aware of issues surrounding disability than ever before and are, therefore, better prepared for providing care for individuals with disabilities. “We work with The Learning Centres in providing community hours and find that this training has made a positive difference in the interest that the students have in working with our clients. We find that in each session there are students who look to be hired straight from The Learning Centres graduating class,” he adds. The Learning Centres Personal Support Worker Program coordinator, Jean Harnden, says that feedback from her six PSW instructors is extremely positive. “Observations and comments following the training clearly indicate that students both thoroughly enjoy the sessions and truly appreciate the opportunity to focus on stories of real people. Such examples demonstrate that people with disabilities do face many unique challenges in daily living. We value the SCAPD disability awareness and sensitivity training that teaches our students how to better understand and be better prepared to meet the needs of people with disabilities.” she says. In addition to the value that this training adds to their curriculum, all students graduating from The Learning Centres PSW program enter the work force with the training required under the AODA legislation. They are often the only employee within their workplace who will be compliant with the customer service standards when their employment begins which is an asset from the start! Some comments from The Learning Centers PSW students: • Thought provoking, provided many suggestions and applications that will help me make disabled individuals more comfortable and accepted. • I always thought that I was aware of all the different types of disabilities. I now am “very more” aware. Thank you. • I am very happy to have received this training. I now know how to better approach someone with a disability as well as how to communicate. • A very interesting presentation covering a wide range of disabilities, philosophies, and basic information necessary for a PSW involvement. • Held my interest every second. I was moved. • Understanding starts with us. This training offers this & more. If we, who work in Health Care, don’t “get it”, who will? If you are interested in learning more about our programs or know of an organization that might be interested in training, please contact Marion at (705) 737-3263 ext. 226. Association News by Executive Director, Dan McGale As the health care system in Ontario continues to evolve under the leadership of the Local Health Integration Networks (LHIN), there are several very positive developments occurring in our local region. One of these initiatives was the development of the Accessibility Resource Centre, which is hosted at S.C.A.P.D. in cooperation with The Friends in the District of Muskoka. This Resource Centre is available in person through our main office, via telephone or our web page. We have received very positive feedback about the creation of this local resource, and are beginning to receive a variety of referrals to this new program. The North Simcoe Muskoka LHIN has shown significant leadership in funding this type of front line resource for seniors in our region, as it is not in existence elsewhere in the province. The local Community Support Agencies have been meeting as a group now for three years, as part of the initiative to create an integrated health care system locally. Through funding assistance through our LHIN, we have hired a consulting firm to work with this group to develop a stronger network, and establish common Human Resource strategies to make the community sector a more attractive place for potential staff members to work, both now and into the future. We hope this will assist in stabilizing the workforce in this important component of the health care system. As you may be aware, the Attendant Care staff at S.C.A.P.D. voted to become certified under the Service Employees International Union in October. As we prepare to enter into this new working arrangement with our front line staff, we believe that the goals of both our Association and the new union will support the continued development of a supportive working relationship and high quality service to the adults with physical disabilities that we support throughout Simcoe County. S.C.A.P.D. continues to monitor the development of standards and the implementation of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, both directly through staff and Board member involvement, and in cooperation with the Simcoe County Accessibility Network. As spring begins to show its potential, we are preparing our Association to meet the opportunities and challenges that lay before us in 2009. Meeting the Board of Directors - Bruce Gennings Bruce recently joined the Board of Directors at S.C.A.P.D., after learning about some of the activities in which the Association is involved. Now retired, Bruce is a Social Worker by training, and has been active in service delivery and teaching in the health and social services field locally at Georgian College. He continues to be actively involved in volunteer work in the community in several community programs, including the Independent Rights Committee at Simcoe Community Services, and Peer Support Services through the Canadian Paraplegic Association. Bruce suffered a spinal cord injury through a car accident in 2001, so now speaks to issues at the Board table from both a professional and personal level. 