I spoke to journalist Cathy Browne, from Vancouver British Columbia about her ongoing radio segment called “Access Denied.”

I, and others, have argued that journalism needs to be responsive to the needs, perspectives, and concerns of people with disabilities. Some estimates say that about 22% of the Canadian population lives with some kind of disability – and doubtless many more people know someone with a disability.

So, what would journalism by and for people with disabilities look like… sound like…

Cathy is passionate about her role at the CBC. She is a lifelong advocate for people with disabilities and her perspective animates her journalism.  Cathy is keen to provide a platform to people with disabilities and their community allies to ensure that decision-makers are held accountable. It has been well documented that people with disabilities have been systemically disadvantaged during the pandemic in education, healthcare and access to community services.

Journalism, when done right, both informs and enlightens us.

I sat down with Kristine Syme from the department of Anthropology at Washington State University, Vancouver. She talked to me about her study which looked at the value of evolutionary theory in explaining mental disorders.  

This is an interview that I would encourage you to listen to- even if you have listened to it already. There are a number of unfamiliar concepts- which I hope I was able to communicate sufficiently. 

The crux of Dr. Syme’s argument is this: we don’t know what causes mental disorders and we need to encourage out-of-the-box thinking to expand what we know and how we treat or alleviate mental disorders.  

I want to also qualify this interview. I try, in my role as a producer of the show, to bring in various perspectives. I try and avoid pre-conceptions about topics and guests. To that end, I personally struggled with this interview. I don’t want to pathologize or stigmatize mental disorders- or suggest that disabilities of any kind should be cured. So, I wondered- agonized even, about whether I was falling into that trap with this conversation.  

I decided to go ahead with the interview because I believe in a multiplicity of voices and opinions to try and examine issues from different angles. So, the most valuable contribution of Dr. Syme’s work is in fact in prompting us to reconsider what we think of as “disordered.”  

My guest today was Toni Pickard, founder of Coalition Canada and member of the Basic Income Network of Canada. Toni is a retired professor of law at Queens University and has spent her time, since retirement, analyzing the history of Basic Income programs in Canada and working for a just future for all Canadians. She took us through the history of Basic Income pilots in Canada, the arguments in favour of BI and countered the arguments against universal basic income.  

I have been intrigued by the idea of Basic Income programs. My interest was first peaked when the then Liberal Government of Ontario announced a Basic Income pilot for select towns in Ontario. Of course, that program was cancelled swiftly after the Liberals lost the election and the Conservatives came to power.  

The very notion that people don’t have to struggle to pay for basic needs has resonated with me. As a person with a disability, I spent close to 10 years on the province’s social assistance program- and it was tremendously difficult. I was demoralized: I felt the system kept me poor (through claw backs of any income I did earn) and with a monthly amount that was far below cost of living. I won’t ever forget that feeling of hopelessness.  

So, when the Federal government started to hint very strongly that perhaps a Basic Income program was in the works- I was so excited.  I told our manager, Andy Frank, that I really hoped it would come to fruition. We are facing the deepest recession in a century due to COVID-19 and surely the government knows how to roll out a large-scale program like Basic Income having done something very similar with CERB. Surely, now, Guaranteed Basic Income will finally have its moment in the sun.  

When no such announcement came as part of the Throne Speech- I was bitterly disappointed. I know intellectually I shouldn’t have been surprised, but I know Canadians are struggling right now and Basic Income seemed to be a strong policy option to alleviate poverty, preserve the health and wellbeing of families and help our economy get back on track.  

To those who would argue that such programs aren’t sustainable: I challenge you to think about whether hunger, poverty and homelessness are sustainable! 

Generally, I try and walk a middle ground. I try- more often than not, to avoid taking a position for or against. But in this instance, I will make an exception to my own rule and say that Canada needs a change of policy: the time to act on implementing Basic Income is now!  

My guest today was Joseph Danowsky. Joseph took the initiative to get in touch with me. He had some wonderful things to say based on his first-hand experience as a legally blind lawyer working on Wall Street. Plus, he’s a listener! I had to have him on! 

I really valued what Joseph had to say about the importance of a network for disabled job-seekers. Years ago, when I was unemployed and looking for work myself, I would spend entire days sending out resumes. I sent out so many resumes every day, I lost count. I didn’t get a single call back.  

I quickly learnt about the hidden job-market. It does help to know people who can champion you as a person with a disability. While it’s not a substitute for companies implementing policies and processes to ensure employment equity, it nevertheless helps to have someone in your corner: someone who is willing to sell your skills. It’s not all that unusual in finding employment: in fact some companies even have formal referral policies. So, where does the emphasis on social connections leave a job applicant with a disability?  

Joseph highlighted the AFB’s mentorship program and encouraged job applicants with disabilities to speak up about their disability in interview situations, to be willing to communicate and be a team player and to highlight your ability rather than your disability. 

I spoke to Isaac Ohana assists Canadians obtain their Disability Tax Credits and also ensure that Canadians with disabilities maximize tax returns. As part of their advocacy, Disability Credit Canada awards an annual scholarship to a student with a disability about to begin at college or University. 

We met on this episode, Preston Swan Merrison, the winner of the 2020 DCCI scholarship. Preston talked about life with type 1 diabetes, the impact of his disability on his life and schooling and the role of sport and community advocacy in his life. Preston will begin a program in education and social services this fall at the University of Windsor. He discussed some of the challenges and opportunities inherent in making the transition from high school to University and how he expects things have changed owing to COVID-19.