ABLE2 Newsletter

October 2021

Early Bird Pricing Available Until November 1st

FASD Symposium: A new look at addressing mental health including stigma faced by people with FASD

The 2022 FASD Symposium (Virtual Edition) is taking place online on Tuesday, January 25, 2022. 

 

The FASD Symposium is Eastern Canada’s largest annual gathering of everyone connected to the FASD community. This one-day interactive, educational event, with content available in English and French, attracts 400+ people each year. Our theme for 2022 is ‘A new look at addressing mental health including stigma faced by people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)’. 


We are excited to announce our two keynote presenters: Cyntoia Brown-Long, Author, Speaker, Advocate for Criminal Justice Reform and person with FASD and Ashley Murphy, National Youth Ambassador for Canadian Foundation for Aids Research and person with FASD.


Only registered participants will have access to the keynote presentations and the other rich content from January 25 to February 1, 2022.


We invite you to visit our website for all the conference details including final schedule and the speaker line-up.


Early Bird pricing is only available until November 1, 2021 - register now to secure your spot.




Register Now
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We Can't Wait to See You


Everyone’s favourite evening of good food, good times, and all for a GREAT cause will be back on May 19, 2022, at the Westin Ottawa Hotel. We can’t wait to SEA you all again!

 

What’s New in 2022

New Website – Stay up to date on event details here.

2022 Tickets & Tables - Tickets and tables will go on sale in early 2022.

Deferred Tickets & Tables - Reservations from 2020 have been automatically deferred to the 2022 event. We’ll be reaching out soon to update your file. Questions can be directed to our events team at events@able2.org.

COVID-19 Response - We are monitoring the Ontario government and local Ottawa Public Health protocols and we are working with the Westin Ottawa to ensure these are incorporated into our event plans. The specific precautions and measures that we’ll be taking will be communicated as the event draws closer.

EiTM on Twitter – We have a new Twitter account featuring news about the event, lobster humour, and so much more. Give us a follow!

 

All aboard for Evening in the Maritimes 2022 on May 19th!


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Monthly Dances


With sadness, we announce that ABLE2 will no longer organise the monthly dances, either virtually or in person.


There are many reasons for this decision, including financial viability and ABLE2’s vision and mission.


ABLE2 conducted an analysis of the costs over the last three years involved in running the dances. Unfortunately, we found that, even with the fantastic volunteer crew, we were running the dances at a loss. Additionally, to return to an in-person event, we would have to implement the pandemic safety protocols, thus increasing the costs.


As well, in December 2020, ABLE2’s board approved a new vision and mission for the organisation that more accurately reflected our work.


Vision: An inclusive community where all people are seen as able, important and valued.

Mission: We work with partners to provide the tools, choices and connections that empower people with disabilities to build lives of meaning and joy.


ABLE2 is reviewing all our programs and events to critically look at each to determine if they align with our vision and mission. We are asking the question, “Does this activity promote an inclusive community?”


Many of those we support love the monthly dances (held at Dovercourt or virtually during the pandemic). These dances are for people with disabilities and, as such, are a segregated activity. For ABLE2, this means they are contrary to our vision and mission. However, we do understand and respect that everyone has a right to attend any event they choose, whether it is a segregated activity or not.


ABLE2 has looked for another agency to organise the dances, and we have been unsuccessful to date. If you know of another agency or volunteer group who would like to offer these dances, please ask them to connect with our Executive Director, Heather Lacey, and we will be delighted to pass on our files, contacts etc.


We appreciate that this decision will be disappointing to you and thank you for your understanding. 


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Faces of ABLE2


“Two of my children have FASD so for some time I have been raising awareness so that doctors will understand, teachers will understand, and professionals of all types will understand about FASD.”

Elspeth Ross


Learn more about our Fetal Alcohol Resource Program.

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Annual Holiday Dinner & Dance

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Sadly, due to the ongoing pandemic, we are unable to hold our Annual Holiday Dinner & Dance in December.


We know how many of you want to get together and are pleased to announce our plans for a night of fun, art and learning - Art Journaling. We encourage you to link up with a friend to attend this virtual event.

