Special Needs Planning
with Spectrum Financial
Summer 2023
Greetings!

He hope that this email finds you well and enjoying the summer season so far!

We have included some items in this newsletter that we hope you will find of value. Please be sure to follow our Special Needs Social Media pages to stay up-to-date on timely issues, information details and inspiring stories.


Always remember that we are here to assist in any way we can. We know your family is special, your concerns and challenges unique and your financial planning needs may be complex. We have extensive knowledge and experience in this area and are passionate about sharing our entrusted skills, to ensure your family's future is well provided for and protected.

If you know of anyone in this community that could benefit from our Special Needs planning expertise, please pass along our contact information.

Please continue to stay safe, stay in touch, and stay positive.

Karen, Richard, Janet,
Jeni & Cathy
Follow Us on Social Media
and Stay Informed
News & Resources
Bill C-22 Passes Parliament!
"This is an historic day! With this final vote in the Senate, Bill C-22 - the Canada Disability Benefit Act - is now on it's way to receiving Royal Assent," Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion Tweeted. The bill, which is modelled after the Guaranteed Income Supplement, passed Tuesday. It proposes the creation of a federal income supplement for low-income working-age people with disabilities.
Inclusion Canada's Consultations on the Canada Disability Benefit

Inclusion Canada consulted with over 20 disability organizations to create "What We Heard"; a report provided to the government outlining the concerns the disability community had with the benefit. 
Click the button below for the details. 
Discover Abilities Through
Discover Ability Network

Are you an Employer who is having trouble with retention? Employees not showing up for work, or careless with safety measures? 
Did you know that Employers who hire people with disabilities have better employee results in all of the above, plus 90% of their employees are rated average or better than average in job performance? 
Discover Ability Network offers everything you need to know about finding the right candidate, how to offer accommodations, and how to let job seekers know that you are open to discovering their abilities! They also offer a number of resources for matching job seekers to employers looking to employ them!
Partners for Planning is an organization committed to helping people with a disability and their families take charge of the future, today.
They help families envision, plan and implement individual strategies to ensure that their loved one has a good life, unlimited choices and opportunities to thrive. We're pleased to to be a part of this valuable resource, helping one family at a time! P4P connects a powerful network of professionals, organizations and agencies within Ontario.
Check out their website below for helpful guides to get you through major transitions, upcoming webcasts and
tool kits. 
Siblings Can Open an RDSP!

The Canadian Government's definition of a Qualified Family Member (QFM) now includes an adult sibling!! This is a great improvement, as siblings quite often act as the caregiver for someone with a cognitive disability. As an accepted QFM, a sibling will now be able to open a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) for a brother or sister who may not be competent to enter into a contract themselves.
This will allow more people easier access to RDSPs, and the incredible benefits this program provides.
If you want to learn more about this, reach out!
A Great Guide for Teens
with ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), is a neurodevelopmental condition, and is estimated to affect 1 in 20 people. ADHD can be diagnosed on it's own, or in conjunction with a number of other conditions. As teenagers, especially for those entering High School, there are even more distractions, and the the stakes only get higher!
This interactive guide will help young people to discover and utilize their strengths, how lists can help, and how important routines can be.
Our Spectrum Team were happy once again to sponsor an event close to our hearts; the Empower Simcoe 2023 Golf Tournament! This year, teams raised an incredible $55,000!
We're already looking forward to next year!
Where did the term "dog days of summer" originate? Ancient Greeks noticed the star Sirus, which is also known as the "dog star", and is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major appeared to rise alongside the sun in late July. They believed the sun, in combination with these stars made this the hottest time of the year!