In their own words: Disability art hopes to provoke conversation, spark change – Vancouver Sun

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Roz MacLean, a Vancouver Island-based artist, is hoping her new ebook, Insufficient: Disability Assistance is Not Enough, featuring portraits and the words of those subsisting on B.C.’s disability benefit, will bring much-needed change. 

The ebook, which launches online March 18, features 20 digitally created portraits of British Columbians who express in their own words what it’s like trying to live on the province’s disability assistance.

The amount was capped at $1,183.42 for individuals in need until last spring, when the province added a $300 COVID-19 supplement. The supplement was clawed back to $150 in January, prompting an outcry from advocates.

On Tuesday, Nicholas Simons, minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, announced a permanent, $175 per month increase beginning in April for individuals on income assistance and disability assistance.

MacLean, 35, who was inspired to create the book in part by the 300 to Live Campaign, asking the NDP government to make the temporary $300 increase to income assistance and provincial disability assistance rates permanent, said she doesn’t think the bump is enough.

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“Keeping the $300 benefit or getting it up to the poverty line would be respectful to what people with disabilities have been calling for,” she said.

MacLean has spent a lifetime watching her own parents advocate on behalf of her 39-year-old brother, Danny, who has an intellectual disability.

“Disability rights issues is what I’ve been aware of my whole life, because I watched my brother and all the work that my parents had to do to make sure that he got the services and resources that he is entitled to,” said MacLean.

“I really hope for more accountability from our government for people with disabilities who are even more isolated by health and access issues,” said MacLean.

The most recent available numbers from Statistics Canada report 546,760 disabled people 15-years-and-older live in B.C.

MacLean was particularly struck by just how much of a difference the $300 COVID-19 supplement made to those she interviewed, and the answers to the question of “what dream support” should look like:

“People said it wasn’t just a role in society, or being accommodated, and being equal — many people just wanted to not live below the poverty line. ‘Can we please just have enough to eat and have a roof over our heads?’ ”

Another aspect that shocked MacLean was just how difficult accessing services is for those who need them most.

“Even though it’s a system that is for people with disabilities, so much of it is not accessible,” said MacLean.

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Participant A.J. describes the experience of dealing with government bureaucracy as “downright humiliating, like is there a warrant out for my arrest?,” and “dehumanizing.”

Matthew, who lost his job as a performer with a barbershop quartet after an accident left him in a wheelchair, dreams of a paid job: “Ask every store owner if they have someone with a disability in their company, and if they don’t, ask them why!”

Sheldon reports that “independence is nearly impossible as most people on disability assistance benefits have to rely on food banks, rent banks and other ways such as begging family for help. I have even had many times where I’ve had to panhandle and beg for money in the streets.”

The book also includes resources for those interested in learning more, and supporting disability rights and disability justice.

“People with disabilities are the experts, listen to their podcasts, follow people on Instagram, and try to connect in all the places where art and media exist,” said MacLean.

To download the free ebook, go to insufficentartproject.ca

dryan@postmedia.com