All posts by magirouard

EmploymentWorks: LOOKING FOR A JOB?

Employment

Are you between 16-29 years of age? Do you self identify as having a mental, physical or learning disability? Our employment team can help you find the job you were hoping for!

ELIGIBILITY

Currently unemployed, legally able to work in Canada, permanent resident, refugee status or Canadian citizen.

WHAT WE OFFER!

  • Career counselling and planning
  • Free skills training and certifications (First Aid, WHIMIS, food safety, smart serve, and more!)
  • Financial support
  • Resume and cover letter writing Interview preparation

For More Information: 613-230-4663 info@employmentworksottawa.ca www.employmentworksottawa.ca

Information on the Canada Disability Benefit

Funding

Greetings,

The Government of Canada’s Office for Disability Issues (ODI) within the Department of Employment and Social Development is pleased to provide you with the latest update on the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB).

On Tuesday, April 16, the Government of Canada announced funding for the Canada Disability Benefit in the 2024 Budget. Specifically, the Budget 2024 proposes an investment of $6.1 billion over six years, beginning in 2024-25, and $1.4 billion per year ongoing, for the CDB program. The proposed design is based on a maximum benefit amount of $2,400 per year for low-income persons with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 64.

With this historic milestone, which follows the Canada Disability Benefit Act receiving Royal Assent on June 22, 2023, the Government is enshrining the benefit into Canada’s social safety-net. As you may know, the Canada Disability Benefit Act will come into force no later than June 22, 2024, and the regulations setting out the details of the Canada Disability Benefit must be in place no later than 12 months after that – in June 2025.

This paves the way for the Government of Canada to begin providing payments to eligible Canadians starting in July 2025, following successful completion of the regulatory process and consultations with persons with disabilities.

To deliver the benefit as quickly as possible and to ensure nation-wide consistency of eligibility, the proposed CDB would be available to people with a valid Disability Tax Credit (DTC) certificate. As proposed, this benefit is estimated to increase the financial well-being of over 600,000 low-income persons with disabilities.

To ensure access to the CDB for eligible Canadians, and to address an anticipated financial barrier associated with benefit take-up, Budget 2024 further proposes funding of $243 million over six years, beginning in 2024-25, and $41 million per year ongoing, to cover the cost of the required medical forms during the DTC application process. Persons with disabilities also face barriers in finding out about and accessing government benefits and services. The Budget therefore includes funding for community-based navigation services to improve awareness and take-up of federal, provincial, and territorial programs available to working-age Canadians with disabilities.

We are pleased to report that we have already embarked on the next stage of work required to make the new benefit available to eligible persons with disabilities. Recognizing that many Canadians with disabilities are in need of the additional financial support that this benefit will provide, we will move forward as fast as we can with the required regulatory development process, so that the benefit can be paid beginning in 2025.

Work has already begun on drafting regulations setting out important benefit details such as the application process, how the benefit amount will be calculated, payment frequency, and the mechanism for Canadians to appeal decisions. We aim to publish the regulations in Part I of the Canada Gazette as soon as possible, which will enable persons with disabilities and other stakeholders to provide feedback on the proposed approach in the spirit of ‘Nothing Without Us’. Input received through this consultation process will be considered in revising the regulations for final publication in Part 2 of the Canada Gazette.

At the same time, we have begun work on the delivery systems to receive CDB applications and distribute benefit payments.

Finally, we will also be working simultaneously with the provinces and territories to ensure that the CDB can best meet its goal of lifting persons with disabilities out of poverty.

We will continue to share information as this work continues, and updates will also be available on the Government of Canada’s website Overview of the Canada Disability Benefit – Supporting Canadians with disabilities – Canada.ca.

Thank you for your continued interest in the Canada Disability Benefit.

Office for Disability Issues
Employment and Social Development Canada

Transition Planning: Ottawa-Carleton District School Board

Transition

Integrated transition planning is a collaborative process that helps students with an intellectual/developmental disability and their families to access the services they are entitled to and create a plan for what to do after they leave school.

