CLEONET IS THE RESOURCE FOR THIS ARTICLE
Question:
Can
a doctor keep someone in the hospital for psychiatric assessment against their will?
Answer:
Yes.
By signing a Form 1, a doctor can have someone sent to a psychiatric hospital where they can be held for up to 72 hours for
an assessment. A doctor can sign a Form 1 if he or she:
- has examined you in the past 7 days, and
- believes
that you need to be in the hospital for a psychiatric assessment because of the reasons listed in the Mental Health Act.
If
you are not already at a psychiatric hospital, the Form 1 gives anyone the right to take you there. For example, the police
or your family could take you.
A doctor at the psychiatric hospital will assess you. After the assessment, one of the
following things will happen:
- the doctor can let you leave the hospital,
- the doctor can let you stay in
the hospital voluntarily, which means that you can choose to stay or to leave, or
- the doctor can put you on a Form
3 before the Form 1 runs out. This makes you an "involuntary patient" and you will have to stay in the hospital
The
resource below explains more about the Form 1, what can happen after the assessment, what the person can do if they want to
get out of the hospital, and who makes decisions about treatment.
Accessibility Standard for Transportation
On
July 1, 2011 the Transportation Standard will come into effect for public transportation providers.
Transit providers include:
- the Ontario government
- municipalities, and
- Transportation Commissions
or Authorities.
It also applies to some other organizations that provide
transportation services such as hospitals, taxis, public school boards, colleges and universities. The Accessibility Standard
for Transportation will make public transportation services more accessible.
Changes
include:
- verbal announcements to notify route, direction, destination
and major stops
- not charging people with disabilities a higher fare or
a fee to store their wheelchairs, canes and walkers etc.
- repairing accessibility
equipment as soon as possible and accommodating people with disabilities until the equipment is fixed.
Requirements will be phased in between July 2011 and 2017.
Learn more You can learn more about the Accessibility Standard for Transportation by reading the |
Criminal Compensation
If you need to
file for Criminal Compensation. you will need to file an application with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board.
http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90c24_e.htm
It is important that you file your application within 2 years of the crime taking place.
There can be reasons to request an extension after the 2 year period which are listed at www.cicb.gov.on.ca/en/faq1.htm
Medical Reviews - Ontario Disability Support Program
In the year 2008 to 2009, 34000 people applied for Ontario Disability
Support Program income benefits.
Once the Disability Adjudication Unit (DAU) approves an application for disability benefits a decision is made to
grant income support benefits:
1) until a person turns
65 or
2) there should be a medical review (normally in two
or five years).
The December 2009 Auditor General’s
Report noted that for the past several years, medical reviews have not been completed due to the high number of people applying for ODSP benefits. He also noted that that
there were 37,000 individuals who should have had their file medically reviewed.
Since March 2009 the DAU made a commitment to begin these medical reviews. Currently, 100 people a month are being sent a
new disability application. The application is identical to the original application,
however in new colours. A person must return the application within 90 days and
it must be signed by their doctor. It is important that the doctor include all new medical reports that support the disability
and give an opinion that the person has improved, stayed the same or become worse since the original application. Also any
new problems or medical conditions should be included.
The
local ODSP office will also send notice that ODSP income support and benefits will be provided for the next 90 days. If a
person’s medical review is denied one will be advised to apply for Ontario Works for future benefits.
If
the medical review is denied, seek legal advice. One has 30 days to file a written Request for Internal Review to
start the appeal process. seek legal advice. One has 30 days to file a
written Request for Internal Review to start the appeal process.
Disability Tax Credit
The Disability Tax Credit is considered an essential benefit
for many people with disabilities. However, people often encounter difficulties with the forms and having them completed.
This webinar, prepared for service providers, is hosted by ARCH Disability Law Centre and presented by Brendon Pooran, from
Pooranlaw. Brendon discusses the benefits that flow from receipt of the Disability Tax Credit, and some of the issues around
completion of the forms.
Produced
in 2011
Produced by ARCH Disability Law Centre
Topics Social Assistance and Pensions - Other pensions and benefits
Format Webinar
Relates to region Across Ontario
Available
as
POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR PERSONAL CARE
A written document giving someone else the authority to make
personal
care decisions on your behalf should you not have the capacity to do so.
Youth With Disabilities
Below is a list of programs and services specific to the needs of youth with disabilities. Be sure to check out our
general audience pages as well for more information on Jobs, Education, Careers and Money.
Jobs:
- The largest
virtual employment resource centre for job seekers with disabilities, WORKink, offers a unique range of employment and recruitment services.
- Discover the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities, a program from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada designed to help people
with disabilities prepare for and obtain employment or self-employment. It also assists people to develop the skills they
need to keep a new job.
