WE MOVED … while you were out
Got our own server, got it all set up, moved all the stories over, even kept the same name
WE MOVED TO
That’s easy!
Click on over and change your bookmarks when you get there.
Oh give me land, lots of land under starry skies above, don’t fence me in…
Click her to our new site
Guardian bans disability advocate, sells newspapers with disabled child
Use ‘em and abuse ‘em, Guardian and Journal Pioneer sell papers with disabled child (Guardian photo by Heather Taweel) By Stephen Pate
NJN Network
January 20, 2009
Hard times at Transcontinental or hypocrites?
What is causing the schizoid behaviour at the Transcontinental, Guardian and Journal Pioneer these days? The Guardian and Journal Pioneer front page today is selling papers with a cute picture of this year’s Easter Seals Ambassador. Last night the Guardian banned the email I have a dream on Barack Obama from PEI Disability Alert.
Easter Seals and Rotary abusing children with disabilities Part 2
By Stephen Pate
PEI Disability Alert
January 20, 2009
The annual Rotary Easter Seals fund raiser needs to be fixed to stop the abuse of children. However, Rotary will do everything in its power to discredit this report and me. It has already started but you are reading the truth here. It’s ironic to be discussing this on the inauguration of US President Obama. Yesterday the Charlottetown, Montague and Summerside Rotary Clubs announced their joint, annual Easter Seals campaign. In an article last week, Rotary Easter Seals abuses children with disabilities, we discussed in general terms our concerns about this campaign. I know the deal as a Rotarian for almost 20 years, a fund raiser for Easter Seals / March of Dimes and a child with a disability used in fund raisers.
Massive infrastructure spending a waste
Mild consumption boost required
By Stephen Pate
PEI Disability Alert
January 18, 2009
Any massive amount of infrastructure spending in Canada will result in more patronage spending, making the rich richer. It will have little benefit for ordinary Canadians and the long lasting effect of more national debt. If the government wants to improve the economy, a mild boost in consumption by consumers is the best approach. A modest tax cut for middle income taxpayers may work, although they can decide to save and not spend if they are worried about their jobs and homes.
The Guaranteed Annual Income plan for those living below the poverty line (LICO) would result in more direct spending. The poor have unmet needs and additional money would be spent to meet those needs not saved. The GAI is also supposed to be spending neutral for the government since it costs less to administer than the myriad of existing social programs, according to Senator Hugh Segal and other social economists.
Read the rest of this entry »
Disabled sold for 30 pieces of silver
Money is a bad motivator, Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver
By Stephen Pate
PEI Disability Alert
January 17, 2009
Judas Iscariot sold Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Today we call that “payroll loyalty” – support the government that pays your way. In Great Britain, the government will “whip” or force support from any one or group who is on the government payroll. That’s what is happening on PEI with 22,000 Islanders with disabilities and their support organizations.
When we first reported the $1 million cutback in spending on PEI Disability Supports back in 2006, none of the other disability advocacy groups supported our findings. They were “payroll loyal” to the government of the day. After trying to get a response, we despaired of getting them to speak in the March 2007 article Why have the disability groups not spoken out on DSP cutbacks?
Read the rest of this entry »
Mary Jean would you help us
Innovation Minister Allan Campbell gave Master Packaging CEO Mary Jean Irving $14.5 million to help 25 people (CBC)
By Stephen Pate
PEI Disability Alert
With the kind of money Premier Ghiz is giving Mary Jean Irving, he could help 2,500 poor Islanders reach the Low Income Cut Off (LICO) or poverty line. Or Premier Ghiz could add 3,000 seniors to the PEI Disability Support Program like he promised.
Mary Jean why don’t you donate $10 or $20 million to the poor and disabled and get yourself some brownie points with the Big Guy and thousands of Islanders in need? We’ll try to get Premier Ghiz to provide matching funds and maybe some other generous people will contribute as well.
Evil Guardian censor rears its ugly head
Big Brother Gary is watching you
By Stephen Pate
PEI Disability Alert
January 13, 2009
Free speech is not encumbered by some editors’ vicissitudes. With his views on censorship, MacDougall could get a job in Communist China or Premier Ghiz’s office.
