I am a firm believer in equality for all. Love this site.
DAVID JOHNSTON is a firm believer in equality for all. As a young outspoken lad it didn’t take him long to realize that he was passionate about helping people with Diverse Abilities. A little older and still outspoken David calls Dawson Creek, British Columbia home. David is a part of several impactful groups including; Dawson Creek People First, BC People First Provincial Board, BC Self Advocacy Foundation Board and the CLBC Editorial Board.
David is a motivational speaker, trainer and mentor. He is available to provide the following 1 hour presentation:
PASSION TO PUROSE- A presentation about inclusive employment
David believes that each step he has taken in life has prepared him to share with others what Inclusive Employment looks and feels like. And now he wants to share his journey with you. Through his presentation Passion to Purpose you will be inspired along your path to find what it is you are passionate about. To find purpose within your passion and to let nothing hold you back!
David’s fee is a minimum $100/hour plus travel expenses. To inquire about or hire David contact CLBC Self Advocate Advisor, Jessica Humphrey, Jessica.Humphrey@gov.bc.ca or 778-679-2691
To create a better understanding we can begin with something as simple as changing our language.”
SHELLEY DE COSTE is a well-known leader in the Self Advocacy Movement. She started the DIVERSABILITY campaign in 2012 and now has followers across BC. Shelley says, “If you break down the word DISabled, you get not able. If you break down DIVERSABILITY, you get different, but able. To create a better understanding we can begin with something as simple as changing our language.”
Shelley is an inspirational speaker and trainer and is available to present the following 1 hour workshops:
Turning DISability into DIVERSABLITY
In this presentation you will learn about:
Self advocacy
The power of language
How changing the way we talk can create inclusive communities
Promoting Inclusive Employment
In this presentation you will learn about:
The importance of inclusive employment for one’s quality of life
The abilities and contributions of people with diverse abilities
Customized employment
The principles of respectful employment support for people with diverse abilities
What valued, meaningful employment looks and feels like for people with diverse abilities
Shelley’s fee is a minimum $100/hour plus travel expenses. To inquire about or hire Shelley contact CLBC Self Advocate Advisor, Jessica Humphrey, Jessica.Humphrey@gov.bc.ca or 778-679-2691
Promoting Inclusive Employment is important to me.
SHERWIN STRONG works as a Self Advocate Liaison for the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island. Sherwin is a 21 year old inspirational speaker and trainer and is available to present the following 1 hour workshop:
Promoting Inclusive Employment
In this presentation you will learn about:
History and similarities between First Nations and residential schools and Persons with Diverse Abilities and institutions.
3 steps needed to take initiative and maintain success when seeking employment.
Important statistics that confirm persons with Diverse Abilities can be vital to any work environment.
Sherwin’s fee is a minimum $100/hour plus travel expenses. To inquire about or hire Sherwin contact viccemployment@gmail.com
Speaking up for those with a disability, who are also underdogs, is so important to me
As an animal liberation rights activist, we are standing up for the underdogs. Which is why speaking up for those with a disability, who are also underdogs, is so important to me.
Hi, my name is Elisa Paczos, I’m 21. I’ve received the diagnosis of autism at 11; and anxiety, depression, and OCD, when I was 12. In other words, this has been something I’ve been struggling with all my life.
In my presentation, I will focus on being an inspiration to those with a disability. I will be discussing why people with disabilities should and can work. My goal is to empower my audience to go for their dreams despite being told no.
Elisa’s fee is minimum $100/hr. To book Elisa for your event, please contact Olena Guseva at 604-928-4085; olena@cbiconsultants.com OR, Jessica Humphrey Jessica.humphrey@gov.bc.ca
The SelfAdvocateNet.com site is about “breaking limitations” and is an inspiration and model for many
Breaking Limitations
Wai epitomizes the philosophy of “breaking limitations” and is an inspiration and model for many.
Wai has succeeded in producing his own unique and thought provoking study of what makes Wai run!
It is facing up to the challenges of life and choosing to master them rather than letting them beat you down.
The simple language in which he states this conviction is its own eloquence. From a profound depression in which he felt helpless to defeat the
twin scourges of multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy he has developed a positive philosophy by which he has changed from being helpless to getting more from life.
