Step By Step ~ The Nova Scotia Legal Guardianship Kit

I have an idea percolating in my head and I would really appreciate your thoughts on it.

A participant in a recent Supported Decision Making and Legal Guardianship presentation suggested that they would like to see a workshop held on the Legal Guardianship Kit, itself; one where the Kit would be gone through step by step.

I am really excited with this idea (and sorry I didn't think of it myself!) and think it could be very useful, both for those who have already purchased the Kit but not yet taken the plunge and for those who have (and will) seriously consider the Kit but just aren't quite sure it's something they could do.

I have yet to figure out the logistics of exactly what this might look like but what I am thinking of at the moment is a small group (of no more than 10 people) where we would go through a power point presentation of each document in the Kit, one at a time, with the opportunity for questions to be asked and answered.

I realize that many people are intimidated by the Legal Guardianship Kit. But there is no doubt in my mind that although the process involves a fair bit of work, in many (most?) situations it is more than doable for the average person with no legal training. So I am thinking a workshop where we go through the Legal Guardianship Kit step by step might be just what the doctor (or lawyer) ordered.

Although there would be a fee for attending such a workshop, as it would involve a fair time commitment on my part (both in creating and delivering it), I have not yet settled on a price. However, at this point, I would like to gauge interest in such a workshop before proceeding with the work involved in creating it.

So what do you think?

Might such a workshop be something you would be interested in attending?

So Much To Post ...

... so little time!

I do have many, many things I want to share with you, dear readers.

From a question to see how interested some might be in a new little project I have up my sleeve to a post chock-full of highly "educatable" links, to information on a NBACL financial website, to more on the issue of obesity as a disability to ... well, you get the point.

Actually, that's part of the reason why I've mused about the possibility of using Twitter in the past - just to have the ability to post quick little notes on things that come across my desk, without having  to take the time to do a full blawg post.

At some later point,  a few of those things may get a more in-depth look in the form of a blawg post. But at least there would be less likelihood of things getting lost altogether. Because, yes, I must sadly admit, that  by the time I have a chance to get back and look at some items with an eye to a blawg post, I realize they're really too dated to bother with.

So, having said that, now seems a good enough time as any to ask yet again ... would anyone be interested in following me on Twitter for that purpose?

I can pretty much guarantee you that you would find a much more consistent (to say nothing of greater) flow of interesting things coming your way. Because the vast majority of the time, it's time and not material that I lack; blawg posts taking a fair bit more time to compose than they do to read. So tell me what you think.

And now, in penance for having not yet gotten to any of those things I still intend to share with you, I point you to the Places To Be List in the sidebar, which I did manage to update this evening with some new current happening events.

And with that, I will bid you a fond adieu. Until we meet again.
Which, you know, shouldn't be too long from now...

Good News

Shannon Appointed New CEO Human Rights Commission January 12, 2012 1:25 PM

-----------------------------------------------------

A Dartmouth native and the first quadriplegic to reach the North Pole is the new director and CEO of the Human Rights Commission.

David Shannon, Dalhousie University graduate, lawyer, author and human rights advocate, will take over the role effective immediately. Mr. Shannon has received the Order of Canada and Order of Ontario in recognition of his contribution to human rights.

"I'm very pleased that someone of Mr. Shannon's impressive background, experience and dedication will be leading Nova Scotia's Human Rights Commission," said Ross Landry, Minister responsible for the Human Rights Commission. "He will be a strong asset for the commission, and a strong advocate for human rights in this province."

Mr. Shannon is the author of Six Degrees of Dignity: Disability in an Age of Freedom. He was a member of the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal, special advisor to the Canadian Paraplegic Association of Ontario, and has a private law practice. Before Mr. Shannon's historic North Pole excursion in 2009, he made a 9,000-kilometre, 197-day trek in 1997, to promote social inclusion for all Canadians.

"Nova Scotia has a deep and rich history of diversity," said Mr. Shannon. "I look forward to joining the many people across this province who, on a daily basis, contribute to creating a discrimination-free community."

Other recent appointments to the Human Rights Commission include Eunice Harker (Sydney), chair, and Donald Fraser (Kentville), Duncan Gould (Sydney), Colleen Prentice (Chezzetcook) and Joseph Tharamangalam (Halifax) as commissioners. The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission is an independent government commission that administers the province's Human Rights Act.

