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FASD Awareness

Our brochure with FASD Awareness Information can be found HERE

IF YOU ARE PREGNANT, THINK YOU ARE PREGNANT, PLANNING ON BECOMING PREGNANT or THINKING of BECOMING PREGNANT

NO AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL IS SAFE

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is completely preventable. Partners, families and communities can assist by having alcohol free community events, by providing alcohol alternatives and by refraining from drinking in support of your pregnant partner.

We all have a role to play in ensuring the health and welfare of future generations by giving them the best start in life.

Illustration of a pregnant woman

Designed by Hannah Spencer

NWT Disabilities Council — Support, Educate, Advocate

If you have questions or wish to access more information or resources, please contact us at:

NWT Disabilities Council — Support • Educate • Advocate

NWT SUPPORTED LIVING REVIEW ADVISORY GROUP EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Government of Northwest Territories — Gouvernement des Territoires du Nord-Ouest

Are you a youth/adult living with a disability, or a caregiver of a youth/adult living with a disability?

Do you want to ensure your experience benefits others?

The Department of Health and Social Services invites interested members of the public to apply to be a representative on the NWT Supported Living Review Advisory Group (SL Advisory Group). The purpose of this group is to provide advice from lived experience to the Steering Committee during the NWT Supported Living Review. The SL Advisory Group will be comprised of 6 to 10 members who are appointed by the Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services. Membership will aim to have representation from persons with diverse experiences and perspectives across the NWT. Members will be appointed for the duration of the Supported Living Review Project, which is anticipated to begin in Spring 2021 and to conclude in March 2022. Frequency of meetings will be dependent on need for feedback to support this review. It is estimated that 5–8 meetings will take place.

Background

An objective of the Government of the Northwest Territories Disability Action Plan, 2018/19-2021/22 is to encourage universal design and living options, and as part of this work, the Department of Health and Social Services has committed to conducting a comprehensive territorial review of supported living services for persons with disabilities. Throughout this review, it is of high importance to engage with individuals and families to provide meaningful and effective input regarding supported living services to NWT residents. While this group will not replace all other public engagement activities, it is a way for the voices of NWT residents to provide their knowledge and advice during the Supported Living Review. This group will provide feedback, that is non-binding, to the Steering Committee for consideration among other information, data and engagement responses, to guide the direction of the Review.

Areas where feedback from this committee will be asked include:

  • How best to communicate with people, organizations and communities who are impacted by disabilities;
  • Provide feedback towards the initial engagement for this review;
  • Assist in planning a wider second engagement strategy that will collect more information, experiences and perspectives of NWT residents impacted by disability;
  • Answering important questions as they arise to ensure that this review is informed by the voices of NWT residents who have disabilities or care for persons with disabilities;
  • Provide feedback related to the results of this review and the recommendations that this review offers.

Advisory Group members of the SL Advisory Group will receive an honorarium in accordance with the rates set out in the GNWT Financial Administration Manual for an Advisory Board. Members will only be paid for days they meet.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Youth/adult with experience living with a disability OR a caregiver supporting a youth/adult with a disability who is utilizing supported living services or would benefit from supported living services in the future;
  • Interest in providing feedback and information that will inform the Supported Living Review;
  • Willingness to work as part of a team;
  • Knowledge of their home communities and supported living services and supports within their community;
  • Willingness and flexibility to meet with SL Advisory Group or project team via telephone, webinar, or other method as needed;
  • Resident of the NWT for at least 12 months;
  • Prepared to sign a statement of ethics and confidentiality related to their duties.

PLEASE NOTE:

  • Persons who are employed service providers for persons with disabilities are not our target audience for this group but rather youth/adults with disabilities and families/friends who are caregivers of youth/adults with disabilities.
  • The intent is to have different perspectives of persons with disabilities and caregivers of persons with disabilities on this SL Advisory Group so we ask that either the caregiver or the person with disability submits an application to represent their experience rather than both individuals.

To apply please request an application from: SL_Advisory_Group@gov.nt.ca

Deadline for applications is: June 16, 2021

If you have any questions or concerns please contact: Manager, Services for Persons with Disabilities, Department of Health and Social Services at (867) 767-9030 ext. 49317

The personal health information on this form is being collected for the purposes of processing applications to the NWT Supported Living Review Advisory Group in accordance with the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (ATIPP). It is protected by the privacy provisions under ATIPP and will not be used or disclosed unless allowed or required by the ATIPP or any other Act. If you have any questions, please contact the Manager, Services for Persons with Disabilities, Department of Health and Social Services at (867) 767-9030 ext. 49317.

