Dialect - Fall 2012

Dialect Newsmagazine of the Saskatchewan Association for Community Living

Dwayne’s DelightsMeet Dwayne: entrepreneur, chef, volunteer and comedian.

Fall 2012

Dialect

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WinnerBronze Media Award

Canadian Association for Community LivingMemorial Award,

The Media Club of Canada

Certificates of Excellence for Outstanding MediaU.S. Down Syndrome Congress

Dialect is published twice a year by the Saskatchewan Association for Community

Living (SACL). Comments, questions and story ideas are encouraged and welcomed. The views

expressed in the articles do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the SACL. Dialect

is sent to members of the SACL and other stakeholders.

Editing and Layout: Bonnie Cherewyk Cover Photograph: Sheila Anderson

Printing and Distribution: PrintWest/Mister Print

SACL Provincial Office:3031 Louise Street

Saskatoon, SK S7J 3L1Telephone: (306) 955-3344

E-mail: [email protected]: www.sacl.org

Freshly painted donation bins and new locations! To find one near you see page 23.

Dialect Fall 2012

Feature StorieS

alSo inSide

4 Message from the SaCl President 5 Message from the SaCl executive director 6 Message from CaCl7 SaCl Welcomes Bradley McVicar10 Sibling network retreat July 16-1811 James Sanheim recognized for his Commitment and dedication to Persons with disabilities13 SaCl’s 2012 annual Family Conference and 56th annual General Meeting Highlights13 SaCl’s inclusion teacher of the Year16 Saskatchewan resident Shane Haddad receives Queen elizabeth ii diamond Jubilee Medal17 SaCl working with the Ministry of Social Services and the Valley View Centre Family Group18 Moms tell Mlas their stories and what they need from the Government of Saskatchewan19 ten essential Shifts in the Quest for true inclusion22 CertificateofRecognitionforCommunityLivingMonth

Dialect is owned and published by the Saskatchewan Association for Community Living (SACL). The publisher, authors and contributors reserve their rights in regards to copyright of their work. All articles, stories, interviews and other materials in Dialect are the copyright of Dialect, or are reproduced with permission from other copyright owners. All rights are reserved. No articles, stories, interviews and other materials may otherwise be copied, modified, published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without the prior written permission of the SACL. No person, organization or party should rely or on any way act upon any part of the contents of this publication whether that information is sourced from a website, magazine or related product without first obtaining the advice of a fully qualified person. The publisher, editors, contributors and related parties shall have no responsibility for any action or omission by any other contributor, consultant, editor or related party. The information published in the magazine is believed to be true and accurate but the SACL cannot accept any legal responsibility for any errors or omissions that may occur or make any warranty for the published materials.

interVieW WitH autHor Karin MelBerG SCHWier

Exclusive interview offers insight into Karin’s recently released book, Flourish.

PaGe 8

3dialeCt | Fall 2012

an introduCtion to tHe SaCl’S MooSe JaW BranCHLearn about some of the local supports available to the community of Moose Jaw.

PaGe 12

Said exPanSion and BeneFit inCreaSe

SAID changes and what that means to individuals with disabilities.

PaGe 14

dWaYne’S deliGHtS

Meet Dwayne Anderson: entrepreneur, chef, volunteer and comedian.

PaGe 15

Message from the SaCl President

BY Gloria MaHuSSierSaCl PreSident

In this issue of Dialect you will read stories around success for individuals when given the appropriate supports so they can follow their passion and flourish. When I think about my son Travis, following his passion to flourish and what that might mean for him, it reminds me of the 2007 movie, The Bucket List. For those who haven’t watched the movie it is about a corporate billionaire and working class mechanic who have nothing in common except for their terminal illnesses. While sharing a hospital room together, they decide to leave it and do all the things they have ever wanted to do before they die according to their bucket list, therefore following their passion.

“I know The BegInnIng oF hIs LIFe-LIsT wouLd Look

someThIng LIke havIng The choIce where he wanTs To LIve havIng The adequaTe and proper supporTs, a choIce oF who he wILL

LIve wITh, havIng naTuraL supporTs around hIm so he can have an acTIve LeIsure LIFe, a FrIend To TaLk To, a

reaL joB wITh reaL pay and To Be sTrong and heaLThy.”

Using an analogy of our Government being the corporate billionaire and my son being the working class mechanic – they have nothing in common. I am not

sure what the Government’s bucket list may be and would not want to venture to guess. However, for my son, his bucket list would be his life-list. I know the beginning of his life-list would look something like having the choice where he wants to live having the adequate and proper supports, a choice of who he will live with, having natural supports around him so he can have an active leisure life, a friend to talk to, a real job with real pay and to be strong and healthy. Just living and being welcomed by community. Travis’s list will always be open to variation - that is life. I know it will be a challenge for Travis and our family to achieve this life-list, but maybe with the billionaire’s (Government) support, it may happen.

When I think about individuals I have met who are enrolled in SAID, it reminds me of their stories. Their bucket list is also their life-list. I heard stories how prior to SAID, they were not able to buy the fruit they wanted as their income would not allow them to do so. Imagine … an item on your bucket list being able to buy fruit.

We are not billionaires (surprised?), so we have to hope that future SAID increases will provide an income system that offers an adequate baseline income for people with disabilities, and that self-directed funding will become an option in our province for individuals. For some individuals and families, this is the bucket-list for individuals with disabilities.

The Saskatchewan Association for Community Living (SACL) is a non-profit organization that offers support to individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families. Funding for Dialect is provided in part by a grant from the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association. SaCl Vision

All individuals are valued, supported and included in all aspects of life.

SaCl Mission

Is to ensure that citizens of Saskatchewan who have intellectual disabilities are valued, supported and included members of society and have opportunities and choices in all aspects of life.

SaCl Board of directors

June Avivi Cindy Bartok Juanita BuyakiDianne Christianson Doug Conn Jamie Ellis Nytosha Kober/Sharon Bourdeau Matt Leisle Gloria Mahussier Mike Mahussier Stuart Mason Dorothea Pehl Susan Quiring Janice RutherfordKim SandagerTed & Loretta SchugmannSteve SeiferlingTami SmithWilda WallaceMargaret Woods

4 dialeCt | Fall 2012

BY KeVin MCtaViSHSaCl exeCutiVe direCtor

October is Community Living month. It is a time to appreciate the community we are a part of, and each and every individual we share our community with. I was recently reading Saskatchewan Association for Community Living’s (SACL) commemorative booklet we had published for our 40th anniversary in 1995. There were a couple paragraphs discussing the idea of community that caught my eye. I would like to share this with you:

how do we enter into community life? Like many relationships, life in a community is a two way street; it is about being received and it is about giving. we enter community when people who are a part of community – individuals, families, churches, service clubs – accept us, and invite us to join them. and when we contribute something of value to individuals, families and so on, we affirm that we want to be with them and to take our place as part of community.

In supporting individuals with disabilities, we become community builders so that they might be community participants. If we want the people we support to be valued and accepted by our community, then we need to help create a community that values people. If we want a community that supports and cares for us, then we must be supportive of and care about our community. In the end, we will get the community that we help make.

This is a great message we can all consider in our day-to-day activities. It not only makes me more aware about how I personally contribute to community capacity, but also how the SACL has been contributing to community capacity.

The sacL has a sTrong hIsTory oF sTrengThenIng communITy capacITy; someThIng ThaT we

conTInue To do Today.

I would like to acknowledge a few initiatives the SACL is currently working on that contribute to community capacity.

The SACL has partnered with the Valley View Centre Family Group (VVCFG) and the Ministry of Social Services on the planned transition of current residents from Valley View Centre to community based services and supports. Services developed to meet the needs of individuals who will transition from the Centre are also intended to expand and enhance the continuum of resources available to support all individuals with intellectual disabilities in Saskatchewan. This initiative provides an opportunity to develop new and innovative resources to support the needs of individuals with a range of unique or complex support requirements that the current community spectrum may be challenged to support appropriately.

