Disability In Focus Newsletter (text version)

Logo for the Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities follow link for explanation of the logo

November 2010

Message from the Chair

It's been two years since my appointment as Chair of Premier's Council.

In the first year we set the foundation by developing our strategic plan, and since then we've been busy working on the strategies and activities outlined in our business plan.

To ensure Council’s work reflects the priorities of people with disabilities in Alberta, our strategic and business plans are refreshed annually. The process this year makes certain that Council is as efficient and effective as possible as we work towards our strategic and business plan goals.

Along with the standing committees Council members participate in, an Employment Ad Hoc committee was established to address one of the identified goals in Council's business plan: Increasing employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. Employment means different things to different people. It can mean a chance to participate in and to contribute to a person’s community. In line with this goal, Council was part of a group that hosted "Now We're Talking Employment" in Medicine Hat, where employers of people with disabilities were brought together to share their success stories with other members of the business community.

Council has ensured that the voice of persons with disabilities is heard by responding to requests for advice from the government of Alberta on the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Active Alberta Policy, and the Minister's Advisory Committee on Health.

Part of Council's mandate is to provide advice to the government from the perspective of persons with disabilities. This can best be accomplished by connecting with the community, gathering all relevant information, and providing a knowledgeable opinion. Going forward, Council will be taking a proactive and systematic approach to listening to and learning from the community so that the advice we are providing to government echoes the concerns of persons with disabilities.

By engaging the community, and with Council working well as a team, our commitment to work towards full and equal participation for Albertans with disabilities remains as strong as ever.

Marlin Styner

Vision

Alberta is an inclusive and barrier-free society.

Mission

The mission of the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities is to advise on, report to and make recommendations to the Government of Alberta on matters relating to the opportunity for full and equal participation of persons with disabilities in the life of the Province. It does this by listening to the opinions of the disability community, communicating these ideas and concerns to the Government of Alberta and the broader community, and working with governments, community organizations, and other stakeholders towards solutions.

Premier’s Council Members

  • Marlin Styner, Chair – Red Deer
  • Verlyn Olson, Deputy Chair, and MLA Wetaskiwin - Camrose
  • Dan Bojarski – St. Brides
  • Bryce Clarke – Ardrossan
  • Mike Hambly – Calgary
  • Dr. John Latter – Calgary
  • Austin Mardon, C.M. – Edmonton
  • Diane Ridley – Thorsby
  • Brad Robertson – Calgary
  • Amber Skoog – Picture Butte
  • Kuen Tang – Edmonton
  • Pamela Wagner – Medicine Hat
  • Carmen Wyton – St. Albert

More details about the history, members and work of the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities are available at: www.seniors.alberta.ca/PremiersCouncil

Message from the Minister

I would like to thank you for your continued support of the Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities.

A major Council goal is to honour and celebrate Albertans with disabilities. Planning for the 2010 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is already underway. Over the past few years, it has been a true pleasure to be involved in the celebrations and I look forward to this year’s event.

The Council is anticipating another strong field of nominations for its awards, which are presented at IDPD celebrations around Alberta. It’s important to recognize the dedication of individuals, businesses and organizations who are such strong allies of persons with disabilities in this province.

As you might know, our province has lost a dedicated advocate for persons with disabilities. Dr. Gary McPherson was a leader in advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities. He was also instrumental in establishing the Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities, and served as Chair for 10 years. His legacy will live on in our province, and his past contributions will continue to influence the work of the Council.

Dr. McPherson’s legacy includes believing Alberta can be a model for community inclusion, and his work helped set the foundation for this to happen. The Council’s strategic and business plans signal members’ intentions to connect to their communities and talk about the opportunities and challenges Albertans with disabilities face. I look forward to receiving the feedback from the Council on these activities.

I believe the Council’s work will continue to help Alberta become a model for best practices in universal access. I know Council members are committed to this goal, while understanding that success will come through collaboration with people in our communities, around the province, in business and in government. As the Council moves forward, your support will continue to be very important.

