NEWS
BULLETIN
6 July 2005
News from
Guelph Spring Conference:
Creative Supports for Vulnerable Adults
The 2005 conference on
this theme
was organized by Guelph Services for the Autistic on April 29.
More than 180 people
joined in a
full and rich program that opened with a keynote address by John Lord
on
“Creative Supports that Work: Values, Principles and Processes.”
Then
there were four parallel workshops:
1.
Judith Snow on
citizenship and the value of support circles
2.
Barbara Leavitt on
how to make mere housing into real homes
3.
Peggy Hutchison on
creative approaches to work and recreation
4.
Marlyn Shervill,
Michelle Friesen and Alice Quinlan of Windsor-Essex on how to realize
and
sustain good lives.
Several creative
strategies
were illustrated in the early afternoon. Peter Dill introduced an
advance
viewing of the film Revel in the Light by and about
Rebecca
Beayni of Scarborough. Thelma
Wheatley described how Mississauga parents organized the
Options
project of work and recreation from 1991. Judith Rosenberg explained
the Spark
of Brilliance initiative promoting healing through the arts, that she
founded
in Guelph
in 1999, and showed its video. Shirley Edwards spoke of her unique
service,
Balancing Act, which is devoted to caring for the caregivers. Michelle
Friesen
shared some of the experience of the Windsor-Essex Family Network.
Throughout the
day there
were many displays by organizations from all over southern Ontario.
John Lord gathered up the day’s ideas and strategies in a final plenary
session, so that we could all “go home with awareness.”
We believe it is
vital to
build on what was learned at the Guelph
conference. Many people, registering for the conference and thanking us
afterwards, noted that the scope of the conference was exactly what
they
needed. There was a heavy demand for places at the conference: if
there
had been space, we could have registered twice as many participants.
Many of
you were interested in more than one workshop topic, and wished there
could
have been time to take part in two or more instead of just one. We've
heard from people all over Ontario who were unable to
attend on
April 29, but want to be kept informed of resources coming out of the
conference.
So these are some plans
to keep the
discussion going:
1.
We are now editing the audio and video recordings that were made of the
conference sessions. We plan to produce and share:
-a summary videotape/DVD of the essence and highlights of the event
-edited
text
transcripts of
the seven conference sessions
Thanks to Kerry's Place Autism Services and the
Community Mental
Health Clinic in Guelph
for grants to help us make these resources available at modest cost.
We’d like to know from you how interested you are in
obtaining these
resources. Please send an email message to gbloomfi@uoguelph.ca to tell us you'd like
more
information about receiving these resources.
2. We are trying to
continue the
dynamics and interaction of the conference in launching this electronic
bulletin, Creative Supports for Vulnerable Adults, to be sent regularly
to the
AROHA Listserv. We will publicize creative initiatives of other groups,
pose
questions for discussion, and announce new books, reports, websites and
events.
3. We
also plan some smaller workshops on
helpful strategies that may encourage people and families, especially
in our
region to explore the best ways of supporting good lives for their
vulnerable
adults. These are being held in Guelph, to start with. The
first is on
Gentle Teaching on July 6. In
September, John Lord will lead a workshop on applying the principles of
creative supports to planning person-directed lives with Individualized
Funding. Other topics for the fall might include the vital importance
of deep
listening and communication partners; the Special Needs Planning Group
on financial
aspects of longterm planning; and substitute and supported
decision-making and
how to fit planning for adulthood with Ontario Government regulations.
_____________________________________________________________
NEWS FROM CREATIVE PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
Revel in
the Light: The Story of Rebecca Beayni
A
Quiet Life Will
Shine..are the words that open this inspiring biographical portrait of
Rebecca
Beayni, a young woman whose incredible spirit bursts in and through the
seams
of a physical disability she was born into. Masterworks
Productions is
pleased to present this story of Rebecca, a woman whose openness to
life
touches and stirs those in the world around her.
