Coming Together 2021 Virtual Series
– Program –

★ Free Full Day Virtual Conference
★ Coming Together 2021 (CT2021) is open to individuals of all abilities and ages with their caregivers or families.
★ We will be hosting CT2021 on Saturday, November 6, 2021, in a virtual format (Zoom). This year’s theme is My Voice, My Future.

We all have a voice. We use our words, our bodies, and our expressions to share our thoughts and feelings with the people around us. Persons supported and their network will gain knowledge and tools to help ensure that their voices are heard and that they are truly at the heart of all decision making.

Participants will have opportunities to choose session content offered in either English or French, where feasible.

Morning Session: This Is Me! Escape Room

10:30am – 12pm: We will travel back in time together to help Sam express themself

Let’s work together to complete all levels of the ‘This Is Me! Escape Room’ and help Sam get their voice back!

You will meet Sam (fictional person). Sam is 25 years old. When Sam was a baby, Sam was unable to learn how to express themself. Without a voice, Sam went through their whole life never feeling heard. No one ever learned who Sam is, what Sam wants and what is important to Sam. Now Sam feels lost, and unsure of their future.

Join us as we travel back in time together to help Sam learn to express themself in different ways and actively be part of decisions that are important to them!

This game is based on the “escape room” format in which participants explore their surroundings, share ideas and try options in order to find solutions and overcome challenges.

Afternoon Session: Making Your Voice Heard

1pm – 4:15pm: Welcome Words, Keynote, and Person-Centred Thinking Activities

Welcome Remarks, Mitchell Bellman, SCS Executive Director

1pm – 1:05pm

Conference Keynote with Michael Jacques

1:05pm – 2pm

Join CT2021 keynote speaker Michael Jacques, advocate and author, as he shares how he found his voice to encourage inclusion.

Michael believes diversity is a reality, but inclusion is a choice.

“I sat there and listened to the adults talk about me. I was scared and really didn’t understand some of the conversations. But I was learning it was better to speak up than to be silent. It was that year when I first spoke at the special meetings and told my teachers what I needed. After I found my voice, I started to talk about authentic inclusion…”

Join this session to hear Michael talk about his journey to find his voice.

Win a book signed by Michael!
Michael is the author of Here’s My Book and I Belong: Can I Play?. Participants in this session will be eligible to a draw to win a book after sharing their feedback about the conference. Portion of book sales proceeds go to Special Olympics and Community Living Ontario.

More about Michael
Michael was recently appointed by the Education Minister to MACSE (Minister’s Advisory Council on Special Education.) It’s a provincial council that advises the Minister on matters related to special education. This is another opportunity for Michael to share his voice and perspective with individuals that can make positive changes in Ontario.

Michael is also the President for the Board of Directors with Community Living Ontario, featured on the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, and a Sobeys Grocery Store employee.

Person-Centred Thinking (PCT) with Jennifer Hermes, Helen Sanderson Associates Canada

Helen Sanderson Associates Canada is a social enterprise, working to create person-centred change by transforming how we think, plan and meet together.
2pm – 2:25pm

Discover Tools with PCT Champions Antonietta Ferraiuolo and Marisabelle Terriault-Elibani

Antonietta and Marisabelle are PCT champions at SCS. They will share tools with participants to help them make their voice heard.
2:25pm – 3:10pm

Refreshment Break

3:10pm – 3:15pm

PCT Panel with Bella and Lynda Bowes, Elijah Cadarette, Allison Moores

The panel participants will discuss what worked for them to make their voice heard.
3:15pm – 4:15pm

Conclusion

4:15pm

Conference Partners

Presented by the Transition Awareness Group of Service Coordination Support (SCS)

The Transition Awareness Group (TAG) aims to stimulate community participation, inspire new opportunities and raise the profile of developmental services in our community for transitional age youth and people of all ages experiencing life transitions. The goal of TAG is to help people and families gain knowledge, tools, and awareness of resources in the Ottawa region.