I would like to thank Chair Marlin Styner, Deputy Chair Verlyn Olson, MLA Wetaskiwin – Camrose, and all Council members for their continued work on behalf of Albertans with disabilities.

Honourable Mary Anne Jablonski

Protection for Persons in Care Act

New law promotes prevention of abuse for vulnerable adults

Albertans who rely on care and support services are some of our most vulnerable people. To help keep these Albertans safe and to protect them from abuse, the provincial government updated the Protection for Persons in Care Act.

The new legislation is important because it protects Albertans who receive care or support services from publicly-funded service providers. It does this by making service providers responsible for taking all possible precautions to prevent abuse from happening. As well, all suspected abuse needs to be reported – not reporting abuse is an offence.

The new Act makes many improvements to the one it replaces, including more emphasis on abuse prevention, more detailed definitions and explanations of what abuse is and isn’t, and protection for people who report abuse or assist with an investigation. It also improves the abuse reporting and investigation process.

It is also important to remember we all have a role to play in preventing and reporting abuse. The new Protection for Persons in Care Act, which came into effect on July 1, is a good tool that will help us protect vulnerable Albertans.

For more information on the Protection for Persons in Care Act, please visit www.seniors.alberta.ca/PPC or call toll-free 1-888-357-9339.

Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities Awards

Recognizing outstanding leadership in making positive, progressive and sustained change toward full inclusion of people with disabilities in our province.

Every year, awards are presented by the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities to honour Albertans whose outstanding leadership has changed the lives of people with disabilities. The Awards are presented at International Day of Persons with Disabilities’ (IDPD) celebrations around the province.

Since December 3, 2002, the Council has observed IDPD. This worldwide celebration of persons with disabilities was declared by the United Nations in 1992. It continues to be a time of year aimed at increasing awareness and understanding of disability by celebrating people with disabilities and those who support them.

2010, IDPD events will be taking place throughout the province on or around December 3, 2010. You can find information regarding this significant celebration on the Council’s website.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities events will be held on or around December 3, 2010.

For more information, visit the Council’s website at: www.seniors.alberta.ca/PremiersCouncil or call 1-800-272-8841.

Employment Crossword

Clues
ACROSS
3. Something used to describe a person’s education, experience and skill set to a potential employer.
5. What every employee needs in order to improve their work performance.
8. Someone who may help a person to learn their job and provide support to allow that person to be successful in their workplace. (Two words)
9. Not all Disabilities are easy to see, some are _________.
11. The processes for helping a person learn their job.
12. What employers value in their employees.
14. What all employers look for in an employee, but people can only obtain if an employer is willing to offer the opportunity.
19. Someone you look up to and aspire to be like.
20. An example of a workplace accommodation.
22. _____________ accommodates as many individuals as possible.
24. You look at this to find out when you work.
25. The secret of my _________.
26. A section of a store or Government.
27. You fill this out to keep track of when you worked.

DOWN
1. Making modifications to certain rules, standards, policies and/or physical environments to ensure they do not have a negative impact on a person based on mental, physical or cognitive disabilities, race, religion, gender or any other protected ground.
2. The _____ needs to come first when talking about disabilities.
4. Having a job.
5. Most workplace accommodations cost $ __ or less. (Two Words)
6. A reason other than money that motivates people to work.
7. The most valuable source of information regarding accommodations for a person with a disability is the _______.
10. The title given to the person you report to.
13. A government program that is designed to help Alberta adults with Disabilities overcome barriers in the workplace and in Post Secondary Education. (acronym)
15. Equal pay for work of equal value. (Two Words)
16. Inclusion of individuals with various backgrounds, cultures and with various abilities.
17. ___________ or to be held accountable for.
18. A space, product or information designed to be accessed by all potential users falls under the concept of ______ ______. (Two Words)
21. Gaining employment will make you feel more ________.
23. Developing knowledge and ability gives you _________.