We continue to hold Inclusion Tours, which are meant to engage the community and spread awareness. SACL Inclusion Tours inform members of our community about our mission and how

they can become involved. A testimonial from a previous guest reassured me that SACL Inclusion Tours are in fact building community capacity:

“I found the Inclusion Tour to be a very insightful and informative process. It brought to light many things that most of us are unaware of, but after the Tour, makes you think in an entirely different way. I appreciated the message from the presenters, but was even more impressed with the openness sacL expressed. They truly made you feel welcome and appreciative of our participation.”

Another guest stated, “The tour enables attendees to connect to disability issues on a personal level and reminds each of us as to the role we can play to ensure people with disabilities are valued and included in our society.”

Hearing this confirms that the SACL is providing influence, inevitably impacting the future development of our community.

The SACL has also been busy planning for our 2nd Annual Inclusion…Endless Possibilities Fundraising Breakfast on November 6. At this event, the SACL reaches out to the community and asks for their support. Without this support the SACL becomes very limited in our ability to expand our initiatives, and support individuals and families on emerging issues where they have identified that they need more support. If you are interested in attending our breakfast please contact Peter Kahenya by phone: 306.955.3344 ext. 126 or by email: [email protected].

In addition to these initiatives, the SACL staff work in the community every day… advocating, facilitating employment, guiding transition planning, connecting families and empowering youth. The SACL has a strong history of strengthening community capacity; something that we continue to do today.

These are some of the initiatives the SACL is doing, but why not set a personal goal? Aim to expand your boundaries for Community Living Month and see how you can further connect with your community.

Thank-you for taking the time to read this issue of the Dialect; I hope you enjoy it.

Message from the SaCl executive director


Message from the CaClBY laurie larSonCaCl PreSident

The Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL); a family-based association that supports people with intellectual disabilities and their families, is focused on engaging community leaders, policy makers and interested Canadians in building inclusive communities in Canada and around the world. We work to create an inclusive Canada in which everyone, including people with intellectual disabilities and their families, participates fully in all aspects of society.

2012 is shaping up to be one of our busiest and perhaps most challenging years ever. Here is a brief snapshot of some of our recent activities:

Leadership Development Program – Our national office staff finalized the materials for our ‘Policy Making for Inclusion – Leadership Development Program’. In partnership with the Institute for Research and Development on Inclusion and Society (IRIS), we delivered our first ‘Policy Making for Inclusion – Leadership Development Program’ to senior staff of the Government of New Brunswick. A series of five workshops, focusing on Disability and Inclusion Based Policy Analysis, were delivered to Deputy Ministers from across all Departments, and to Assistant Deputy Ministers, Human Resources Directors and Policy/Program Directors, again from all Departments. This was an amazing opportunity and was very well received by the Government of New Brunswick. We look forward to repeating this process with governments of other provinces and territories. Also I am please to advise that the IRIS website has been launched and can be visited at www.irisinstitute.ca.

CACL – PTACL Dialogue Series - At our 2011 CACL Annual General Meeting the following resolution was adopted:

Be it reSolVed tHat the Canadian Association for Community Living, in partnership with Provincial/Territorial Associations for Community living, design and launch a federation-wide dialogue about the role of our Associations in transforming communities to be fully inclusive of people with intellectual disabilities and their families.

whILe we Face some chaLLenges over The comIng

year or so, I am conFIdenT ThaT we wILL successFuLLy

address ThIs adversITy, and emerge sTronger, more unITed

and more commITTed Than ever To advancIng The FuLL

IncLusIon and cITIzenshIp oF persons wITh InTeLLecTuaL dIsaBILITIes In ThIs counTry.

The Board of CACL has also developed and approved a new Mission Statement for CACL, which reads as follows:

“The canadian association for community Living is a family-based association assisting people with intellectual disabilities and their families to lead the way in advancing inclusion in their own lives and in their communities. we do this in canada and around the world by sharing information, fostering leadership for inclusion, engaging community leaders and policy makers, seeding innovation and supporting research. we are dedicated to attaining full participation in community life, ending exclusion and discrimination on the basis of intellectual disability, promoting respect for diversity and advancing human rights to ensure equality for all canadians.”

During 2012 we have begun to engage PTACLs in discussions of the roles CACL can play independently in advancing this mission; roles that CACL can play in supporting PTACLs and the broader movement to achieve this mission; and roles that PTACLs can play in advancing this mission.

On a much less positive note, in July of this year, Human Resources Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) advised of changes to its Social Development Partnerships Program - Disability Component (SDPP-D). These announced changes, in brief, include:

• Move to open and competitive Call for Proposals. Community Inclusion Initiative (CII) funding and grant funding to CACL will decease to 65% of current funding in 2013-14; and 35% in 2014-15. CII and grant funding will cease as of April 2015.

• Future requirement that applicant organizations leverage funding from non-federal sources to complement SDPP-D funding.

• Improved focus on tangible outcomes and reporting.

These decisions and their obvious impacts have sent shock waves throughout our federation. For the national office of CACL it means a significant reduction in core operational funds, and could, if we do not secure alternate resources, have negative impact on our staffing and activity levels. Cessation of CII impacts both CACL and all our PTACLs throughout the country. For all, it will undoubtedly result in reduced capacity to undertake efforts in the area of inclusion, and for some it will impact at a very basic sustainability level.

Since receiving this news CACL has been very active with our ACL partners in analyzing the implications and impacts of these decisions. We have held numerous conference calls and a face-to-face meeting of ACL Presidents and Executive Directors. We have also met with officials of Office of Disability Issues and discussions continue as to how we can best position ourselves to align with the new directions of SDPP.

While we face some challenges over the coming year or so, I am confident that we will successfully address this adversity, and emerge stronger, more united and more committed than ever to advancing the full inclusion and citizenship of persons with intellectual disabilities in this country.

In closing, and on a more positive note, I encourage you to visit the CACL web site (www.cacl.ca) to keep abreast of our ongoing work and to join in conversation with other families from across the country. Together we can make real change; together we can make a difference; together we are stronger!


BY Bonnie CHereWYK SaCl CoMMuniCationS and reSearCH adVoCate

In April 2012, the Saskatchewan Association for Community Living (SACL) welcomed Bradley McVicar to our staff.

Bradley’s spirit and enthusiasm livens the office atmosphere. Bradley is engaging and always comes to work with a positive attitude. He also livens up the office with his array of costumes. He has worked in a superman cape, a singing santa hat and cowboy apparel. How can you not feel good about coming to work with a co-worker like Bradley?

We asked Bradley some questions about working for the SACL.

Do you like coming to the SACL to work?

“yeah”

Why?

“I have fun here.”

What else do you like about working here?

“I’m friends with kevin and shannon and randi and Lynn. I have some friends on Facebook.”

What do you do at the SACL?

“I clean.”

Here are some quotes about Bradley from the SACL staff:

“his laugh is wonderful – you can hear it all over the building and it makes everyone else laugh. It really lightens up the office.”

“I know that Bradley is a valued co-worker because when he arrives everyone stops what they are doing to say hello. It is a blast working with him around.”

“I love it that Bradley comes around every day to ask if I have garbage – it means that he’s paying attention to what the office needs and it gives me a good chance to talk to him – especially about football!”

“The moment Bradley walks into the office, his smile brightens my day. Being able to joke around with Bradley and hearing his joyful voice makes me remember all the little things. Bradley has wasted no time finding a place in my heart with his playful attitude and contagious laugh.”

“Bradley is a ‘ray of sunshine’….his humour, and friendly demeanour puts a smile on my face, whenever he walks through the door. Bradley is reliable and always gets the job done. we love having Bradley here!”