I went to Law School with Dave Shannon. Yeah, we must be getting old ...

I didn't know Dave real well but certainly knew him to see him and have been following his adventures with interest over the years. Actually there were several times that I came across things concerning Dave that I meant to post about but, unfortunately, it never happened. Alas, 'tis the story of my life ...

At any rate, I do hold out some hope that things might take a turn for the better at the Human Rights Commission with Dave at the helm. Hope does spring eternal, doesn't it?

Bully For Him

The main reason why I don't list a blog roll on this site is because I have yet too find very many (read any) good Canadian blogs dealing with special needs and the law. Let alone any such Nova Scotia blogs (good or otherwise).  And that matters, of course, because laws can very drastically between provinces, let alone countries.

But I came across a blog post today I would really like to share.

Gregory R. Branch is an attorney in California who specializes in education law, be it special education, school suspension, bullying ... you get the picture. And while his legal services won't be of much any good to you here in Nova Scotia, some of his expertise might just be useful.

In particular, this blog post I came across today entitled "What To Do If Your Special Needs Child Is Being Bullied". Although much of the content appears to be the usual suggestions offered parents in such situations, I particularly like like his comments about involving the child's Program Planning Team ("Schedule An Emergency IEP").

So check out the post and the rest of the blog.

Just be careful to remember that we most definitely don't have access to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ("IDEA") in Nova Scotia, with all the built-in due process and student and parent safeguards. Still, no doubt there's some good useful information buried there.

As an aside, I hope to get up some more education-related information in the next few days, particularly a list of links to some interesting Dept of Education documents.

UN Gives Nod To World Down Syndrome Day

UPDATE: Down Syndrome International is delighted to announce that a resolution to designate 21 March as “World Down Syndrome Day”, to be observed every year beginning in 2012, was adopted by consensus during the plenary meeting of the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday 10 November 2011.

The United Nations is on track to officially recognize an annual World Down Syndrome Day starting in 2012.

A resolution to establish the awareness day on March 21 of each year cleared a U.N. committee by consensus last week. Officials say it will be adopted by the international body’s General Assembly in December.

The United States is one of 78 countries supporting the effort, which is spearheaded by Brazil.

Supporters said the date — March 21, or 3/21 — is significant because Down syndrome occurs when a person has three copies of the 21st chromosome.

Advocates from around the world have honored Down syndrome awareness on March 21 for the last six years. Earlier this fall, more than 12,000 people signed a petition to request U.N. recognition in an effort to bring extra meaning to the day. Per the resolution, member nations and private groups would be asked to promote Down syndrome awareness on the special day.

A similar U.N.-sanctioned day already exists to honor autism. In 2007, the international body named April 2 World Autism Awareness Day. Correction: This article has been modified to reflect that 78 countries sponsored the U.N. resolution to establish World Down Syndrome Day.

Visit www.worlddownsyndromeday.org for more information

By Shaun Heasley

A Very Unmerry Christmas

UPDATE: Perhaps Kentucky could take a look at what Wisconsin (and many other US states) are up to in this area. Not that Wisconsin is a light shining in the wilderness - it's previous "incidents" include a teenager with PTSD who died when his teacher sat on him and a 4 year old with CP and autism being strapped to a pretend (look alike) electric chair.

Sifting through my email this morning, I came across this story.

This story that almost defines words.

A 9-year-old autistic boy who misbehaved at school was stuffed into a duffel bag and the drawstring pulled tight, according to his mother, who said she found him wiggling inside as a teacher's aide stood by.

The mother of fourth-grader Christopher Baker said her son called out to her when she walked up to him in the bag Dec. 14. The case has spurred an online petition calling for the firing of school employees responsible.

"He was treated like trash and thrown in the hallway," Chris' mother, Sandra Baker, said Thursday. She did not know how exactly how long he had been in the bag, but probably not more than 20 minutes.

And just what did this young boy do to ... deserve ... such treatment, you may ask?

Baker said when school officials called the family to pick him up, they were told he was "jumping off the walls." Days later, at a meeting with school officials, Baker said she was told the boy had smirked at the teacher when he was told to put down a basketball, then threw it across the room.

But don't fret, gentle reader. All will be fine. After all, the matter is being ... investigated.

Mercer County schools Interim Superintendent Dennis Davis said confidentiality laws forbid him from commenting.