Now We’re Talking Employment Event

On April 27, 2010, in partnership with the Medicine Hat Chamber of Commerce, the Alberta Human Rights Education and Multiculturalism Fund, and the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities, the Medicine Hat Community Collaboration Council hosted Now We’re Talking, an employment diversity event.

Designed for business owners, human resource professionals and front-line supervisors, the half day session was set up as a forum for “conversations on disability questions that matter to employers”. Mayor Norm Boucher opened the proceedings, followed by keynote speaker Vanessa Koersvelt, Regional Human Resources Manager of the Home Depot.

The Home Depot, winner of the 2010 Alberta Business Award of Distinction, has created an inclusive and diverse workforce. Presenting the “business case” for hiring persons with disabilities, Ms. Koersvelt gave some practical advice to the 25 employers present. Mike Hambly, Council member, presented the employee’s perspective in creating a successful employment outcome. As an employee of the Canadian Paraplegic Association, as well as a small business owner, Mike stressed the importance of focussing on a person’s abilities versus preconceived notions.

Later, participants interacted in a number of table discussions hosted by employees with disabilities and their employers, representing a diverse group of jobs and people. Conversations allowed people to ask “tough questions” to identify issues and solutions. Conversations continued over lunch and throughout the “Resource Fair” portion of the event. The Fair featured display booths representing organizations from the Government of Alberta, not-for-profit, and business, that provide supports and resources for persons with disabilities. Information was available on workplace accessibility and networking provided connections between job seekers and employment opportunities.

Evaluation results from participants showed that knowledge and awareness of the abilities of people with disabilities increased by 100 per cent. 27% of the evaluations indicated an increase in the likelihood of hiring a person with a disability. Advertising and media coverage of the event increased awareness of the issues and the resources available in Medicine Hat.

The Premier’s Council’s Employment Committee, as a partner in this initiative, is hopeful that this kind of event can be replicated in communities around the province. The current economic downturn provides an opportunity to educate communities and build partnerships and resources that can create successes now and in the future.

The Community Collaboration Council of Medicine Hat is a group of people from business, government and not-for-profit organizations working to help create a thriving and inclusive community for all citizens.

For more information, visit the Now We’re Talking website at: www.nowweretalking.ca

Article written by Pam Wagner, Council Member

Now We’re Talking Employment Event

(PDF version shows a picture of Mike Hambly, Council member, with his service/guide dog Finn speaking to the group on his perspective on creating a successful employment outcome.)

(PDF version shows a picture of Finn is Mike Hambly’s guide/service dog. As a guide dog, Finn guides Mike in his manual wheelchair. As a service dog, he is able to find and retrieve keys (as shown above), and other various items including coins off a hardwood floor. Finn has also been trained to push the paddle that automatically opens a door and then guides Mike through.)

(PDF version shows a picture of “Now We’re Talking Employment” event in Medicine Hat.)

Hiring Individuals with Disabilities

While speaking to Ken Laing about his experience with hiring individuals with disabilities he stated:

“The individuals that I have hired are reliable in meeting their shifts, they complete their tasks meeting our standards and they show pride in their work”.

Ken Laing is the General Manager of a Boston Pizza restaurant in St. Paul, Alberta where he has worked for the past six years. St. Paul is a community in northeast Alberta with approximately 5000 residents.

Mr. Laing works closely with the St. Paul Abilities Network in the hiring of persons with developmental disabilities. He has hired individuals with developmental disabilities as hostesses and cooks as well as in the food preparation, janitorial and dishwashing areas. Presently there are three individuals with disabilities that are working at his location and there have been as many as five individuals with disabilities employed at one time.

Mr. Laing stated that his experience in the hiring and training of individuals with developmental disabilities is the same as the process that he goes through with all of his staff.