Gouvernement des Territoires du Nord-Ouest — Government of Northwest Territories

Êtes-vous un(e) jeune ou un(e) adulte vivant avec un handicap ou l'aidant(e) d'un(e) jeune ou d'un(e) adulte vivant avec un handicap?

Voulez-vous faire profiter d'autres personnes de votre expérience?

Le ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux invite les membres du public qui le souhaiteraient à poser leur candidature pour faire partie du Groupe consultatif sur l'examen de l'aide à la vie autonome des TNO. Pendant cet examen, le groupe devra formuler des conseils fondés sur l'expérience pour le comité directeur. Le Groupe consultatif sera composé de six à dix membres nommés par le sous-ministre de la Santé et des Services sociaux. On souhaite que ces personnes représentent toute la variété des expériences et des perspectives ténoises. Les membres seront nommés pour la durée du projet d'examen de l'aide à la vie autonome, qui devrait commencer au printemps 2021 et prendre fin en mars 2022. La fréquence des réunions dépendra du besoin en rétroaction à l'appui de cet examen. On estime que cinq à huit réunions seront nécessaires.

Contexte

L'un des objectifs du Plan d'action du gouvernement des Territoires du Nord-Ouest sur l'incapacité de 2018-2019 à 2021-2022 est de promouvoir les options d'aménagement et de cadre de vie universelles, et dans cette optique, le ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux s'est engagé à mener un examen territorial complet des services d'aide à la vie autonome pour les personnes handicapées. Tout au long de ce projet, il est essentiel d'engager un dialogue constructif avec les particuliers et les familles pour se faire une idée claire et efficace des services d'aide à la vie autonome pour Ténois. Bien que ce groupe ne remplace pas toutes les autres activités consultation du public, il s'agit d'un moyen pour les citoyens de mettre leurs connaissances et leurs conseils au profit de l'examen des services d'aide à la vie autonome. Ce groupe fera des recommandations sans valeur contraignante à l'intention du comité directeur qui les prendra en considération parmi d'autres informations, données et réponses reçues, afin de mieux orienter l'examen.

Ce comité sollicitera des commentaires autour des thèmes suivants :

  • Déterminer les meilleurs moyens de communiquer avec les particuliers, les organisations et les communautés touchés par les handicaps;
  • Fournir des commentaires sur la mobilisation initiale dans le cadre de cet examen;
  • Aider à la planification d'une deuxième stratégie de mobilisation plus large qui permettra de recueillir plus d'informations, d'expériences et de points de vue des Ténois touchés par une incapacité;
  • Répondre aux questions importantes au fur et à mesure qu'elles sont soulevées afin de s'assurer que cet examen est éclairé par les voix des Ténois qui sont atteints d'une incapacité ou qui prennent soin de personnes handicapées;
  • Fournir des commentaires sur les résultats de l'examen et les recommandations qu'il produit.

Les membres du Groupe consultatif recevront des honoraires conformément aux taux établis dans le Manuel sur l'administration financière du gouvernement des TNO. Pour un conseil consultatif. Les membres ne seront rémunérés que pour les jours où ils se réuniront.

EXIGENCES

  • Être un(e) jeune ou un(e) adulte vivant avec une incapacité OU un(e) aidant(e) qui soutient un(e) jeune ou un(e) adulte vivant avec une incapacité, et qui utilise des services d'aide à la vie autonome ou qui bénéficierait de tels services à l'avenir;
  • Souhaiter fournir des commentaires et des informations qui éclaireront l'examen de l'aide à la vie autonome;
  • Être prêt(e) à travailler dans une équipe;
  • Bien connaître sa collectivité de résidence et les services d'aide à la vie autonome et de soutien qui y sont offerts;
  • Avoir la disposition et la souplesse nécessaire pour rencontrer le Groupe consultatif ou pour communiquer avec l'équipe de projet par téléphone, webinaire ou toute autre méthode, selon les besoins;
  • Avoir résidé aux TNO depuis au moins douze mois;
  • Être prêt(e) à signer une déclaration d'éthique et de confidentialité liée à ses fonctions.

