Civil Rights Now is working to improve the lives of people with disabilities

May 9th, 2013 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized

Civil Rights Now and its Think Twice campaign is building toward the ultimate goal of a “British Columbians with Disability Act”

“When your civil rights have been violated you don’t need a good hug—you need a good lawyer.” That’s what Paul Caune has concluded after his experiences in trying to obtain adequate supports and accommodation in the province of British Columbia.

After more than two years of unrelenting self-advocacy, Paul was able to leave—escape is the word he uses—from an extended care facility, into innovative social housing. Now, as the CBC puts it, Paul Caune is leading the charge for the right of people with disabilities to manage their own care.

Caune is now executive director of an advocacy group called Civil Rights Now, which is encouraging B.C. voters with disabilities to take action in influencing and shaping public policy. Part of that work is to share what the real life of voters with disabilities in British Columbia is—with both politicians and the wider public. From an online “hall of shame” to a collection of personal stories, Civil Rights Now is sharing a reality that many are either unaware, or don’t want to be aware, of.

Paul Caune’s story

Paul was born with Muscular Dystrophy, but he had a typical, suburban childhood and adolescence. He didn’t begin to use a wheelchair until age 26—and lived at home with his family until he was 28, when he moved into a group home in his community. When minimal extra supports became necessary for his care, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority refused to provide the necessary funds and forced Paul’s departure. He ended up in Lions Gate Hospital after becoming ill with pneumonia. At this point, Paul found himself in his “new home”—a two-bed room in hospital. His search for adequate accommodation began—and involved a number of tense stand-offs with the authorities. Read the rest of Paul Caune’s story here (under “staff”).

“Politicians don’t see the light until they feel the heat”

Paul Caune’s advocacy work, after resettling into a community home setting, has been focused on helping people with disabilities to take a more active role in their treatment:

“Disabled residents of British Columbia are vulnerable to a provision of community or institutional care that falls below a generally acceptable standard, a situation that does not allow them to live with confidence in safety, with freedom and dignity. The main reason for this is the excessive amount of discretion available to government and contractors respecting the services provided to disabled people.” (The Tyee)

In addition to being the executive director of Civil Rights Now, Paul is on the board of Medicare For Autism Now. He’s vice-chair of the Persons with Disabilities Advisory Committee to the Council of the City of Vancouver. Paul also writes a bimonthly column on disability issues for the Beacon News.

The work of Civil Rights Now—and particularly, Paul Caune’s story of perseverance—is attracting media attention. CBC Radio created a documentary about Paul, called The Golden Rule (Paul says the following about the ‘golden rule’: “Remember the Golden Rule. If you have the gold, you make the rules. It’s time for people like me to make the rules in our own lives.”). Civil Rights Now also launched a campaign during the British Columbia general election in May 2013, to call attention to the need for better treatment options for people with autism in B.C. and Canada.

We speak with Paul Caune.

474_may_09_2013_sm Left click to listen; right click to save.

RELATED | The Tyee: Time for People with Disabilities to ‘Make the Rules in Our Own Lives’ (Nov. 5, 2012) | The Vancouver Sun: Advocacy group demands politicians address care, treatment for autism (May 6, 2013) |