Virtual Learning Series

Over the last 18 months, Inclusion BC has collaborated with our community partners to host a series of virtual learning sessions. We have covered topics such as finding employment, voting, and the resources available for the transition to life after high school for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Our Virtual Learning Series has successfully reached 884 participants, with 85% of participants reporting the series exceeded their expectations.

We are excited to continue this series over the next few months with new topics and presenters. You can find our upcoming events and past events below. Please contact us if you have any questions about the series at info@inclusionbc.org

Past Events 

Click on the links below to learn more.

• Family-centred practice from the perspective of Aboriginal infant and child development programs
• Mental Health Matters: Taking Care Of Yourself
• Supporting Transition to Life After High School
• Youth Employment Summit
• Disrupting Misconceptions and Forging Pathways for Students with Developmental Disabilities
• The Successful Project
• Connecting Communities
• You Can Vote! With Guest Melanie Callas from Elections BC
• Pre-Employment: Reflecting on your abilities and passions
• Build a Great Resume
• Ace the Interview

Family-centred practice from the perspective of Aboriginal infant and child development programs

Wednesday, November 17, 2021, 11:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.

You can find the presentation slides HERE

November 2021 is National Indigenous Disability Awareness month and the Virtual Learning Series featured Family-centered practice from the perspective of Aboriginal infant and child development programs.

This one-hour virtual session introduced participants to the core principles and foundational ideas of family-centered practice, as applied by Aboriginal Infant Development programs and Aboriginal Supported Child Development programs. Participants learned what cultural safety is for Indigenous families, how to create safe spaces, and the importance of home visiting in supporting healthy child development.

The speakers addressed how collaborations and coordination of services with mainstream programs are critical to removing barriers for Indigenous families. Coming from a perspective of inclusion that recognizes each child for their gifts, the speakers shared their expertise and provided examples of best practices for family-centered practice in early childhood and beyond.

This session was particularly relevant to staff in child development centres, infant development program and supported childcare development program consultants, social workers, service providers, and family support workers.

Speakers:  

• Diana Elliott, Provincial Advisor for Aboriginal Infant Development Programs 
• Jackie Watts, Provincial Advisor for Aboriginal Supported Child Development Programs
• Rona Sterling-Collins, Regional Advisor (Thompson/Shuswap/Cariboo) for Aboriginal Early Childhood Programs 
• Tanya Brown, Manager, Mother Bear Child Development, Squamish Nation 

Moderator: 

Erika Cedillo, Director of Public Policy and Programing, Inclusion BC 

Presented in partnership with the Provincial Advisor for Aboriginal Infant Development Programs, Provincial Advisor for Aboriginal Supported Child Development Programs, Aboriginal Early Childhood Development, and Mother Bear Child Development, Squamish Nation. 

Mental Health Matters: Taking Care Of Yourself 

September 21, 2021

With the last year and a bit, Covid-19 has taught us a lot about ourselves and our community. Take some time to listen to registered UNITI Counsellor, Shabnam (Shab) Khan RPC, MPCC; Self Advocates of Semiahmoo (SAS) member, Asma Patel; and other SAS members discuss how they have made mental health a priority over the last year and a half.

Shab Khan discusses how organizations can start their own Mental Health and Wellness Services. She also shares information about mental health for family members, caregivers, and people who are supported by CLBC.

Asma Patel shares her experience to inspire people who are working to take care of their mental health and for people who want to help others. She explains how the SAS Mental Health Committee and SAS Community Committee rallied to take care of each other and the community in creative and impactful ways.

Presented in partnership with UNITI and the Self-Advocates of Semiahmoo

Supporting Transition to Life After High School

March 9, 2021

The slides for each of our panelists are available in the links below:

Tracey Eyles’ Slides: Inclusion Panel_RCY Slides
Tracey Matovich’s Slides: 2021 March 2021 Inclusion BC Summary Presentation[1]
Leanne Dospital’s Slides: IBC_Panel_March9_2021

As you think about the next steps of life after high school, Inclusion BC invites you to join a panel of skilled advocates to explore the different role and advocacy supports available to youth and their families during this significant life transition.

PANELISTS

• Tracey Eyles, Advocate, Representative for Children and Youth of BC
• Tracey Matovich, Children and Youth Services, Public Guardian and Trustee
• Leanne Dospital, Advocate for Service Quality
• Karla Verschoor, Inclusion BC, Moderator

This session explores the roles of each office and their respective mandates. It highlighted the supports each office provides and how their work intersects. Panelists shared tips and suggestions that they have learned that works in this process of transition.

