DVD tutorial makes filling out forms easier

Many settlement agencies in York Region are now testing a tutorial on DVD that helps newcomers fill out federal and provincial forms by following step-by-step illustrated instructions in their native language.

The “Bridget video tutorial tool” Settlement Series #1, funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, is easy to use and enables newcomers to complete essential applications themselves.
“We found that settlement workers are spending an overwhelming amount of time helping newcomers fill out forms,” says Richard Lecours, York Region Operations Manager at Citizenship and Immigration Canada. “With this new DVD, newcomers get the support they need to complete paper work, enabling settlement workers to focus more of their energy on other client needs, including assessment and referrals.”

How it works
Settlement workers set up a newcomer client at a computer terminal and demonstrate how to navigate through the video. While the video is playing, settlement workers can monitor the newcomer’s progress by glancing at the simultaneous French and English subtitles on the bottom of the screen.

The video includes 12 tutorials demonstrating how to apply for:

• Social Insurance Number.
• Ontario Health Coverage.
• Old Age Security Pension.
• GST/HST Credit.
• Permanent Resident Card.
• Canada Child Benefits.

Currently, the DVD tutorial is available in 14 languages, including English, French, Arabic, Cantonese, Urdu, Vietnamese, Farsi, Hindi, Korean, Mandarin, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish and Tamil.

Tried and tested
Social Enterprise for Canada, which produced the video, recently conducted a survey to evaluate its effectiveness. The survey found that “75 percent of clients required no assistance to use the tool,” and clients found the videos were “very clear, friendly and helpful.”

“The savings in time will now allow for more newcomers to get the help they need and for organizations to significantly reduce related interpretation expenses,” Patricia Cousins, Chief Executive Officer of Social Enterprise for Canada says. “It’s a win-win situation for everyone.”

To request a copy of the "Bridget video tutorial tool” Settlement Series #1 please send an e-mail to bridget@bridgetranslations.com
To view the “Bridget video tutorial tool” Settlement Series #1 online, select the language and choose the appropriate form from the drop down menu.