“Bradley makes my day. he is part of our team here at the sacL and makes me smile each day.”

The SACL could not be happier about having Bradley as our co-worker. His passion for his work is shown every day. He is reliable and does not leave until his job is done.

The SACL would like to thank Bradley for the contribution he makes to our office every day.

SaCl Welcomes Bradley McVicar


interview with author Karin Melberg SchwierBY Bonnie CHereWYK SaCl CoMMuniCationS and reSearCH adVoCate

Saskatoon author Karin Melberg Schwier recently released her new book, Flourish: people with disabilities Living Life with passion. In Flourish, Karin reveals the thoughts behind making a vibrant and interesting life for son Jim, and tells 25 stories of people who have been encouraged and supported to pursue their passions, helping to uncover interests they never realized existed within themselves. You will also meet people who have helped ignite that spark and who believe in that person’s ability to imagine, and still others who share what pursuing a dream has meant in their own lives.

I read this book and loved it! From Michael Howard’s love for music, to Tony Zeiler’s work at the local barbershop, to Isador Szabo’s passion of driving trucks – after reading each story you cannot help but feel happy. The passion each person has for each activity is outwardly expressed through the text of the book.

I had the opportunity to meet Karin, when she generously devoted time to sit down with me and talk about Flourish. Some readers may even recognize Karin’s

name; Karin was the editor for SACL’s dialect newsmagazine from 1982 – 2008; the very same newsmagazine you are reading now. Karin said working for the SACL, and being the editor for Dialect was “a great experience. The sacL was an exciting place to work; sacL changed attitudes and made a lot of lives better. That was really a life-changing time.”

“I FeeL a LoT BeTTer as a parenT armed wITh The

sTorIes oF oTher peopLe.”

In addition to being the Editor for dialect, Karin has finished several books on inclusion and disability issues. When I asked Karin what led her to write Flourish, she said, “I kept hearing how someone stepped out of the disability system to live the kind of life they wanted to. They were doing something that had nothing to do with their disability, just something they discovered and loved. They weren’t all big, outstanding events or hobbies, but unusual enough to make me wonder… how did they make their voice heard?”

The stories included in Flourish are all unique and inspiring. What astounded me of the people whose stories were shared is how diverse the people were, and how they were from various communities throughout the world. I was

therefore compelled to ask Karin how she met these individuals, and what lead her to include them in Flourish?

“during all those years with the sacL, cacL and aacL in particular, and in the [disability] field generally, I made so many contacts and developed this bank of people who could connect me to people they knew.”

When Karin asked people from her network if they knew anyone regularly engaged in hobbies or sports, she found there to be two types of responses: one about unusual interests and experiences, and the other limited to traditional activities. I found this interesting. This observation creates a purpose for Karin’s book. Readers hear of individuals with disabilities partaking in activities that they choose, in the community, with little relevance to their disability. My favourite quote from the book:

“It’s important to set disability aside for a moment and hammer home the idea that disability doesn’t define a person’s passion. sometimes a disability requires accommodations, maybe a more creative way of making it happen, but the wells of potential within any person are generally there as an aspect of being human. what pursuing a passion stirs within any of us is the same; how we get there and why is a bit trickier.”


karin (left), son jim and husband rick (right) on sabbatical in new zealand.

Here are some more excerpts from my conversation with Karin:

What was your favourite aspect of writing Flourish?

“hearing the stories. I have always gravitated towards the authentic voices of people with disabilities and their families. That was true with dialect stories, too. If you peel away that stereotype or the preconceived idea you might have about disability, and look at the person as a human being, each person has unique stories. all these stories help us shape the type of life we build with our son. we think ‘what a great idea’ and the more you talk to people the more ideas you come up with for your own family.”

What was the most challenging part of composing this book?

“as any parent trying to create an interesting, rich life, there’s the tendency to never feel like you are doing enough. The challenge is taking all this information from other people, stacking it up against the life we want for jim, and not beating ourselves up over it. If we are always focusing on the things we aren’t doing, that doesn’t allow you to be positive and look for other stuff. you are focusing on what might be lacking, instead of looking at what he does have and what he enjoys. The guiding philosophy is that we are always changing; jim’s life isn’t static, and his interests will change. we need to realize that we never arrive at the answer… you just live life and keep at it.”

How have you changed from writing this book?

“I am a little more relaxed about being able to create a good life for jim. just having more people out there we know who are doing interesting things gives us a lift. we use their examples. I feel a lot better as a parent armed with the stories of other people.”

What is the best advice you can give to a parent with a child with a disability, who wants to encourage their child to find their passion?

“Be kind to yourself and realize the power in your son or daughter. you don’t have to settle, you can create the kind of life you want your son or daughter to have. we have established services systems and agencies to support people, then when they do that we get grumpy if this seems to be all there is. you don’t have to surrender

your sons and daughters to something you don’t think they deserve. It is hard to see when you are trying to navigate the supports, but if it is not something you want, you don’t have to settle for it. Try and figure out a way to support your child in what might be interesting to them. possibilities expand with shared interests more than just making connections based on disability.”

What advice would you give an individual, to encourage them to follow their passion?

“It can sometimes be difficult when someone hasn’t had that range of experiences. Be willing to try something. maybe ‘I would like to climb a mountain.’ If you are supporting this person, how do you come up with things that can give them a taste of that to try it? start with giving the rock wall at the ymca camp or at the gym. This is when creative family and support people are so important. The person deserves risk, excitement, and the chance to try something they never tried before. how do we make that happen?”

Karin recalls a friend who discovered that her son loves speed when literally by accident, he went flying down the driveway in his wheelchair. Mom panicked, but knew she was onto something when she saw her son laughing with joy on the street. His parents now know what excites him and makes sure he goes on all the fast rides at the Exhibition. By paying attention to what he loves, and allowing him to experience that, his parents help him live his passion of “going fast.”

As Karin further stresses, “parents and friends who know that person will need to be watching. If the person can’t tell you what they might like to try, then you make your best guess… and then try it to see what happens.”

What do you want to work on next?

“For all previous books I had lots of ideas floating around and then one idea goes ‘boing.’ when that happens, I’ll know what the next project will be. I’ve already had people asking if there will be a second edition of Flourish with new stories.”

Is there anything else you would like to say to the readers of Dialect?

“I’m very proud of the reputation the magazine developed over the years. It’s fun to go back and look at the variety of stories we have, follow how the philosophy

evolved since the early 80s.

I always thought being part of sacL was like going on a trip around the world; you come back and you are a changed person. It is important to have mentors who challenge you and make you question, why do I think that about people with disabilities? where did that come from? why did I think like that? you never stop learning. you never have the complete answer. jim is 38 and what he is interested in now may not be what he will be interested in a year from now. It is up to us, to families and advocates to keep things interesting, and to keep pushing. you never get to a point where you are done. people change; people grow and learn new things.”

Visit http://karinschwier.wordpress.com/books/flourish/ if you would like to order a copy of Flourish. The book is available from the author and from Amazon; a downloadable pdf and an enhanced eBook is also available.


Sibling network retreat July 16-18

BY Bonnie CHereWYKSaCl CoMMuniCationS and reSearCH adVoCate

On July 16-18, the Saskatchewan Association for Community Living (SACL) held a Sibling Network Retreat at Blackstrap Provincial Park.

I joined the group for a couple hours on Tuesday, July 17. This was the first time I had been to the Cedar Lodge in Blackstrap. I was impressed! As soon as I walked in the environment came across as being fun and mysterious; exciting for anyone to explore. The group loved the Cedar Lodge! I heard one sibling say, “Imagine if this was one big house!”