"The employees of the Mercer County Public Schools are qualified professionals who treat students with respect and dignity while providing a safe and nurturing learning environment," Davis said in a statement.  

And there is, of course, legitimate reason for using a duffel bag in such a manner.

At a meeting with school district officials, the bag was described as a "therapy bag," Baker said, though she wasn't clear exactly what that meant. She said her son would sometimes be asked to roll over a bag filled with balls as a form of therapy, but she didn't know her son was being placed in the bag. She said school officials told her it was not the first time they had put him in the bag.

After all, it's not like this sort of thing occurs on a regular basis.

A July letter from the state agency to special education directors said the state had investigated two informal complaints this year.

In one, "a student (was) nearly asphyxiated while being restrained," and in the other, a student vomited from panic attacks after spending most of an academic year "confined to a closet, with no ventilation or outside source of light," according to the letter.

So. What are we to make of this?

In Kentucky, there are no laws on using restraint or seclusion in public schools.

I'm not aware of any "time out" bags being used in Nova Scotia, but we're all very aware what can happen time out rooms aren't regulated. Or, sometimes, even when they supposedly are.

It boggles the mind to think that such a thing could happen in the US, of all places, with their plethora of safeguards against just such abuse.

The woman who started a petition in this matter, herself autistic, stated "That would not be wrong just for an autistic student. That would be wrong to do to anyone".

Might I suggest that the only statement that need be made (if any) is that such a thing should not be done to any student. Ever. Period.

This is not just a lawsuit waiting to be filed. It's a lawsuit begging to be filed.

Worker Bees

What a great Christmas present!

I just unwrapped the Halifax Association for Community Living Family Support Program's Workshop Calendar for 2012. And there's some very, very interesting stuff inside.

Check it out!

February: "Circles" workshop "Circles" for youth and adults with intellectual disabilities who are interested in learning about relationships and intimacy.

April: "RDSP" workshop The Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) helps Canadians with disabilities and their families save for the future. If you are a Canadian resident under age 60 and are eligible for the Disability Tax Credit, you are eligible for an RDSP. Earnings accumulate tax-free, until you take money out of your RDSP.

June: "Housing Options, Problems and Solutions" workshop Alternative Family Support Program Independent Living Support Approved Community-Based Homes Licensed Homes for Special Care

August: "From Emotions to Advocacy" workshop "From Emotions to Advocacy" by Pam and Pete Wright of Wrightslaw, geared towards advocates of individuals with intellectual disabilities and based on the workbook.

September: "Guardianship and Henson Trust" workshop Not every individual with an intellectual disability will require a guardian. However, they may need a guardian for specific areas of decision-making or for most aspects of daily living. The needs of adults who need a guardian are as varied as are their abilities to make their own decisions.

Protecting Your Child's Future with the Henson Trust or "absolute discretionary trust". Come find out how to protect your savings for your child with a disability so they will still be able to access community services benefits upon your passing.

Times and locations TBA in the New Year...

See you in 2012!

I will, of course, post the dates on the sidebar ("Places To Be") when they become available.

'Autism Night Before Christmas'

From 5 Minutes for Special Needs (a spot I make it to far too rarely lately), something I think many of my readers can relate to, whether or not their child is diagnosed with autism.

Twas the Night Before Christmas

And all through the house

The creatures were stirring

Yes, even the mouse

We tried melatonin
And gave a hot bath
But the holiday jitters
They always distract

The children were finally
All nestled in bed
When nightmares of terror
Ran through my OWN head

Did I get the right gift
The right color
And style
Would there be a tantrum
Or even, maybe, a smile?

Our relatives come
But they don’t understand
The pleasure he gets
Just from flapping his hands.

“He needs discipline,” they say
“Just a well-needed smack,
You must learn to parent…”
And on goes the attack

Now go read the rest of it. Please.

And  a Very Merry Christmas to you all.

Who Knew?

Apparently we have our own day.

Persons with disabilities make up an estimated 15 per cent of the world’s population. Almost one-fifth of the estimated global total of persons living with disabilities, or between 110-190 million, encounter significant difficulties. Furthermore, a quarter of the global population is directly affected by disability, as care-givers or family members. Persons with disabilities encounter many disadvantages in their societies and are often subjected to stigma and discrimination. They remain largely marginalized, disproportionately poorer, frequently unemployed and have higher rates of mortality.