2nd Annual Charity Golf Tournament 2009 June 4, 2009 at Innisbrook Golf Course, corner of Lockhart Road and Huronia Road, Barrie 18 hole tournament, 1:30pm shot gun start Dinner, prizes and loads of fun $125 per person, $500 per foursome Includes green fees, golf cart rental and dinner. $35.00 Dinner only Please inform us of any dietary restrictions at time of registration. For further information or to register, please contact: S.C.A.P.D. 1102-44 Cedar Pointe Drive Barrie, ON L4N 5R7 737-3263 or email: scapd@scapd.on.ca Have You Heard? Air Travel is now Easier! Effective January 9th, 2009, eligible customers with a disability who are booking flights for travel with in Canada will qualify for extra seating for themselves or seating for an attendant at no extra charge. In either case, a doctor’s certificate will be required and the airlines do require from 48 – 72 hours notice in advance of travel. Our Website is Getting a New Look! Keep your eyes open over the next few months as S.C.A.P.D.’s website gets a new look. We are working to take the lead on accessible website design! As always, we welcome your comments and suggestions. Please contact us at 705-737-3263 or by email at scapd@scapd.on.ca Active Living Have fun this summer – get moving! Barrie Rowing Club – once again this year are offering the opportunity to learn about adaptive rowing to any person with a disability who might like to explore this sport. One of the major problems they have been facing is a lack of interest. Why not give it a try! The Club operates out of the basement of the South Shore Center on Lakeshore Dr in Barrie. Details regarding program start up time will be available shortly at 705) 739-0874. AbleSail Program Midland Bay Sailing Club is pleased to be the recipient of a Trillium grant to improve and expand the AbleSail program. Included in the new developments are new docks with wheelchair accessible ramps, main clubhouse accessibility, pathways from club, dinghy shed and pavilion to the water, and two Access dinghies. They look forward to being able to share the world of sailing with more people. Contact: If you would like to take part, or know someone who is physically disabled who would enjoy a sailing experience, leave us a message at the Sailing Club at 705-526-3553 or contact Jim Thomas (705) 538-2084 Annual People in Motion Show 2009 Admission FREE Where Queen Elizabeth Building Exhibition Place, Toronto Ontario 120 exhibits covering mobility aids, adapted vehicles, home health care products, travel and leisure activities and much, much more – all within a fully accessible building Friday, June 5th, 2009 10 am to 5 pm Saturday, June 6th, 2009 10 am to 5 pm More details available at www.people-in-motion.com Help! If you know of any physical activities that are happening throughout the County, please let us know so that we can highlight them on our website. scapd@scapd.on.ca Accessibility Day 2009 Reserve this date – May 12th, 2009 Simcoe County’s Accessibility Day 2009 will be held on May 12th at the brand new Innisfil Recreation Center on Yonge St. in Innisfil. This year’s event will be hosted by the Town of Innisfil and the Innisfil Accessibility Advisory Committee and will be supported by City of Barrie, County of Simcoe, Simcoe County Museum, YMCA, Simcoe County Association for the Physically Disabled (S.C.A.P.D.) and Simcoe County Accessibility Network (S.C.A.N) His Honour, Lt Gov David Onley will be in attendance and it promises to be some day! The event will run from 10 am – 2 pm and will include a free lunch, lots of exhibits, Attendant Care Services on site, entertainment and adaptive fitness demonstrations in a fully accessible recreational facility. Some (limited) transportation will be arranged – more information will follow. Bell Canada Wants to Provide Better Service to People with Disabilities Over the next few months it will undertake a variety of studies among people with disabilities in an effort to gain insight into the way people with disabilities use various telecommunication technologies. The study will be conducted by Ad Hoc Research, a market research firm and will take the form of surveys, focus groups or individual interviews. Monetary incentives will be offered to those selected for involvement (no incentive offered to complete the questionnaire that is required for registering) If you are interested in participating, please call 514-937-4040 x 136 or visit the website at www.adhoc-opinion.com/Bell_simplified We are looking for VOLUNTEERS! • a special type of volunteer …. someone who will work our Bingo fundraising slot every second Wednesday afternoon from 1 – 3 at the Bayfield Charity