REMARQUE :

  • Les personnes qui travaillent comme fournisseurs de services aux personnes handicapées ne sont pas notre public cible pour ce groupe; ce sont plutôt les jeunes et les adultes handicapés et les familles et amis qui s'occupent d'eux.
  • L'intention est de profiter des différentes perspectives de personnes handicapées et d'aidants de personnes handicapées présents dans ce groupe consultatif. Nous demandons donc que soit l'aidant(e) soit la personne handicapée soumette sa candidature pour représenter son expérience, plutôt que les deux.

Pour poser votre candidature, veuillez demander un formulaire de candidature à : SL_Advisory_Group@gov.nt.ca

La date limite de dépôt des candidatures est le 16 juin 2021.

Veuillez adresser vos questions au : Gestionnaire des Services pour les personnes handicapées du ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, au 867 767-9030, poste 49317

Les renseignements personnels sur la santé figurant sur le présent formulaire sont recueillis à des fins de traitement des demandes présentées au Groupe consultatif sur l'examen de l'aide à la vie autonome, conformément à la Loi sur l'accès à l'information et la protection de la vie privée (LAIPVP). Ils sont protégés conformément aux dispositions sur la protection de la vie privée de la LAIPVP et ne seront pas utilisés ou divulgués, à moins que la LAIPVP ou une autre loi ne le permette ou l'exige. Si vous avez des questions, veuillez communiquer avec le gestionnaire des services aux personnes handicapées du ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux au 867-767-9030, poste 499317.

Examining the Residential Southern Placement Program in the NWT

An important piece, published in the prestigious "International Journal of Indigenous Health", examines the Residential Southern Placement Program in the NWT. Read the short excerpt below , then click on the link to read this important paper in its entirety. We applaud Alannis McKee and Sean A Hillier for exposing this program which equates to medical colonialism. The NWT Disabilities Council has made the address this Program a Priority in its presentation to the 19th Legislative Assembly.

"This research traces colonialism and neoliberalism as foundational architecture to health policy in Canada that seeks to erase Indigeneity and disability and secure the dominance of a White

settler able-bodied state. This is accomplished through critical analysis of the Residential Southern Placement Program, a health policy from the Northwest Territories, Canada. Residential Southern Placements are contractual agreements made between the Northwest Territories Department of Health and Social Services and service agencies from southern provinces to provide care to territorial residents with a disability whose needs—according to the

Department of Health and Social Services—cannot be met within the territory. We explore how the ostensibly neutral health policy Residential Southern Placements becomes enacted as a

violent intervention of erasure that specifically targets Indigenous adults and children with cognitive disabilities..." (excerpt)

You can view the full article HERE

Dislocation and Colonization through ‘Care’ Article

Northwest Territories Residential Southern Placement Program: Dislocation and Colonization through ‘Care’

Alannis McKee, North West Territories Disabilities Council

Sean A. Hillier, York University

This research traces colonialism and neoliberalism as foundational architecture to health policy in Canada that seeks to erase Indigeneity and disability and secure the dominance of a White settler able-bodied state. This is accomplished through critical analysis of the Residential Southern Placement Program, a health policy from the Northwest Territories, Canada. Residential Southern Placements are contractual agreements made between the Northwest Territories Department of Health and Social Services and service agencies from southern provinces to provide care to territorial residents with a disability whose needs—according to the Department of Health and Social Services—cannot be met within the territory. We explore how the ostensibly neutral health policy Residential Southern Placements becomes enacted as a violent intervention of erasure that specifically targets Indigenous adults and children with cognitive disabilities – as evidenced through data collected by a Freedom of Information Request- through long-term and, at times, lifelong dislocation from families, communities, and land. In this analysis we position the Residential Southern Placement Program as an intervention that aims to uphold and safeguard a White settler able-bodied vision of Canadian society. This research highlights an ongoing colonial practice with important implications for disability studies and Indigenous health researchers.

The full paper can be found HERE

Recommendations to NTHSSA Mental Health and Addictions 2020

SHORT TERM

  • Review Liquor Act and Regulations to reform limits on sale of alcohol (e.g. taxing indexed to the volume of alcohol/unit).
  • Introduction of a sober/reduced intoxication social space for adults who are homeless and low-income who do not want to be exposed to high level intoxication during the day.
  • Introduced a unified intake criteria for programs serving homeless adults.
  • Give Day/Sobering Centre Caseworkers the ability to directly connect service users to southern treatment centres.