A testament to love and family, and the amazing mystery of hope, this
film is
the realization of a dream of Rebecca's, her family and that of The
Ubuntu
Initiative, which consists of
individuals who have a developmental disability and their families and
friends.
We come together to imagine and to create, with these individuals, a
different
more hopeful future, rooted in gentleness, interdependence and deep
friendship.
Ubuntu is a South African Zulu word meaning: “My humanity is
inextricably bound
up in your humanity.” Click for
order form
At the conference, we were fortunate
to have an
advance view of this remarkable video. Its official premiere will be on
Thursday September 22, 2005,
in North York. Click
for more information about premiere
For more about Rebecca's remarkable effect on others, read
Rebecca is going to the United Nations
Helen Henderson highlighted Rebecca's story around her video in her
column in
the Life Section of the Toronto Star on Saturday July 2.
Spark of
Brilliance was
introduced and illustrated for us by Judith Rosenberg as a form of
creative
support for mental health. With the Mental Health & Wellness
Network and
James Gordon, Spark of Brilliance staged performances in Guelph in the last week of
June.
Two Steps and a Glass of Water is described as this
enriching and empowering production
created by a unique community of people who are experiencing mental
health
issues, or are supporting others on their journey…
of healing
and recovery through the arts. Donations
to help with this production and other initiatives by Spark of
Brilliance may
be made payable to Spark of Brilliance, and sent to Orchard Park,
Attention:
Judith Rosenberg, 5420 Highway 6, North, RR5, Guelph, ON, N1H 62J
CommonVision for Real Transformation
John Lord tells us of
a combined initiative by four provincial organizations that
represent families and people with disabilities--Family Alliance
Ontario, Individualized Funding Coaltion for Ontario, People First of
Ontario, and Special Services at Home Provincial Coalition. The first
of two 8-page booklets has been printed and the second will
appear in July. They outline the main features of the shared vision and
the "new story" that John presented in the Guelph Spring Conference.
Look out for these booklets. Organizations may order them at $25 for 50
from the IFCO.
Email barbara@communitylivingontario.ca
Transition
Resources
For our April conference, Nancy Cherry
compiled a guide to Transition
Resources
(from
school to adult
years). Comments
and suggestions are welcomed.
______________________________________________________________
Displays and Poster Presentations about Creative Supports
The following groups displayed information at the conference.
We'll post more detailed information in a forthcoming bulletin.
Deep Listening and Support Circles
Inclusion Press, Inclusion
Network, Marsha Forest Centre) - MAPS, PATH, CIRCLES
Planned Lifetime Networks
(Waterloo-Wellington-Oxford, Monika Landoni)
Safe & Secure Futures
(Extend-A-Family, Toronto, Christy Barber)
Mental
Health: Self Help Alliance –Guelph
Speaking Differently
Support
Clusters Network—Canadian Mental Health Association
ASPIRE: Autism Support
Project: Information, Resources, Empowerment, with PATH
Dave’s
Success Story, realizing dream of home ownership and micro-enterprise
Rebecca’s
Dream: new
video/DVD Revel in the Light
Ubuntu
Initiative (Peter Dill)
Homes
Not Just Housing
Aspergers Society: Housing
Committee (Sim Wong)
Homes for Life, Peterborough (Marilyn Atkins)
Guelph Services for the Autistic (housing
trust)
Saddy Homes, London (Kathy Peters)
Independence Technologies by Hamilton Health Sciences (Elizabeth Steggles)
From Madhouse to Our House
(new DVD by Centre for
Research and Education in Human Services)
Housing Options, Community Living St Marys and Area (Barbara Leavitt)
Meaningful
Work and Recreation
Options Mississauga (Thelma Wheatley)
Spark of Brilliance, Guelph (Judith Rosenberg)
Learning
Disabilities Association of Ontario: Job-Fit
Ju-Lis Delights, Guelph (Elisabeth Niimi)
Brian’s fire wood
