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4457700-66675000Disability White Paper Written SubmissionCanadian Red Cross March 11, 2014The Canadian Red Cross is pleased to have the opportunity to make this submission to the BC Government’s Disability White Paper Consultation. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement recently adopted a position statement promoting disability inclusion in the Movement. The Movement’s efforts to improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities are encapsulated by the following guiding principles:Respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy (including the freedom to make one’s own choices), and independence of personsNon-discriminationFull and effective participation and inclusion in societyRespect for difference and acceptance of person with disabilities as part of human diversity and humanityEquality of opportunityAccessibilityEquality between men and women, and between boys and girlsWithin British Columbia, the Canadian Red Cross has been working in partnership with other not-for-profit organizations in promoting a functional approach to meeting the needs of people with disabilities. The functional approach proposes an alternative to the medical approach which uses medical assessment tools and diagnoses to determine the types and extent of services provided to people with disabilities. The functional approach requires that services are provided based on the functional need of the person with the disability, rather than his/her diagnosis. A functional approach to assessment, for example, entails asking the individual about barriers he/she faces in meeting his/her goals and working together to determine what supports might assist in overcoming those barriers. It is an approach which is rooted in recognizing the individual autonomy of persons with disabilities and supporting their full and effective participation in society. In British Columbia, the Equipment and Assistive Technology Initiative (EATI) has demonstrated the effectiveness of the functional approach through the use of the Participation Model of service delivery. Furthermore, the BC Coalition for People with Disabilities published the “Local Governments’ duty to accommodate people with disabilities in emergency response” which also encourages the functional approach to emergency preparedness for people with disabilities, recommending concepts of inclusiveness being built into emergency planning paradigms.The Red Cross has endeavored to use a functional approach in providing our Health Equipment Loan Program (HELP) services, within the constraints of available funding. HELP provides basic health equipment on short term to all individuals in B.C. We do not require complicated assessments or diagnostic information from individuals wishing to access the service. We do not place limits on the number of items provided or on the number of times an individual may access our services. Our low-barrier approach to service provision enables us to meet needs quickly and effectively. Our Disaster Management program similarly does not provide limits but rather focuses assistance based on need.The Red Cross believes that the functional approach significantly improves outcomes for people with disabilities while ensuring that limited resources are used effectively. We encourage the B.C. government to look for ways to incorporate this approach into its programs and services for people with disabilities. Below we offer some additional recommendations under the consultation topic areas.Personal SupportsThe Canadian Red Cross has provided health equipment loans to British Columbians for over 60 years. Our service has expanded over the years and we now provide a wide range of devices, on both long and short term loan, to people with disabilities throughout the province. Despite this program growth, there remain a number of gaps in the provision of assistive devices to individuals with disabilities. These are described below.Funding for hearing aidsHearing aids are expensive devices that many seniors cannot afford to purchase or maintain. The lack of a provincial program funding such devices means that many low-income seniors live in social isolation and are unable to function safely or make meaningful contributions to our society. We recommend the provincial government increase funding for hearing aids, through a cost-sharing model or through increased funding to organizations providing low cost hearing aids.Funding for mobility aids for long term usePrograms which provide mobility aids to seniors for long term use are not province wide. In some areas of the province, low income seniors have no access to mobility aids for long term use. This places a drain on the Red Cross short term loan program when devices are on loan for months beyond the intended loan period. We recommend that health authorities fund the existing Red Cross Aids to Independent Living Program to serve areas outside of the Lower Mainland.Adults with disabilities may be eligible for equipment funding through B.C. government programs but these programs are limited through a myriad of lists and rules which leave many needs unmet. We encourage the government to adopt a functional approach in meeting the equipment needs of this group.There is almost no funding in the province for scooters for seniors. Scooters are an essential mobility device for seniors who have limited functional mobility. Without a scooter, many seniors are housebound and unable to participate in the social activities which are so important to health and well-being. We recommend that the government consider options such as no-interest loans to enable low-income seniors to purchase scooters.Equipment programs in rural/remote communitiesThe network of equipment provision programs (both governmental and non-governmental) in the province remains a patchwork, resulting in inequities between rural/remote and urban communities. Not-for –profit organizations struggle to serve these communities with the limited funds available. We encourage the government to recognize the increased expense of providing service in rural/remote communities by directing additional funding to groups that can meet these needs.Inclusion of Functional Framework in Emergency PlansThe number of people with disabilities living independently is increasing and government has a responsibility to ensure emergency plans incorporate supports to meet the needs of all. During disasters, many people with disabilities lose vital supports and services that are needed on a daily basis that help prevent their health and well-being from deteriorating.Separate ‘special needs’ annexes to emergency plans are ineffective as they are seen as ‘additional services’ and so often, in emergencies, are ignored. Furthermore, creating a restrictive category/annex excludes other groups with similar needs such as seniors or people with temporary medical conditions.We recommend that the government consider adopting an integrated planning approach imbedding functional frameworks into all emergency plans rather than one focused on ‘special needs’ annexes. In summary, our recommendations to the provincial government are:Adopt the functional approach to meeting the needs of people with disabilitiesIncrease funding for hearing aids, through a cost-sharing model or through increased funding to organizations providing low cost hearing aids.Fund the Red Cross Aids to Independent Living Program to serve areas outside of the Lower Mainland.Consider options such as no-interest loans to enable low-income seniors to purchase scooters.Recognize the increased expense of providing service in rural/remote communities by directing additional funding to groups that can meet these needs.Adopt an integrated emergency planning approach imbedding functional frameworks.Submitted by: Phyllis Argue, Canadian Red Cross, Manager, Government Relations, BC & YukonEmail: pargue@redcross.caPhone: 250-661-8695Prepared & Reviewed by:Fiona Lewis, Canadian Red Cross, Director, Health Equipment Loan Program, Western CanadaLise Anne Pierce, Canadian Red Cross, Manager, Disaster Management, BC & Yukon ................
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