Hosted by Inclusion Canada & People First of Canada in collaboration with the Office for Disability Issues.
Virtual Event via Zoom Webinar
Tuesday, November 21, 2023, 12pm-4:30pm Eastern
Wednesday, November 22, 2023, 12pm-4:30pm Eastern
This year’s policy forum will focus on inclusive employment and access to justice. On day 1, we will explore youth employment, and discuss the role of the federal employment strategy in creating more inclusive career opportunities for people with an intellectual disability. On day 2, we will focus on the role of police, courts, and corrections systems in providing accessible and equitable access to justice for people with an intellectual disability.
Format: The forum will include a series of panels and interactive Question & Answer periods. Panels include perspectives of lived experience from people with an intellectual disability and families, as well as research and policy expertise from both government and community. A recording of the event will be provided to everyone who registers.
Accessibility Summary
Agenda – more details on speakers to come!
Day 1: Inclusion at work – November 21, 2023
11:50am Zoom Webinar Line Opens
12:00pm Housekeeping – Technology & Virtual Accommodations
12:10pm Land Acknowledgement & Opening Remarks
- Donna Brown (she/her), 1st Vice-President, People First of Canada
- Robin Acton (she/her), President, Inclusion Canada
- Dewlyn Lobo (she/her), President, People First of Canada
12:20pm Minister’s Remarks
12:35pm Keynote
- Kiana Scott
1:00pm Session 1: Expecting more, demanding better: Youth employment and career success
- Moderator: Rachelle Hole (she/her) , Co-Director, UBC Canadian Institute for Inclusion and Citizenship
- Takara Lockyer (she/her), Chair, People First of Canada Youth Committee
- Anne McWhir (she/her), Parent
- Carolyn Tinglin (she/her), Executive Director, The Youth Alliance for Intersectional Justice
- Shawna Francis (she/her), Provincial Director of Inclusive Post-Secondary Education, Inclusion Alberta
- Rhonda Fernandes (she/her), Director General, Youth and Skills Innovation Directorate, Skills and Employment Branch
2:30pm Break
2:50pm Session 2: I want a job: Designing a National Employment Strategy that works for me
- Moderator: Frank Fagan (he/him), Assistant National Director, Ready, Willing & Able
- Tina Millar (she/her), Board Member, People First of Canada
- Paula Fleming, Parent
- Maureen Haan (she/her), President & CEO, Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW)
- Eppo Maertens (he/him), Policy Director, Labour Market Inclusion and Accessibility, Employment and Social Development Canada
4:20pm Day 1 Wrap-Up
- Shelley Fletcher (she/her), Executive Director, People First of Canada
- Krista Carr (she/her), Executive Vice-President, Inclusion Canada
Day 2: Justice for all – November 22, 2023
11:50am Zoom Webinar Line Opens
12:00pm Housekeeping – Technology & Virtual Accommodations
12:10pm Land Acknowledgement & Opening Remarks
- Donna Brown (she/her), 1st Vice-President, People First of Canada
- Moira Wilson (she/her), Vice-President, Inclusion Canada
12:20pm Keynote
- Janine Benedet (she/her), KC, Professor, Peter A. Allard School of Law, UBC
12:45pm Session 3: Policing and Prisons: Rights and realities of people with an intellectual disability
- Moderator: Kim McIntyre-Leighton (she/her), Next Step Coordinator, Future Hope
- Chris Rowley (he/him), 2nd Vice-President, People First of Canada
- Billie Jack (she/her), Executive Director, Advocacy and Family Initiatives, Inclusion Alberta
- Chris Fillion (he/him), Program Coordinator, Visions & Voices
- Bev Pitcher (she/her), Regional Program Manager – Ontario, Correctional Services Canada
2:15pm Break
2:40pm Session 4: Courts and Corrections: Access and Equity in the justice system
- Moderator: Kurt Goddard (he/him), Executive Director, Legal and Public Affairs, Inclusion Canada
- Russ Hilsher (he/him), Visions & Voices
- Bluesette Campbell (she/her), Parent, President, Inclusion Saskatchewan
- David Rosenfeld (he/him), Lawyer, Class-action Lawsuit Manitoba Developmental Centre
4:10pm Summary and Closing
- Krista Wilcox (she/her), Director General, Office for Disability Issues, Employment and Social Development Canada
- Shelley Fletcher (she/her), Executive Director, People First of Canada
- Krista Carr (she/her), Executive Vice-President, Inclusion Canada
Additional Information: All times are in Eastern Time. Participants are welcome to join for all panels or some panels and can use the registration link they receive to come and go from the forum at their convenience.
The forum will be held in English & French. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided. English and French virtual CART services, ASL and LSQ will be available. To help us provide an accessible event, please indicate your accommodation needs when you register.
For questions about this event, please contact: forum@inclusioncanada.ca