.  .  .  .

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which is both a human rights treaty and a development tool, provides an opportunity to strengthen developmental policies related to the implementation of internationally agreed development goals, such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), thereby contributing to the realization of a “society for all” in the twenty-first century.

.  .  .  .

Sub-themes for commemorating the International Day of persons with disabilities in 2011 This year, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs requested the input of its partners and the general public for suggestions on a theme for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2011. Many responses were received from both, the UN system and civil society.

Now, for the first time, the Day will be commemorated under a general theme with supporting sub-themes to draw attention to keyout own day.

I'm glad to see not everyone missed it anyway.


I AM... I Love from L'Arche Canada-Communications on Vimeo.


Yes, it's not much, I know.
But I thought the least I could do was acknowledge it.

Looking For Work

Or perhaps that should read "Will Work For Free".

Hello:

As you may or may not know, TETRA is a volunteer based group of technically skilled volunteers who offer their talents to design and construct “off the shelf” solutions for persons with disabilities.  Our Halifax Chapter is actively seeking out projects to keep our volunteers busy. 

If possible, can you send this email (below) out to your clients/consumers as an information service on our behalf?

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Respectfully,

Kevin Murphy

TETRA Halifax Chapter Coordinator

404-7033

The latest edition of Gizmo, newsletter of the Tetra Society of North America, has just been published.

Have a look at some of the inventions and ingenious engineering solutions of Tetra Society volunteers – each helping overcome a physical barrier faced by an individual with a disability.

It includes features on: a device that allows a double amputee to get around, and exit safely from, her apartment; Calgary chapter building its own workshop; a device for a tetraplegic sharpshooter; and the growing trend of university engineering professors using Tetra challenges to teach the engineers of the future.

All this, as they say, plus much, much more.

If you want to know more about Tetra, check out the website, take part in our forum or visit us on Facebook. (If you want to help out, there are various volunteer options, or consider making a donation.)

I've passed on info about these folks to some friends years ago and they were quite pleased with the modified bike they were able to get for their son.  So it might well be worth checking into. 

What do you need? What would you like?

Maybe, just maybe, Christmas will come early for some family...

Two Fer

Just a heads-up in case anybody missed it - I will be giving two presentations (hence the title of this post) at the Keshman Goodman Library (330 Lacewood Drive) in Halifax this Saturday (November 26th). The first  will be on the Henson Trust and it's use in Nova Scotia and the second (much longer) presentation will cover Supported Decision-Making and Legal Guardianship in Nova Scotia.

I've written extensively about both these topics on the blawg so if you're a wee bit confused (or simply don't have the energy to plough throw the myriad of posts), this will be a good chance to either learn it from scratch or have your questions answered.

The show starts at 1:30 and I look forward to seeing you.

Incidentally, there's no cost for this event, which is being graciously hosted by HACL.

Please RVSP by calling the Halifax Assoociation for Community Lirving @ 463-4752 or email Yvetter or Lisa at famsupporthacl@eastlink.ca. 

Guilty As Charged

I am sad to say that I am equally at fault here.
Perhaps even more at fault, given my personal connection* to this issue.

You see, although I recall hearing about the release of the Braemore Report on the radio (and equally recall my bestest intentions to get a copy of the report and write a blawg post), once again, life got in the way.

But fortunately it's not too late.  Not for me. Not for you.

Let's make sure it's not too late for them.

Dear Families, Friends and Members of NSACL

In October, 2011 the Department of Community Services released a long awaited Operational Review of Braemore Home in Sydney, Nova Scotia. This review came about after findings of abuse related to a 21 year old resident with Autism. Two days after the release NSACL along with our National Association, CACL released a press release, which has to date not been picked up by the media. We need to bring this review and our concerns to the media. The same week this review was released the news of the Ship Building contract was announced and it is believed that the review and its findings got lost. WE CAN’T LET THIS HAPPEN

I am attaching the Braemore Review...please read it... please also be prepared to read some very distressing and disturbing information. I am also attaching the addresses of Minister Denise Peterson –Rafuse and Premier Dexter in the hopes that you will write a letter in regards to the review. I am also including how you can get in touch with the Chronicle Herald’s letter to the Editor department. Letters to the editor: email letters@herald.ca And lastly I am attaching our press release.

