Finding My Way in an Ableist Profession
Thanks to Disability Alliance Blog for this article: Finding My Way in an Ableist Profession by Salina Dewar As an aspiring lawyer, my first hint of what lay ahead of me came at age 13. When I told classmates and teachers I wanted to be a lawyer to help people, almost all of them […]
“Elevate Your Well-being: Mastering the Art of Self-Care”
Welcome to our blog on self-care, a topic that is essential for maintaining a healthy and happy life. In today’s fast-paced and demanding world, we often find ourselves putting the needs of others ahead of our own. However, it is crucial to remember that self-care is not selfishness; rather, it is a necessary practice that […]
New Increases for Shelter Rates
Thanks to Disability Alliance Blog for this information: The BC Budget for the 2023/2024 fiscal year was announced at the legislative assembly in Victoria on February 28, 2023. The Budget revealed that there would be an increase to the shelter rate for people on income assistance and disability assistance; an increase that has been long […]
Overcoming barriers and improving access
A view of the Penticton and Area Access Centre’s offices For those in our communities who experience physical, social or economic barriers, accessing life-changing services can be a confusing and daunting task. The Penticton and Area Access Centre is working hard to change that, using the principles of action, awareness, advocacy and equity to help […]
Op-ed: Discrimination within the Canada Workers Benefit
By Alexandria Johnstone, Legal Community Impact Intern & Community Advocate: Resource, Referral, Youth Outreach, Disability & Poverty Law Advocacy While the Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) has benefited some Canadians since its implementation, some individuals still qualify but cannot claim it due to its harmful effects. Indirect and direct discrimination against marginalized groups can be […]
Access Centre Success Story: Ted
TED*’S STORY: One of the supports that poverty advocates provide is helping people connect to money they’re entitled to. It might not be a lot and it might be a one-time payment but if it means there’s more than there used to be, then it’s worth looking for. A lot of people we meet don’t […]
Credit/Rebate updates
The Provincial government recently made several announcements about new rebates/credits and changes to some types of assistance: Assistance Extended for Ukrainians coming to British Columbia Financial assistance through the B.C. Hardship Assistance program for individuals arriving in British Columbia under the federal Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) process has been extended from six months to 12 months. For […]
Human Rights vs. BC’s Mental Health Act
This is a great article from Disability Alliance’s Transition Magazine. transitionfallwinter22.pdf (disabilityalliancebc.org) Credit goes to KENDRA MILNE Mental health advocates in BC have been sounding the alarm for decades: our Mental Health Act is one of the most archaic and discriminatory pieces of our ableist health care system. Ableism plays out in mental health law and […]
4 Books to Help Boost Your Mental Health
Image credit: Pexels Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-yellow-long-sleeve-shirt-lying-on-couch-4866043/ As we continue to emerge from the anxiety, isolation, and grief of the past few years, we must try to be proactive in taking care of our mental health. We can begin by exploring the many books that focus on the topic. Books on mental health can be a fantastic […]
Global Pandemic: Changes to How We Help
The Access Centre has been a drop in centre for many years, for our entire history really, even back when we were the Women’s Centre. Being open for people to drop in anytime during our business hours was the backbone of what we did. There were times when people would come in just to hang […]