Wanda Radies has another name for what the provincial government has termed a step toward fairness and equality.
“It’s kind of a sleight of hand by the government. These people are so vulnerable, they’re an easy target,” she says.
Radies, an instructor at Okanagan College who has been working in adult special education for more than 30 years, is referring to changes to the ‘persons with disability’ allowance in B.C.
The monthly amount is being increased by $77, but those who get a subsidized bus pass won’t get the full amount. Their net increase will be $25, as the $52 per month cost of the bus pass will be deducted.
About 35,000 people are estimated to be in that category, and another 20,000 will not be getting the $77 increase because of their ‘special transportation allowance,’ which will leave them with an approximate $10 net increase. The number of people in line for the full $77 is estimated at 45,000.
States Michelle Stilwell, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation: “Prior to this increase, 45,000 individuals in B.C. who were receiving disability assistance did not receive any transportation supports. As of Sept. 1, everyone on disability assistance will receive the same level of assistance no matter where they live. All 100,000 people receiving disability assistance will see an increase of up to $77 in their monthly rates, depending on the choice they make. Those who have been receiving a subsidized bus pass and want to keep it will get an increase of $25. While I understand that people hoped to see a larger increase in rates, these changes do ensure everyone receiving disability assistance will benefit.”
Beth Vinet is a student in the PACE (Preparing for Access to Careers and Education) program at Okanagan College.
She is angry about the $25 increase scheduled for Sept. 1.
“We already have under $1,000 dollars and we’re expected to live on that. No wonder everybody uses the food banks and Second Harvest because nobody has enough for food.”
Vinet says $25 might allow her to get four or five more grocery items. She notes she can’t do without the bus pass because she uses it five days a week for college, appointments and when she does work experience training. She’ll also need it when she gets a job.
The disability allowance is $906 per month and the $77 will bring it up to $983 for those who get the whole amount. Radies says many will be forced to choose food over a bus pass.
“A lot of my students, in particular, have very complicated developmental disabilities... A lot don’t have the ability to go grocery shopping,” she says, noting if they do they might buy frozen French fries, a TV dinner, or got to Tim Hortons. “Cooking is a very complicated thing to do, some just can’t do that. They are struggling to feed themselves.”
She points out that the focus of Community Living BC is inclusion.
“Inclusion costs money. It’s all very well to say I should be included with a developmental disability,” she says, noting the words are empty if people can’t afford to take the bus to work or volunteer, or can’t pay to participate in activities.
“I’ve seen lots of stuff – lots of good, but lots of crazy stuff like this that makes me shake my head.”
Radies and Vinet are not alone in objecting to the government’s action. An online petition begun by Inclusion BC, a provincial non-profit organization that promotes the participation of people with developmental disabilities in their communities, was signed by more than 14,000 people.
Regarding the $25/month increase, the petition states: “After a nine-year rate freeze, this is an insult.”