One of the hidden benefits of hiring individuals with developmental disabilities is the valued relationships that develop within the organization.

Article written by Dan Bojarski, Council Member

(PDF version contains a cartoon developed by Kuen Tang and Paul Lavallee. In the first frame of the cartoon shows a man and a woman in a business office standing in front of a cart with items to be couriered. The man states “How are we going to deliver this to the customer 18 blocks away on such short notice?” The woman states “And it’s too early to call for pick-up or delivery service. The next frame shows a male employee in a wheelchair down the hall from the man and woman in front of the cart. The woman states “The cart is too heavy for the two of us to push it there.” The man states “I wish our new employee could help out…” The final two frames are a split screen set up showing the male employee with the mail cart attached to his wheelchair going down the street to deliver the items to the client.)

Assistive Technology

Ironman (the comic book character) had a heart that did not function properly; he created an arc reactor device to enable him to live. Using this high tech pacemaker, Ironman was able to not only survive but achieve great accomplishments and help all of humanity. Assistive devices come in many forms and shapes and help people of all abilities.

What is Assistive Technology?

Assistive technology (AT) is a generic term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities. AT promotes greater independence by enabling people to perform tasks that they were formerly unable to or had great difficulty accomplishing. AT can also provide enhancements or changes to the methods of interacting with the technology needed to accomplish such tasks. (Source: Wikipedia)

The short term investment in AT will have a greater long term return not only from the person with the disability but also for other employees. For example, purchasing voice dictation software such as “Dragon Naturally Speaking” (DNS) so a person with no hand function can type, will give the person the ability to be proficient in their work. This could also allow the individual to teach other employees in the company how to use DNS and increase the overall productivity of the company.

Assistive Technology Success Stories

AT has been supporting people with disabilities for many years, helping them in their every day lives, as well as contributing to their employment successes. The following are two examples of persons with disabilities utilizing AT to support their success in employment.

Guy became a quadriplegic at the age of 17. Unable to move his body voluntarily from his chest down, with support of various AT devices, he completed the Social Work program at Grant MacEwan University and began working for the Canadian Paraplegic Association in 1985. Using a simple AT, a customized mouth guard with an attached stick, Guy was able to read client files, type and complete various other job duties. It is amazing to watch the speed in which he is able to type with the mouth stick.

He currently works as a manager of the Client Services team in Edmonton and Community Access team in Alberta, and recently celebrated his 25 year anniversary of working for the Canadian Paraplegic Association, Alberta.

Peter is legally blind and has been working for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) for more than 24 years as part of the Information Technology (IT) team. He holds a degree in Systems Design Engineering from the University of Waterloo and has held a variety of positions within CPR's IT department over the years, including systems architect, programmer and database administrator.

While Peter's visual impairment has affected the way he performs his work, it has not impacted its quality; his career is a story of adaptation rather than accommodation. He was provided with the JAWS 'screen reader' an adaptive program, which converts text into speech.

Over the years, the software that he uses in his day-to-day work has improved to the extent that if you are working over the phone with him, you would never know that Peter cannot see. The only exception to this is pictures, which the program is unable to convert to speech.

Peter has stated that "Through the use of this adaptive technology, I have earned a place as a successful, contributing member of the workforce which has further enabled me to become an active and participating member of society at large."

These are only two of the many employment success stories for persons with disabilities. With the help of AT, employers add an efficient and effective employee to their workforce, and set an example for other employers interested in recruiting team members from this highly skilled demographic.

Assistive technologies are supportive tools that allow persons with disabilities to achieve their full potential, whether that is obtaining employment or becoming an armored superhero.

Article written by Kuen Tang, Council Member

Disability Related Employment Supports

Alberta Employment and Immigration’s Disability Related Employment Supports (DRES) program provides supports and services to persons with disabilities by addressing the disability-related barriers they face to education and employment.