It becomes a matter of risk: “…as you take more risk, you will fail from time to time, but your failures will lead to success, and you will live life fully.”
Wai also believes and says, “You have the power to choose the kind of energy that you wish to attract into your life.
Positive energy is the result of positive thoughts .You have the power to choose.”
About Wai
Wai is a man who continually lives his life by Breaking Limitations. He is an aspiring entrepreneur and professional speaker.
Despite being born with cerebral palsy, which is a disorder usually caused by braindamage occurring at or before birth and marked by muscular impairment.
Cerebral palsy is often accompanied by poor coordination which can lead to speech and learning difficulties.
Wai has chosen a career in speaking when there was a time in his past when many doubted he would ever be able to even communicate clearly.
Wai is surrounded by a great support structure of family and friends who are inspired by his attitude and determination to make a difference in others’ lives by sharing his experience.
www.breakinglimitations.ca
@limitbreakerwai
wai hung ma
“Wai Ma is a talented and passionate speaker.
His story of resilience and personal strength is impactful and meaningful for all types of audiences.
Learn how to transfer negative experiences into empowered goals by listening to Wai Ma speak.”
Karen Newman, Regional Employment Coordinator. Community Living B.C
People of all abilities can live full and rich lives in community
My name is ONKAR BIRING.
I am a certified motivational speaker who tries to empower others like myself who are living with a disability.
My goal is to demonstrate that people of all abilities can live full and rich lives in community.
I attended Kwantlen Polytechnic University in 2008, an experience that assisted me to gain employment in a variety of fields.
I am fluent in both English and Punjabi.
From 2013 to 2014, I was a member of the Community Living Community Council where I gave voice to the perspectives, goals and ideals of self advocates.
My presentation is about how all people can live a successful life.
It includes a 6 minute documentary called ‘DIVERSE-i-story of Onkar Biring’.
This video represents my life. It talks about the advantages and disadvantages of being disabled and living in a diverse community.
To learn more about how Onkar can motivate and inspire your audience with his story please contact:
Onkar Biring
Founder of Self Advocacy Motivator
Cell 604-317-2947
Email Onkar_Biring@hotmail.com
Website www.SelfAdvocacyMotivator.com
Twitter@onkarbiring.com
Facebook pageOnkar.Biring@facebook.com/SelfAdvocacyMotivator
Linkedin Ca.Linkedin.com/in/onkarbiring
This site helps educate the public and reduce the stigma
My name is KRYSTIAN SHAW.
I am 25. I was born with intellectual disabilities. I have achieved many things in my life despite my challenges.
I have many abilities. A few years ago I had a dream to start my own business and today I publish a newsletter celebrating the successes of people with diverse abilities.
I help educate the public and reduce the stigma that comes with the many labels people may be given.
Krystian is a motivational speaker and is available to present the following 1 hour workshop:
Overcoming the Odds
My presentation is about overcoming the odds and teaching professionals, as well as self advocates, about what we can do, not what we can’t do.
I share my journey with self employment and explain how with the right support we can do anything we set our mind to.
Inclusion means everyone! I would love to share my story with you, so your vision, whatever it may be, can also come true.
See Krystian’s latest blog here.
Krystian’s fee is a minimum $100/hour plus travel expenses.
To inquire about or hire Krystian contact:
LINDA SHAW
office: 250-372–5856
cell: 250-682-2616
karaokequeen123@hotmail.com
This site gives people living with diversAbility a place to speakout
My name is Tara Torme and I live in Vancouver BC.
It is important to me to bring as much awareness as possible to Asperger Syndrome.
Because too many people have views that we are more disabled than we really are.
We are not given the chance to prove ourselves.
People hear the word ‘Asperger Syndrome’ and ‘Autism’ and they think the worst outcomes for us –
rather than just a different way of viewing the world.
Asperger Syndrome Education and Awareness
Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Right’s of Person’s with a Disability
is about raising awareness and combating stereotypes and prejudices about people with disabilities.
My presentation is about promoting the positivity of those with disabilities on many levels.
It’s about people with ASD being treated as equals and given the same opportunities as everyone else.
I talk about my experience having Asperger Syndrome and around the medical health professionals.
I have a variety of presentations and would love to present to police, first responders, psychiatrists
and other medical professionals.
