CLBC and Government News

How to vote during COVID-19

General voting day for the B.C. Provincial Election is October 24, 2020. Elections BC has worked with the Provincial Health Officer to make sure everyone can vote safely. This year, you can vote in person on general voting day or in advance (until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21, 2020).

• Here is some information from Elections BC about how to vote safely.
• Here is information about accessibility services for those with a disability.

If you have any questions about local voting opportunities, you can contact your District Electoral Officer (find their contact information at elections.bc.ca/deo) or contact Voter Services at voterservices@elections.bc.ca or 1-800-661-8683.

Plain language teleconference summary and audio recording now available

Last Thursday, a teleconference for individuals and families took place with Dr. Daniele Behn Smith, Deputy Provincial Health Officer, Michael Prince, CLBC Board Chair and Ross Chilton, CLBC CEO. The call shared the latest health information and guidance on COVID-19.

You can read a plain language summary of the teleconference call here. This summary, as well as the audio recording of the call, are also posted to the CLBC website here.

The next monthly teleconference for individuals and families is scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, from 3:00 p.m to 4:00 pm. An invitation to this call will be sent out by email in November and shared on the teleconference webpage here.

Thank you to families who participated in the resiliency survey

On behalf of CLBC and community partners Inclusion BC, Family Support Institute (FSI BC), Vela Canada and BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS), we would like to say thank you to individuals and families who shared their time and energy to participate in the recent Family Resiliency Survey. Your willingness to provide insight and feedback on your lived experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic is really appreciated. It also, importantly, helps to inform us about what will be most helpful to individuals and families in facing challenges in the months ahead. CLBC is now working with its partners to identify ways we can work together to provide helpful supports, and we will report on those as soon as possible.

October Is Registered Disability Saving Plan (RDSP) Month

During these uncertain times it has never been more important to consider the future economic security of people with diverse abilities. In 2014, the government of B.C. declared October RDSP Awareness Month to help raise awareness about this registered savings plan. The RDSP is the world’s first savings plan specifically designed for people with disabilities. Even with little to no personal contributions, there are significant government contributions available to help many Canadians with disabilities to save for their future.

Throughout the month of October, Access RDSP, a partnership between Plan Institute, BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society and Disability Alliance BC, will be sharing content, information and resources through social media channels and their websites to improve awareness of the RDSP.

Learn more about the month by visiting rdsp.com/rdsp-awareness-month and you can also find a guide to the RDSP here. CLBC also has information and stories from families about the RDSP here.

One-time payment for people with disabilities starting October 30

Those who are eligible for the Government of Canada’s one-time payment for people with disabilities will automatically start receiving payment on October 30, 2020. This non-taxable payment provides up to $600 in recognition of the expenses faced by persons with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information about the payment and eligibility, visit the Government of Canada website here.

Recommendations for a safe Halloween

Halloween can be a fun and social time of year, but this year we need to celebrate a little differently. Check out the BC Centre for Disease Control website here for advice on Halloween parties, handing out candy and more. Their key piece of advice is to “celebrate less socially and trick-or-treat locally this Halloween.”

A message from the FNHA: Keep your bubble small into fall   

A recent spike in COVID-19 positive tests in B.C. First Nations communities shows that the threat remains real. The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) is encouraging First Nations individuals and communities to continue observing physical distancing, maintain small social bubbles, and avoid gatherings as the daily count of new COVID-19 cases remains high. You can read the full message from the FNHA here.

Staying connected and supported

Here to Help BC offers mental health screening self-tests 

Screening self-tests offered by Here to Help BC can be a helpful tool to find out if how you are feeling, or the choices you are making, may need help from a doctor or health professional. These tests are not a diagnosis, but they can give you a ‘picture’ of your feelings.

Thinking about the way you feel can help show you areas of your life that might need more attention. And, even if you feel okay right now, it’s good to learn about signs that might mean you need more help.

If you decide you want to see your doctor, you can even print out or save your results and read them at your appointment. This can be helpful if you’re nervous about talking with your doctor or have a hard time describing what you’re feeling. Find these screening self-tests on Here to Help BC’s website here.

Mental health for adults with developmental disabilities during COVID-19: A virtual course for families and caregivers

The Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is inviting family caregivers of adults with developmental disabilities to take part in a virtual course on mental health, developmental disabilities and COVID- 19. This course is offered as a six-week series starting November 3, 2020 (from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. PST). Topics will vary from week to week and include: healthcare communication, self-care, dealing with grief and loss, and more.

Find out how to register and see the course overview and schedule here. For information about programs and services at CAMH, please visit www.camh.ca or call 416-535-8501 (or 1-800-463-6273).

Choose to plan: Free webinars from Nidus Personal Planning Resource Centre And Registry

COVID-19 reminds us to be prepared and plan for the future. Nidus offers both free live webinars and recorded presentations. Click here for more information about these sessions.

Here are some topics covered by both live and recorded sessions:

• What if I’m hospitalized? Don’t wait!
• Types of power of attorney – what do I need?
• Consent – for care facility admission? for health care decisions?
• Joint Ownership: the Good, the Bad and the Risky!
• Making a will? What if someone dies without a will?
• Being a representative. Being an attorney. Being effective!