micro-enterprise, Guelph
Community Music Therapy
Services
Exercise Therapy: Mind,
Body and Spirit in Balance (Minerva Gardiner)
Energy therapies including
Reiki and Therapeutic Touch (Heidi Klaming
ACES Initiatives: towards
a vision of intentional community, including horticultural therapy
Co-ordinating
Sustainable Good Lives
Transition initiatives and
resources, by Nancy Cherry of ASPIRE
Aroha entities of personal
empowerment and support
Brockville
& District Association for Community Involvement's Legacy Project
Family Networks of Family Alliance Ontario (Barbara Ostroff)
Special Needs Planning
Group (Graeme Treeby)
Families for a Secure
Future (Nancy & Marvin McDougall)
Individualized Funding
Coalition of Ontario (Joyce Balaz)
St
Francis Advocates: Stepping Stones (Sharon Sharp)
Windsor-Essex Brokerage
for Personal Supports (Marlyn Shervill)
Windsor-Essex Family
Network (Michelle Friesen)
Balancing Act: Personal Coaching &
Workshops for Caregivers (Shirley
Edwards)
Autism Society Ontario (Patricia Gallin)
There were also book displays
from
Parentbooks and AACI
______________________________________________________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS OF EVENTS
Please
send
submissions for this news bulletin in plain text format by email to ebloomfi@uoguelph.ca
with "announcement" at the beginning of the subject line.
Please
provide
details of the following as BRIEFLY as possible:
Name
of Event
Main
Speakers and Topics of Event
Date
of Event
City
and Location of Event
Contact
information to learn more about event
Please
Do Not Send Files Or Brochure Attachments, but URL links to more
detailed information on other websites are welcome.
Wednesday, July 6, 2005, 7-10pm, in Guelph
An introduction to Gentle Teaching:
Understanding the
‘language of pain’,
a workshop with Felicia Jervis. Click for
introduction to Gentle Teaching
July 10-13, 2005
Toronto Summer Institute: Inclusion,
Community and Diversity
The Assembly
Hall - Humber College - Lakeshore Campus
“People
working actively on the complex issues
of inclusion and diversity in communities, workplaces and schools will
want to
attend this event. This Institute is for Thinkers and Doers. - for
people who
know there are no easy answers and who are seeking new ways of thinking
and
acting. This will be a unique adventure in building a learning
community
together. The faculty see themselves as a jazz combo who have a
definite theme
and a flair for improvisation - harmonizing with the participants.”
Jack
Pearpoint & Cathy Hollands
Inclusion Press International &
The Marsha Forest Centre: Inclusion•Family•Community
Tel: 416-658-5363 Fax: 416-658-5067
E-mail: inclusionpress@inclusion.com
Web: www.inclusion.com
July
18-22, 2005, in Hamilton
Accessibly Yours
Enhancing
Environments for Wellness and Occupation
Summer
Institute
McMaster University - School
of Rehabilitation Science
Click for
more
Includes
on July 20, all-day workshop on
"Enabling Occupational
Performance Through Home
Renovation & Universal Design"
Click
for extension of early registration discount to July 8.
July 20-21, 2005,
in Troy Michigan
Summer
Institute!
Supporting
resiliency and well-being throughout the lifespan
sponsored
by:
Center
for Self-Determination and Transition
College of Education, Wayne State University
Click
for more details
July 21-23, 2005, at Niagara-On-The-Lake
Fourth
Biennial Niagara Conference on Evidence Based Treatments for Childhood
and Adolescent Health Problems
Presentations
from 19 leading practitioners and researchers who have studied and
developed treatments for anxiety disorders, depression and bipolar
disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism,
substance abuse and bullying among other maladies. Visit conference website
July 26 and 28, in
Pontiac, Michigan
Facilitated
Communication is one method used in accessing augmentative and
alternative
communication (AAC) equipment. This series of two workshops
provides the
opportunity to learn the techniques of facilitated communication within
the
context of the principles common to all communication support approaches.