• We need to let people know that this is not acceptable, not now, not ever and certainly not one more day. This is not what we want for our sons, daughters or family members.
• Nova Scotians should be outraged that persons with disabilities are being abused in institutions.
• Nova Scotians should be outraged that institutions exist in this province, there is no place in Nova Scotia for institutional services for persons with intellectual disabilities. Regardless of degree of disability or complexity of needs, all are equally entitled to community based support. 
• NSACL’s position paper on Deinstitutionalization is also attached to this email.

Please write letters to the editor, letters to the Minister of the Department of Community Services, the Premier and your local MLA’s. We cannot let this go unnoticed...we need to have a strong voice.

Thank you in advance for bringing attention to this matter. If you wish further information please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.

Jean Coleman,
Executive Director
Nova Scotia Association for Community Living
22-24 Dundas Street, Suite 100 Dartmouth, NS
B2Y 4L2
469-1174
nsacl@accesswave.ca

Braemore Home Operational Review
Braemore Press Release
NSACL Position Paper on Deinstitutionalization

Honourable Darrell Dexter                 424-6600                     424-7648                premier@gov.ns.ca  

Premier, Office of the Premier

7th Floor, One Government Place

1700 Granville Street

P.O. Box 726

Halifax, Nova Scotia

B3J 2T3

Honourable Denise Peterson-Rafuse    424-4304                  428-0618                   petersdj@gov.ns.ca

Department of Community Services

8th Floor, Nelson Place

5675 Spring Garden Road

P.O. Box 696

Halifax, Nova Scotia

B3J 2T7

We know what we need to do. 
Now are we up for the challenge? 

* I have a sister-in-law residing in Braemore.

Note to Self ** ... And Small Kudo to Gov't

** Please try to remember to post relevant happenings when they actually happen.

Province Expands Program for Families Supporting a Child with a Disability

More Nova Scotia families caring for a child with a disability will soon have help thanks to a $1.3‐million provincial investment.

The Department of Community Services is expanding the income eligibility guidelines for the Direct Family Support for Children Program to support more children with disabilities who live at home with their families.

"Families want their children to stay at home and in their communities," said Community Services Minister Denise Peterson‐Rafuse."This investment is making life better for families, and shows our commitment to improve services for persons with disabilities and their families."

Effective Dec. 1, the amount a family can make and be eligible for the Direct Family Support for Children Program jumps from $47,000 to $72,000, after taxes. More than 80 additional families will now have access to this funding, which helps with costs for things like transportation, medication and respite when a break is needed. The amount of assistance a family receives varies depending on their income, assessed need for respite and family size.

. . . .

Government has increased investments in programs for persons with disabilities by $19 million since 2009, bringing the annual budget to nearly $255 million.

My apologies, I fully intended to post this the day it was announced, meaning it is now over a week old.

Still, better late than never, right?

Posted Without Comment

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

A Voice in the Wilderness

Following is a copy of my presenataion at the recent CACL Conference, part of multi-person session on supported decision making. As the above title implies, I was the sole person questoning how well this concept might actually work.

A good discussion followed in which some of concerns were discussed and explained. Some to my satisfaction and others less so. Such is life.

Long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away (in other words, before I had a child with a disability), I was involved with grassroots political lobbying for children in third world countries. Doing that work, I became very attached to a quote from Stephen Lewis, Canada's Ambassador to the United Nations at the time, to the effect that the day would come would societies would be judged not by their industrial or economic output, but by how they treated their most vulnerable citizens.

I approach the issue of supported decision making primarily as a mother. A mother with a legal background, a mother who walks both in the field of disability and law, but a mother.

I've tried to read some of what Michael [Ed. Michael Bach - Vice President of CACL) and others have written on exactly how supported decision making would work. I say tried, not due to lack of interest, but simply due to lack of time. Because I found it fascinating. But, quite frankly, I also found some of it scary.

I was particularly struck by the response to a statement made by the Ontario Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions' statement that the "right to autonomy must be balanced with the right to be well". Part of the response to that statement was that there is no recognized right to be well in domestic or international law.

I beg to differ - Section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees all of us the right to "life, liberty and security of the person". I would have no trouble arguing that that includes a right to be well. After all, I listened to Dr. Condoluci speak yesterday of research showing that cross-culturally parents want their children to be healthy, happy and have longevity. I rest my case. For now anyway.