To qualify, potential clients must:

  • have a permanent or long-term disability that creates a barrier to employment or education/training needed to obtain gainful employment;
  • develop a plan that will lead to gainful employment; and
  • be an Alberta resident.

DRES is offered in three areas:

  • Educational Supports: Educational Supports provide assistance to learners preparing for employment through post-secondary education, basic-skill training, academic upgrading or training for work. Supports can include sign-language interpreters, tutors, note takers, readers and student assistants. Assistive technology can also be provided, such as software programs specific to the disability.
  • Job Search Supports: Job Search Supports such as sign-language interpreters or rental of software and technical devices can be provided to assist an individual when attending job search workshops or job interviews.
  • Workplace Supports: Workplace Supports assist individuals in making successful transitions to the workplace or to maintain employment during a disability-related job crisis. Supports may include a job coach, worksite modification or assistive technology. Assistive technology may include the purchase and set up of technology supports required to alleviate, reduce or remove a barrier to employment. This will ensure that people with disabilities can work effectively and efficiently in both the workplace and the classroom. This provides a huge benefit to employers and educators, as they can be assured their employees and students will have all the tools they need to be successful in any environment.

Alberta Employment and Immigration Career and Employment Consultants work closely with each client to try address their specific needs. Career and Employment Consultants realize that every situation is different and so they try to use the DRES program to work towards the best possible results.

For example, clients have used the DRES program in the past to pay for modifications to vehicles for wheelchair access, providing workplace assistive devices and providing transportable lifts for people who are required to travel as part of their employment.

The DRES program is here to assist Albertans with disabilities and their employers and educators. If you think you could benefit from this program or know of someone who could, visit the DRES website at: http://employment.alberta.ca/dres or call the Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753.

Article written by Bryce Clarke, Council Member
(Source: Government of Alberta Website)

Employment Crossword Answer Key

Clues
ACROSS
3. Something used to describe a person’s education, experience and skill set to a potential employer. Resume
5. What every employee needs in order to improve their work performance. Feedback
8. Someone who may help a person to learn their job and provide support to allow that person to be successful in their workplace. (Two words) Job Coach
9. Not all Disabilities are easy to see, some are Invisible
11. The processes for helping a person learn their job. Training
12. What employers value in their employees. Loyalty
14. What all employers look for in an employee, but people can only obtain if an employer is willing to offer the opportunity. Experience
19. Someone you look up to and aspire to be like. Mentor
20. An example of a workplace accommodation. Flexibility
22. Accessibility accommodates as many individuals as possible.
24. You look at this to find out when you work. Schedule
25. The secret of my Success.
26. A section of a store or Government. Department
27. You fill this out to keep track of when you worked. Timesheet

DOWN
1. Making modifications to certain rules, standards, policies and/or physical environments to ensure they do not have a negative impact on a person based on mental, physical or cognitive disabilities, race, religion, gender or any other protected ground. Accommodations
2. The Person needs to come first when talking about disabilities.
4. Having a job. Employment
5. Most workplace accommodations have a price tag of $ five hundred or less. (Two Words)
6. A reason other than money that motivates people to work. Contribute
7. The most valuable source of information regarding accommodations for a person with a disability is the Individual.
10. The title given to the person you report to. Supervisor
13. A government program that is designed to help Alberta adults with Disabilities overcome barriers in the workplace and in Post Secondary Education. (acronym) DRES
15. Equal pay for work of equal value. (Two Words) Pay Equity
16. Inclusion of individuals with various backgrounds, cultures and with various abilities. Diversity
17. Responsible or to be held accountable for.
18. A space, product or information designed to be accessed by all potential users falls under the concept of (Two Words) Universal Design.
21. Gaining employment will make you feel more Independent.
23. Developing knowledge and ability gives you Skills.

Tribute to Gary McPherson

On May 8, 2010 Alberta lost a champion, a leader and a tireless advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities.