Tara’s fee is a minimum $100/hour plus travel expenses.
To inquire about or hire Tara contact: email:tktorme@yahoo.ca
Here is some recent Videos Tara has Presented too
Tara was part of an open mike on Wednesday October 26, 2016 at
New Westminster Public Library.
read another one of my new poems.
And I also volunteered to help out with the raffle at the event.
SelfAdvocateNet.com give me hope for the future
My name is Conrad Tyrkin. I live in Port Coquitlam, BC.
I have a passion for mentoring and presenting my Employment presentations for people with diversabilities.
Having a steady job is important to me because I gain new experience, skills, connections in community, earn money and a job gives me purpose and structure.
You only have one life to live so why not make the most of it!
Conrad is a motivational speaker and trainer who has presented at Rotary clubs, Community Living BC staff learning events, Self Advocacy conferences, FamilyWORKS, Surrey Chamber of Commerce, City of Coquitlam and Inclusion BC.
Conrad likes to travel and is available to present the following 1 hour workshops:
Promoting Inclusive Employment
Introduction to BC People First
My Journey to Leadership as a Self-Advocate
I promote the diverse abilities of all people and believe that anything is possible.
I want to break down stereotypes. My motto is, “If you want to succeed as much as you want to breathe, then you’ll be successful.”
I have a few different presentations about employment.
1. My personal employment journey
2. Myth busters about employment
3. Promoting our abilities to employers
Conrad’s fee is a minimum $100/hour plus travel expenses.
To inquire about or hire Conrad contact: CLBC Self Advocate Advisor, Jessica.Humphrey@gov.bc.ca
Gives Self Advocates a Voice
I’m passionate around disabilities and self care.
My goal is to modivate and be a insperation to others to acheive in what they value.
My belief is no voice is to big or small to be heard.
This site uses Plain Language is a Great
PLAIN LANGUAGE TRANSLATION SERVICES:
BC People First believes that Plain language is a human right. Everybody needs equal access to information, and sometimes things are written in a way not everybody can understand, especially those people who are labelled with Developmental Disabilities.
Plain Language is easy to read, easy to understand, and easy to use. If the language you are using in your organization, business, etc is not in plain language WE ARE HERE TO HELP!
BCPF maintains a Plain Language Translation Committee which can be hired to translate all kinds of information into easier to understand language. This work is done by a team of Self Advocates, with the help of an advisor.
We charge a very reasonable amount, based on the length and difficultly of the translations.
Please CLICK TO CONTACT US for more details!
PRESENTATIONS:
BCPF is proud to offer many different workshops and presentations, all given by self advocates across the province in their communities.
For booking information on any of the presentations below please email us at: bcpfcoordinator@gmail.com
The Language Project: This is our significant and high priority workshop presentation that we feel needs to be in all schools and groups across the province of BC, and it is FREE to book! Please learn more about it by
clicking here: The Language Project
INTRODUCTION TO BC PEOPLE FIRST: This approx. 20 minute presentation outlines a brief history of the People First movement, what we do and how to get involved. It is an ideal presentation for groups of self advocates, and support staff.
THE RIGHTS GAME: This workshop is a fun interactive game that really gets you thinking about what are rights really are! This workshop is excellent for staff and self advocate learning, and has been very popular at conferences across the province.
NAVIGATING THE MEDICAL SYSTEM: In this 45 minute presentation, self advocates will learn about some of the things they can expect to encounter when navigating the medical system, as well as strategies to make the experience less stressful and more empowering.
WHAT INCLUSIVE HOUSING MEANS TO US: This workshop is designed to educate people who work in city planning, housing developers, non profit housing co-operatives, but is also important information for self advocates and staff learning. In this 1 hour presentation, there are personal stories, the important history of BCPF’S advocacy to end institutionalized living for persons with developmental disabilities and a message that “home” means the same to everyone…regardless of the labels they are given.
AN INTRODUCTION TO BC PEOPLE FIRST: KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: This 40 minute presentation offers BOTH an education on the BCPF movement, as well as a brief focus on very important human rights. It educates all people on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities with a focus on 3 key rights, Respect for the Home, Work, and Accessibility. *note, this workshop can be tailored to suit specific rights education*
MEMBERS INSPIRATIONAL JOURNEY PRESENTATIONS: Our membership is made up of some very hardworking and inspirational people. Some of them are passionate public speakers and have presentations on topics such as Inclusive employment, their journey to leadership as a self advocate, Passion to Purpose (An employment workshop offered by Director David Johnston) and more.