Cedar Lodge is the perfect environment for kids and youth to explore and play hide and go seek. Lynn Schaan, Family Network Coordinator said, “This is a

safe environment where the siblings have freedom and are not restricted to one area.” Cedar Lodge has two large common areas to gather, watch TV, work and play games. In addition to this, there is a large gymnasium in the basement available for the group. The staff was wonderful and very accommodating.

From The ouTsIde ThIs group Looks LIke any oTher

youTh group, BuT There Is one dIFFerence ThaT has Led To The FormaTIon oF

The sIBLIng neTwork.

I had the opportunity to join the Sibling Network for grilled cheese sandwiches and chicken noodle soup. The atmosphere was carefree and full of laughter. Conversations around the

table ranged from someone having a crush, to adding hot sauce to the soup, to how good the dessert looks and to Saskatchewan having its own time zone. From the outside this group looks like any other youth group, but there is one difference that has led to the formation of the Sibling Network. Each member is a sibling to a brother or sister with a disability.

The retreat has brought this group of siblings together to have fun and share common experiences. I was fortunate to have had the chance to talk to some of the members individually. When I asked what the sibling retreat meant to them the responses were: “It’s great! It’s great to just get away from everything,” “It’s a break from my sister,” and “now I know there are other people out there like me.”

One sibling said the best thing about the sibling retreats are “meeting new


people, sharing stories and doing fun activities.”

There were breakout sessions in the afternoon where the siblings had the opportunity to talk about their experience, share their feelings and think about what they wish they could tell their parents. One sibling said she really enjoyed the workshops. She said they help her “learn why our parents don’t spend as much time with us” and “why our sibling gets more attention.” Another sibling said the retreats “help to take away stress and anger.”

The SACL Sibling Network creates the opportunity for youth to share their voice. The Network acts as a safe place or group members can go to for support, and be there for each other in return. I know when I was that age nothing was more important than having a group of friends who I could turn to for support, inevitably building self-confidence and positive reinforcement.

BY Bonnie CHereWYKSaCl CoMMuniCationS and reSearCH Coordinator

On March 22, 2012 the Saskatchewan Association for Community Living (SACL) lost a long serving and much respected employee, James Sanheim. For the past 15 years James worked as the Employment, Education and Transitions Manager with the SACL. James leaves a great legacy through the valued and meaningful support that he provided to individuals, families and co-workers.

James was a great mentor; he believed in the SACL’s mission, and was constantly advocating, to ensure individuals with intellectual disabilities had opportunities and choices in all aspects of life. The SACL was very fortunate to have employed someone with James’ knowledge and commitment.

The SACL nominated James for the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, which recognizes outstanding Canadians of all ages and from all walks of life,

who have built and continue to build a caring society and country through their service, contributions and achievements. The SACL is happy to report that our nomination was successful. James’ wife, Johanna and son, Adam received this award on behalf of James on September 29.

The community of Regina and area, the province of Saskatchewan and the country of Canada lost a great champion for persons with disabilities.

The SACL misses you, James Sanheim.

James Sanheim recognized for his Commitment and dedication to Persons with disabilities


james and his family: left to right, adam, michelle, james and johanna.

The Saskatchewan Association for Community Living (SACL) is made up of 11 branches in communities throughout the province. For this issue of Dialect, the SACL would like to recognize our Moose Jaw Branch for their support and the programs they provide for individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families. A special thank-you to Moose Jaw Branch’s President, Nytosha Kober, and Co-Representative, Sharon Bourdeau for their volunteer work and commitment to the SACL and the community of Moose Jaw.

The following article was submitted by Sharon Bourdeau and Nytosha Kober

the Moxie Club

The Moxie Club provides a stimulating and nurturing environment for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The program is based on best practices that maximize learning so that they can grow to their fullest potential with dignity, a sense of self-worth and a zest for living. Children with autism need support and encouragement as they learn to build trust in their world. Their relationships must be nurturing, loving, secure, and positive. Their environments must be safe, flexible, and engaging. This program provides opportunities that promote creativity and imagination within a community based recreational, social, behavioural, and learning program for autistic children in Moose Jaw and District.

inclusive recreation

Thanks to a grant received from the SACL, the Moose Jaw Branch was able to provide assistance for 12 children to participate in community based programs. The waterpark is a popular place during the hot summer days. Other activities included the YMCA Day camp, horseback riding, Art Museum, Western Development Museum, mini golf, swimming and the favourite, of course, the slurpee runs.

Bowling

The branch subsidizes bowling for children, youth and adults. The bowling year goes from September to March with 2 sessions of 10 weeks each. Our sessions are supervised by a branch volunteer. This past year we had about 30 bowlers in all. Our fees are very low at $4 for members and $5 for non-members. The highlight of the sessions is, of course, the wind up pizza parties.

Mentorship

The branch receives money in trust from the Ministry of Social Services through the Cognitive Disability Strategy. We interview, screen and match up the mentors with each participant. We currently have a case load of 61 children, youth and some adults who receive mentorship with the goal of improving social skills and increasing participation in community based activities.

dances

The Moose Jaw Branch hosts 10 dances a year for adults. The dances are held on Fridays at Diversified Services. About 40 people on average attend the dances. Dances are from 7:00pm to 9:00pm (Doors open at 6:45pm) – Cost is $3.00 & Includes Refreshments. A great time is had by all especially when it’s karaoke night. A big thank you to Nytosha and Tracey our branch volunteers who organize and supervise these dances.

an introduction to the SaCl`s Moose Jaw Branch


Fundraising

The 9th Annual Peace Officer’s Charity Motorcycle Run took place on June 26, 2012. The mandate this year was to raise awareness & support for children with autism. A total of $10,465 was raised to support the Moxie Club program.

If you would like to become a member of our Moose Jaw Branch phone us at (306) 955-3344 or email [email protected] for more information.

SaCl’s inclusion teacher of the YearBY Bonnie CHereWYKSaCl CoMMuniCationS and reSearCH adVoCate

The Saskatchewan Association for Community Living (SACL) is pleased to announce Candace Besharah as the 2012 Recipient of SACL’s Inclusion Teacher of the Year award.

The SACL’s mission is to ensure that citizens of Saskatchewan who have intellectual disabilities are valued, supported and included members of society and have opportunities and choices in all aspects of life. Inclusion in the classroom is therefore fundamental to SACL’s mission.

The SACL’s Inclusion Teacher of the Year award thanks and recognizes educators who have gone the extra mile to make inclusion a reality in their classroom. The award recognizes educators who have demonstrated leadership in taking innovative and concrete inclusive actions that can be transferred to other schools.

Candace teaches at Westberry School in Kindersley, Saskatchewan. The letters of nomination for Candace speak extensively of her teaching abilities and belief for inclusive education. She chooses to work with students inside the classroom rather than outside. Candace continues to not only practice inclusion, but to also research inclusion in her professional career. In one of her nomination letters it states:

“candace researched ways of fully including kids, she searched out materials, and she practiced everything, working through differentiated instruction, the use of visuals, an insistence that students be in the classroom with their peers, and extensive work with classroom culture development to ensure that all students belong.”

Through her research, Candace has created an Inclusive Practices video. This video continues to be shared with fellow teachers, administrators and educational assistants.

The SACL applauds and thanks Candace for being a leader in inclusive education.

juanita Buyaki, vice president of the sacL (left) presenting sacL’s Inclusion Teacher of the year award to candace Besharah (right).


The SACL is pleased to report that we had a successful Annual Family Conference and 56th AGM on June 8-10, 2012 in Saskatoon.

Conference Highlights:

• Greetings from the Honourable June Draude, Minister of Social Services and His Worship Don Atchison, Mayor of Saskatoon.

• Keynote speaker Dr. Vianne Timmons, University of Regina President.

• Janardana Messmer`s Story

• Dinner and Dance

• Inclusion Teacher of the Year Award Presentation

• Over 100 people in attendance

annual General Meeting Highlights:

• 2 new Directors at Large! Welcome to Kim Sandager and Diane Christianson.