MID-TERM

  • Introduce a street-based crisis response team that includes: nurse, social worker, homeless advocate (someone who is or was homeless), support workers trained in higher-level non-violent crisis intervention.
  • Introduce alcohol management programming in Yellowknife.
  • Introduce funding to operate on-the-land activities during the day for homeless and low-income adults to participate in.
  • Fund and monitor the impact of targeted life and employment skills programming for homeless adults.
  • Rapid-response intake to housing and programming for homeless adults while they are in periods of sobriety (removing them from triggers of the Day Centre).

LONG TERM

  • Introduction of a drug and alcohol treatment centre in the NWT with options for Indigenous (including on-the-land) and Western-based models.
  • Increased and improved housing and services in outlying communities (decreasing the need to come to Yellowknife).
  • Increasing economic opportunities in communities to address pervasive unemployment.
  • Increasing sovereignty of Indigenous governments in the delivery of health and social service programming, especially as it pertains to health and addictions.

A Collection of Indigenous Voices

Indigenous artwork by Michael Fatt showing drummers around a fire with an eagle soaring under the northern lights, created for the NWT Disabilities Council

Indigenous Artist Michael Fatt for the NWT Disabilities Council

WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOUR STORIES!

WHAT IS THIS PROJECT?

Indigenous VOICES is an opportunity to recognize the lived experience of Indigenous peoples living with disabilities in our communities. Indigenous people with disabilities face unique challenges as a marginalized population within a marginalized population. With this project we seek to gather stories of individuals and families, living with disabilities, from across the Northwest Territories. These stories can be oral history or in a form of visual art. It is our hope that through this project we can create an opportunity to honour the resilience and contributions that Indigenous people with disabilities make in our communities, as well as celebrate the culture of care that exists in Indigenous communities.

An honorarium will be provided for those who share their story.

VISION

The NWT Disabilities Council envisions that all individuals living with disability have equal access to full citizenship, as guaranteed under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, toward the achievement of a self-determined, fulfilling, and meaningful life.

CORE VALUES

Everything that the NWT Disabilities Council does reflects our six core values.

  • Every person with a disability has the right to respect, dignity, individual autonomy, and full citizenship.
  • We believe in equity, fairness, inclusion, and accessibility for all.
  • We believe that individuals with a disability and their families have the right to be empowered and free to be self-determining.
  • We recognize that individuals with a disability are experts on their own life.
  • We support the autonomy of Indigenous communities to direct supports to community members with disabilities.
  • We honour the wisdom of all cultures in all of our work.

For more information or to participate, contact:

Email: admin@nwtdc.net Phone: 867-873-8230 Toll Free: 1-800-491-8885

Disability Tax Credit

During these troubled times the Disability Tax Credit is able to help people that qualify when people need it most.

So now, more than ever getting approved for the Disability Tax Credit or CPP Disability makes a huge difference to the lives of disabled Canadians and their families.

Disability Credit Canada has sent an informative guide on applying for the Disability Tax Credit and the CPP Disabilty.

Disability Tax Credit Guide

CPP Disability Guide

Definition of Disability

In 2018 the NWT Disabilities Council updated our organization's definition of disability, as per our 2018-2023 Strategic Planning goals. Our new definition of disability and accompanying disability value statements outline how our organization understands the experience of disability for the communities we serve in the NWT. Our new definition of disability and disability value statements are: 

 Definition of Disability

Disability is a dynamic lived experience of restricted or limited participation in life that results from the interaction of an individual’s bodily impairment and their physical and social environment.

 Disability Value Statements

  • Disability is a dynamic experience that: 

    • includes past, present, or future impairments, 

    • can present apparently or non-apparently, 

    • can present across the lifespan, and

    • can present permanently, temporarily, or episodically.  

  • Disability is a complex phenomenon that encompasses many conditions of the mind and body that exist in different physical and social environments. As such, the boundaries between disability and ability are fluid and subjective; for this reason, the NWTDC will rely on self-identification of disability. 

  • The NWTDC definition of disability is situated within the interactionalist approach to disability. The interactionalist approach acknowledges that the experience of disability results from the interaction of an individual’s body and their physical and social environmental factors. 

