Study shows those living with disabilities average 25% less in assets and COVID-19 is making the situation worse
When sociologist Michelle Maroto came across a Toronto Star article about an Ontario woman struggling to make ends meet while battling Type 1 diabetes, she knew the story was just the tip of the iceberg. Anna Costa was juggling four low-paying jobs without benefits, and after paying more than $300 per month for insulin and blood tests…
Kevin Zentner turned his academic career around by getting involved, working with the less fortunate
In the weeks before his first University of Alberta classes in 2016, Kevin Zentner nervously paced the campus, trying to keep the acronyms straight. “I had no idea what everyone was saying when they said SUB or HUB or CAB or whatever else,” said Zentner. “It sounds funny but that anxiety was massive for me.”…
Why we need quality sex education for our students with developmental disabilities, too
When my sister, who has a developmental disability, and I were growing up in the 1970s and ’80s, neither of us received very much formalized education on sexual health. I eventually learned what I needed to, through friends, the media and books, but she had access to none of that. As a result, she and…
Canadians with disabilities are already a large part of the working age population and will increase in importance as the population ages, says a new report by TD Economics. Yet labour market outcomes for these individuals continues to lag. Even moderate success in narrowing gaps between people with disabilities (PWD) and the general population could…
Individuals with developmental disabilities live longer than ever and that means the responsibility for care is shifting to siblings
A combination of better medical care and good lives in the community mean longer life expectancies for individuals with a developmental disability. That’s good news. But many are outliving their parents, who have taken care of them over their lifetimes. Once parents are no longer able to provide the same level of support or care,…
Whether you are covered or not is really not up to your doctor
A lot of people come to me hoping I can help them in their attempt to leave an unsatisfying work situation and receive disability insurance because of the stress or depression their job is causing. Unfortunately, disability insurance is not as straight forward as is sometimes thought and is intended only for fairly specific reasons…
Brooke Garcia talks about what keeps 4Seasons Transportation rolling and keeps its clients and their families happy
Brooke Garcia is president of 4Seasons Transportation. Tell me a little bit about 4Seasons. The company's history and what you do? Garcia: We are a student transportation company focused on serving children with special needs in the Calgary and surrounding area. We employ caring and compassionate people, and train them to be professional drivers and…
The disability family has been an afterthought for governments, service agencies and organizations for far too long
Can you imagine this? It's just a few years from today and there have been a lot of positive changes for persons living with disabilities and their families in Canada. We have a new Canadians With Disabilities Act. Our government has signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Across the country, there…
Margot Schulman of Schulman Design talks about creating environments where all people can thrive
Margot Schulman is owner and CEO of Schulman Design. What is Schulman Design and what do you do? Schulman: We are a full-service commercial and residential interior design firm focused on universal design and fostering well-being for all people, especially those with accessibility and mobility needs. What sets us apart is that we take a…
With early intervention and the right supports, children with autism can learn and thrive. But too many doors are closed to these children
“As soon as I mentioned the ‘A’ word, I knew she would not be calling me back.” This was what one of the parents I met at my preschool told me it was like trying to register her son with autism in a non-specialized local community program. Once the registrar heard the word autism, they…
When sociologist Michelle Maroto came across a Toronto Star article about an Ontario woman struggling to make ends meet while battling Type 1 diabetes, she knew the story was just the tip of the iceberg. Anna Costa was juggling four low-paying jobs without benefits, and after paying more than $300 per month for insulin and blood tests…