- The Skills Link program helps youth facing barriers to employment - such as single parents, Aboriginal
youth, young persons with disabilities, recent immigrants, youth living in rural and remote areas and high school dropouts
obtain the knowledge to develop a broad range of skills and work experience they need to participate in the job market.
- The Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program provides services to entrepreneurs with disabilities who live in western Canadian
communities and who are seeking to start up or expand a small- or medium-sized business.
- Ability Edge offers internships specifically designed for university, college and high school graduates
with disabilities.
Education:
- If you have a permanent
disability and you are experiencing exceptional financial hardship repaying your Canada Student Loan(s) due to your disability,
you may qualify for the Permanent Disability Benefit (PDB) which allows for the reduction of your loans.
Money:
- Learn how parents and others can save for the long-term financial security of a person with a severe disability through
the Registered Disability Savings Plan from the Canada Revenue Agency.
- The Child Disability Benefit is a tax-free benefit for families who care for a child under age 18 with a severe and
prolonged impairment in physical or mental functions.
- The Federal Excise Gasoline Tax Refund Program refunds a portion of the federal excise tax on gasoline for those who are medically
certified as having permanent mobility impairment and cannot safely use public transportation.
Family Law Education for Women (FLEW)
has developed materials for women with disabilites.
Transportation Service
The Red Cross Transportation Service provides rides throughout
Toronto for individuals who are unable to use public transportation due to limiting physical difficulties. Rides are
provided for medical appointments, shopping and social events. Fees are based on distance traveled. Please note that
our vehicles are not wheelchair accessible.
Scheduling Drives
- Clients are advised to book rides in
advance. We are not able to provide service on an emergency basis.
- Cancellations received after 12:00 p.m. on the day before a scheduled ride and no-shows will be charged the regular
one-way fee.
- If a client has difficulty communicating over the phone,
a family member or social worker can take responsibility for scheduling.
- Certain
eligibility criteria must be met.
Passenger
Assistance
An escort must accompany anyone who:
• needs
help entering a vehicle
• must be helped during appointments
• has a tendency to wander
• suffers from dementia
• is prone to seizures
• is receiving dialysis treatment
• is under 18 years of age
• or has any other similar condition
For more information or to book rides, please call (416) 236-3180. OR
Click here to apply online for any of our Home Support Services in the Toronto area.
To view their new videos please visit their channel: www.youtube.com/user/liberatedlearning
Speech Recognition (SR) technology is emerging as a promising solution for
automatically captioning and transcribing multimedia: videos, podcasts…. even lectures.
Through a new project supported by Canada’s Social Development Partnerships Program, students with disabilities
attending post-secondary education and National Disability Organizations will be using advanced Speech Recognition technology
to improve access to information. Project Description
Learn about:
Accessibility for People With Disabilities
Accessibility Coordinators are available in provincial courthouses to provide information about
accessible services and respond to requests for accommodations for people with disabilities.
If you or someone you represent has a disability and needs accommodation to use a court form or access a provincial
courthouse or court services, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator in the courthouse where you will be attending as
soon as possible.
Contact information for Accessibility Coordinators
can be found in the Ministry of the Attorney General's website, under the Court address section. If you are not sure which courthouse you will be attending, you may contact:
Telephone: 416-326-2220 or 1-800-518-7901
TTY: 416-326-4012 or 1-877-425-0575
For more information about the
Ministry’s accessible customer service policies and procedures, please refer to the document called Our Commitment to Accessibility, which is also located on the Ministry’s website (www.ontario.ca/attorneygeneral), under the Popular Topics section.
LETS
TTY SERVICE FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED: 416-338-0889
FOR CITY OF TORONTO
March 11th 2010
Dear Community Partners,
Following the March 2nd budget, the Ministry of
Housing and Social Development announced it will be making a number of cuts to the health and medical services available to
people receiving provincial disability benefits and income assistance. The BC Coalition of People with Disabilities (BCCPD)
is very concerned about the impact that these changes will have on our community.
We are also disappointed at the lack of community consultation about these cuts. If you share our
concerns, we invite you to write to Minister Coleman and your MLA. You can find your local MLA and Minister Coleman’s
contact information by going to http://www.leg.bc.ca/Mla/3-1-1.htm.
The BCCPD is currently reviewing the
new regulations in order to provide you with detailed information on the changes. In the meantime, here is a very brief list
of some of the changes which will come into force on April 1st (unless we have indicated a different date).
Medical Equipment and Supplies
A broad range of medical equipment and supplies will no longer be funded by the
Ministry. Those that will be funded must be the cheapest appropriate to the person’s needs and are listed in the regulations.
