Empowering Ability Podcast

#012: Accessible Design in the Built Environment, with Lynn McGregor

In this podcast episode, Lynn McGregor provides educates us on accessibility in the built environment, tells us our rights when it comes to accessibility, and provides tips for making your home accessible.

 

How to contact Lynn McGregor:

 

Email: lmcgregor@mcgregordesigngroup.com

Phone:416-395-0002

Website:http://www.mcgregordesigngroup.com/

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

 

Resources:

Ontario Accessibility Laws: https://www.ontario.ca/page/about-accessibility-laws

Ontario Assistive Devices Program (ADP): https://www.ontario.ca/page/assistive-devices-program#section-3

 

 

 

#011 - Personal Supports; Recruitment, Connection, and Community, with Sylvia Paurys & Sarah Goll

We have two guests on this episode, Sylvia Paurys, who has been providing personal supports for the last 20 years, and my sister Sarah. Sylvia has been providing Sarah support to build independence for the last 6 months, and Sarah has had tremendous results trying new things and becoming engaged in the community.

 

In this podcast we cover 3 main support topics; recruitment, connection and community. 

 

 

How to contact Sylvia Paurys:

 

Email: sylviapaurys@everus.ca

Location: Ontario, Canada

 

Resources:

 

Respite Services Ontario & Nova Scotia http://www.respiteservices.com/

Indeed Job Postings & Search https://www.indeed.ca/

#010 - Creating belonging; one dance studio at a time, with Jade and Mallory Ryan

Two sisters, Jade and Mallory Ryan, who are occupational therapists and experienced dancers are partnering with dance studios to create a dance class that is inclusive of kids with all abilities.

 

What you will learn in this Episode:

- Hear Jade & Mallory’s story of entrepreneurs creating a sense of belonging 

- Learn the model of inclusion that they have built inside the dance studio

- Learn the key success factors Jade and Mallory use to build an inclusive culture

- Learn the many benefits the dance students of all abilities are receiving

 

 

How to contact The Dance Ability Movement:

Website: www.danceabilitymovement.com

Email: contact@danceabilitymovement.com

Location: Milton, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

 

Resources:

 

Video Links: Click Here

 

#009: Helen Ries - Siblings empowering siblings with a disability

A sibling care-giver tells her story of becoming her brother's go to person after her parents passed sooner than anyone expected. This podcast is important for all parents and siblings to listen to.

- Hear Helen’s story as a sibling 'care-giver'

- Learn why it is important for siblings to be a part of family planning

- Learn how siblings can empower their families with conversation and tools

- Learn how Helen is changing Ontario policy, and how you can support.

 

How to contact Helen Ries:

Website: helenries.ca

Website: gifts-assets.ca

Contact Helen: helen.ries@gmail.com

Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

 

 

 

Resources:

Ontario Independent Facilitation Network OIFN.ca

Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN) Click Here 

P4P Click Here

A Manifesto for The Family Arm of the Disability Movement" by Helen Ries Click Here

Ontario Leaves Many Persons with Disability Trapped in Poverty by Helen Ries Click Here

 

Facebook Groups for Siblings 

Canada - Click Here

USA - Click Here

 

Love & Respect,

Eric

 

 

If you received value from this content please leave me a review on iTunes. By leaving a 5 star review on iTunes you make the Empowering Ability Podcast more discoverable, and more families will benefit. Click Here To Leave a Review on iTunes

 

008 - Danny Steeves: Creating Self Employment and Accessible Communities

What you will learn in this Episode:

- Hear Danny’s story of becoming an entrepreneur

- Learn about Danny’s motivational speaking

- Learn how Danny made his community more accessible

 

 

How to contact Danny:

Email: dannysteeves@gmail.com

Facebook Page: Danny Steves Public Figure 

YouTube: Click Here 

 

Resources:

http://stopgap.ca/

#007 - Social Enterprise that is Empowering Growth and Inclusion, with Karen Chambers

Social Enterprise that is Empowering Growth and Inclusion, with Karen Chambers of Bob Rumball Associations for the Deaf

 

What you will learn in this Episode:

- Discover the Bob Rumball Associations for the Deaf

- Learn tools to communicate with a person who is deaf

- Learn Why Bob Rumball started a social enterprise

- Learn how social enterprise is empowering growth of individuals with disability, and fostering a more inclusive community.

- Get tips on starting a social enterprise

 

 

How to contact the Bob Rumball team:

Website: www.bobrumball.org

Contact: Click here

Phone: 905-878-4932

Location: Milton, Toronto, Parry Sound, Barrie - Ontario, Canada

 

Resources:

 

Spread the Sign App

 

Google Play: Click here

 

iPhone: Click here

 

 

Love & Respect,

Eric

#006 - Social Capital; Building Relationships to Improve Well-Being, with Al Condeluci & Keenan Wellar

#006 - Social Capital; Building Relationships to Improve Well-Being, with Al Condeluci & Keenan Wellar

 

What you will learn in this episode:

​- Discover social capital

- Learn why social capital is important (for everyone)

- Learn the 4 stage framework to increase an individual's social capital

- Hear the story of how Chris increased his social capital

 

How to contact Al Condeluci:

Website: http://www.alcondeluci.com/

Contact: http://www.alcondeluci.com/contact/

Location: Pittsburg PA, USA

 

 

How to contact Keenan & the LiveWorkPlay team:

Website: http://liveworkplay.ca/

Website: https://keenanwellar.wordpress.com/

Contact: http://liveworkplay.ca/contact-us/

Phone: 613-702-0332

Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

 

Resources:

Research Study - Canadian Journal of Disability Studies: 'Somewhere to live, something to do, someone to love: Examining levels and sources of social capital among people with disabilities' Click Here

 

Interdependent Network: www.buildingsocialcapital.org

 

Al Condeluci’s book: 'Social Capital: The Key to Macro Change' 

 

Al Condeluci's TED Talk: Social capital and the power of relationships

 

 

 

Love & Respect,

Eric

#005 - Families Supporting Families, with Sue Simpson

Families Supporting Families, with Sue Simpson of the Waterloo Region Family Network (WRFN)

 

What you will learn in this episode:

​- Discover family networks

- Learn why families are joining family networks and the benefits they are getting

- Learn how a mentor/ mentee relationship work

- Learn who can benefit from joining a family network

 

 

How to contact the Waterloo Region Family Network team:

Website: https://wrfn.info/

E-mail: Katie (family resource coach): katie.galashan@wrfn.info, Sue Simpson: sue.simpson@wrfn.info

Location: Kitchener/ Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

 

 

 

Resources:

Evening of Elegance Event: https://wrfn.info/an-evening-of-elegance/

Family Alliance Ontario: https://family-alliance.com/index.html

Kitchener/ Waterloo local resources: https://wrfn.info/resources/

#004 - Employees with a Disability and Employers Collaborate for Workplace Success, with Laura McKeen

#004 - Employees with a Disability and Employers Collaborate for Workplace Success, with Laura McKeen, of Cohen Highley LLP Lawyers

 

What you will learn in this Episode:

- Discover Cohen Highly LLP’s inclusion practices

- Learn how to best present yourself as a job candidate with a disability

- Debunking the myths of employing an individual with a disability

- Learn the business benefits of hiring an individual with a disability

 

How to contact Laura McKeen and Cohen Highley LLP Lawyers:

Website: www.cohenhighley.com

E-mail:mckeen@cohenhighley.com

Learn more about Laura: http://cohenhighley.com/lawyers/laura-m-mckeen/

Location: London, Ontario, Canada

 

Resources:

8 Myths About Hiring Employees with Disabilities, by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce -http://www.occ.ca/emerging-stronger-agenda/8-myths-about-hiring-employees-with-disabilities/

Business Benefits of Accessible Workplaces, by the conference board of Canada - http://www.conferenceboard.ca/documents/6264_accessibleworkplaces_br_av.pdf

Partnership Council on Employment Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities Report, published by the Government of Ontario - http://www.conferenceboard.ca/documents/6264_accessibleworkplaces_br_av.pdf

 

Love & Respect,

Eric

 

003 - Independent Facilitation and Support Circles Enriching Lives with Joanna Goode

003 - Independent Facilitation and Support Circles Enriching Lives, with Joanna Goode, Director of Facilitation Wellington Dufferin

 

What you will get in this episode:

• Discover Independent facilitation and support circles 

• What is the investment? Cost? Benefit?

• Hear success stories with facilitation and support circles

• Learn how to start working with an independent facilitator

 

How to contact Joanna Goode and Facilitation Wellington Dufferin:

www.facilitationwd.com

Phone: 226-326-0916

E-mail: info@facilitationwd.com

https://www.facebook.com/FacilitationWellingtonDufferin

 

Resources:

 Ontario Independent Facilitation Network: http://www.oifn.ca/

If you are outside of Ontario Google 'Independent Facilitation + your location'  to find local facilitators.

002 - The 5 Life and Financial Stages for Families With A Disability, with Tom Mahoney

002 - The 5 Life and Financial Stages for Families With A Disability, with Tom Mahoney, of Freedom 55 Financial

• Hear Tom's  journey as a parent of a son with autism.

• Learn the financial life stages model of a family with a child with a disability

• Discover the keys to financial success

• Learn questions your family should consider at every life stage

 

Note: Before the recording of this episode I didn't have an understanding of the impact of language like 'special needs' families. Since this episode I've used and promoted language that promotes ability and capability. The spirit of intent in using the term 'special needs' families in this episode comes from a positive place and the information in this episode is extreemly valuable to families and individuals with a disability.

 

How to contact Tom Mahoney:

Email: tom.mahoney@f55f.com

 

Resources:

Specific products were not discussed in depth in this episode, but here is a great resource on the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) in Canada.

http://www.rdsp.com/

001 - The movement to individualized support, and accessing developmental support services (in Ontario), with Keenan Wellar

#001 - The movement to individualized support, and accessing developmental support services, with Keenan Wellar, Co-Leader of LiveWorkPlay.

 

What you will get from this episode:

• Learn how LiveWorkPlay came to be

• The latest on the trend toward citizenship and individualized support

• Learn how to access support from developmental support agencies (in Ontario, Canada)

 

How to contact Keenan Wellar and LiveWorkPlay:

http://liveworkplay.ca/

613-702-0332

 

Resources:

Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) - https://www.dsontario.ca/

 

From Presence to Citizenship Video

The video which was shown at the start of the Learning Exchange highlighting stories from the project partner organizations is available on the Learning Community and on YouTube. Please feel free to share this video with your Board, management team, staff, volunteers, family and friends!

 

The YouTube link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWd5wlrrw4w

 

 

000 - Podcast Introduction & Eric's Story

000 - Podcast Introduction & Eric's Story, with your host, Eric Goll

 

What you will get from this episode: 

• Hear my story, featuring my mom & sister!
• Learn why I am creating the podcast
• Learn what's in the podcast for you
• If you want to learn more about me, take a listen!

  

How to contact Eric Goll and Empowering Ability:

www.empoweringability.org

eric@ericgoll.com

Facebook Community - Join the conversation and ask questions about the podcast!