You can see their October schedule, including information about each session, here.

myCommunity BC is on Instagram!

myCommunity BC is your online map to inclusive and welcoming places across B.C. Thank you for all the amazing community places, especially during COVID-19, that have been added to the map by citizens like you who care about inclusion and belonging for all. We want to be able to share these inclusive community assets with you quickly, in ‘real time’, no matter where in B.C. you are. Join this new adventure as myCommunity BC shares inclusive and welcoming places on Instagram through their new channel at: www.instagram.com/mycommunitybc. (If you’re using the Instagram app on your mobile device, just search for “mycommunitybc”).

Updated Support and Connection Toolkit highlights resources and activities

In each edition of this Update, we share an updated version of the Support and Connection Toolkit which gathers links to resources and activities into one document for easy access. See the most updated toolkit here. 

Self Advocate Corner

AutismBC hosts virtual “Telling Your Story” workshop

AutismBC provides free, safe, and supportive community events where everyone can be themselves. These events are an opportunity for members to come together, talk and have fun with others who understand and share similar life experiences.

Their upcoming “Telling Your Story” session is developed for people who identify as living on the spectrum and is intended to engage the autistic young adult and adult community. Here’s the Facebook link to find out more about the event, as well as how to register to tune in via Facebook Live on October 27. (This session will NOT be broadcast to the general AutismBC page. You must register to take the workshop and no recording will be kept.)

Keeping busy and safe during COVID-19

This story by Charmaine Johnson (CJ), was originally published on SelfAdvocateNet.com here:

My name is Charmaine. Some of my friends call me CJ. I am a Self Advocate of Nanaimo.

We have meetings by telephone because of COVID. We are doing a workshop to teach others about being a self advocate.

Every month we have a learning circle. We learn things about living a good life. At our last circle we wore silly hats and had mini self-care pies. We shared our stories about friendship, played friendship balloon tennis and made a friendship circle out of blue paper ribbon.

During COVID I try to keep busy. I like to get out, do stuff and meet people. I volunteer at the Bike Shop. People are friendly and helpful there. They give me a chance to learn new skills. I get to fix bikes, patch tubes and recycle tires. Every two weeks I go to the farmer’s market with my friend Barbara. We buy fresh vegetables, fruits and meats through a coupon program at Foodshare Nanaimo. I met a new friend in my neighbourhood when I was walking my dog Sassy.

Last month I wrote a letter to the editor asking people to stay safe and follow Dr. Bonnie’s health rules. We can all stay safe if we follow the rules:

• Keep six feet apart
• Keep your social bubble small
• Wear a mask
• Be kind to others

Stories of hope and encouragement

Warrior Up and stay away together

We are all connected. What we do as individuals impacts our family, our friends, our community and the world. IllumiNative is mobilizing Native peoples, artists, and allies to #WarriorUp in the fight against COVID-19.  See if you can spot any Hollywood celebrities in IllumiNative’s fun and inspiring video message here.

Public health posters created by and for Indigenous people 

Native Realities has worked with some of the best Indigenous comic artists and graphic designers to create a series of COVID-19 “health propaganda” posters.

The posters, which are free to download digitally here, feature the work of artists Roy Boney Jr., Arigon Starr, Dale Deforest and Vanessa Bowen.

Read a story about these posters from CBC News here.

Richmond Society for Community Living (RSCL) presents a virtually inspired art exhibit

Every year RSCL celebrates Community Inclusion Month by partnering with the Richmond Art Gallery to present an art exhibit that features masterpieces produced by artists from the Avenues art program. Typically, this exhibit is on display at Richmond City Hall Galleria to allow visitors to see beyond disability to ability. This year RSCL is presenting the exhibit virtually. Click here to see all of the art works and learn about the artists who created them.

Signing off

As we sign off we’d like to acknowledge our elders and how difficult it can be for older people to stay connected during COVID-19. Let’s work together to make sure everyone feels safe and connected during this time.

We continue to offer these sessions on a monthly basis, and we are pleased to hear that they have been successful. In addition to the CoP sessions, we have initiated a ‘Recovery Planning/CoP Hub’. This is an online tool where you can learn more about Stage 2 recovery, ask questions and hear directly about other people’s experiences. Click the following link to access the hub: Service Provider Community of Practice – Stage 2 Recovery Hub.

To request access to the hub, or if you have any questions or agenda items you would like to send in advance, please send them to Lisa Makortoff at Lisa.Makortoff@gov.bc.ca.

Thank you for your interest!

Instructions:

Microsoft Teams is being used to host these CoPs. If you don’t have Microsoft Teams on your computer or phone you can download it for free here. To participate, you simply click on the CoP link and follow the prompts. You will need a computer or smart phone with a speaker and internet connection; there is no conference call line. FAQ’s for service providers continue to be updated here.

Regional Community of Practice (CoPs) sessions:

North Thompson Cariboo and Kootenay (e.g. Prince Rupert, Prince George, Kaslo, Cranbrook, Grand Forks Revelstoke)

October 28th from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Link to attend: Monthly Service Providers CoP, Stage 2 Recovery Plan: North, Kootenay and Grand Forks

South Interior (e.g. Okanagan, North Okanagan, South Okanagan, Princeton)

October 28th from 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Link to attend: Monthly Service Providers CoP, Stage 2 Recovery Plan: Southern Interior

Vancouver Island (Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands)

October 29th from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Link to attend: Monthly Service Providers CoP, Stage 2 Recovery Plan: Vancouver Island

Lower Mainland (Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley)

October 29th from 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Link to attend: Monthly Service Providers CoP, Stage 2 Recovery Plan: Lower Mainland