  • The impact that disability has on a person is influenced by individual and social factors (e.g. age, gender identity, sexual orientation, culture, religious affiliation, race, and socioeconomic status, among others). For this reason, we acknowledge that the spectrum of lived experience of disability encompasses complex life circumstances, including, but not limited to: institutionalization, trauma, poverty, restricted housing options, and homelessness.

If you are interested, a detailed rationale for our new definition of disability and disability value statements is available HERE

Bill of Rights

The NWT Disabilities Council has created a Bill of Rights document that outlines the rights of people with disabilities living in the NWT. This document outlines entitlements and protections that belong to people with disabilities under international, national, and territorial laws and policies. Our document addresses seven domains of life: health; family and social protection; community living; political participation; employment; education; and justice. We encourage all members of the NWT Disabilities Council to take the time to review our Bill of Rights document and share it with fellow community members. By doing this, we will be able to increase awareness of the rights of people with disabilities and strengthen our communities.

If you have any questions regarding your rights as a person living with or supporting disability in your community, please reach out to us at the NWT Council. We will work with you to fully understand your rights and to assist in advocacy if your rights have been violated.

Bill of Rights

Inclusive Schooling Continues to Fail Children and Families in the NWT

A 2010 Auditor General’s report stated that the NWT had failed to comply with the Education Act and its responsibilities regarding Inclusive Schooling. Of the actions that were reported it indicated that the information was vague and failed to show the details or impact of the described actions. Since then the NWT Disabilities Council has brought multiple concerns forward regarding failures to comply with requirements of Individual Education Plans, Inadequate student classroom supports and No avenue for complaint or concern outside internal resources. These were continuously summarily dismissed, as anecdotal, after internal departmental consultation. These concerns have been repeatedly presented by the NWT Disabilities Council, throughout the life of the 17th and 18th Legislative Assemblies. This has left families frustrated, unsupported and a decade of young people not receiving even the minimum requirements under the Education Act. Well these concerns can no longer be dismissed and have now been confirmed through the 2020 AG report. We know now that Inclusive Schooling has and continues to severely fail our children. A failure which spans 3 Legislative Assemblies.

The 2020 AG report includes actions underway by ECE but as an organization we understand these reported actions do not reflect the actual delivery and have serious concerns as to how these fail to reflect the reality for families, especially in small communities.

No longer in dispute is the following; ( excerpt from 2020 Auditor General’s Report)

60. In addition, we found that the department did not sufficiently monitor whether schools were creating, monitoring, and updating individualized learning plans for students, as required by the Ministerial Directive on Inclusive Schooling. Its monitoring of inclusive schooling did not provide it with sufficient information about whether students on individualized learning plans received the necessary supports, including specialized services, or how this affected their outcomes. This meant that there was a risk that students were not benefiting fully from these plans.

61. Finally, we found that although the department drafted a detailed monitoring plan in 2015 for how it would measure the success of inclusive schooling, it never implemented this plan. Part of this plan was to conduct school reviews, but we found that it still had not determined what these reviews would entail or who was responsible for conducting them. At the time of our audit, the department had not completed any school reviews.

For more information, please read the full report below

https://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/English/nwt_202002_e_43522.html

19th Legislative Assembly Disability Priority Items

The NWT Disabilities Council is committed to advocating for impactful policy change to strengthen our communities, increase diversity, and improve the lives of persons and families living with disability in the Northwest Territories.

While the challenges facing persons with disabilities are multifaceted and numerous, the NWT Disabilities Council has released three priority action items that we will be focusing on as an organization during the 19th Legislative Assembly. These three priority items address some of the most complex issues facing persons with disabilities in the territory, particularly those facing intersectional barriers including poverty, colonization, and social marginalization.

Our organization will be focusing our political efforts in working diligently over the next four years to drive change and reform in these areas. We encourage public dialogue about these issues and that you bring these forward to your elected representatives.

Please view our presentation HERE

Rights of People with Disabilities. Health: equal access to healthcare; option of care outside home community; highest standard of medical care without discrimination. Justice: equal protection of law; live free of violence and neglect; privacy and autonomy respected. Family and Social Protection: government support to reduce poverty; live with family; safe caregivers. Education: inclusive education system; free equal access; parent and student involvement. Community Living: choice of who and where to live; safe accessible housing; access to public spaces. Employment: reasonable accommodations; NWT employment standards; protection from exploitation; affirmative action. Political Participation: present in public life; vote in elections; freedom of expression. For more information visit www.nwtdc.net/rights