• Adoption of an updated SACL’s Statement of Beliefs and Position on Social Issues.

SaCl’s 2012 annual Family Conference and 56th annual General Meeting Highlights

SAIDExpansionandBenefitIncrease

BY Bonnie CHereWYKWitH ContriButionS FroM deB KWaSniCa

In 2006, the Saskatchewan Association for Community Living (SACL) brought together 20 disability advocacy organizations to ask the government of Saskatchewan for a separate adequate income program for persons with disabilities. These initial advocacy organizations formed the Disability Income Support Coalition (DISC); today DISC has grown to 38 member organizations. DISC’s primary vision is to see an income system that offers both an adequate baseline income for people with disabilities and a user – friendly mechanism to address individual financial needs based on the impact of disability.

In 2009, the Government of Saskatchewan launched the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID). In June 2012, SAID was expanded to include anyone with a significant and enduring disability, and benefit rates increased by a minimum of $200/month over the income previously received from social assistance. On May 30, 3012 Premier Brad Wall announced, “The saId program supports our government’s goal to make saskatchewan the best place in canada to live for people with disabilities. To support

this objective, we are making substantial investments to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities through better benefits, increased enrolment and more independence. This was the biggest financial commitment we made during the election, and we are proud to fulfill that promise today.” On average people with disabilities lived on $800 - $900/month. Now their income is approximately $1,100/month.

saId has made a dIFFerence. IT has gIven IndIvIduaLs

more Independence, more dIgnITy and more

opporTunITy.

These benefit increases have made a difference to the lives of many individuals with disabilities. The same week an individual received her first SAID cheque with the benefit increases, the sewer in her home backed up into her basement. Due to her asthma she was unable to stay in her home that night. The situation occurred in the evening when her social worker was unavailable. This individual was able to use her SAID benefit increase to book a hotel room for the night. SAID gave her the ability to independently make this decision, and allowed her to leave her home when it was unsafe to stay there. If it had not been for the extra

income, this individual may have been forced to sleep in her vehicle for the night.

Another individual stated:

“I am so happy to be accepted onto saId! now I don’t have to hide how I support myself as I only work part time. I was embarrassed to say that I was on welfare. saId has given me back my dignity. The extra money is great also. my rent is quite high. now I can afford a few little extras like the internet.”

A young lady living with her mom called with extreme excitement and joy to say she had been accepted. She will use the extra funds to help with expenses in her mom’s home, and will be able to spend her own income for craft and art supplies. Having these extra supplies helps keep her busy at home, and away from the temptation of hanging around VLT’s at the local bar. She expects to never have to go back to that bad habit again.

A woman in Prince Albert called to express her joy and happiness at being accepted. She announced that she will now be able to plan a summer vacation on her own, without funding from her retired parents. She will travel to Edmonton to attend the graduation of a friend’s daughter, and plans to visit there for two whole weeks. She will even have enough funds to purchase a graduation



Meet Dwayne Anderson: entrepreneur, chef, volunteer and comedian. Dwayne lives in Humboldt and recently started his own baking business, dwayne’s delights. Dwayne created his own business name, so I asked him why he chose dwayne’s delights, he replied, “well they are delicious and pretty delightful.”

Dwayne has always enjoyed baking; he gained his love for baking and related skills from his mom. When I asked Dwayne where he learned how to bake he replied, “well I used to help my mom in the kitchen years ago when I was much younger.”

BeIng on saId has aLLowed dwayne To do someThIng he Loves and BuILd a career ouT oF IT.

Dwayne volunteers at the SPCA and the library. Dwayne also has a weekly paper route. In addition to this, Dwayne is a comedian; he does stand-up comedy at

the Soup Kitchen. I have not yet been able to watch one of his shows, but from his interview I learned exactly how funny he is! When I asked Dwayne if he did stand-up comedy he replied, “yes and sit down comedy if I need to.”

I asked Dwayne if he is on SAID. He replied “yes I’m also on shout, yell, scream.” This is another example of his clever jokes. I further asked Dwayne how SAID has helped him start his own business; he said, “well the extra money has come in handy because I don’t work full time or even part time, I am more of a volunteer.”

dwayne’s delights

gift on her own. This is the first time in her life she has been able to do this, and she is therefore very proud of this.

When a woman in the Melfort area was accepted for SAID, her caregiver called to express gratitude to the SACL and all the other organizations who worked so closely to achieve this milestone in the province’s history. The first plan for the use of the extra funding is to obtain medication to prevent the progress of Alzheimer’s disease. It is hoped that the opportunity to afford the medication will positively impact her life for many years to come.

A retired man in Prince Albert who has been accepted is so grateful because he has been on a medical disability due to workplace injuries. He will now be able to supplement his income with the SAID funding. This will decrease the burden of his costs for rent and utilities, and allow him to afford more nutrient rich food, as well as cover his transportation costs for grocery shopping.

These are just a few of the stories we have heard since the SAID benefit increase took effect.

SAID has made a difference. It has given individuals more independence, more dignity and more opportunity.

The SACL would like to recognize Judy Hannah, SACL’s Grassroots Coordinator for her leadership, tenacity and perseverance as DISC’s chair.


Being on SAID has allowed Dwayne to do something he loves and build a career out of it. He used the extra SAID income to purchase a business licence and a chef uniform, and to create a menu and business cards. He further is able to buy ingredients in bulk, which saves him money in the long-term; giving him the opportunity to bake large quantities and keep stock readily available. Sheila, Dwayne’s sister states:

“dwayne was pretty excited to learn he would receive a little extra money with saId. This was really helpful to go towards some of his start-up costs; he can buy things in bulk, he has a couple of professional chef uniforms now, and he has paid for his business license, cards and samples to get out into the community. This has been really beneficial.”

SAID has not only helped him to cover the financial costs that come with owning your own business, but also gives Dwayne a sense of pride and success. Sheila, Dwayne’s sister notes:

“I think some of the real benefits we’ve seen in Dwayne is he is very proud to have a job now like his brothers and sisters. he has something that he’s working on for himself. we’ve noticed him feeling like he is contributing to the community and contributing to what he wants to do; he is just overall happier. I think his quality of life has definitely gone up because he is able to work now on some of his dreams that he wasn’t able to before.“

Dwayne had key community support to get him started, and to help him grow his business. Megan MacInnis works at Humboldt and District Community Services as a Supported Employment Coordinator, and is Dwayne’s mentor as well. She has helped him with all the start-up steps for his business, including creating business cards and a menu, buying ingredients, and food handling procedures. She also provides support in creating business goals and initiatives. Their first step will be bringing samples to local businesses to promote dwayne’s delights.

Sheila further explains the community support Dwayne has:

“he also has mentor support to help him with social skills, eye contact, anxiety, and hygiene. humboldt embraces diversity and has some really great community supports.”

Dwayne also receives support from the local church, Westminster United Church. The Church allows Dwayne to use their kitchen facility to bake. He has his own cupboard there to store his ingredients and supplies.

To help promote his business, Dwayne is planning to be interviewed at the local radio station.

When asked if Dwayne’s family were surprised when Dwayne wanted to start his own baking business, Sheila replied:

“no, we weren’t surprised he wanted to start his own baking business because ever since he moved out on his own - a little over 3 years ago - every time we have family gatherings he brings the best desserts and it’s not just simple baking, its quite complex baking, things you’ve never heard of. It’s not just chocolate chip cookies, it’s all kinds of things and so it’s the best baking at the family functions. we are very proud of dwayne to voice what he wants to do, seek out the supports he needs, and to embrace those supports and work with them.”

SAID, along with Dwayne’s community supports have made it possible for Dwayne to pursue his passion of baking, become an entrepreneur, and continue being a comedian and volunteer.