1. Communication
Partnerships: A
Framework for Support
2.
Introductory
Skills Workshop: Learning to Be a Facilitator
Sponsored by the Autism Society of
America, Oakland County Chapter, and held in the Marriott at
Centrepoint.
Thursday September 22, 2005, in North York
Official
launch of “Revel in the Light”
The story of Rebecca Beayni, produced by Masterworks
Productions
Click
for more information about premiere
Click
for order form (either video or DVD)
For more about
Rebecca's remarkable effect on others, read
Rebecca is going to the United Nations Helen Henderson will be highlighting
Rebecca's story around her video in her column in the Life Section of
the Toronto Star on Saturday July 2.
October 20-23, 2005, in Toronto
Come to Your Senses....
From
Theory & Research To Practice: Sensory Therapy & Disabilities
An International
Conference for professionals, parents, caregivers & consumers
Presented
by Muki Baum Association.
Program
includes 37 presenters from 8 countries and a special presentation by
Dr
Oliver Sacks.
_____________________________________________________________________________
ISSUES
AND
ADVOCACY
Development and Testing of a
Resource Kit for Parents of Young Adults
Who Receive Individualized Funding for Support, 2004 - 2007
The goal of this project
is to develop a Resource Kit that can be broadly circulated to families
who receive individualized funding. It is expected to enhance the
quality of life and community participation of young adults with
disabilities. This five-year project will assist them in the management
of the funding and their work as parents to find supports for their
children and family. The Resource Kit will be developed with the 10
families who are involved in the Opening Doors project. Researchers
will seek input from all families as to the content and format of such
a kit. Another goal is to evaluate the Resource Kit as to its use,
utility and impact. A prototype of the Research Kit will be given to
all families to use during the Opening Doors project in years two to
five. This study is funded by the Ministry of Community, Family and
Children’s Services
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
BOOKS, FILMS, WEBSITES AND OTHER
RESOURCES
Closing The Gap Forums is a
discussion board
exploring the many ways that technology is being used to enhance the
lives of people with special needs. Please feel free to participate in
the discussions listed below and share this valuable resource with
friends and colleagues. There is no fee to participate. Visit: http://www.closingthegap.org/forums/ and
check out the "Featured Discussions".
The Philia Dialogue on Caring Citizenship invites you to visit its newly designed website at http://www.philia.ca The Philia Dialogue is an initiative of PLAN Institute, which brings the
wisdom of the disability community to Philia's quest for a more inclusive society. Share your ideas and stories at the website by clicking "Have Your Say" or send longer stories to
mailto:haveyoursay@philia.ca
The Government of Canada has released three publications addressing issues related to people with disabilities: "Advancing the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities 2004"; "Canadian Attitudes Towards Disability Issues"; and "Frequently Asked Questions." View all three at
http://www.sdc.gc.ca/en/cs/comm/sd/news/2004/041203.shtml .
ARCH: A Legal Resource Centre for Persons with Disabilities has released five free fact sheets about abuse of people with disabilities and legal avenues to address such abuse. See http://www.archlegalclinic.ca
Motion Picture Card for persons with
disabilities will get a necessary helper into movies
free or cheaply. A physician or other recognized therapist
must complete form that can permit a support person to attend motion
pictures
(movies) for either free, or a max. fee of $3, as the accompanying
person for the disabled person (this works for adults as well as for
children). Click for information and application
form in English
___________________________________________________________________________
FROM THE FRONT LINES:
CALLING FOR HELP AND
SHARING
EXPERIENCES
We
know that
some adults and their families and caregivers are heroically using what
resources they have to achieve some successes with their challenges.
Some
can report remarkable progress. We invite you to share your problems
and your success stories, if
you think others might help or benefit.
If
you wish,
we will not publish your name or email address. You may send a message
to ebloomfi@uoguelph.ca for
AROHA.
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