Autism affects how a person communicates and processes information. It’s a type of neurodiversity, with varying needs and experiences across cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds. Support can range from occasional help to full-time care, and sensory processing differences are common.
Awareness is key to supporting autistic individuals and inclusivity. Learn more by checking out Autism Ontario’s About Autism infographic!
Category Archives: Advocacy
❗️Important Changes to Building Blocks programs❗️
If you use or plan to register for their programs, please take the time to read their message:
https://ebbuildingblocks.ca/news/
Explore the Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW) Disability Confidence Toolkit
If you missed their workshop on Leveraging the Disability Confidence Toolkit, don’t worry — the Toolkit is free to access online!
Explore this incredible resource for employees, employers, and workplace leaders who want to foster a culture of accessibility and inclusion: https://toolkit.ccrw.org/
☎️Community Living Ontario Wants to Hear From You
🏫Reflecting on our Practice: Ten Ways Schools Can Foster Belonging Among Students With and Without Disabilities
Suggested reading by OIFN: Ontario Independent Facilitation Network
Check out this reflection guide from the PROGRESS Center at the American Institutes for Research. Although the questions are asked from an education lens, they can easily be applied to thinking about our communities and social groups.
https://promotingprogress.org/sites/default/files/2022-02/Fostering_Belonging_Handout.pdf
🌻An Evening of Story Telling and Advocacy with Families Matter Co-Operative
Come join Families Matter Co-Operative and professional storyteller Kim Kilpatrick, who has been totally blind since birth, for an inspiring evening of stories, conversation and networking. Les Moulins La Fayette on Thursday, November 7, from 7 to 9 PM. Register while space is available: https://www.familiesmattercoop.ca/events/8al77eq18ifuetij8o3m7xjm31a933
✊The Audacity of Inclusion: Fighting for the Equality of Persons Labelled Intellectually Disabled
Inclusion Canada recommends this book:
The Audacity of Inclusion: Fighting for the Equality of Persons Labelled Intellectually Disabled
Details on the book can be found here: 👇
https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000433366040/Dulcie-McCallum-The-Audacity-of-Inclusion
« The Audacity of Inclusion cracks open the vault of injustices perpetrated against people who have an intellectual disability, helping shatter preconceptions and opening new ways of seeing people who are forced to live with a legally sanctioned label. »
🎙️Podcast on Disrupting Ableism in the Workplace
In this episode of You Can’t Spell Inclusion Without A D podcast, Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN) got a perspective on Ableism in the workplace: Why it’s happening, its many forms, its impact and what can, and needs to be, done about it.
The two guests for this episode had many powerful insights on ableism.
Sree Nallamothu is the Co-Executive Director of Toronto Neighbourhood Centres. She’s also a documentary film-maker and an advocate for social change.
Fran Odette has more than 25 years of experience in disability advocacy, activism and education. She co-designed and co-teaches a critical disability studies course titled, Disability Discourse: The Experienced Life, at George Brown College in Toronto.
Their insights will get you thinking more consciously about ableism.
Read this excerpt from the conversation: https://www.odenetwork.com/qa-excerpt-disrupting-ableism-in-the-workplace/
Then, to get the full impact of their guests’ insights on ableism, catch the full episode: https://youcantspellinclusionwithoutad.podbean.com/e/episode-20-disrupting-ableism-in-the-workplace/
📢The Source for Inclusive Education is now LIVE!
Please visit www.sourceforinclusiveeducation.ca and check out all the valuable resources and info.
🗺️Consultation on the Accessible Canada Roadmap
📣 Accessible Canada wants to hear from you!
A consultation has just launched to get your feedback on the draft Accessible Canada Roadmap. They invite all Canadians who are passionate about advancing accessibility to share their input on areas of action that can help us achieve a barrier-free Canada by 2040.
Share your views before January 8, 2025: https://ow.ly/EkaN50TxftN