I love the concept of supported decision making. In the abstract. But my concern is exactly how we are to balance the right to autonomy (that you, I and everyone else at this Conference demands and deserves) with the duty to protect where decision-making abilities are limited or where they are lacking needed supports or where people are vulnerable to abuse or neglect.

The Road To Hell

I've been flat-out busy lately but I can't believe it's been over a month since I've posted. So apologies.

What have I been up to, you ask?

Well, a few more presentations on Supported Decision-Making and Legal Guardianship in Nova Scotia. The effort involved in trying to start a new business (see above).

And, what I would most like to share with you, attending the recent CACL (Canadian Association for Community Living) Conference. My youngest and I headed out again and it was a great, if exhausting, weekend.

So, quickly them (much to do, much to do) some of the highlights, in no particular order:

• reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones
• meeting Emily Eaton and her father
• hearing/seeing the infamous Michael Kendrick (author of the infamous Kendrick Report) for the first time
• the pre-conference session with Dr. Al Condolusi (a most excellent speaker/presenter)
• hearing, with my very own ears, our Minister of Community Services state that she believes that every person in this Province is entitled to live in the community, if they so choose (and briefly discussing that comment with her afterwards)

Okay, yeah, I might have saved the best for last.

Now the real question is will I ever get back here to post more about the Conference?

Let's just say I hope to but I'm not making any promises.
Because, sometimes, when I make promises, it just doesn't work out so well.

Now just what is that saying about the road to hell?

Hell isn't merely paved with good intentions; it's walled and
roofed with them. Yes, and furnished too.
~ Aldous Huxley

Where Will You Go ... What Will You Discover?

Wow ... I was updating the "Places To Be" section in the sidebar and was amazed pleasantly surprised at how much is happening in the next little while.  So much so, in fact, that I thought it might just be best to give it a little more visibility and post about it right here.

You might think this month is pretty well shot but don't be fooled, there's still four activities left for this last week of September. 

Besides the regularly occurring Social Night for Persons with Disabilities every Tuesday @ 4:00 and the Mental Health for All Coffee House running Saturday afternoons from 1:00 - 4:00 from now until December 3rd (both in Halifax), Ken Pope, LLB, TEP, Henson Trust Specialist is offering a live videoconference/webcast on Disabilities and Estate Planning this Wednesday, Sept. 28th from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm.

Topics to be discussed include ODSP eligibility and benefits, exempt asset arrangements, using and back filing the disability and caregiver tax credits, Registered Disability Savings Plans, legal guardianship and Powers of Attorney, Wills and Henson Trust arrangements, funding trusts with life insurance, RRSP rollovers to adult children with disabilities, Lifetime Benefits Trusts to receive RRSPs for children as parallel trusts, and planned giving, bequests, charitable remainder gifts and minimization of income tax on death from RRSPs.

Also on Wednesday (and yes, you can do both because this just happens to be in the evening), Nova Scotia Community College Disability Services is offering an Information Session for parents, teachers, guidance counsellors and students. The point of the session is to answer questions about the transition from high school to college for learners with disabilities including those who are on an Individualized Program Plans. Issues that will be explored include how to help someone with a disability apply to college, whether having an IPP makes a difference when it comes to applying to community college, what can be done now to get ready for college in the Fall, what resources are available at NSSC that students might find helpful and what funding is available for students with disabilities in post secondary education. And, of course, often the most pressing question for parents; "I know how to support my child in school - what's going to change now s/he is going to college?".

And that's just for September.

Success

About our little adventure in trying to get out youngest daughter into Landmark East ... I have only one word to say.

Success.

Okay, maybe nine words ... Thank you Lord.  And Thank you Dept of Education.

And, trust me, the latter are not words you would ever often hear me say.

Now, next up ...

Did You Know?

Sorry I am a bit late getting this out (public school having started two days ago) but I do have a wee bit of an excuse - having just spent the last week or so trying to get Tuition Support funding to get my youngest daughter into Landmark East, I'm a little on the fried side.

Wish me luck, please ... although the school has agreed to take her and she started on Wednesday with the rest of them,we still don't know if the funding will work out!

But on to what I am here to talk about ... in the process of trying to crack the doors of a private school for learning disabilities, I happened to learn a couple of things I thought some of you might find interesting.