Free speech is a lost commodity at the Charlottetown Guardian these days as hard-nosed editor Gary McDougall takes the blunt censor’s axe to our comment on the Ghiz Cabinet shuffle. 16 other Islanders enjoy a wide latitude of free speech that is being denied to other Islanders and me. Do we have to fight for Freedom of Expression, Freedom of the Press, and freedom from discrimination on the basis of age, sex, race and disability? What kind of a third world dictatorship is PEI becoming?
Rotary Easter Seals abuses children with disabilities
By Stephen Pate
PEI Disability Alert
January 13, 2009
The patronizing fawning that occurs during the Rotary Easter Seals fund raising campaign is child abuse. The disabled child is objectified and used to raise money with minimal concern for their well-being. Read the rest of this entry »
PEI Unemployment rate tops 16.6% for disabled
By Stephen Pate
NJN News
January 5, 2009
Statistics Canada reports unemployment for Canadians with disabilities is 10.4% whereas for those without an disability unemployment is 6.8%.That represents 50% higher unemployment if you are one of Canada’s 3.4 million disabled.On PEI, the rate of unemployment for the disabled is 16.6% versus 11.1% without a disability. Only Newfoundland and Nunavut have higher rates of disabled unemployment.Government programs to assist employment of persons with disabilities have failed to even the playing field. The Province of PEI has no effective program to ensure employment equity for the disabled.
Unemployment Graph Canada 2006 Statistics
Source Statistics Canada PALS 2006
Americans With a Disability Reaches 54.4 Million
By Stephen Pate
NJN News
January 5, 2009
And we think we have problems: the US Census Bureau announced on December 18th that 54 million Americans have a disability.”About one in five U.S. residents – 19 percent – reported some level of disability in 2005, according to a U.S. Census Bureau report released today. These 54.4 million Americans are roughly equal to the combined total populations of California and Florida.” says the press release. Read the rest of this entry »
NYC Disabled Man Left in Bus on Icy Night
The New York Times reported that a 22 year old man with CP was left over night on the disability bus. The bus matron knew he was still on the bus but wanted to get home. The police charged her with “felony reckless endangerment.”According to the story published: January 1, 2009 “a 22-year-old disabled man spent a frigid New Year’s night alone, strapped in his seat on a bus parked overnight at a Brooklyn depot after he was left behind, the police said on Thursday.”
File under: we could use that here
Denver Westwood Blogs reports the Denver Colorado “city is recruiting citizens interested in ticketing those able-bodied but ass-lazy drivers who park in handicapped zones.”We could use that here. We’ve seen hale and hearty teenagers parking in accessible parking zones. One day at the Zellers Mall, two Aliant service trucks parked in the disabled zones while the service men went inside for something or other.
Man with disability wins scooter
Graham Burke’s request for an electric scooter for his walking disability was granted after 11 months. Paralyzed on his right side, Mr. Burke’s request to the Disability Support Program was initially turned down in December 2006. He appealed and the review panel overturned the Queen’s Region DSP this week.
Mr. Burke, of Charlottetown PEI, suffered a stroke six years ago that left him semi-paralyzed on his right side. While he can walk, he walks with great difficulty and precariously. Graham’s doctor and occupational therapist recommended an electric scooter as an assistive device.
Breaking News: PEI Human Rights rules in favour of parents with autistic childen
The parents of four children with autism got good news today when the PEI Human Rights Commission ruled in their favour. The Panel ruled that the government had discriminated against the children on the basis of mental disability in using the FIM or screening tool. The Panel also ruled that the government had discriminated when using income testing on the basis of age.
What are RDSP’s?
RDSP’s or Registered Disability Savings Plans are a brand new government program that may allow you to save money for a dependant or related person who qualifies for the Disability Tax Credit. The program is so new that only the Bank of Montreal has its program ready, according to their website.
