Category Archives: Advocacy

🏠November 22 is National Housing Day

Advocacy, Housing, Ontario

In recognition of National Housing Day on November 22, the DSO Housing Navigators are excited to share a special video created in collaboration with self-advocates, their support teams and the DSO Communications team.

This video highlights the critical importance of inclusive housing policies for everyone in Canada, especially for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It underscores the need for accessible and inclusive housing solutions that foster equity, dignity, and independence for all.

To complement the video, you will find here a resource with practical tips on how you can advocate for inclusive and accessible housing policies in your community. Whether you’re engaging with policymakers, raising awareness, or supporting local initiatives, every effort helps to move us closer to a Canada where everyone has a place to call home.

The DSO Housing Navigators hope this initiative inspires ongoing support and action—not just on National Housing Day, but every day—to create communities where everyone has a place to call home.

They invite you to watch the video and share it widely to help raise awareness and support for this vital cause.

🏫Reflecting on our Practice: Ten Ways Schools Can Foster Belonging Among Students With and Without Disabilities

Advocacy, Community, School, Social

Suggested reading by OIFN: Ontario Independent Facilitation Network

Check out this reflection guide from the PROGRESS Center at the American Institutes for Research. Although the questions are asked from an education lens, they can easily be applied to thinking about our communities and social groups.

https://promotingprogress.org/sites/default/files/2022-02/Fostering_Belonging_Handout.pdf

✊The Audacity of Inclusion: Fighting for the Equality of Persons Labelled Intellectually Disabled

Advocacy, Helpful Tools, Resources

Inclusion Canada recommends this book:
The Audacity of Inclusion: Fighting for the Equality of Persons Labelled Intellectually Disabled

Details on the book can be found here: 👇
https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000433366040/Dulcie-McCallum-The-Audacity-of-Inclusion

« The Audacity of Inclusion cracks open the vault of injustices perpetrated against people who have an intellectual disability, helping shatter preconceptions and opening new ways of seeing people who are forced to live with a legally sanctioned label. »

🎙️Podcast on Disrupting Ableism in the Workplace

Advocacy, Employment

In this episode of You Can’t Spell Inclusion Without A D podcast, Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN) got a perspective on Ableism in the workplace: Why it’s happening, its many forms, its impact and what can, and needs to be, done about it.

The two guests for this episode had many powerful insights on ableism.

Sree Nallamothu is the Co-Executive Director of Toronto Neighbourhood Centres. She’s also a documentary film-maker and an advocate for social change.

Fran Odette has more than 25 years of experience in disability advocacy, activism and education. She co-designed and co-teaches a critical disability studies course titled, Disability Discourse: The Experienced Life, at George Brown College in Toronto.

Their insights will get you thinking more consciously about ableism.

Read this excerpt from the conversation: https://www.odenetwork.com/qa-excerpt-disrupting-ableism-in-the-workplace/
Then, to get the full impact of their guests’ insights on ableism, catch the full episode: https://youcantspellinclusionwithoutad.podbean.com/e/episode-20-disrupting-ableism-in-the-workplace/

📢It’s Canadian Down Syndrome Week!

Advocacy, Ontario, Social

This year for Canadian Down Syndrome Week, join the Down Syndrome Association of Ontario to explore the importance of social connections to our health and happiness and how societal barriers contribute to social isolation in the Down syndrome community. Feeling ignored or misunderstood by society is a reality many youth and adults with Down syndrome face, especially once school is over and routines change. The amount of time spent sitting rises, time outside the home decreases, and new relationships are harder to establish.

Learn more:
https://cdss.ca/canadian-down-syndrome-week/

🎓Pathways to Special Education Support: Meet & Greet for Families

Advocacy, Autism, Education, Events

Supporting your autistic child’s educational journey can sometimes feel overwhelming, leaving you unsure of where to turn for guidance. You’re not alone — many families experience the same uncertainty and challenges.

Autism Ontario is offering ‘Pathways to Special Education Support: Meet & Greet for Families’ to change that. It’s your chance to learn about some available supports Autism Ontario has to offer.

Join them to meet their team and learn about resources to help your child achieve educational success.

October 29, from 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm

Registration:
https://www.autismontario.com/civicrm/event/info?id=10268