Families from the Kootenay region will gather for two days of learning and connecting. You will learn ways to strengthen your advocacy and access resources to help build a good life for your loved one with a disability. You will join other families in sharing knowledge and developing community support. Sessions will cover topics such as self-determination, advocacy, and future planning – session details can be found below.
Cost:
FREE – Financial support is available for travel, child care or other expenses
(see details and application after the program description)
When:
October 2 & 3, 2025
Where:
Prestige Rocky Mountain Resort
209 Van Horne St S, Cranbrook BC V1C 6R9
Who:
Families and caregivers living in the Kootenay region who support loved ones with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Register Here
“I am a self advocate; I am also a mamma and a grandmama. At the event, I was able to talk about the problems I had when I was a kid and when I first got married and had our girls. I told the other parents that we self advocates can speak up for ourselves. I asked them to help us speak up but not to speak for us; listen to us, watch us. If they do that, they (the parents) will learn a lot. People need to hear more from self advocates and how they live their lives.”
— Jo-Anne G, self advocate and past Family Leadership Series speaker
PROGRAM
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2025
| Time | Topic/Activity |
|---|---|
| 5:30 – 6:00 pm | Registration |
| 6:00 – 8:00 pm | Families Gathering |
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2025
| Time | Topic/Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:30 – 9:15 am | Registration |
| 9:15 – 9:30 am | Opening |
| 9:30 – 10:30 am | Session 1: Self-determination panel |
| 10:30 – 11:00 am | Break |
| 11:00 am – 12:30 pm | Session 2: Advocacy |
| 12:30 – 1:30 pm | Lunch |
| 1:30 – 3:00 pm | Session 3: Supports and Services in the Kootenays |
| 3:00 – 3:15 pm | Break |
| 3:15 – 4:15 pm | Session 4: Hopes, dreams, and planning |
| 4:15 – 4:30 pm | Closing circle |
SESSION DESCRIPTIONS
Families Gathering
You will have an opportunity to connect with other family members from this region to learn from one another, share tips and stories, and start new connections. You will have time to explore the exhibitors’ booths and get information about resources in this region. Appetizers and non-alcoholic drinks will be available.
Session 1 – Self-determination panel
Self advocates and family members will share their stories of life, bumps, and successes. You will learn from self-advocates about how they are making choices and managing their own lives, and from a family member on how they have supported the self-determination and autonomy of their loved one.
Session 2 – Advocacy
You will learn about your rights, how to exercise them, and how to advocate for yourself and your family members. We will review some of the systems that serve children, youth, and adults and share some tips on how to navigate them to advocate for support and services.
Session 3 – Supports and Services in the Kootenays
This session will offer the perspective of various community organizations providing services and supports in the Kootenays region, and you will learn how to access them.
Session 4 – Hopes, dreams and planning
There are many techniques and strategies for planning for an inclusive future. You will learn about different planning tools that can help develop your loved one’s vision for life in the community and how to support their autonomy by centring their voice.
Financial Support to Attend
Financial support will be available for participants for travel, child care or other expenses – financial support applications will be available during registration.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Ariel Pavic
1-844-488-4321
Organized in partnership with:
