11:38:13 12/3/2007

From the desk of Traci

Happy UN Day everyone!!!

Well, it has been very busy at the CAILC office over the past few weeks. I feel that I entered a time warp about two weeks ago, and I have just surfaced for air. We spent weeks organizing our Annual General Meeting, held in Ottawa from November 21st – 24th. The day after all of these events, I had enough time to empty my suitcase, do my laundry, and pack again in order to travel to Edmonton for the ‘Issues of Substance Conference’, a national conference for professionals working in the addictions field.

I have finished that event, and now I’m on a plane flying to Toronto.

So much happened over the past two weeks that it all just seems like a big blur now. We held a whirl wind event in Ottawa. CAILC flew in approximately 160 delegates representing the IL Network across Canada. The CAILC National Board of Directors met on Wednesday, November 21st, and a Francophone network meeting was held that day as well. On the 22nd our gang headed over to the Westin Hotel for the End Exclusion Event. This conference was a joint effort of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities, the Canadian Association for Community Living and us, the Canadian Association for Independent Living Centres. Over 370 people registered for the event, and I truly believe it was the first time ever that the entire national disability community came together with a united message for the federal government. During the End Exclusion Event and the UN Day reception we were visited by Federal Ministers from HRSDC, Finance and National Defense. I must admit that each of them had very positive comments – Minister Flaherty hinted at a possible refundable tax credit for people with disabilities in the next Budget. A refundable tax credit is a tax mechanism which doesn’t require taxable income in order to claim it (like the Disability Tax Credit). The working poor and people living in poverty would benefit and possibly receive more money to offset the additional cost of disability.

At 11:45 that morning over 360 people, mostly people with disabilities, bundled up and walked or rolled together in solidarity to the Centennial Flame in front of the House of Commons. We simply wanted to remind Parliamentarians that we are here, united and in need of federal leadership and initiatives that help enable our economic, social and cultural contributions to society.

Through the snow and slush, in wheelchairs and scooters, with guide dogs and banners, our community (along with a police escort) marched up to the Hill. At this time the leaders of the national disability organizations were able to identify their number one priorities. The Canadian Labour Congress provided the equipment for the event. Kier Martin took pictures of everyone with their winter garb on, shivering, and with snow all over them while speaking in front of the flame. The pictures are definitely the most powerful images I have seen. The pictures capture the determination, unity and passion of Canadians with disabilities.

Picture: Traci leads a group though the snow to the flame

Picture: The snow did not stop IL from getting to the hill

Picture: We made it!! The march makes it to the flame

That evening, CAILC’s annual United Nations (UN) Day of Disabled Person’s reception
focused on “Our Place in the World – An International Perspective on Disability Rights, Independent Living and Inclusion”. The Honourable Peter MacKay joined us and we honoured him for moving ahead and signing the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. Although we thanked him, we also need to thank all of the political parties working behind the scenes to make sure that the current Government did sign. There were some doubtful moments even until hours before the UN Signing Ceremony. Carolyn Bennett, Liberal Member of Parliament, Peter Julian, NDP Member of Parliament, and other representatives from the Bloc, Liberal Party and the NDP worked behind the scenes as unsung heroes. If it wasn’t for their work and that of the national disability community, the Convention may not have been signed.

Picture: The Honourable Peter MacKay guest speaker at CAILC's U.N Day celebration with Dave Shannon (CAILC Board member)

We were definitely exhausted after those two events, and then on Friday we began CAILC’s Annual General Meeting. Susan Scotti, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister of Income Security and Social Development met with our delegates and shared information on recent developments within the department, and answered questions from the audience. We enjoyed other guest speakers throughout the weekend who spoke on Government Relations, Leadership Trends and Strategies, Branding, and much more.

On Friday we held our Annual Corporate Recognition Luncheon, where we launched the new CAILC/TD Financial Group Virtual – Independent Living and Employment Portal. The development of the portal was made possible by funding from the Office for Learning Technology/Human Resources and Social Development Canada and TD Financial. The portal is fully accessible and includes independent living and employment. /self-employment tools and resources. We are very excited about this partnership! TD Financial Group also sponsored the luncheon for our 160 delegates.

A concurrent 2 day Literacy and Quality of Life Participatory Action Research Initiative Think Tank was held in a nearby hotel (November 24th & 25th). Literacy Service Providers and ILRC representatives involved in the project got together to learn, share and strategize on the framework for this exciting 3 year project.

This year also marks the end of 7 years of outstanding leadership by our National Chairperson, Paul-Claude Bérubé. We have been very lucky as an organization to have had Paul-Claude at the helm. He has demonstrated strategic, collaborative and positive leadership over the years, and the results have been incredible. There is no doubt that we are a cohesive, collaborative and vibrant national organization and network. Leading a federation is not always easy but he fostered relationship between the IL Centres, regardless of their location, urban or rural, Francophone or Anglophone. Someone at our AGM said that Paul-Claude has an incredible gift of truly focusing on the person he is speaking to; nothing would distract him. You always knew that he was really listening regardless of the issue, how much background noise there was, or how busy he was. I think that’s a great leadership tip for all of us in leadership positions or aspiring to be leaders– focus on the individual you are talking to. Don’t be distracted. Listen…really listen!

