Inclusion Matters January 2022

January 2022

Inclusion Matters

January 2022

Let's Chat about Inclusive Education Web Series now launched!

The Let's Chat Series about Inclusion Education has now launched with the first two episodes now available! Join hosts Gordon Porter, Jacqueline Specht, and Diane Richler as they interview experts, teachers, parents, and other leading experts on inclusive education in Canada.

New episodes will be available every Monday on Inclusive Education Canada's website. An accompanying discussion guide provides topics for conversation and resources related to the subjects covered during each episode.

Watch the first episode here. >

Read the Discussion Guide here. >

New Additions and Staff Returns to the Inclusion Canada Team!

The new year brings a few staffing changes at Inclusion Canada. We are pleased to welcome Karen Gilbert to the team as the new Executive Assistant. Karen will be working out of our Fredericton office assisting Krista Carr with her administration tasks and also providing valuable support to the rest of the team.

We are also very excited to welcome back Tara Levandier from her maternity leave. Tara's replacement while on leave, Jeff Ferguson, is staying on as a full-time member of Inclusion Canada's leadership team. Tara will be stepping into the role of Executive Director, Operations and Social Impact, while Jeff will be taking over as Executive Director, Knowledge Mobilization & Transformation.

With these new additions to our staff we are more prepared than ever to advance the work of the inclusion to ensure people with an intellectual disability and their families are equally valued and fully included in every aspect of community life.

Welcome back Tara, we are very happy you are back. Welcome to the team Karen, and Jeff, we are so thrilled you are staying on with us!

Family Matters: Job Loss & COVID-19 Findings Now Available

Families play a critical and ongoing role in the lives of their family members, including assisting, encouraging, and supporting them to secure and maintain inclusive employment. Recent research into the impact of the pandemic on the employment status of job seekers/employees with an intellectual disability has not provided sufficient coverage on the experiences of people with an intellectual disability and their families who have experienced job loss.

This project worked with families and self-advocates to better understand the impact of job loss during the pandemic and considerations for future supports for families and individuals.

Read full report here. >

Read summary version here. >

Read an accessible version here. >

Inclusion Canada to Support Implementation of a Canadian Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP)

The federal government committed to implement a plan to create a new Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP). This is an important first step in designing a strategy that is aimed at improving the lives of people with disabilities. Through a call for proposals, the government recently announced the next step in the design and creation of the DIAP. We are pleased to be partnering with Muscular Dystrophy Canada and Independent Living Canada to consult on and inform the development of Canada's first Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP). There are four specific pillars to the plan: Financial Security (i.e Canada Disability Benefit, fixing the DTC), Employment (a national employment strategy for PWD), Disability Inclusive Spaces, and A Modern Approach to Disability. While Inclusion Canada will provide partner support to all pillars, we will be specifically leading the work on the consultations for the Financial Security pillar of the project.

You can read more here on this collaborative work which aims to ensure all people in Canada have the opportunity to provide feedback for the plan.

Our involvement will ensure people of an intellectual disability and their families will be front and centre in these consultations and in the recommendations that will be brought forward to government. This important work will take place over the next 15 months and we will continue to keep you updated and informed on the progress and ways you can provide input.

Pathways to Homeownership Profiles: Meet John

In partnership with IRIS and People First of Canada, our newest project - Pathways to Homeownership - My Home My Community profiles six individuals across Canada who have successfully purchased stable, affordable and inclusive housing through one of three forms of homeownership. John is a homeowner of over 30 years. With the help of his family and his savings, John was able to purchase a home of his own. There were twists along the way but with determination and support from family and community, his goal became a reality.

Read more about John's journey to homeownership and discover useful resources to explore whether home ownership is right for you or your family member in our latest homeowner profiles.

Read the full post here. >

A Year in Review: Annual Report 2020-2021

2022 is a new year with lots of work ahead of us, but we also recently released our 2020-2021 Annual Report with a summary of all the initiatives from last year. Our Annual Report, released last December, reflects on the work accomplished over 2021 and looks toward the work we'll continue to do in the future to ensure people with an intellectual disability and their families are able to lead inclusive lives, participating fully in all aspects of community. We invite you to review our report.

Read the full report here. >

Inclusion Canada in the News

Years after medical assistance in dying became legal, the debate rages on

Upcoming Dates & Events

February - Inclusive Education Month

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