“There was this baker he was told to measure 4 cups of flour for a recipe so he did he got a length of 6 inches.”

Saskatchewan resident Shane Haddad receives Queen elizabeth ii diamond Jubilee Medal


On September 29, Shane Haddad was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his work and commitment to individuals with intellectual disabilities. Shane has over 30 years of experience advocating for individuals, and through his leadership and dedication, Shane has created change, empowered others and become a role model for all self-advocates.

Shane is a long serving volunteer in Saskatchewan. He was a member of the SACL Board for many years, and he is currently a Board member for the Saskatchewan Institute on Community Living (SICL). Shane is also President of People First Canada and People First Saskatchewan. The SACL would like to congratulate Shane on this special achievement.


SaCl working with the Ministry of Social Services and the Valley View Centre Family Group

BY niCHolaS FraSerSaCl HouSinG initiatiVeS and reSearCH Coordinator

On February 24, 2012 the Honourable June Draude, Minister responsible for Social Services announced, “The province of saskatchewan will begin planning and consultations with residents of valley view centre, their families and key stakeholders for new services to replace the current valley view program . . . we will develop services that better support the inclusion of people with disabilities in our communities. . .” The Saskatchewan Association for Community Living (SACL) is pleased to see the province moving toward a model that supports community inclusion. And what’s equally important is that the SACL has been asked to join in the planning for the transition of the residents.

The SACL has joined members of the Valley View Centre Family Group and senior staff from the Ministry of Social Services on a Transition Steering committee that will oversee and follow the transition process. As well, the SACL has received funding from the Ministry to provide support for the Valley View transition process in the form of a full-time Housing Initiatives and Research Coordinator (Nicholas Fraser) and two full-time advocates to be located at the Valley View Centre (Wanda Jonas and Roberta Ross).

The individuals who currently live at Valley View, their family members, the SACL, the Valley View staff, and consultants from the Ministry of Social Services will all have an active voice in

creating more than 200 individualized plans that will be used to transition people from the Centre to the best possible community placement. Preliminary needs assessment meetings with individuals and their families are already underway and further comprehensive personal plans will be starting in the near future. From the preliminary meetings, one family has stated, “after talking with you and your team, I feel assured that the best options will be pursued to make the transition for my sister the best to meet her needs.”

The SACL will also have an active role in working with the Ministry to establish new and potentially innovative housing and residential solutions for people transitioning out of Valley View. A research team with members from the Valley View Centre Family Group, SACL, and the Ministry have conducted research trips to Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia, and have also visited many agencies and groups across Saskatchewan. Both the Ministry and the SACL recognize the opportunity to strengthen the existing residential service delivery system and also to engage in the development of innovative residential options that are not currently available.

The SACL is honoured and ready to take on the responsibility of working with, and supporting the individuals transitioning out of Valley View Centre and their families. We recognize that this is a time of excitement, fear, apprehension and change, and we will be here for it all. From the beginning until long after all the transitions are complete.


Valley View Resident, Jane visiting Wanda and Roberta in the SACL office.


On April 24, 8 moms of children with disabilities had breakfast with the MLAs at the Saskatchewan Legislature. Moms in attendance from left to right, Lynn Schaan (Saskatoon), Gloria Mahussier (Prince Albert), Bluesette Campbell (Meadow Lake), Andrea Lavallee (Meadow Lake), Adrienne Zakreski (Alvena), Shannon Berard Gardiner (Sask Beach) and Tracy Patterson (Lloydminster). Missing from the picture is Michelle Archer (Regina). Moms were able to visit with their MLA, share their stories and identify areas where they need more support.

Here is some feedback we received from the moms who attended:

“I was able to make connections with 4 mLa’s.”

“I thought the experience was quite positive. I had the fortunate opportunity to speak to my mLa for several minutes about the many issues our family has faced in the most recent months and I know I was heard.”

“I’m very pleased to have had the opportunity to voice my concerns directly to MLA’s. Many times I’ve met with officials at various levels over the years and did not have positive hopes, but this time I did! Thanks for the opportunity.”

“I felt the breakfast went very well. I was surprised at the amount of feedback I received from the mLas. I have even received a personal email from one stating that our presentation really hit home. I was very surprised to open my inbox and see a personal

email from a mLa. I feel very encouraged that we impacted each person that attended.”

“I honestly could never of guessed that the little time that we spent talking, could have made such a difference.”

“at my table the mLa’s were sincere and listened to my concerns. They’d pose questions to gain a better understanding and engaged in meaningful conversations regarding my issues.”

Following the breakfast the moms received a tour of the legislature and were introduced in the House by Minister Draude.

The Saskatchewan Association for Community Living (SACL) coordinates a MLA breakfast each year to engage families with their MLA and bring them a step closer to that decision making process. Last year, the SACL brought siblings of individuals with disabilities to the legislature to meet the MLAs and give them an opportunity to express their voice.

The SACL also coordinates an adopt-an-MLA program, where we encourage families to invite their MLA over for coffee. The goal of this program is for families to build a relationship with their MLA, educate MLAs on barriers the family may face and identify areas of success.

For our 2013 breakfast, the SACL hopes to bring a group of dads to the legislature to meet with MLAs. If you are a dad of a child with a disability, and are interested in attending the breakfast please phone us at (306) 955-3344 for more information.

Moms tell Mlas their stories and what they need from the Government of Saskatchewan


BY deniSe BiSSonnettediVerSitY World

denise Bissonnette is an internationally renowned writer, trainer and keynote speaker. For two decades, she has inspired people and organizations throughout north america to look beyond traditional concepts of job and career development and to craft livelihoods rooted in the individual genius of each person. she has authored several publications on creative job development, state of the art job search techniques, the cultivation of the human spirit, and how to “shine” on the job. with a style all her own, denise’s work is a rich tapestry of her talents as a poet, writer, storyteller, teacher and career developer. For more information about denise and her publications, visit her website at www.diversityworld.com!

True Inclusion is about a stance we take towards the world - an attitude, a bearing, a posture that involves certain commitments and convictions which define the meaning of our vision and the efforts we take to manifest that dream. In my attempts to be succinct, here are 10 essential stances I hold to be congruent with and essential to the quest for True Inclusion. I have stated them as Shifts from what is a more traditionally-held view, towards my understanding of what would be held as a truly more inclusive view. If nothing else, this is the dream I hold in the name of Diversity – a dream that we should not passively wait to come true, but rather, a dream that is waiting for us to come true to it.

1. Shift from Political Correctness to the Quest for true inclusion

The quest for True Inclusion and the pursuit of political correctness are divergent paths, leading to very different places. Political correctness or passive compliance to diversity programs or strategies needs to be challenged because I fear they provide people with a false sense of well-being. When people stop using rude terminology or acting to exclude others because it is no longer acceptable to do so, they have changed their behaviour, but not its underpinnings. (I think we call that repression!) Political

correctness can give us a false sense of making progress, when in reality we are only heightening the underlying tension. Passive compliance to “strategies and programs” often undermines the genuine spirit of True Inclusion. People settle for “niceness”, or “what seems appropriate”, or “fulfilling obligations” without ever questioning the principles and tenets that are at the heart of the matter. It’s the value system behind the behaviours that matter! Political correctness and passive compliance to the “strategy of month” may be necessary or appropriate, but they are never inspiring! True Inclusion demands a deeper level of commitment that is based in values which would include that of community-making, interdependence, social justice and human rights.

2. Shift from an “us/them” Mentality to a Mindset of “We”

Mother Theresa suggested that the problem with the world is that we draw the circle of our family too small. Indeed. Within the human circle we stand hand in hand with those who need what we have, and who have what we need. It is said that alone we go fast, but together we go far. Such is the gift of human community. But first, we must ensure that no one has been excluded from the circle.