This page on the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board’s website includes resources for youth with developmental disabilities and their parents/caregivers to learn more about how to navigate life after high school:

https://www.ocdsb.ca/secondary/Special%20Education/transition_planning_workshops

Launch into Life! QuickStart Planning Tool

Transition

The Launch into Life! QuickStart Planning Tool is a new online resource created to assist individuals on the autism spectrum in creating a personalized plan for success as they transition to adulthood. It’s free and easy to use!

This QuickStart Tool was created for adolescents and young adults who are interested in creating a personalized plan for their future. It will help you understand where you are now, what you want your adult life to look like, and what you need to do next to achieve your goals.

Journey to Adulthood: A Checklist of Key Activities

Transition

Autism Ontario has created a checklist of key activities to guide you in your journey to adulthood.

Under 14

  • Access 2 Card
  • Canada Disability Tax Credit (CDTC)*
  • Ontario Health Card
  • Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)*
  • Henson Trust (also called discretionary trust)

Age 14

  • Update Psychological Assessment for DSO application*
  • Ensure transition skills are included in school’s IEP

Age 15

  • Inventory programs and services in the area for post secondary life
  • Inventory housing / residential options

Age 16

  • Apply to Developmental Services Ontario (DSO)*
  • Open a bank account (account in youth’s name)
  • Apply for an Ontario ID Card
  • Locate adult health care and service providers. Make referrals if necessary.
  • Apply for Ontario Works (OW) if applicable

Age 17

  • Apply for Ontario Disability Support Plan (ODSP) six (6) months prior to 18th birthday
  • Consider legal concerns including guardianship and/or Power of Attorney*
  • Confirm appointment with DSO to complete their application process six (6) months prior to 18th birthday.*
  • Complete applications for adult services, programs, and supports

Age 18

  • Establish guardianship or sign Power of Attorney documents *
  • DSO, Passport, and ODSP funds and supports are available at age 18*
  • Check with DSO to complete Passport Funding paperwork
  • Sign documents allowing consent to share information as needed
  • Apply for GST / HST credit on income tax

Over 18

  • Continue with secondary education till age of 21
  • Attend post secondary education (college, university)
  • Participate in community events, programs, and/or activities (with or without 1:1 support)
  • Employment (part time or full time)
  • Apprenticeships
  • Volunteer

* Item has eligibility criteria and/or may not be relevant for each individual
IMPORTANT: Ages provided are a guideline. With the exception of activities with a minimum age requirement, activities can be completed at any age.

Transition to Adulthood: Important Periods

Transition

The information in this post can be found in this brochure from Developmental Services Ontario (DSO)

Transitioning from youth to adult services is a process that requires planning. When your child turns 18, children services will end and new adult services may begin. A successful transition should begin as early as possible and prepare your child for adulthood. The following timeline shows important transition periods.

High school entry

a. Request a psychological assessment that includes cognitive and adaptive function scores for Developmental Services Ontario (DSO).
b. Update your transition plan and Individual Education Plan (IEP) with your school team.

Age 16

a. Contact DSO for short intake.
b. Mail the requested information to your DSO, including your psychological assesssment.
c. Your DSO will mail you a letter to confirm if you are eligible for adult developmental services at 18.
d. Investigate day programs and/or post secondary options with your school team.

Age 17.5

a. Complete your Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) application (separate from DSO).
b. Attend your ODSP eligibility interview. Your doctor will need to complete an eligibility package if you don’t have your DSO letter that confirms that you are eligible to receive adult developmental services at 18.

Age 18

a. If you are eligible, your monthly ODSP will begin.

Age 18 +

If your application has been started:

a. An appointment will be set up with a DSO assessor to complete the application package.
b. Your DSO assessor will send you an Assessor Summary Report (ASR).

Age 18-21

a. Graduation from high school between 18 and the year you turn 21.
b. Inform your DSO and ODSP of your graduation date 6 months prior.

Update your information

It is important to keep your local DSO up to date about any changes in your situation. For example, call us if you are planning to move or change your phone number. This helps us to make sure that we have your current contact information and to confirm that you wish to remain in the service registry.

Need more information?

To find out more, contact Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) by calling 2-1-1, or visit dsontario.ca to find your area DSO.