Youth Employment Summit

Presented by Inclusion BC

February 18-20, 2021

From February 18 to 20, 2021, Inclusion BC co-hosted with the Self Advocates of Semiahmoo and in partnership with UNITI a three-day virtual Youth Employment Summit (YES) to inspire, encourage, and support youth in discovering paths to employment. 

Bringing together over 200 delegates from around BC, YES showcased a spectacular line up of youth speakers as well as presentations from employers, community organizations, and post-secondary institutions. YES also featured a hip-hop performance by local artist Missy D and an online inclusive job fair for youth to explore career options and connect with employers. 

Inclusion BC would like to thank all Youth Employment Summit presenters for creating an engaging and informative event full of career explorations and employment opportunities. 

Further, we would like to thank co-hosts Self Advocates of Semiahmoo and UNITI for their partnership and Disability Alliance BC for generously sponsoring the 2021 Youth Employment Summit through the Accessibility Project Grant.  

You can watch the Youth Employment Summit event recordings HERE

Co-hosted by Inclusion BC and the Self Advocates of Semiahmoo, in partnership with UNITI. Made possible by an Accessibility Project Grant from Disability Alliance BC.

Disrupting Misconceptions and Forging Pathways for Students with Developmental Disabilities

Presented by Inclusion BC and the Canadian Institute for Inclusion and Citizenship

February 23, 2021

Inclusion BC and the Canadian Institute for Inclusion and Citizenship are proud to launch a series of four films on inclusive education. Centred on the voices of students, educators and families, the films explore how we can make our schools inclusive and welcoming of all learners.

Panelists in this webinar discuss the first film, Reframing Challenging Behaviour in our Schools.

PANELISTS

• Alexander Magnussen, Self-Advocate and Employment Specialist at CBI Consultants
• Tracy Humphreys, Parent and Chair of BCEdAccess
• Shelley Moore, UBC Ph.D. Candidate and Inclusion Advocate
• Nathan Ngieng, Director of Instruction, Abbotsford School District and President, BC Council of Administrators of Inclusive Support in Education (BC CAISE)

About the Film: Reframing Challenging Behaviour in our Schools

This short film invites us to rethink how we perceive challenging behaviour in schools. Centering the voices of self-advocates, viewers are encouraged to consider how our responses to behaviors that are symptomatic of something else can be either identity-supportive or harmful.

These short films can be watched individually or all together as a series, we invite educators to watch them with their colleagues and with their students. We hope they will provoke meaningful discussions. Inclusion BC and the CIIC would love to hear the actions that these films have inspired you to take.

All four films and the webinar recording are available on our Film series resources page HERE

If you require a high-resolution video file version of any of the films for streaming, please email us at info@inclusionbc.org.

The Successful Project

With the Self Advocates of Semiahmoo

December 3, 2020

Hosted by the Self Advocates of Semiahmoo and Inclusion BC, in partnership with UNITI. Sponsored by the BCCEO Network, the Provincial Guardian and Trustee of BC and the Province of BC.

Connecting Communities

With Sarah Jama

November 13, 2020

Co-hosted by the Self Advocates of Semiahmoo and Inclusion BC, in partnership with UNITI. Sponsored by the BCCEO Network, the Provincial Guardian and Trustee of BC and the Province of BC.

You Can Vote! With Guest Melanie Callas from Elections BC

October 14, 2020

This is a plain language video about the process of voting in the BC provincial election.

Inclusion BC welcomed Melanie Callas, Outreach Coordinator with Elections BC, to host the 5th webinar in our Virtual Learning Series.

Melanie talked about the voting process and answered questions about voting and the election.

Co-hosted by the Self Advocates of Semiahmoo and Inclusion BC, in partnership with UNITI.

Pre-Employment: Reflecting on your abilities and passions

To celebrate Disability Employment Month in September, Inclusion BC partnered with Mentorability to host a series of workshops for self advocate job seekers. Hosted by employment specialist Jose Duarte, the videos help self advocates prepare for the job search, build their resume and ace the interview.

Co-hosted by MentorAbility, Inclusion BC and the Self Advocates of Semiahmoo, in partnership with UNITI and CASE. Sponsored by the BCCEO Network, the Provincial Guardian and Trustee of BC and the Province of BC.

About the Presenter: 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.

This 45-minute webinar video will help self advocate job seekers reflect on their talents, passions and interests. Explore ways to start looking for work by reflecting and exploring:

• 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

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

Ace the Interview

Video coming soon!

This 45-minute webinar video will help self advocate job seekers prepare for different types of interviews. Learn about the different types of interviews and the steps necessary to prepare for the interview. Also, learn some tips to help you ace the interview.

More about the Virtual Learning Series

Thank you to the Province of BC, the Public Guardian and Trustee of BC and BC CEO Network for supporting the Virtual Learning Series.