Bingo on Bayfield St in Barrie. If you think you might be able to contribute a few hours, even once a month or every other month, we sure can use your time. • Bingo is our most consistent fundraising stream and we desperately need to maintain volunteer levels there. • Please consider this need and call Marion at 737-3263 x 226 Congratulations Dianne Reynolds Support Services Manager 25 years of dedication and support to S.C.A.P.D. Some Informative & Worthwhile Websites to Add to Your “Favourites” Citizens With Disabilities - Ontario (CWDO) are planning to launch some interesting and informative “Webinars" starting in February. Topics will be of interest to persons with disabilities - such as tax tips, improving attendant services, transportation, and research on disability issues. You will have ways to contribute to briefs and documents in progress, access news on disability issues, hang out with other members in a virtual lounge, and much more. Keep checking the website listed below (under re-development): http://www.cwd-o.org/ The AODA Alliance is a disability consumer advocacy group that works to support the full and effective implementation of accessibility standards in Ontario. Since 2005, the AODA Alliance has worked collaboratively with the disability community and with government to promote the interests of persons with disabilities. The Alliance works to advance the full participation of persons with disabilities in Ontario, through effectual accessibility standards development. Stay in touch with developments through this website: http://www.aodaalliance.org/ Registered Disability Savings Plan Exempt in Ontario A major stumbling block for people with disabilities in Ontario has been removed. On November 30, 2008, the McGuinty Government announced that changes were being made to the social assistance programs that will make both Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) assets and RDSP withdrawals fully exempt from affecting ODSP benefits. Ontario has followed the lead of other provinces in ensuring that participation in the RDSP will not negatively impact on provincial social assistance programs. The RDSP’s purpose is to assist families in accumulating money, tax deferred, to support the future needs of children and adults with disabilities. The plan was well received by many but its major stumbling block was that an RDSP would eliminate a person’s entitlement to the Ontario Disability Support Program. This fact would make the RDSP entirely meaningless in our province. This announcement means that people in Ontario who qualify for the Disability Tax Credit will now be able to be the beneficiary of the RDSP without losing their entitlement to ODSP benefits. Introducing S.C.A.P.D.’s Newest Program A new Accessibility Resource Centre has been established for residents of Simcoe Muskoka. The goal of this Centre is to enable seniors and people with disabilities to remain independently in their own homes as they recover from illness or as they age. The new Centre will assist in finding solutions that will meet accessible home renovation, vehicle modification and/or assistive device needs. This inclusive public service provides knowledgeable & experienced staff who can educate and assist the public with information on various funding sources, both provincial and local. This project is funded by The North Simcoe Muskoka Local Health Integrated Network (LHIN) and is offered in partnership with The Friends of Muskoka. S.C.A.P.D. welcomes Christy Skelly to the position of Accessibility Navigator. She brings experience in the social service area, knowledge of the services available within the County as well as empathy for those who need support to maintain their independence. Call Christy if you have a question at 737-3263 x 239 The Loss of a Founding Member On December 6th, 2008, Robert (Bob) Kerr passed away. Bob was one of the leading advocates for the creation of the Simcoe County Association for the Physically Disabled, and was a strong volunteer, staff member and advocate in the Barrie community. He was well known in the community and a strong initiator who got things done. The large congregation at his memorial service at Emmanuel Baptist Church on Dec. 10th was a tribute to this strong man who left his footprints and tire tracks in the sands of time, and warm memories in our hearts. We have posted a tribute to Bob Kerr on the S.C.A.P.D. web page, which highlights some of his accomplishments over the years. Check it out for a walk down memory lane. Simcoe County Association for the Physically Disabled 1102 – 44 Cedar Pointe Dr. Barrie, Ontario L4N 5R7 Phone: 705-737-3263 Fax: 705-737-1874 Our Mission "The Association exists to provide support and services to people with physical disabilities in Simcoe County to assist them to lead dignified, productive and independent lives. Beyond offering a variety of personal support services, our current focus is to "Open Doors & Minds" within the community to increase opportunities for participation, making Simcoe County a welcoming place for all citizens"