January 2018
Inclusion Matters_ News from the Canadian Association for Community Living
To ensure you stay up-to-date, please make sure to add inform@cacl.ca to your allowed emails list.

We're Turning 60!

2018 marks CACL's 60th anniversary and we're excited to continue our work towards full inclusion for people with an intellectual disability in all aspects of life. 

CACL has its roots in parents coming together to seek better lives for their sons and daughters with an intellectual disability.

Be on the lookout for celebrations throughout the year, and show your support for an inclusive Canada where everyone belongs!

Learn more about our history building an inclusive Canada.
Thank You to Our Champions for Inclusion!

CACL's family of donors, supporters, and volunteers have warmed our hearts this holiday season with their thoughtfulness and generosity.

To all members of the community living movement, we are humbled and awed by all the hard work you undertake in your own communities to dismantle barriers and push the boundaries on inclusion. The work we do as a movement today is creating a more inclusive Canada for our loved ones and friends with an intellectual disability tomorrow.

Thank you for your generous support to our ongoing work this past December!
Changes for Parents and Persons with Disabilities Coming to the CPP
 
In December 2017 Federal and Provincial Finance Ministers agreed in principle to introduce features to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) to help further protect the value of retirement benefits during periods of low or no earnings for parents and persons with disabilities.

The mechanism used will take the form of a "drop-in". Drop-in provisions are a feature of public pensions in many jurisdictions intended to help protect the value of benefits during periods of low or no earnings.
Read more
CACL in Action!
Highlights of our recent national and international work.

  • CACL hosted an Inspiring Inclusion Tour and "Welcome to 2018" reception at CACL's head office at the Centre for Social Innovation in Toronto to share the work and impact of CACL with friends, allies, and neighbours.
     
  • Inclusive Education Canada National Director, Gordon Porter, is collaborating with ARCH Disability Law Centre, Community Living Ontario, and Ontario researchers on a report on parents' perspectives on how their child with a disability is doing in school. The report will be issued in coming weeks. 
  • The CACL staff team met in Toronto in January for planning meetings on advancing our strategic goals in 2018. 
     
  • CACL hosted our research partners in Toronto on January 18 as part of our Securing Legal Capacity and Supports in Decision Making for Canadians with Disabilities initiative. The project is developing evidence-based direction for reforms of laws, policies and practices to address implementation of Article 12 of the CRPD in Canada. 
Welcoming Kurt Goddard to the
CACL Team

Effective January 19th 2018, Tara Levandier, CACL Director of Policy & Program Operations, is on maternity leave for the calendar year. We wish her all the best! 

CACL welcomes Kurt Goddard to the Director of Policy & Program Operations position as Tara's replacement. Kurt comes to CACL after working in the New Brunswick Premier's office. Kurt has graduate degrees in Political Science and Law and has completed his Juris Doctor at the University of New Brunswick.  Welcome Kurt! 
Female supervisor with male RWA employee at Value Village.
RWA Success Story: Multiple Hires Exceed Expectations at Value Village

It takes commitment and dedication to understand and embrace the value of inclusive hiring - and that's exactly what for-profit thrift retailer, Value Village did. 
 
Lisa Laforest, Manager at Value Village Windsor, ON, knew once her location was chosen to hire through Ready, Willing & Able (RWA), her highly engaged team of 60 would be thrilled to take part in this initiative.

A Big Welcome to CACL's Newest Board Members

The CACL membership appointed nine new members to the Board of Directors at our Annual General Meeting in Ottawa, December 2017. New board members represent diverse regions of Canada including British Columbia, Québec, Ontario, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories.

We know you will make wonderful contributions in advancing inclusion in Canada!

Upcoming Dates and Events  
February - National Inclusive Education Month! Learn more at www.inclusiveeducation.ca.
February 19  - Family Day in Alberta, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick. CACL offices are closed.
March 16 - Community Living Ontario Policy Forum at Ryerson University in Toronto.
  April 13 - 14  - Inclusion Alberta's Family Conference in Edmonton, AB.
 May 24 - 26 - Rise Up! Inclusion BC's Annual Learning Event in Kelowna, BC.
Save the Date  - Inclusion International is hosting the 17th Annual World Congress taking place in Birmingham, UK on May 30 - June 1. Registration now open! 

CACL in the News  

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