At the center of True Inclusion is the conviction that this is everyone’s world… that everyone belongs. From this view no one is exempt from being heir to all of the privileges, rights and responsibilities that come with being a member of the human race. Everyone has a place and a responsibility to contribute to and serve the greater good. Furthermore, everyone has something precious to offer the larger community and every member’s offering is essential to the health, wholeness, and vitality of the community. To the extent that any member is denied the opportunity to contribute their gift, it is a collective problem. The exclusion, oppression, or marginalization of any member of our community does an injustice to us all. To me, the real spirit of True Inclusion will be reflected in the extent to which each member’s sense of well-being is inextricably tied to the well-being of every other member!

3. Shift from a Focus on rights to a Focus on roles/relationships

I am often asked to what extent I believe the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has forwarded the rights of persons with disabilities in the workplace. My response is that to the extent that this legislation has deterred outright discrimination, all the power to it! I’m just not convinced that it has played much of a part in creating a shift in attitude, values or spirit with regard to welcoming, inviting or benefiting from the gifts of potential employees with disabilities. The plain and simple truth is that True Inclusion can’t be artificially imposed or created. It cannot be mandated, funded, or legislated.

True Inclusion is about relationships, networks, community and a sense of belonging. As Mike Green says in Conversations on Citizenship & Person-Centred Work, “Rights are important, but the move to community membership is through relationships, not through rights. Until people are recognized through relationship as a member of the community who contributes, we’re not really considered citizens.”

It is through the experience of genuine connection to real people that expands or dissipates our ordinary boundaries - between ourselves and others, between one group and other groups, between what is personal and what is universal. It is through exposure to real people that we come to face to face with our stereotypes and begin to put into question our preconceived notions, our faulty thinking, and our grossly exaggerated assumptions about others.

True Inclusion is about celebrating our shared humanity, finding kinship, nurturing connections, building relationships and fostering deep affinity with one another in the midst of the beauty and the tragedy, the joys and the sorrows of everyday life. It’s about focusing on what makes us unique rather than what makes us different and, as we celebrate our individuality, we equally embrace our interdependence.

ten essential Shifts in the Quest for true inclusion


4. Shift from assumed expertise to acceptance of limitations/ignorance

This point isn’t going to win me a popularity contest, but there you have it. The tenets of True Inclusion require that we grow up and accept the fact that about most things, most of the time, we are pretty much in a state of ignorance. It recently hit me that the root of the word ignorance is “ignore” –which is actually perfectly fitting. We tend to focus on and attend to that which we think we know, ignoring the world of information, facts, data and wisdom that surrounds us to the point of just plain old “not seeing it”. It is not simply the doing of our fragile egos that keeps us steeped in the delusion of our “smartness”, but the very functioning of the human brain. Sometimes referred to as Satchmo’s paradox from the quote from Louis Satchmo Armstrong, “If you have to ask what jazz is, you’ll never know,” here’s the paradox:

we don’t know what it is we know or how we came to know it. we don’t know what it is we don’t know. we tend to believe that we know pretty much everything we need to know and shy away from anything that puts into question that which we already know.

So, what do we do? Own up to our ignorance. Question the self-serving, self-justifying part of the mind that would gladly keep us in a constant state of self-gratifying delusion. Practice saying in the mirror, “About most things you are a blithering idiot. Einstein says we do not know .001 percent about anything! But that’s okay, because you know that you don’t know, therefore you are teachable, and, well, still lovable.” Among other things, my friends, we put down the mask of the “Expert” and take on the posture of the student, the beginner – the one who is open to listening, learning, and being teachable.

5. Shift from Competence to Humility

Humility naturally follows the acceptance of our limitations. We should be grateful that something as attainable as Humility is the antidote to our “not knowing” since the alternative, Competence, is virtually impossible to achieve. Think about it. How many hundreds of languages and dialects are spoken, religious and spiritual traditions practiced, and nationalities and ethnic traditions present in the North American workplace? How

many categories of disability exist and how many variations of experience are present within each of those categories of disability? How many disparities in communication, values, norms and motives are present due to gender, generational, and other cultural dimensions? Let me put it plainly. If our ability to work with people across such a wide and wondrous spectrum of diversity leaned on our “competence” within all of these various dimensions, we would be in what my dad would refer to as “up the crick without a paddle.”

Rumi, the great Sufi poet of the 14th century, wisely suggested that we sell our cleverness and buy bewilderment! In that same vein, Humility tells us that the most respectful posture we can take in relation to any person is to set aside everything we think we know about him/her (based upon categories of ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, etc.) and to meet that person with respectful inquiry. In the spirit of True Inclusion, whenever we catch ourselves coming to conclusions about someone or some group, initiative, cause, or undertaking, perhaps we could fly a banner across the sky of our minds which reads: Don’t believe everything you think, Grasshopper!

6. Shift from Having answers to Valuing Questions

Humility invites the spirit of inquiry and with it the posture of learning rather than professing. It recognizes, welcomes, and assumes the wisdom of others. That doesn’t mean it’s not discerning or discriminating, but it is more about being open to new possibilities than pushing forward its own predetermined agenda.

Questions contain immense power – they can transform our very world by changing our focus, altering our perspective, and giving rise to new conversations. Posing the right question can help us to “get of our own way”, urging us to listen deeply in order to uncover new vistas of possibility. Deep listening goes beyond our everyday listening, attending to what is being communicated between, around, and below the lines of the surface conversation. Deep listening is a commitment to view people not as consumers or clients or members of “target populations”, but as fellow community members who have an important voice and something to say,

something critical to contribute.

Jack Pearpoint in Conversations on Citizenship and Person-Centred Work speaks to this critical aspect of inquiry: “We have forgotten how to listen to one another. I see this missing listening as an opportunity for people with disability labels to be profound guides. There are people all around us, people who are marginalized in many ways, who insist by their very presence on slowing us down to listen more deeply. Then we can hear the gifts and capacities and skills we have to bring to each other. This makes them master teachers of how communities grow… “

7. Shift from a Focus on Barriers to a Focus on assets

The art of asking good questions is key to every endeavour, but it is fundamental to the quest of True Inclusion for this reason: what has largely led to the exclusion, oppression or marginalization of so many people in our communities is the result of asking the wrong questions! In Conversations on Citizenship and Person-Centred Work, Diana Whitney writes, “Appreciative Inquiry says that inquiry is the intervention, that the questions we ask make a difference and the more positive our questions, the more positive the information that we learn and the change that we create. The questions we ask are fateful. Our questions determine what we find, what we learn, and they create the realities of the world around us.”

Those familiar with my work know that much of my writing and teaching revolves around this shift in perspective. I have just written a new poem entitled “Clueless” which is a sort of creative rendering on the kinds of questions that we might pursue in order to look beyond a person’s barriers or limitations and gain a more expansive view of their passion and their possibilities. I have included the words to this poem as this month’s Poem of the Month, but as it is a piece that is meant to be recited, I have also included a link to a YouTube video of myself reciting the poem. I suggest that you listen to it before reading it, so that you have the benefit of the intended inflection.


8. Shift from Holding to Certainty to embracing ambiguity

We’re not very good with “not knowing”. We like the security that comes with certainty. We like feeling as if we are in control. We don’t mind pushing our limits or stepping outside our comfort zone, but only when it is on our own terms – when we have given our consent to stretch in some way. That is in large part why we have historically put in power and tried to maintain a world that is run and operated by those who “look like us”. We don’t like feeling stupid, embarrassed, uncomfortable or self-conscious. We like feeling at home, comfortable, confident, and self-assured. It’s not easy to grope in the dark or fumble the ball when relating to people who look, act, speak, move or think differently than we do. We don’t want to draw attention to ourselves or make others feel self-conscious.