Dr. Gary McPherson dedicated his life to removing barriers so people with disabilities can fully participate in their communities. Gary was the inspiration behind the creation of the Premier's Council and in 1988 was appointed the first Chair, a position he held for 10 years.

Gary inspired everyone who was lucky enough to meet him. He had a talent for bringing out the best in people and it's easy to understand why — Gary gave his best at everything he did. Always focusing on abilities rather than disabilities, Gary led a very full and accomplished life. He embraced technology and saw it as a way to level the playing field.

The following points highlight some of the many examples of Gary’s outstanding contributions to this province. His involvement in sports administration, and in particular wheelchair basketball, led to his induction into the Edmonton and Alberta Sports Halls of Fame and he helped lead the organization of the Alberta leg of the Rick Hansen Man in Motion World Tour. He was also instrumental in supporting the Steadward Center for Personal and Physical Achievement. His keen mind was an asset in his role as adjunct professor and executive director of the Canadian Center for Social Entrepreneurship at the University of Alberta. It was inevitable that Gary’s incredible litany of community service would be recognized and in 2004 he was named to the Order of Canada.

Gary will long be remembered as a defender of the rights of persons with disabilities, a family man, a mentor and a friend. His groundbreaking work with the Council set the foundation for their current vision: Alberta is an inclusive and barrier- free society.

Gary lived his life without limits and proved that the only true barriers are the ones we set for ourselves in our own minds.

Article written by Marlin Styner, Council Chair

Myths and Statistics about Hiring Persons with Disabilities

Myth: Employing persons with disabilities is time consuming, complicated and costly.
Reality: The cost associated with hiring persons with disabilities is similar to that of hiring or retaining employees without disabilities. Seventy-eight per cent of employers reported that costs for assisting persons with disabilities in the workplace were less than $500.00 per person.
Source: Schartz, H., Hendricks D.J., Blanck, P. (2006). Workplace Accommodations: Evidence Based Outcomes

Myth: Seventy-five per cent (75%) of reasonable accommodations cost more than $500.
Reality: According to the Job Accommodation Network 50 per cent of accommodations cost less than $500, 19 per cent cost nothing at all and more than 80 per cent cost less than $1,000.
Source: http://www.worksupport.com/da/myths.cfm#

Myth: A person with a disability cannot work in a position requiring physical labour.
Reality: Only 11.5% of persons with disabilities have mobility related disabilities.
Source: Statistics Canada, Participation and Activity Limitation Survey, 2006.
http://www4.hrsdc.gc.ca/.3ndic.1t.4r@-eng.jsp?iid=40

Myth: A person with a disability is likely to miss a lot of work.
Reality: There is only a 2.25% difference in work interruptions from persons with disabilities (19.75%) to their non disability counterparts (17.5%).

Source: Study: Employment among the disabled Statistics Canada, 1999-2004

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/090526/dq090526b-eng.htm

Myth: Persons with disabilities can’t keep up with other workers.
Reality: 90% of persons with disabilities rated having an average or better job performance compared to their able bodied counterparts.
Source: http://www.worksupport.com/da/myths.cfm#

The Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities is committed to working towards an inclusive, barrier-free society where every Albertan has the opportunity and choice to participate in school, in the workplace and in the community.

The Council produces Disability in Focus, which is available upon request in alternative formats including large print, audiotape, text only and Braille. Disability in Focus is also available electronically and online.

The Secretariat that supports the Council includes:

  • Louise Butler: Director
  • Diane Bergeron: Manager, Coordination and Council Initiatives
  • Bonnie Edwards: Coordinator
  • Audrey Walton: Administrative Assistant

Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities
11th Floor, HSBC Building
10055 – 106 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 1G3

Telephone: 780-422-1095
Toll-free: 1-800-272-8841
E-mail: pcspd@gov.ab.ca

www.seniors.alberta.ca/PremiersCouncil

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Please send comments or questions to Bonnie Edwards at bonnie.edwards@gov.ab.ca
or call 780 - 422 -1095.