RDSP’s little help
Social Services and Seniors Minister Doug Currie, solution disconnected from the problem for disabled
By Stephen Pate
NJN News
The Registered Disability Savings Plans (RDSP’S) implemented by the government are useless for most Islanders with disabilities.A benefit cited in the press release that follows says, “Families of people with disabilities will be able to take advantage of new Registered Disability Savings Plans (RDSPs) while also receiving support from the Department of Social Services and Seniors.”The likelihood that someone will be able to save money and receive social assistance and the same time is pretty slim, since social assistance usually puts the disabled person at less than 60% of the poverty line (LICO). Survival, not saving, is the main concern of the person living with the disability at that income level.
Ghiz earns 2008 Scrooge Award to the Disabled
Letter to the Editor
December 17th, 2008
Robert Ghiz earns 2008 Scrooge Award to the Disabled
PEI Disability Alert is giving the “2008 Scrooge to the Disabled” award to PEI Premier Robert Ghiz for not delivering on his promise to put seniors into the PEI Disability Support Program. This is the first official year for this award, although Premier Pat Binns did get honourable mention in our December 20, 2006 article “PEI Government plays Scrooge to Islanders with disabilities”.
Premier Ghiz has mismanaged the reported $400 million in Immigrant Investment. He is wasting $200 million annually on patronage by sole sourcing government business that should be tendered. He lavishes money on large corporations like the recent $30 million low-interest loan to build another luxury hotel in Charlottetown.
Will the Council renew Kay Reynolds legacy
The passing of disability activist Kay Reynolds Kay Reynolds, champion of rights for disabled on P.E.I., dies at 85 is an opportunity for the disability community to pause and reflect on her life and accomplishments. In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus said to the profitable servant “Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful in a few things. I will put you in charge of many things.” If the Lord was handing out assignments, he looked on Kay and put her in charge of many things. Despite her personal disability, she accomplished almost the impossible during her life. We name the organizations she started or belonged to like the PEI Council of the Disabled and Pat and the Elephant as a proud list of our heritage on PEI.
Kay Reynolds, champion of disabled, dies Thursday
EDITORIAL STAFF
Kay Reynolds, a champion of the rights of the disabled in Prince Edward Island for more than half a century, died Thursday at the Prince Edward Home in Charlottetown. She was 85.
The funeral is to take place Monday from Central Christian Church at 11 a.m. Visiting hours are Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. at MacLean Funeral Home Swan Chapel.
Reynolds fought for the rights of the disabled since she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1949.
She was instrumental in the formation of the P.E.I. Council of the Disabled and the first Island Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society and had long supported the work of Pat and the Elephant, the specialized transportation service utilized by Islanders with disabilities.
She served as a member of that service’s board of directors and continually fought for funding to help preserve it.
For her work, she was named Islander of the Year, an award sponsored by The Evening Patriot.
Reynolds was born in Dartmouth, Oct. 11, 1923, was educated at Prince of Wales College, and graduated from the P.E.I. Hospital School of Nursing in 1945.
Reynolds was a young mother and professional nurse when she was first diagnosed with MS. Read the rest of this entry »
Does her disability mean attendance policy goes out the window?
Editor – US law and precedents are not usually law in Canada but the case does emphasize the person with a disability cannot ignore their responsibilities.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, disabled employees are often granted exemptions from certain company policies. But where should employers draw the line? The most common problem: attendance. Some courts have ruled that disabled workers should be allowed to take time off or arrive late, unless the company can prove punctuality is an essential function of the person’s job. But does that mean those employees are free to ditch work whenever they want without consequences? No, it doesn’t, according to a recent court ruling:
Ontario Lt.-Gov. David Onley Says China a Model For Disability Awareness
The last thing you’d expect a politician to admit is how North America could learn something from China when it comes to human rights. In an exclusive interview with David Onley, Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Ontario, he said just that.
By Chris Hogg
Digital Journal
This article is part 1 in a two-part series on disability issues. We obviously have profound differences with China when it comes to human rights,” Onley tells DigitalJournal.com in an exclusive interview in his office at Toronto’s Queen’s Park. “But with disability, we can learn something from China.” Onley, 58, was stricken with polio as a child, paralyzing him from the neck down. Eventually regaining the use of most of his muscles, Onley today must walk with leg braces and a cane. He’s been a long-time supporter and advocate for those with disabilities, and he wants to use his position as Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor to help encourage change. Read the rest of this entry »