So here goes ....

• Unlike the former system of a student having to be on an IPP before they could access tuition support funding, the program now calls for them to be on an IPP, to have been on an IPP or to be "working towards an IPP"; and
  
• For a parent considering appealing an IPP, the regulations use to provide that only "outcomes" or "placement" could be appealed. BUT NOW IT'S POSSIBLE FOR A PARENT TO APPEAL THE FACT THAT A CHILD DOES NOT HAVE AN IPP ... in other words, that the school refuses to put the child on an IPP. [For those wondering, this is based on a change to s. 53(3) of the Ministerial Regulations made under the Education Act]

Two rather big developments I would say. 

With regard to the first, remember that it doesn't have to be an academic IPP. It could just as easily be a social IPP that the student is "working towards".

And with regard to the latter, I have spoken with many parents over the years whose children were refused IPPs and who were effectively left with no recourse other than the possibility of a costly law suit. Not so any more.

As a final thought, if one were inclined to put these changes together- if a parent was anxious to access one of the private schools for a student without an IPP, there are now two possible routes around that obstacle - convene a meeting of your child's program planning team and see if they are willing to work towards an IPP (social or academic) for the child or, if the school is uncooperative in that regard, appeal the school's refusal to provide an IPP. 

I'm not suggesing for one minute that going through that latter appeal process would be either an easy or fun experience (it generally being recoginzed that you are almost guaranteed to lose any such appeal at the school board level) but it does potentially open a door that, up until now, didn't even exist.

And that has to be a good thing, right?

RDSP Information Workshops

Independent Living Nova Scotia (ILNS) is pleased to be offering free workshops throughout Nova Scotia to help you understand the Registered Disability Savings Plan.

Helping you save

The Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) is a long-term savings vehicle to help you, your child, your family and others save for the long-term financial security of a person with a severe disability. Contributions to an RDSP could be supplemented by matching Canada Disability Savings Grants from the Government of Canada. The Canada Disability Savings Bond is also available for low-income families even if no contributions are made. RDSPs can be opened until the year the beneficiary turns 59 and Grant and Bondcan be received until the year they turn 49.

You have questions; we have answers.

To schedule a workshop in your area or for more information please contact ILNS at 453.0004.

We can also be reached toll free from anywhere in Nova Scotia at 1.877.310.4567

2011 RDSP Update

It is a pleasure to announce another new feature to our web site – videos about the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP), the Canada Disability Savings Grant and the Canada Disability Savings Bond in American Sign Language (ASL) and Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ). The Office for Disability Issues developed these videos to provide members of the Deaf and hard of Hearing communities with general Program information. These videos are equipped with closed captioning and voice narration.

Also, as you may have read in the information kit recently mailed to you, the Government of Canada introduced two improvements to the RDSP, the grant and the bond that provide more flexibility to Canadians with disabilities and their families when saving for the future.

• Effective January 2011, individuals can claim unused grant and bond entitlements from the past 10 years (starting from 2008, the year RDSPs became available). This applies to new and existing plans.

• · As of July 2011, parents or grandparents will be able to arrange for some or all of their retirement savings to be transferred, tax-free, to the RDSP of their financially dependent child or grandchild when they pass away.

More recently, in Budget 2011, the Government also announced a new provision that gives more flexibility to people with shortened life expectancies when making withdrawals from their RDSP. This measure is effective as of June 26, 2011.

The contents of this information kit have recently been added to the “In Focus” box on our web site.

We invite you to visit www.disabilitysavings.gc.ca to use these tools to promote awareness about the RDSP, grant and bond among your membership. Information about the RDSP, the grant and the bond continues to be available on our web site, or by calling 1 800 O-Canada (1 800-622-6232). TTY users may call 1-800-926-9105. A detailed brochure – available in alternate formats such as large print, Braille, audio cassette, CD, DAISY, and computer diskette – is also available by calling these numbers.

Should you wish to make an inquiry by e-mail, please send your message to rdsp-orgs-reei@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca.

Kindly,

RDSP, Grant and Bond Outreach Team

My apologies for mostly just passing on information received from others recently.  But it is good information and I try to tell myself that it's better to pass along such material then to post nothing at all. 

It's not that I don't have stuff of my own to write about, it's just that life can be ... complicated, at times.