Here are some examples of items that the Ministry will no longer fund:
- diagnostic testing devices such as
glucose meters
- contraceptive devices (for example, IUDs)
- pre-made orthotics.
Restrictions
In addition to changes to what the Ministry will fund, there will be restrictions, for example on:
- how
often the Ministry will repair or replace equipment
- how much money the Ministry will spend on each item of equipment.
For instance, motorized scooters valued at more than $3,500 will not be funded. To be eligible for a motorized scooter, a
physician must say the applicant won’t need a wheelchair for 5 years.
Monthly Nutritional Supplement (MNS)
The eligibility requirements for the MNS have been tightened. For example:
- loss
of bone density will no longer count as a symptom
- significant weight loss not significant weight change will
be used to determine eligibility.
- applicants will be required to demonstrate they have at least two symptoms, rather
than one which is currently the case.
The MNS
will be reduced by $20 because the Ministry will no longer fund bottled water. People currently receiving the bottled water
supplement will receive it until May 31st 2010 only.
Medical Services: Time limits and Income-Testing
- People
with disabilities who leave assistance when they turn 65 and go on to the seniors’ pension, or people who leave provincial
disability for Canada Pension Plan Disability will only keep their medical and dental coverage for one year, rather than permanently
as is currently the case.
- People with disabilities who leave assistance for employment will only keep their
medical coverage if they are receiving Premium Assistance from the Medical Services Plan.
Dental Treatment
- Cleaning, examinations and fluoride
treatments will be reduced to once a year (currently twice a year).
- X-ray coverage every 2 years (currently
every year).
Shelter
Allowance
The $75 monthly Shelter Allowance for people who
don’t pay rent is eliminated as of June 1st 2010.
Items of Interest
- Join the Patient Voices Network
to Have a Say in How Healthcare is Delivered in BC
The Patient Voices Network connects patients to BC’s healthcare
system. Learn how you can use your voice to make changes that can positively affect your life and the health of your family
and community. It’s free to join and options for participating are flexible enough to fit even the busiest of schedules.
Stay informed and get involved.
Register at: www.patientvoices.ca
<http://www.patientvoices.ca>
2. For those of you who are not aware Access 2 Entertainment program launched in December 2004 seeks
to help businesses provide quality customer service to customers with disabilities. Through the program, people with disabilities
who require a support person carry a personal Access 2 Entertainment card with them. The card indicates to the ticket seller
that the individual does indeed require the support of an attendant. The Access 2 Entertainment card provides persons with
a disability to receive either free admission or a significant discount for their support person at member movie theatres
across Canada. People with disabilities may be eligible for the card if they require a support person. The person with a disability
pays full price and support person receives a significant discount off their ticket!
For information on the Access to Entertainment Card, please visit http://www.access2.ca/ for further information or to download the application form.
3. Antidepressant Skills Workbook, Antidepressant Skills at Work and Positive Coping with Health
Conditions are 3 excellent resources that are available for
order or download http://www.comh.ca/selfcare/ . For myself I found some excellent methods of dealing with the self-talk/emotions that lead me into the dark hole of depression.
- Measuring Up: A Guide to Support Communities in Becoming More Accessible and Inclusive for All
http://www.2010legaciesnow.com/measuring_up/ Measuring Up is a process to help communities assess and improve local accessibility and inclusion for
persons with disabilities and others, including older persons, parents pushing baby carriages, tourists carrying luggage,
and people with injuries.
- Responding to Crime Victims with DisAbilties was
a USA National Professional Training Conference held Sept-Oct. 2009. A list of workshops and down-loadable
presentations and materials is available at http://www.ncvc.org/ncvc/main.aspx?dbID=DB_RespondingtoCrimeVictimswithDisabilities168
- Women’s World 2011 to be held in Ottawa
July 2011 is an all-inclusive forum for women to gather, learn and share their experiences. To learn more, sign up for their
News Letter or submit a proposal please see www.womensworld.ca Lets make it the event to be at.
Pat Kelln
News Letter Editor
Pacific DAWN
ARCH
Vision: A world in which all people with disabilities enjoy social justice and equal participation
in society and our communities
Priority Areas
1. Attendant Care Services
2. Legal Capacity
3. Education
Law
4. Services for persons with intellectual Disability
425 BLOOR STREET. EAST #110 416-482-8255
Toronto
www.archdisabilitylaw.ca
Balance for Blind Adults
Resource for supports
Opening doors to independent
living for blind and vision impaired adults through rehabilitation programs and community inclusion
4920 Dundas St. west
Suite 302
Toronto
416-236-1796
http://www.balancefba.org/
