April 2018
Inclusion Matters_ News from CACL
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PRESS RELEASE: Changes Welcome to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, But Still More Work To Eliminate Discriminatory Policy

Toronto, ON - CACL supports the efforts of The House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship Immigration to address disability-based inadmissibility rules in the Canada Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).

Caihla Maccuish_ Yvonne Spicer_ and Michael J. Prince
National Volunteer Month: Get to Know our Board Members

April is National Volunteer Month and the CACL Board of Directors is made up of 22 dedicated members. Our Board of Directors includes people with and without an intellectual disability and includes members that represent all 13 provinces & territories in Canada. Get to know three of our new board members below: Caihla Maccuish, Yvonne Spicer & Michael J. Prince.

CACL in Action!
Highlights of our recent national and international work.

  • CACL EVP Krista Carr attended Inclusion Alberta's Annual Family Conference in Edmonton to present Inclusive Education Awards to inspiring educators and administrators.
     
  • CACL EVP Krista Carr and Kurt Goddard, Director of Policy and Program Operations, were in Ottawa to participate in the Alliance for an Inclusive & Accessible Canada preparation and stakeholder validation meetings that marked the end of phase one of the project.
     
  • Doris Rajan, Director of Social Development at IRIS, spoke at the national Canadian Domestic Violence Conference 5 in Halifax on the topic of "More than IPV - Indigenous, Racialized, Migrant Women and Women with Disabilities Unite to Address Structural Violence".
     
  • Michael Bach, Managing Director at IRIS, spoke at the 'Transnational Law Summit 2018' held at King's College in London, UK on the right to legal capacity as a global issue.
  • CACL EVP Krista Carr, Director of Policy and Program Operations Kurt Goddard, and Inclusion International Executive Director Connie Laurin-Bowie met with Matt DeCourcey, Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, to ensure inclusion is part of the discussion on education at the upcoming G7 summit in Charlevoix, Quebec.
     
  • CACL EVP Krista Carr participated in meetings in Ottawa facilitated by the Federal Government on Canada's report related to the UN Periodic Review Process.
     
  • Ready, Willing & Able team members spoke with the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, at a gathering in Vancouver, where she re-affirmed her commitment to championing inclusive employment.
     
  • CACL staff gathered in Toronto for two days for Operations Plan meetings to set priority goals for the upcoming year.

Ariel Shneer Headshot
Welcoming Ariel Shneer to the CACL Team

CACL welcomes Ariel Shneer to the position of Director of Development. Over the past five years, Ariel has worked with a number of non-profit organizations where she was responsible for all areas of fundraising, including corporate and foundation giving, major individual gifts, direct mail, planned giving, and special events.

She is passionate about making a difference for persons with an intellectual disability, and is thrilled to be a part of the team at CACL. 

Welcome Ariel! 
Two male employees from Algonquin Resort smiling.
RWA Success Story - Algonquin Resort: A Leader in Inclusive Hiring, Embracing Diversity

The Algonquin Resort, an icon among hotels across Canada, is a leader in the industry when it comes to inclusive hiring and embracing diversity. This approach has had positive impacts in a number of areas, including staff retention, employee engagement and enhancing the guest experience. 

General Manager, Matthew MacKenzie, leads by example and understands the advantages of retaining good employees and creating a supportive, inclusive environment for his staff to thrive. 

Donna Thomson and her husband_ daughter and son.
Lives Too Easily 'Written Off': A Family Advocate Argues for Robust MAiD Monitoring

This blog is part of "Monitoring Matters", a special series of guest blogs by VPS Advisors. By Donna Thomson, VPS Advisor.

In 2005, our son Nicholas was admitted to the palliative care team at our local Children's Hospital. Nick's severe cerebral palsy was complicated by uncontrolled pain, epilepsy and respiratory complications. Everyone in our family, especially Nick, was desperate for comfort, rest and end to the nightmare of constant suffering.


Upcoming Dates and Events  
 April 25  - The Adult Capacity and Decision-Making Act with NSACL at Dalhousie University
May - Community Living Month in Ontario! Check out CLO's website for updates and events.
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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