From September 2020 to December 2021, Inclusion BC will be hosting a series of free webinars. When we had to postpone our 2020 conference, we heard from our members, families and self advocates that they wanted other ways to connect, learn and share ideas over the next year.

We are proud to partner with the Self Advocates of Semiahmoo (SAS) and Uniti to host the series.

The Virtual Learning Series will be organized into three terms (Fall 2020, Winter 2021, and Fall 2021) with approximately six virtual sessions per term. Sessions will fall into themes, including employment, civic engagement, advocacy and K-12 education.

Highlights of the Fall 2020 Term

• Sarah Jama | Keynote
  We are thrilled to have community organizer Sarah Jama as a keynote presenter. Co-founder of the Disability Justice Network of Ontario, Jama will explain how to move past inclusionary rhetoric and move toward building toward change. She will be hosting a free Zoom presentation on November 13, 2020.
• Self Advocates of Semiahmoo | Keynote
  The Self Advocates of Semiahmoo (SAS) are well-known for their many community accomplishments. The group will be hosting a free Zoom session on December 3, 2020 to celebrate the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
• Employment Webinars throughout the month of September to celebrate Disability Employment Month.
• Diversity Includes Community Engagement campaign for Inclusion BC members.
• Intersectionality, diversity and inclusion webinars throughout the month of November.

Upcoming Webinars

September

This year will mark the 7th annual Disability Employment Month in BC. Inclusion BC will be celebrating the month by offering a series of workshops on employment, as part of our Virtual Learning Series.

RWA and Covid-19 in B.C. – Challenges and Opportunities
September 8, 2020 | 10:00AM-10:45AM

REGISTER HERE

Presenters: Kwaku Yeboah and Dr. Millicent Mabi
Where: Virtual Zoom Session
Who: For employers and service providers

• Current Picture Learn about the impact of COVID 19 on employment for people with disabilities, including 7 Key Barriers.
• Preferred Picture Learn how to support both employers and prospective employees with disabilities during these times, with a focus on inclusion, diversity and accessibility in the workplace.
• Ways Forward Learn what supports are required to accommodate employers and employees, including assistive technology, job coaching, and mental health supports.

Dr. Millicent Mabi is the Executive Director of Global Access and Inclusion Foundation (GAIF), a non- profit organization that works to foster the inclusion of diverse populations into the workplace and community. GAIF provides a business case to employers, governments and organizations on inclusive talent management while supporting organizations to achieve their inclusion and diversity goals through evidence-based interventions, policy development, and staff and stakeholder training. Millicent brings well over a decade of professional experience in strategic planning, human resource management, research and knowledge development, and project management. Millicent sits on various committees including the Public and Private policy as well as population support committees at Special Olympics.

Inclusion BC is proud to partner with Mentorability to host a series of three workshops for self advocate job seekers. Employment Specialist Jose Duarte and Mentorability BC lead Jillian Bradley will be hosting the three workshops.

Jose Duarte is an employment specialist, life coach and human resources consultant. He is a Career Developer Practitioner with Douglas College and is part of the Career Development Practice Certificate Program Advisory Committee at Douglas College. He has worked as an Employer Relations Specialist in a Non-profit organization for almost 4 years.

Pre-Employment: Reflecting on your abilities and passions
September 14, 2020 | 1:00PM-1:45PM

REGISTER HERE

Presenter: Jose Duarte
Where: Virtual Zoom Session
Who: For self advocate job seekers

This free 45-minute webinar will help job seekers reflect on their talents, passions and interests. Participants will explore ways to start looking for work.

• Reflect: What are you passionate about? Do you have a natural ability that could help guide your path?
• Explore: Where to start looking for work

Build a Great Resume
September 15, 2020 | 1:00PM – 1:45PM (PST)

REGISTER HERE

Presenter: Jose Duarte
Where: Virtual Zoom Session
Who: For self advocate job seekers

This free 45-minute webinar will help job seekers build or update their resume to get the job they want. Participants will learn how to tailor a resume to fit a job description.
Bring your resume to the webinar!

Ace the Interview
September 17, 2020 | 1:00PM – 1:45PM (PST)

REGISTER HERE

Presenter: Jose Duarte
Where: Virtual Zoom Session

This free 45-minute webinar will help job seekers prepare for different types of interviews. Participants will be guided through the different types of interviews and the steps necessary to prepare for the interview. They’ll also learn some tips to help them ace the interview.

October

Diversity Includes

Meeting with your MLA

Saturday Oct 3, 2020 |10:00AM – 11:00AM (Pacific Standard Time)
Tuesday Oct 6, 2020 |10:00AM – 11:00AM (Pacific Standard Time)
Thursday Oct 8, 2020 | 1:00PM – 2:00PM (Pacific Standard Time)

REGISTER HERE

In this one-hour session (same session available on three dates), Inclusion BC members will learn how to arrange meetings with Members of the Legislative Assembly and how to communicate with them to raise issues that are relevant to them and their community. Learn more about becoming an Inclusion BC member.

Presenters: Karla Verschoor and Erika Cedillo

Where: Virtual Zoom Session
Who: For Inclusion BC members (learn more about Inclusion BC membership)

The Meeting

Participants will have the opportunity to strengthen their skills on civic engagement and bring attention to issues that affect them and their community by meeting with their elected officials via Zoom or phone call.

When: From October 12 – October 31st, participants will set a date and time to meet with their MLA
Where: By Zoom or phone call
Who: Inclusion BC members

The Debrief
Tuesday Nov. 3, 10:00AM – 11:00AM (Pacific Standard Time)
Thursday Nov 5, 1:00PM – 2:00PM (Pacific Standard Time)
Saturday Nov. 7, 10:00AM – 11:00AM (Pacific Standard Time)

REGISTER HERE

Participants will have the chance to debrief and reflect on their experience and share what they have learned from meeting with MLAs, in a supported environment. The same session is available on three separate dates.

Presenters: Karla Verschoor and Erika Cedillo

Fall Session Keynote Presentations

Sarah Jama | November 13, 2020

Change making is difficult work. Many people have the right intentions, but are unsure of how to put their intentions into practice. This often leaves people with the right language feeling stuck in terms of actions and impacts.

Sarah Jama, co-founder of the Disability Justice Network of Ontario will explain how to move past inclusionary rhetoric and move toward building toward change. Through exploring her history with anti-racist organizing, disability justice organizing, and cross solidarity organizing, she will lay out best practices for coalition building, and grassroots organizing in our local communities for real change.

REGISTER HERE

The Self-Advocates of Semiahmoo (SAS) | December 3, 2020

The Self Advocates of Semiahmoo make change through positive relationships. They are people who are focused on creating a better world for themselves and others, with and without disabilities. SAS has been able to do many different projects that have made them successful in their community and the disability sector.

Some of their efforts include:

• being federally acknowledged for their work on the Canadian Accessibility Act,
• creating a new and positive way to host candidate meetings during elections,
• bringing beach accessible wheelchairs to their local beaches,
• developing a Toastmaster club, and much, much more.

This session will include SAS and Jillian Glennie, previous SAS Involvement Coordinator. SAS will shares stories of how they got this far and Jillian will tie it together using her Criteria for Action Tool which was developed to support other self-advocacy groups and day services in having access to a step-by-step check list to creating successful initiatives.

REGISTER HERE