It was not always “comfortable” for society to allow women to have a vote, to allow black people and white people to drink from the same water fountain, or to allow gay and lesbian people to hold public office, to provide health care services, or to teach our children. What is surprising is not that we are allowing our better sensibilities to prevail in these situations, but that it took us so long to act on our basic human instincts to treat others with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Sadly, we still live in a culture that devalues and finds ways to “keep out” those who are perceived as most vulnerable, most dependent, and most imperfect. Just ask the folks in prison, in homeless shelters, those living in poverty, and those who have been labeled disabled and been brainwashed into thinking that they can’t work, shouldn’t have to work, or don’t need to work. All will bear painful witness to the fact that we are really good at keeping at arm’s length those who bring up our own insecurities and fear.

There should be no question that the quest for True Inclusion trumps our personal concerns and societal insecurities. True Inclusion gives rise to chaos, confusion, and commotion – a loss of control. That’s why we were given backbones, and the capacity to act on courage, take risks, and stretch to new dimensions in our own looking, acting, speaking, moving and thinking. True Inclusion asks us to buck up – put on our big boy and big girl pants and get over ourselves! It asks that we dare to act

even when we risk looking stupid, getting embarrassed, feeling self-conscious, or making a whole slough of juicy mistakes.

9. Shift from Preserving Harmony to Committing to Communicate

Not only do we like things predictable and controlled, we prefer to keeps things kosher, peaceful, and harmonious – at any cost, Dagnabbit! The quest for True Inclusion is not about creating a fairy tale society in which all colors, sizes, shapes, and variety of community members stand in a proverbial circle singing Kumbaya in perfect harmony. True Inclusion makes room for dissonance, disagreement, and differences of opinion – it’s more like jazz.

True Inclusion encourages us to welcome even disruptive obstacles or difficult circumstances to play their part in the larger drama – treating everything as grist for our mill and an opportunity to learn and grow. This requires us to pay attention to how we pay attention. In other words, if we look for what separates us from each other, and what problems the group has, we will find it. If we look for what unites us and what is already working in a group, we will find that too. It’s when disparate voices “agree to disagree” that they allow for the emergence of new ideas, new forms, new perspectives, and new ways to think about or see a situation. We can commit to respect others, even when disagreements arise. We need a willingness to recognize dissent as an avenue for new learning and conflict as an opportunity for growth, an invitation to important conversations we might not otherwise have had. This is what M. Scott Peck referred to as “the stuff of social intelligence.”

10. Shift from Complacency to initiative

The quest for True Inclusion does not allow for passive complacency or the self-deluded satisfaction that comes with believing that ‘everything is good to go’. We are far from the finish line of achieving True Inclusion! Obviously, change is needed on a macro level, and few feel empowered to effect change at that level. But change is also needed on a micro level – one conversation at a time, one meeting at a time, one group at a time, one idea spawned from a group

of committed members which sets off a chain reaction of new possibilities.

Put plainly, we are either part of the problem or we are part of the solution. No one is exempt from participating in the ongoing creation of our world and the communities we inhabit. My husband and colleague, Rob McInnes, recently shared his frustration with me about employers who think they are doing so much by “simply being open to considering candidates with disabilities and giving them a fair chance based on their qualifications”, disregarding the multitude of factors that continue to keep many people from disabilities from every applying to their organizations.

We need to be more deliberate and intentional in our efforts towards True Inclusion, for our own sake and for the sake of our communities. In the celebrated words of Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small committed group of individuals can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Summary: This is a first pass at the Shifts required for True Inclusion, and I invite response from you, dear reader, as to those you would add to this list. I know what John Lennon knew, “ you may say I’m a dreamer … but I’m not the only one.”



Thank youfor your donation.

The Saskatchewan Institute on Community Living (SICL) accepts donations of reusable items such as clothing, shoes, bedding, linens, jackets, boots, dishes, books,

small hand tools, jewelry, knickknacks and more.

The money realized from the items you donate supports the work of the Saskatchewan Association for Community Living (SACL).

Donating is easy. For clothing and item donations, please visit our Donation Station Locations. For clothing-only donations, please drop your goods at the Community

Living (SICL) bins:

DONATION STATION LOCATIONS• SICL Main O�ce 1302 A Alberta Avenue, SaskatoonTelephone: 477-2171 Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.Accepts clothing and small household items.• Avalon #5-2605 Broadway Avenue South Telephone: 477-4288 Tue-Fri 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Saturday - 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

TOWNS / RURAL SASKATCHEWAN - ClOTHING ONLY BINS

• Allan: Recycling Center - Main Street• Biggar: Old Nova Woods School - 6th Avenue East• Colonsay: Recycling Center - Butte Avenue• Foam Lake: Recycling Center - Railway Avenue• Fort Qu’Appelle: Boundary Avenue - Behind Lift Station• Indian Head: Recycling Center - Otter Loo Street• Kindersley: Family Resource Centre - 104 Main Street• Langham: Main St. Recycling Center• Lloydminster: Multiplex – 12th St. & 51st Ave• Melfort: Plus Industries – 609 Hamilton Ave W.

MOOSE JAW BINS• Mac’s: 1230 9th Avenue NW

REGINA BINS• Fas Gas: 3430 Hill Avenue• Sobey’s: 4250 Albert Street• 7-11: 2323 East Quance Street

PRINCE ALBERT BINS• Sarcan Express: 3865 5th Avenue East• Sarcan: 44 North Industrial Drive

SWIFT CURRENT BINS• Sarcan: 955 Cheadle Street West• Wheatland Mall: 1150 Central Avenue North

FREE HOME PICK-UP To donate clothing, and household items please call the numbers below:

Saskatoon: 477-2171 Outside of Saskatoon: 1-877-477-2171

• North Battleford: Sobey’s – 9801 Territorial Dr.• Outlook: Variety Place – 600 Conquest Ave Rec Plex: (by Rink/Curling Rink) Recycling Center: (behind Ag Foods)• Pilot Butte: Tempo – 450 5th Street• Redvers: SARCAN DEPOT - 52 Carlton Street• Tisdale: Mall – 918 93rd Avenue• Unity: Resource Center• Viscount: 102 Baggot Street• White City: 12 Ramm Avenue East• Wilkie: Independent Services – 307 2nd Avenue• Wynyard: Old Sarcan location – Ave A & 1st Street East• Yorkton: Sarcan – 144 Ball Road

SASKATOON BINS • Co-op Gas Bar: Fairlight Dr/Diefenbaker Dr• Co-op Grocery: 8th Street East & Emerson• Attridge Dr/Lowe Rd: Recycling Depot• Lawson Heights: Primrose Dr Recycle Depot• Mac’s: 330 Silverwood Road• Mac’s: 431 Kenderdine Road• SACL: 3031 Louise Street

1302 A Alberta Avenue • Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7K 1R5 • communitylivingpickup.ca

Please RsVP to PeteR Kahenya by Phone: 306.955.3344 ext. 126 oR by email: [email protected].

Community LivingSaskatchewan Association for

2nd Annual Inclusion...endless possibilities BreakfastTuesday, November 6th, 2012

Hilton Garden Inn - Main Ballroom

YOU’RE INVITED toThe Saskatchewan Association for Community Living’s

This is a fundraising event. There is no cost to attend and a continental breakfast will be served.This event will begin promptly at 7:30 am, and will conclude no later that 8:30 am

90 22nd St. E, Saskatoon, SK

7:30 am - 8:30 am

DELIVER THIS EDITION TO:PM40063438

Return undeliverableCanadian addresses to:

SACL3031 Louise StreetSaskatoon, SKS7J 3L1 Email: [email protected]: (306) 955-3344

SACL’s 3rd Annual disABILITY Expo will be on December 3, 2012 at Prairieland Park. The theme this year is Bridge to Success!

If you are interested in registering a booth or for more information please contact Kim by phone: 306.955.3344 or by email: [email protected]

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