As a fellow SelfAdvocate this site is great.
Introduction
Thank you for coming. For those who don’t know who I am, I am Darryl Harrand. I’ve been a self-advocate since 1994.
I led the local self-advocate group here in Kelowna, through Pathways Abilities Society from 1994-2002. At that time, I joined inclusion BC, to be on their Board of Directors. I was also elected to the self-advocate caucus, which was made up of regional self-advocates from all over the province, which I eventually chaired. Currently, I sit on the board of the community council of CLBC, and at Pathways Abilities Society.
I’m here to talk to you today about the rights and responsibilities of a self-advocate. As you can see in the handout you’ve been given, I list what I think are the key rights and responsibilities that self-advocates are entitled to, and need to adhere to.
The rights are: the right to be heard, the right to disagree, the right to confidentiality, and the right to independence.
The responsibilities are: the responsibility of knowing your rights, what resources are available to you and knowing how to use them, the responsibility to be calm and polite, the responsibility of honoring your commitments, and the responsibility of respecting everyone.
I understand that these may all sound the same, but I intend to speak to them individually, so hopefully you’ll see the difference with each one of them.
Also, I admit that this is all only my opinion, and is based on my experience. Other self-advocates might have different, but just as valuable points, which are different to what I’m saying.
Rights
Right to independence (e.g. in decision making).
Independence is different for people. People are entitled to it, but still one person may need more help then another, for life. So I’ll tell you this, as I get older I may need more help than I did, say 10 years ago. Life brings on change for everybody.
Right to disagree.
In work situations you and a colleague may be involved in a situation, but they may see it one way, and you may see it another. It doesn’t mean that they’re wrong, and it doesn’t mean that I’m wrong. We just see it differently, and sometimes it is okay to agree to disagree. To resolve this, in any event, strong and effective communication is very important.
Right to be heard.
The right to be heard is very important. So often I have come across people who have felt they weren’t heard. And that could be in a variety of ways. One self-advocate might say, “my parents aren’t getting it, I want to leave home I am twenty something,” but they might say, “you’re not ready to go.” I’ve had good experiences with various people whether they be support workers, or facilitators. After a lot of hard work and discussion, I have eventually been heard.
Right to confidentiality.
One of the ways to build strong relationships between self-advocates and others is the assurance that whatever they say will be treated confidentially. One thing I have learned is that if I don’t know if what I am being told is confidential: assume that it is. Self-advocates want and count on confidentiality. It could be a deal-breaker in whatever relationship they are developing. Because I have known self-advocates to turn away from service providers, when they feel confidentiality has been violated, (whether it was or not).
Responsibilities
Responsibility to respect everyone.
It’s important to live up to your responsibilities, and your obligations. And being professional and respectful, even when you might not feel like it. For example, I have sore ribs for various reasons and they hurt very much, but when I’m at a meeting of any kind and at work, I know I have to keep my discomfort under wraps, or at least present in a respectful and courteous way.
Responsibility of knowing your rights, what resources are available to you and knowing how to use them.
On a personal level, I found myself in a situation where it wasn’t clear to me what my rights were and I felt that I was being dismissed, by certain individuals. But I knew that I could talk to the self-advocate advisor at CLBC, who was very helpful. She did her job and with help I got my situation resolved. This is a good example of knowing what resources are available to you, and knowing how to use them.
Responsibility to be calm and polite.
Even in stressful situations you must maintain your coolness and remain polite. This is important to maintain a professional image and to express courteousness and politeness. This will help you when dealing with the public at large.
Responsibility to honor your commitments
Honor your commitments; show up on time for work and for your appointments. Another example is when you agree that you’re going to do something for your boss or for your job coach… follow up and do it! And if anything comes up, like illness or other appointments that you cannot miss, then inform the boss or job coach that you cannot make it, with as much notice as possible.
Conclusion
To conclude, the main points that self-advocates have is that we want equality and fairness. And while self-advocacy is different for every self-advocate, the message is the same. We want the same as the rest of the world. Nothing more and nothing less.
