04/19/2024
Just came upon this insightful 1990 paper by Peter Dunn: The Economic, Social, and Environmental Obstacles Which Seniors with disabilities confront in Canada https://www.independentliving.org/docs5/dunn1990a.html This paper describes and analyzes the barriers which confront disabled seniors in Canada, especially those individuals with physical disabilities. ''One of the major problems facing seniors in Canada is the fact that a large number are poor. Approximately 60% of disabled seniors have incomes under $10,000 compared with 51% for non-disabled seniors. Many disabled seniors are confronted with additional out-of-pocket expenditures which are not reimbursed by any insurance or government programs. '' ''One of the most pervasive issues which must be addressed in the 1990s is the fact that 60% of disabled seniors in Canada have incomes below $10,000, which severely restricts their independence. Many seniors are poor because of inadequate pensions. However, disabled seniors may have been further disadvantaged because they have been kept out of the workforce because of their disability prior to retirement and must depend upon Old Age Security, Guaranteed Income Supplement, or limited wage-related benefits from Canada or Quebec Pensions. In addition, 60% of disabled seniors are women.'' ''Policy alternatives must also be formulated which would help the 33% of disabled seniors who need their homes adapted in order to be more independent. This goal might be accomplished by developing a housing rights bill similar to the recent U.S. Fair Housing Act, expanding Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation housing and rehabilitation programs to adequately cover the needs of all disabled seniors, and revising provincial building codes to promote more accessible housing.'' ''A national coalition might be developed between disability organizations and senior citizen groups. These organizations have considerable potential power in Canada, but they have been hesitant to work together, partially because government programs have often lumped them together and ignored their different needs. Nevertheless, it may be very useful to develop a broad power base of organizations which might target adequate income maintenance and accessible environments as their initial common goals. ''
PETER A. DUNN, Wilfrid Laurier University (Reprinted from Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health, Vol. 9, No. 2, Fall 1990.)
