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Just a Reminder!

Just  A Reminder!we have moved

Yes, we have moved and are located in the beautiful Warehouse District of Regina. We occupy space with Neil Squire Society on the 2nd Floor of 2206 Dewdney Ave. If you require assistance or access, please contact our office at 306-569-3111 and someone will be able to assist you. Accessible parking is on Cornwall St. and the elevator is at the back entrance of the building. We look forward to seeing you at our new location! 

 

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Posted on by Marg

Sask advocates say dignity tied to disability funding

REGINA – The provincial government is being urged to increase funding for people living with disabilities in Saskatchewan.

On Tuesday, the Saskatchewan Disability Income Support Coalition (DISC) said the current amount provided through the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) program doesn’t keep up with the cost of living.

More than 15,000 people with disabilities in Saskatchewan live off of roughly $1,300 a month, or $43 dollars a day.

Thirty percent of their income supports their disability, and after paying for things like rent, paratransit and food, there’s not much left at the end of the month.

“By the time I buy groceries, pay rent and bills, I might have 15 to 20 dollars a month left over,” said Sharlene Eger, a recipient of the SAID program.

DISC is recommending the government increase funding by $250 per person, a month.

“It would make a great deal of a difference,” added Eger. “Just to go out and buy more items that are high protein to help my health.”

Judy Hannah, with DISC said the increased amount fits the government’s recently unveiled disability strategy.

“{It’s} a level of income that would allow people to pay for the basics of life. Not a lot of luxuries in there, but it allows them to live with some comfort and then dignity comes with that,” she added.

The Minister of Social Services said there’s been an increase to the program every year, but a review of funding won’t happen immediately.

“In the middle of a tight fiscal year, are we going to say ‘yes’ automatically to $250 more? No. But we will continue our commitment to individuals with disabilities,” said Donna Harpauer.

A survey by the Canadian Mental Health Association found around 40 per cent of Saskatchewan residents believe $2,000 a month would be an acceptable amount for disability funding.

http://globalnews.ca/video/2071853/advocates-for-disable-say-provincial-support-needs-to-be-increased

Posted on by Marg

MLA Event April 13th, 2015

Sask Voice was part of the planning committee with DISC, for an MLA event held on April 13, 2015.

DISC is a large cross section of disability advocates, consumers and organizations across Saskatchewan committed to advocating for a respectful, dignified and adequate income support system for people with disabilities. From the beginning, DISC members strive to obtain a distinct (or separate) income system for people with disabilities that will offer both an adequate baseline income for people with disabilities and a user-friendly mechanism to address individual financial needs based on the impact of disability.

In 2009, DISC helped create the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID), which provides an income for persons with significant and long-term disabilities. By May 2013, SAID reached a milestone with 10,000 registrants.

The MLA  event was an interactive opportunity to learn  about the struggles faced by people with disabilities who rely on SAID funding. The activity was based on ” a day in the life” of a person on SAID.   to The event was well attended by MLAs from both parties.

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Posted on by Marg