Poste - Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children

C A N A D I A N C O A L I T I O N F O R T H E R I G H T S O F C H I L D R E N
more money to assist students with disabilities to get work
experience through the Canadian Opportunities Strategy.
The 1998 budget also increased the Canada Study grant
for students with disabilities from $3,000 to $5,000 per
year. 151
Some career development resources are also available for
young people with disabilities. For example, the Within
Reach program of the Alberta Association for Community
Living is designed to help parents foster positive career
goals for children with developmental disabilities. 152
Federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments
across the country have policies and programs to promote
employment of people with disabilities. 153 These include:
• employment equity programs;
• human rights provisions to prevent discrimination;
• vocational rehabilitation programs; and
• employment training and counselling.
Coalition Questionnaire:
Voices
I want to go into social work or psychology.
I’m more of a people person. I’m fascinated
by how different people are, the logic of
different people. I’ve had people come to me
with all kinds of problems--from drug
addiction to teen pregnancy. People listen to
me. This has all happened through word of
mouth. I even get letters and e-mail. Although
I have become better known because of the
motivational speech I give in the high schools,
I attract people who wish to speak about
their problems. My parents were a big factor
because of the spiritual help and because my
disability has given me a different thought
process.
—Brian, aged 18, Ontario, has cerebral palsy and is finishing
high school and preparing for university
I go to St. Mary’s High School in Grade 12
and am in a special needs class. I am also in a
co-op program, working towards an education
program, by assisting ECE [Early Childhood
Education] teachers with their class. I like
this work because I like the little kids and
also because they’re good to me.
—Stefanie, aged 17, Ontario, has an intellectual disability
68
Current employment strategies for persons with disabilities
emphasize tailoring work to the abilities and expectations of
workers. 154 Despite these government and NGO initiatives,
there is unequal availability for young people. Other
challenges to effective training include:
• access to appropriate training;
• use of private or community transportation;
• inclusive workplaces and hiring practices;
• availability of personal supports;
• effective employment counselling; and
• cost-coverage of disability-related costs. 155
The Roeher Institute states that accommodation of persons
with intellectual disabilities is still not seen as a broad social
responsibility, so employer claims of “undue hardship” often
allow them to avoid workplace accommodation. 156
Health Care
The federal government financially supports the provision
of health care, which is administered by provincial and
territorial governments. The Canada Health Act provides
free, universal health care coverage for Canadians. Section 7
of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is
understood to be the basis of the right to medical treatment
for both children and adults. 157 Canada is one of the biggest
public spenders on health care in the world, at $2,500 per
capita. 158 Families or private health insurance plans are
responsible for such medical expenses as dental care or
prescription drugs, and private or public health insurance
may still require families to cover a significant portion of
medical expenses. 159 Families without private health
insurance or social assistance must pay for additional
medical and prescription costs not covered by provincial
plans.
The Income Tax Act provides for:
• an expanded medical expense tax credit to assist
with the costs of disability;
• a refundable medical expense supplement for lowincome
families; and
• a caregiving tax credit up to $400 for Canadians
caring for a family member with disabilities. 160
According to the Roeher Institute, ongoing challenges and
key issues in health care for people with disabilities include:
• long waiting lists for services in both urban and
rural areas;
• physically inaccessible services;
• lack of community-based services;
• little training about disabilities for health care
workers; and
• scarce home health care and attendant services. 161