Art Journaling

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Join us on Thursday, December 2 for “Art Journaling with Mark Seabrook & Michelle Hrynyk” at 6:30 pm for a one-hour virtual event to show you how art journaling can nurture your mental well-being. No advanced art skills required, and only basic tools needed (such as pens, markers, colouring pencils, etc). We will provide you with individual colouring sheets to print at home for the event.


You will leave this session with practical steps to continue your art therapy, and a bonus colouring pdf journal to nurture your mental well-being at home.


Cost: $30 a ticket or $50 for a pair of tickets

The first 10 pairs to register will receive a large three-topping pizza from Domino’s Pizza!


Other prizes will be available during the event!


More Details

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Volunteer Opportunities

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High School Communications Technology Volunteers

Are you studying Communications Technology and looking to fulfill your volunteer hours? If so, we will provide you with an opportunity to advance your skills and to help people in your community.


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Friendly Caller Volunteers Needed!

Volunteers are needed for Connect Friendly Callers, a pilot project aiming to reduce social isolation for seniors living with disabilities during the pandemic. The Connect project matches a senior with a volunteer, for a virtual social visit using the senior’s preferred platform (phone, FaceTime, Zoom WhatsApp etc.).



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Evening in the Maritimes Committee Members Needed

Help plan a spectacular night where good food meets a good cause! Evening in the Maritimes helps raise valuable funds to support our programs. ABLE2 strives to be a diverse, inclusive, and equitable organization where all volunteers feel valued and respected. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive leadership within our board, committees, and advisory bodies.


Email for More Information
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Join Our Butterfly Community Group


The Butterflies Community Social Group is a group of individuals with disabilities, their friends and family members, who enjoy meeting each month, either virtually or in-person. We do fun, interactive activities together and socialise. Anyone is welcome to join any of our virtual sessions. Please register for each session you would like to attend.


Tuesday, November 23 – Baking 

We will be baking some yummy treats together.

Tuesday, December 21 – Holiday Cards

Making holiday cards together.


These activities suitable for people of all ages. For those under 18 years of age parental supervision is a must.


More Details

Webinar on the Criminal Justice System & Disability

The Criminal Justice System & Disability: Know Your Rights


Join ABLE2 and Reach Canada for an educational session focusing on the criminal justice system and knowing your rights. Our speaker is James Foord, an experienced Ottawa criminal lawyer who will be covering the following topics of interest:


  • Interacting with the police: what are your rights when the police speak to you or ask you questions?
  • Criminal charges: what is the process after you have been charged with a criminal offence?
  • Court and community supports for people charged with criminal offences and
  • Considerations for people living with disabilities: what do you need to be aware of when dealing with the courts and/or the criminal justice system?


The event will be held via Zoom on November 17, 2021 at 6:30 pm.


More Details

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Feedback and Complaints


ABLE2 has a new Feedback and Complains Policy and Procedure which has been published on our website.


Read More

Fall Donation Campaign


A big thank you to everyone who participated in our Fall Donation Campaign. The money raised will support the families of those with disabilities - brothers, sisters, parents and caregivers.


Donate

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Message from the Co-Chair of the Consumers' Action Committee


"Hi my name is Julie Cashman and I'd like to introduce myself as the new Co-Chair for ABLE2's CAC. I'd also like to introduce you to our new Chair, Stacey Bielaski. The CAC continues to grow as a beautiful group of people with disabilities, and we talk about a lot of things that concern us. We would love to have new members to help develop our plans to grow and make the lives of people with disabilities a better place for us for the future." 


Contact

Workplace Charitable Campaign


Did you know that you could direct all or a portion of your United Way gift or payroll deduction directly to ABLE2 of Ottawa?


It's easy — simply fill in "ABLE2" and our Charitable Registration Number: 13036 2817 RR0001 on the United Way pledge form provided to you by your employer.

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Community Resources


Ontario has updated the forms in the Disability Determination Package (DDP) – but importantly – the disability adjudication process and the legal test that determines whether someone is eligible for the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) have not changed.

Read more



Research Participants Wanted

The University of Ottawa is looking for participants for a study they are conducting to understand child-to-parent aggression better. To participate in this study, you must be an adoptive parent, kinship or customary caregiver of a child under 18 years old, residing in Canada and comfortable reading and understanding English.

For more information and to participate

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