Shape the CDB Capstone Report
Summary
Between October 2023 and March 2024, Disability Without Poverty ran a big project: Shape the CDB (Canada Disability Benefit). This project aimed to learn from many disabled people, especially those with low incomes. We wanted to know what these folks need from the CDB, and how a fully funded CDB could make their lives better.
Right now, many disabled people struggle to have enough money to live on and need help from family or others. The CDB could give them more independence and dignity.
Disabled people face extra costs because of their disabilities. Things like special equipment, medicine, and extra help can be expensive. Many people agreed that the CDB should consider these extra costs. This way, disabled people can afford what they need to live comfortably without worrying about money all the time.
People want the application process to be simple and online so that anyone can apply easily. There should be support to help anybody with their application. Many believe that if someone already gets money from the government because of their disability, they should automatically get the CDB too.
People think that the CDB should help all disabled people, no matter what their disability is, and it should adapt if someone’s disability changes. They also think that the CDB should be enough money to really make a difference in people’s lives. They believe that disabled people should be involved in making decisions about the CDB since they know best what they need.
We learned a lot from a great number of people with disabilities, from many different walks of life.
Please read the full capstone report and think about how the CDB can help bring dignity, autonomy, power, and possibility to people with disabilities all across Canada.