Potential can be exponential: reflections on 30 years of activism!

I very much appreciated the opportunity to share some of my life journey thanks to an invitation from Plenty magazine. Here’s a clip to hopefully entice you to explore the entire article.

“I do hope to see many of our best and brightest young workers choosing to make their mark in the evolving non-profit sector. At a time when one can “start a cause” with the push of a few buttons, it’s important to understand that those who are able to make a meaningful long term impact will be those who are engaged in an authentic social change process. They will challenge not only the conditions in their community, but will constantly examine their own role in the social change process.”

Making A Buzz on Rogers Daytime

My chat with the host with the most Dylan Black about this year’s Make A Buzz Ottawa!

Social Capital, Social Roles, and Employment for People with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism

Social Capital with Al Condeluci and Empowering Ability host Eric Goll

April 10. 2017 – Living the dream: sharing a podcast interview with Al Condeluci! Check it out. Thanks to Eric Goll for inviting me back.

The Empowering Ability Podcast: Interview With Host Eric Goll

Julie and I met Eric Goll at the Presence to Citizenship Learning Exchange in Toronto in February 2017. Eric was in the process of launching his Empowering Ability podcast and invited me to join him in recording his first episode with a guest.

In this podcast I share some of the journey of LiveWorkPlay from its start in 1995 up until now, including the transition from day program to community-based supports.

We also discuss how families and individuals with a developmental disability can access Developmental Services in Ontario, and other dynamics within the systems environment as well as the community at large.

Listen in by clicking here or clicking the image below!

Canada 150 Profile in The Philanthropist

To celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday The Philanthropist is profiling Canadians from across the non-profit sector and putting a face to 150 individuals who work or volunteer as leaders in the social sector. What an honour to be featured in the first group of 15 profiles. You can see all those recognized here and view my profile by clicking the image below or clicking here. You can learn about a range of topics: my thoughts on philanthropy, the state of his desk, a defining moment, and my reading list!

The Future of Developmental Services: Change is Here

I had the opportunity to visit with most of the current students enrolled in the Algonquin College Developmental Service Worker (DSW) program by speaking with four classes over the course of three days, March 1-3. I was particularly interested to find out if their teaching and their placements share any connection with the themes of the From Presence To Citizenship project. While some of the language was familiar to them, it is clear that their experiences in the field are much more programmatic and much less person-centred. My hope is that they will continue to prepare themselves for a different future even as they do what they need to do to gain entry to the field through jobs that may be less than ideal.

From Presence to Citizenship: Algonquin College DSW from LiveWorkPlay