Keenan Wellar was the keynote presenter at this year's annual conference which drew 100 delegates from across Ontario. The presentation was focused on identifying motivations for LiveWorkPlay to support the development of a People First chapter in Ottawa. The main reason is a belief in the importance of people with intellectual disabilities as self-advocates and their right to self-determination and full citizenship.
3. People with intellectual disabilities
will progress as self-advocates
and contributing citizens […]
A transformative journey…
Helping our community welcome
people with intellectual disabilities to
live, work, and play as valued citizens.
A community where everyone belongs.
4. Live
WorkPlay
Found
guilty of
a crime
against
society
Found
guilty of
having an
intellectual
disability
9. REALITY CHECK!
UNEMPLOYMENT: 75%
ONLY 1% OWN THEIR OWN HOMES
LESS THAN 10% RENT THEIR OWN HOMES
ALMOST 50% OF CANADIANS DON’T LIKE BEING AROUND
PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
STILL MANY SEGREGATED SCHOOLS AND CLASSROOMS
VERY FEW POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
8-10 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO SUFFER ABUSE
VERY SMALL SOCIAL NETWORKS
12. THE SYSTEMS MODEL OF DISABILITY
This is the model that continues to
dominate human services despite
overwhelming evidence that it is more
expensive and less effective…
- nickscrusade.com
13. When we find our
similarities, the
differences can be
put into place and
we can push our
relationships to
the next level…quite
simply similarities can
override differences.
The Essence of Interdependence
Al Condeluci, Ph.D. (1999)
16. Communication is what one does with words and what they do to us.
— J. Samuel Bois, The Art of Awareness
International Union for Conservation of Nature
18. THE COMMUNITY MODEL OF DISABILITY
Help the person but don’t blame them for
barriers they did not create!
- nickscrusade.com
19.
20.
21. What is Social Capital?
The relationships and friendships that people have in their lives!
Research shows Social Capital is related to:
• Healthfulness
Using a simple measurement tool incorporating
• Happiness
acquaintanceship, friendship, and covenant
• Longevity relationships, average Social Capital for people
with disabilities is about 30 (150 is typical)
• People getting jobs
• People finding others to live with
• People being more tolerant, respectful, kind, helpful
• It leads to people resolving problems more easily
• It enhances physiological/psychological functioning
• That pro-social behaviors increase
22. HOW TO INCREASE OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL
MORE
ONLY AS NEEDED
Family
Workers
Friends
Staff
Colleagues Doctor
Co-Workers Psychologist
Classmates Psychiatrist
Neighbours Social Worker
Spouse
23. SOCIAL CHANGE LEADERS MUST COME FROM THOSE WHO
WILL BENEFIT MOST FROM THE CHANGES: FIND YOUR VOICE!
26. At our first board meeting we were talking about how important it is for people
with intellectual disabilities to have our voices heard. We asked Keenan to help
us making a t-shirt. The first ones we tried out just for the board. It was a bit hard
to see the microphone, so now we have the white shirts and we are selling them
to your members, everyone likes them a lot! In the car on the way here we came
up with another idea which is to give out an annual award to a self-advocated
and it would be called FOUND MY VOICE!
27. PRIORITY ITEMS
DEVELOP OUR OWN BYLAWS
People First of ESTABLISH OUR OWN BANKING
Ottawa 2011-2012 RAISE MORE FUNDS
INCREASE OUR MEMBERSHIP
HOLD OUR FIRST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
WE ALSO WANT TO…
• LEARN MORE ABOUT INCORPORATION AND GETTING CHARITABLE STATUS
• HOST MORE MOVIE NIGHTS TO PROMOTE DISCUSSION AND MEMBERSHIP
• GO OUT AND SPEAK TO OTHER AGENCIES TO LET THEM KNOW ABOUT OUR WORK
• RECRUIT ADDITIONAL ADVISORS WHO CAN ADD TO WHAT SUZANNE AND KEENAN OFFER
• LOOK INTO GETTING OUR OWN OFFICE SPACE
• GET SOME TRAINING ABOUT HOW TO BE GOOD BOARD MEMBERS
28. LAST BUT NOT LEAST WE’D LIKE TO HOST AN EVENT SO WE CAN INVITE
PEOPLE LIKE YOU TO COME TO OTTAWA AND SPEND TIME WITH US!