November 2019
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What Does a Federal Disability Policy Lens Mean for Medical Assistance in Dying Safeguards? 

During the federal election campaign, one key Liberal promise was the creation of a federal disability policy lens. Similar to the Gender Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) lens, a disability lens will ensure that people with an intellectual disability and their families are considered in the development and creation of federal policy. The Liberal party also promised to remove safeguards for medical assistance in dying, which could result in the further marginalization of persons with an intellectual disability in the healthcare system.

The application of a disability lens doesn't justify removing these safeguards altogether - it means addressing the lack of community supports and services available to vulnerable Canadian populations.


Save the Date: Giving Tuesday & the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Have you heard of Giving Tuesday? It's a global movement for giving and volunteering that takes place the Tuesday after Black Friday. Considered the "opening day of the giving season," Canadian organizations and individuals rally together to support their favourite causes.

This year, Giving Tuesday takes place on December 3, which also happens to be the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The work that CACL does to strengthen families, defend rights, and transform communities into places where everyone belongs  
would not be possible without your generous support. 

Save the Date for Giving Tuesday on December 3rd and follow CACL on  Facebook and Twitter to learn more about how your donations directly support people with an intellectual disability and their families throughout Canada. 

Last tickets remaining! Do you have yours? 

The 10th Annual Federal Policy Forum on Inclusion takes place December 2nd at the Delta Ottawa. This year's theme is 
Why Am I Poor? Reducing Poverty and Increasing Opportunity for People with an Intellectual Disability

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

  • CACL EVP Krista Carr attended a 2-day planning session with the newly re-constituted CACL-People First of Canada Task Force on Deinstitutionalization in Winnipeg on October 28-29. 
     
  • Director of Inclusive Education Canada Gordon Porter and EVP Krista Carr participated in a workshop for parents on Nova Scotia's new inclusive education policy in Halifax on November 2. The event was hosted by Families for Inclusive Education Nova Scotia in partnership with the Nova Scotia Association for Community Living and Club Inclusion.
  • EVP Krista Carr attended the Double You Forum for Leading Women in Saint Andrews, New Brunswick, along with 50 other women leaders.
  • Throughout October and November, members of the Ready, Willing and Able (RWA) National Team have been conducting site visits to the various provincial and territorial RWA delivery partners as part of the launch of RWA Phase II. This includes visits to Regina, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, and Montreal.
  • EVP Krista Carr was in Ireland to meet with family organizations and stakeholders working on strengthening families, inclusive education, and building inclusive communities for all.  


Using Existing Resources to Create Inclusive Housing for People with Disabilities

Through My Home, My Community, we've been looking at ways to support the Federal government as they create the 2,400 new housing units for people with developmental disabilities promised in the National Housing Strategy. By studying what exists in different communities across the country, we hope to come up with some creative solutions that can also help the more than 24,000 individuals with a developmental disability in Canada who are in core housing need. We know that there is untapped potential for better housing options for people with developmental disabilities, and we believe we can use existing assets to help meet some, or all, of this need.
 
Interested in the full report? Learn more about the My Home, My Community Asset Inventory and what it means for individuals with a developmental disability and their families. 

CACL Inspiring Inclusion Fundraiser Breakfast - A Wonderful Success! 

CACL was delighted to host a fundraiser breakfast in Toronto on November 6. Over the course of the morning, over 100 attendees learned about how CACL strengthens families, defends rights, and transforms communities through our work. The one-hour event included speeches and testimonials from CACL EVP Krista Carr, CACL Vice-President and parent Robin Acton, and CACL Distinguished Associate and parent Audrey Cole.

Thanks to the generous contributions of donors who believe in the mission and vision of CACL and were inspired to act, we raised over $150,000 to directly support our work building an inclusive Canada for people with an intellectual disability and their families. 
November 25 -  UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
December 3 -    UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities
December 3 - Giving Tuesday
December 10 - UN International Human Rights Day


Our work to strengthen families, defend rights, and transform communities could not be achieved without the financial support of our dedicated donors and partners.  If the stories in this newsletter resonate with you, we  hope you will continue to support CACL through your generous donations.  Thank you.
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