people first of peterborough annual conference keynote presentation may 27, 2011
DESCRIPTION
Keenan Wellar was the keynote presenter at this year's annual conference which drew 100 delegates from across Ontario. The presentation was focused on identifying motivations for LiveWorkPlay to support the development of a People First chapter in Ottawa. The main reason is a belief in the importance of people with intellectual disabilities as self-advocates and their right to self-determination and full citizenship.TRANSCRIPT
Our Opening Presentation Will Start Soon!
LiveWorkPlay: a happy
accident!
Helping our community welcome people with intellectual disabilities to live, work, and play as valued citizens.
A community where everyone belongs.
People with intellectual disabilities will progress as self-advocates and contributing citizens […]
A transformative journey…
Found guilty of a crime against society
Found guilty of
having an intellectual disability
LiveWorkPlay
LiveWorkPlay
LiveWorkPlay
UNEMPLOYMENT: 75%
ONLY 1% OWN THEIR OWN HOMES
LESS THAN 10% RENT THEIR OWN HOMES
ALMOST 50% OF CANADIANS DON’T LIKE BEING AROUND PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
STILL MANY SEGREGATED SCHOOLS AND CLASSROOMS
VERY FEW POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
8-10 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO SUFFER ABUSE
VERY SMALL SOCIAL NETWORKS
REALITY CHECK!
THAT REALLY STINKS! WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?
It’s All About Differences
- nickscrusade.com
This is the model that continues to dominate human services despite overwhelming evidence that it is more expensive and less effective…
THE SYSTEMS MODEL OF DISABILITY
When we find our similarities, the differences can be put into place and we can push our relationships to the next level…quite simply similarities can override differences. The Essence of Interdependence Al Condeluci, Ph.D. (1999)
THESE ARE WEAPONS
HOW ABOUT THESE?
Sometimes The People Closest To Us Hurt Us With Their Own Fears
Communication is what one does with words and what they do to us. — J. Samuel Bois, The Art of Awareness
International Union for Conservation of Nature
The Medical Model Is Beating Us!
How Do We Fight Back And Win?
- nickscrusade.com
Help the person but don’t blame them for barriers they did not create!
THE COMMUNITY MODEL OF DISABILITY
The relationships and friendships that people have in their lives!
Research shows Social Capital is related to:
• Healthfulness • Happiness • Longevity
• People getting jobs • People finding others to live with • People being more tolerant, respectful, kind, helpful • It leads to people resolving problems more easily • It enhances physiological/psychological functioning • That pro-social behaviors increase
What is Social Capital?
Using a simple measurement tool incorporating acquaintanceship, friendship, and covenant relationships, average Social Capital for people with disabilities is about 30 (150 is typical)
MORE
Family Friends
Colleagues Co-Workers Classmates Neighbours
Spouse
ONLY AS NEEDED
Workers Staff
Doctor Psychologist Psychiatrist
Social Worker
HOW TO INCREASE OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL
SOCIAL CHANGE LEADERS MUST COME FROM THOSE WHO WILL BENEFIT MOST FROM THE CHANGES: FIND YOUR VOICE!
LAUNCH EVENT NOVEMBER 19, 2010
Getting Heard…
…Sometimes Takes $$$
At our first board meeting we were talking about how important it is for people with intellectual disabilities to have our voices heard. We asked Keenan to help us making a t-shirt. The first ones we tried out just for the board. It was a bit hard to see the microphone, so now we have the white shirts and we are selling them to your members, everyone likes them a lot! In the car on the way here we came up with another idea which is to give out an annual award to a self-advocated and it would be called FOUND MY VOICE!
People First of Ottawa 2011-2012
PRIORITY ITEMS
DEVELOP OUR OWN BYLAWS ESTABLISH OUR OWN BANKING
RAISE MORE FUNDS INCREASE OUR MEMBERSHIP
HOLD OUR FIRST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
WE ALSO WANT TO…
• LEARN MORE ABOUT INCORPORATION AND GETTING CHARITABLE STATUS • HOST MORE MOVIE NIGHTS TO PROMOTE DISCUSSION AND MEMBERSHIP • GO OUT AND SPEAK TO OTHER AGENCIES TO LET THEM KNOW ABOUT OUR WORK • RECRUIT ADDITIONAL ADVISORS WHO CAN ADD TO WHAT SUZANNE AND KEENAN OFFER • LOOK INTO GETTING OUR OWN OFFICE SPACE • GET SOME TRAINING ABOUT HOW TO BE GOOD BOARD MEMBERS
LAST BUT NOT LEAST WE’D LIKE TO HOST AN EVENT SO WE CAN INVITE PEOPLE LIKE YOU TO COME TO OTTAWA AND SPEND TIME WITH US!
Own Your Identity
Ownership Changes How People Think
People First: Where To Next?
Jobs & Income Friends & Spouses Renting & Owning Homes Being In Charge
Congratulations!
Thank you!
Famous Last Words