Policy Recommendations for Increased Labour force Participation of People with Episodic Disabilities By Eileen McKee and Melissa Popiel

Canadian Working Group on HIV and Rehabilitation 2 Overview Inputs Developing a Canadian Model Model Highlights –Income and Benefit Supports –Workplace Policies –Disability Management Centres –Recommendations From Plans to Reality

Canadian Working Group on HIV and Rehabilitation 3 Inputs Social Program Evaluation Group (SPEG) from Queen’s University recommendations Multiple sector representatives Models currently in use ex. NIDMAR, Service Canada Centres, Promising Practices, CCRW etc.

Canadian Working Group on HIV and Rehabilitation 4 Queen's Report Summary Review of international disability support policies 21 recommendations for comprehensive supports – Definitional/Conceptual Changes – Policy/Legal Changes – Administration – Income Benefits – Employment – Integration Strategies

Canadian Working Group on HIV and Rehabilitation 5 Queen's Report Key Points Disability is not only a medical condition A ‘social’ approach to defining disability should be adopted A commitment to flexible & timely income assistance & employment policies for people with episodic disabilities Any new policies and programs must recognize the changing nature of the workplace

Canadian Working Group on HIV and Rehabilitation 6 Queen's Report Key Points Continued Government should provide tax incentives or grants Everyone needs to be better informed about the advantages of involving people with episodic disabilities more equitably

Developing a Canadian Model

Canadian Working Group on HIV and Rehabilitation 8 Process Review of recommendations from Queen’s report Consultation with disability management professionals and other champions Draft review by Project Advisory Committee members, disability management consultants, academia, insurance sector and government representatives

Canadian Working Group on HIV and Rehabilitation 9 Model Highlights Income Support, Health and Other Benefits –Financial supports –Drug, Health and other Benefits –Individualized supports –Supports benefit both employees and employers Workplace Environment –Workplace policy changes –Comprehensive employee supports

Canadian Working Group on HIV and Rehabilitation 10 Disability Management Centres (DMC) –Comprehensive supports for both employees and employers –Can be accessed multiple times –Services meet the needs of the individual or organization Employee Service Process Employer Service Process Model Highlights

Canadian Working Group on HIV and Rehabilitation 11 Disability Management Centre Services

Canadian Working Group on HIV and Rehabilitation 12 Disability Management Centres ● A unified accessible system of structural supports ● Comprehensive case management support regarding episodic disabilities to both employers and employees Consulting and various other services designed Engage disabled employees in the workplace to their optimal capacity

Canadian Working Group on HIV and Rehabilitation 13 Employee Service Process

Canadian Working Group on HIV and Rehabilitation 14 Partial CPP(D) benefits ● Continuous federal extended drug and health benefits ● Improved coordination with the insurance sector ● Portability of benefits ● Federal incentives to underwrite insurance premiums for the uninsured Recommendations

Canadian Working Group on HIV and Rehabilitation 15 Strengthening the Workplace Environment Workplace Policy Changes (legislative or voluntary): ● Continuous employee assistance ● Allows persons to work to their potential as their health permits; ● Seamless income support and benefits coverage whether or not able to work.

Canadian Working Group on HIV and Rehabilitation 16 From plans to reality Next steps include strategizing the design and the national implementation process for the pilot sites Monitoring and evaluation recommendations and pilot sites Strong support is needed from all sectors

Canadian Working Group on HIV and Rehabilitation 17 A Role for Everyone Upcoming work within the breakout sessions is designed to identify the nature of support that is needed from each sector. The following questions will be addressed: What can your sector bring to move on the recommendations? What complementary response is needed from other sectors? THANK YOU!!!