March 2019
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International Women's Day 2019

On March 8th we celebrated International Women's Day (IWD). Since the first IWD in 1911, this date has been devoted to celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. It has also been a reminder of the work still to be done in achieving gender equality.

Identifying as a woman in today's political and social reality is not easy. Women continue to be denied education, overlooked and undercompensated for employment, sexually exploited, abused, and deprived of their sexual health and reproductive rights. These are not inherent features of being female, but a result of the way society views women.

Likewise, living with a disability is difficult. Not because of disability itself, but because of the way our society is structured. 

Welcome Hope Colbourne, NLACL Executive Director

It is with great pleasure that CACL extends a warm welcome to Hope Colbourne, Newfoundland and Labrador Association for Community Living's new Executive Director. 

A born Newfoundlander, Hope assumed the role of Executive Director on  January 14, 2019 and brings 30+ years of both professional and educational experience.  

With a  background in Adult Education, including a Master of Education degree from Memorial University, s he has worked for nonprofits, community organizations, corporate and the public service in Alberta. Hope is very excited to be back home again and to join the NLACL team! 

CACL in Action!
Highlights of our recent national and international work.

  • No Woman's Land made its world premiere on March 9th and 10th, coinciding with International Women's Day. This evocative new work exploring the real stories of women in refugee camps was the result of a partnership between IRIS, Jaberi Dance Theatre and Dr. Shahrzad Mojab. 
     
  • Ready Willing and Able (RWA) is pleased to announce the establishment of a national employer partnership with PepsiCo Canada. The relationship between PepsiCo and RWA began in 2017 within a limited number of selected locations. The success of this initial relationship has now led to the establishment of the national partnership which will see RWA responding to  employment opportunities in PepsiCo facilities across Canada. 
  • In February 2019,  RWA National Director, Don Gallant met with Costco managers from across Canada to review the scope of the partnership to date.  As the founding national employer partner of RWA, Costco has been instrumental to the program's success, being the source of almost 400 jobs for persons with an intellectual disability or ASD, since September 2014. The February meeting re-affirmed Costco's ongoing commitment to inclusive hiring as a HR priority of all its stores across Canada.  A video detailing the success of the Costco-RWA partnership(produced by Costco themselves) was presented at the meeting and has now been uploaded to the Ready Willing and Able YouTube channel. 

Time-Out, Seclusion And Physical Restraint In Alberta Schools: Guidelines Are Not Enough

On February 15, 2019 CACL's member organization, Inclusion Alberta released the  results of its 2018 survey  examining the use of time-out, seclusion and physical restraint in Alberta schools. The results of the survey, which included over 214 comments from parents, demonstrated the widespread and frequent use of these practices as well as the overwhelmingly harmful effects of their use. Data showed that in many cases, parents and guardians were not made aware that these techniques were being used or were pressured into providing consent.


NS Decision Finds Blatant Discrimination Against Three Persons with Intellectual Disabilities

Chairman John Walter Thompson, Q.C. found in the March 4, 2019 Human Rights Commission Board of Inquiry decision that the Province of Nova Scotia violated the rights of Beth MacLean, Sheila Livingstone, and Joseph Delaney under the Nova Scotia's Human Rights Act.  The decision is a win for MacLean, Livingstone, and Delaney as individuals, and it is an important victory in ensuring full recognition of the right of persons with disabilities to live in the community and access community-based services throughout the province. 

Upcoming Dates and Events
March 21 - World Down Syndrome Day
April 2- World Autism Awareness Day
April 7- World Health Day

The work done by CACL to strengthen families, defend rights and transform communities could not be achieved without the financial support of our dedicated donors and partners. 

If the stories in this newsletter resonate with you, we hope that you will continue to support CACL through your generous donations.

 Thank you

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