June 2018
Inclusion Matters_ News from CACL
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Help Open the Door to Opportunities

Imagine the front door to your dream home. Your front door is both a gateway to your nest in a busy world and a launchpad from which you go out to conquer it.

But that isn't the case for too many people with an intellectual disability. Too many still face closed doors. You can change that. You can make a difference today that will open doors tomorrow. 

Minister Kirsty Duncan and CACL EVP Krista Carr smile at camera.
Making Sure the Voice of Families is Heard Internationally  

This story comes from Community Living Ontario's Update Friday newsletter.

CACL, Inclusion International, and other organizations with similar values spent much of last week expressing the importance of having the voice of families of people who have a disability heard when it comes to discussions concerning the United Nations' Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.


CACL in Action!
Highlights of our recent national and international work.

  • Presidents and Executive Directors from Provincial and Territorial Associations for Community Living came together in Kelowna, BC to work together on ways to build the community living movement from coast to coast.
     
  • Kurt Goddard, CACL Director of Policy & Program Operations, travelled to Baxter Harbour, Nova Scotia for a workshop hosted by Catherine Frazee and Tangled Art + Disability project as a part of CACL's Human Flourishing Project. Tangled + Art's piece of the project will feature exhibits from Canadian artists with various disabilities that showcase what it means to thrive and flourish in their own lives.
     
  • Gordon Porter, Director of Inclusive Education Canada, conducted several sessions on inclusive education at Inclusion International's World Congress in Birmingham, UK, as did IEC Associates Diane Richler, Jody Carr and Bruce Uditsky.
     
  • Inclusive Education Canada is supporting several families with issues regarding inclusion in schools. Inclusive Education Canada's role is to facilitate support from local advocates in our network. 
  • Staff from CACL, IRIS, and Ready, Willing & Able presented at Inclusion International's World Congress 2018 held in Birmingham, UK on May 30 - June 1. Session topics included "Moving Confidently Toward Inclusion In Schools," "Strategies for Building Employment Opportunities," and "More than a Placement: Inclusive & Accessible Housing."
     
  • CACL EVP Krista Carr and Director of Policy & Program Operations Kurt Goddard were in New York to participate in UN's General Discussion on the Draft General Comment No. 7 (Art. 4.3 & 33.3 CRPD) for civil society groups ahead of the 11th Conference of State Parties (COSP) to United National Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
     
  • Krista Carr and Kurt Goddard worked alongside Inclusion International at COSP. Krista urged delegates and CRPD committee members to recognize the importance of the voice of families of people who have a disability surrounding conversations on the implementation and monitoring of the CRPD. 
     
  • At COSP, Krista Carr and Kurt Goddard participated in a stakeholders discussion with the head of the Canadian delegation to the UN, which included Canada's Minister of Sport & Persons with Disabilities Kirsty Duncan and Ambassador Michael Grant. 

Krista speaking at Inspiring Inclusion Fundraising Breakfast.
Inspiring Inclusion Fundraising Breakfast

Thank you to our guests and generous donors!

CACL held its first annual Inspiring Inclusion Fundraising Breakfast on June 13th in Toronto. Guests listened to stories from CACL families and supporters on the difference CACL's work makes in strengthening families, defending rights, and transforming communities.

If you'd like to learn more about CACL's work, we would love to host you at our upcoming Inspiring Inclusion Information Session on Monday, July 9th at 5:00 p.m. in Toronto. Please call 416-661-9611 ext. 300 for more information.
CACL EVP Krista Carr speaks on the Inclusion International_s World Congress stage.
Inclusion International World Congress Brings Forward the Voice of Self-Advocates and Supporters 

Inclusion International's 17th World Congress took place May 30th to June 1st in Birmingham, UK bringing together more than 1,000 people from 70 countries. The World Congress is the largest gathering in the world that shines a spotlight on the exclusion of people with an intellectual disability and the work and advocacy being done to end this exclusion. Half of the World Congress attendees were self-advocates, while families, supporters, and many organizations also participated.


Employees at Kent Building Supplies stand in a warehouse smiling at the camera.
An Employee that Raises the Bar at Kent Building Supplies

When Kent Building Supplies was thinking about adding a person with an intellectual disability to their team, they didn't have any of the concerns expressed by other employers considering the same move. That's because Patrick O'Neil and his colleagues at the Kent Distribution Centre in Moncton, NB had been working with a team member who has an intellectual disability for over 20 years, with very positive results.

Read more
Upcoming Dates and Events  
June 20  - UN World Refugee Day
July 2  - CACL offices closed for Canada Day
July 9   - CACL Inspiring Inclusion Info Session in Toronto.  Please call 416-661-9611 ext. 300 for more information.

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