Paul-Claude will continue on the CAILC Board as the Past President and will continue to be one of our greatest Ambassadors. We are very fortunate to have wonderful volunteers like Paul-Claude involved in the IL Movement. We have lots of awesome board members and they all deserve credit. I am really lucky to work for such a supportive organization and Board of Directors.

At this time, I would also like to congratulate our new National Chairperson – Rick Goodfellow from Whitehorse. Rick has been on the board for a number of years and is a former Executive Director of an ILRC. Rick is another wonderful and passionate individual who lives and breathes Independent Living and loves life. In fact, in many respects, Paul-Claude and Rick have a great deal in common including a super sense of humour and a wonderful ability to connect with others.

Picture: Rick Goodfellow new CAILC Board Chair

Picture: Rick speaks for IL at the Centennial Flame in front of the House of Commons

Immediately after the conference, Jennifer Newman, my Executive Assistant/Access to Recovery Project Manager, and I flew to Edmonton to attend the Issues of Substance Conference 2007.� We were accepted for a poster presentation on CAILC’s Substance Use/MisUse Project – Access to Recovery where we promoted the many tools and resources that we created.� There were over 900 professionals from the Addictions Sector and we were able to spread the message of the importance of access issues for people with disabilities. Please see picture of Jen below next to the poster presentation that she created for CAILC.

Picture: Jen next to CAILC's Access to recovery poster presentation

All in all, the national events went extremely well and I believe energized both the IL and Disability Rights Movements.� I need to take this opportunity to thank all of the CAILC staff for their hard work during and in the weeks prior to the national events. They are full of energy and always go above and beyond the call of duty. Most evenings when I leave the office, many of the staff stay and continue to work...� We are very lucky to have found these unique and talented individuals who work above and beyond the call of duty.

Oh one more thing – I forgot to tell you……..we changed our name. The CAILC membership voted to change our name from the Canadian Association of Independent Living Centres to ‘Independent Living Canada’!� We are really excited about the new name; however, we won’t officially change the name for a few months. We will officially launch the new name once we have our new promotional materials and are ready for a public announcement.

Take care everyone and I’ll write soon.
Traci Walters

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10:48:11 10/17/2007

From the desk of Traci

Hi there!

I had grand ideas of writing more from South Korea; however, I soon discovered over there it wasn’t as easy as had I thought.



Picture: Kier and Traci with their new robotic friend

Internet access in the hotel was over $25.00 US a day so I never connected at the hotel. At the DPI World Assembly there was an internet café with approximately 20 computers but with 3,000 participants at the conference you can imagine the line up and time limitations.



Picture: DPI - IL Summit

I now have the translation of the declaration that was made regarding the creation of the Global Independent Living Network:

Resolution to Establish a Global Network on Independent Living

From September 5 to 8, 2007, over 2500 persons with disabilities from all over the world gathered to earnestly discuss the independence and social participation of people with disabilities.

A series of workshops related to Independent Living (IL) drew the largest audiences and provided opportunities for concrete discussions.� An IL Global Summit held on the evening of September 7th was an unprecedented event in which representatives of IL center networks all over the world gathered to share information and strategies in independent living in their nations.� Among those participating were the National Council on Independent Living (USA), the Canadian Association of Independent Living Centers, the European Network on Independent Living, the Asia Pacific Network for Independent Living Centers, the Korean Centers for Independent Living, and the Japan Council on Independent Living Centers.

In the many corners of the world, IL centers are making it possible for people with disabilities to live in their own homes, in their communities, and with access to services, the built environment and employment.� Globally, people with disabilities are proving that IL centers can and are being established in developing countries.

In the Global Summit’s panel discussion, there was a recommendation to form a global IL network.� Executives of the national and regional networks in attendance reached a broad agreement on this recommendation.� It was officially resolved to move forward on building the global network of IL centers.

The delegates present at the IL Global Summit during the DPI World Assembly in Seoul, Korea on Friday, September 7, 2007 officially declared that they will take joint action towards the establishment of a Global Network of IL Centers.

September 7, 2007

The delegates present at the 4th IL Global Summit

As you can see CAILC is one of the founders of the network.� We have so much to learn from other countries and so much to share. We are now exploring ways in which to communicate and stay in touch.�� During that IL Summit Event, I was very much surprised by being presented with an international award for Merit, Service and Passionate Heart by leaders of the International IL Movement. It was an honour and I accepted it on behalf of the Canadian IL Movement.�

At the IL Summit, we also talked about ways in which to use the new UN Convention as a tool to promote Government support for the Independent Living Movements throughout the world.�

The trip to South Korea was absolutely exhausting and recuperation took about 10 days. I think getting older with a disability definitely has an impact on the required stamina for international travel.� I know all of the Canadian delegates were delighted that they made the trip. Canada’s absence at this event would have been very noticeable and by being there we were able to make a significant difference by being part of the formation of the new Global IL Network.

Not long after I returned, I was invited, with a day’s notice, to the opening ceremony of Canada’s 2007 National Parks and Recreation Conference and Trade Show held at the new War Museum. The Public Health Agency of Canada informed me that Minister Tony Clement would be making an announcement and that I should be there.� Kier Martin (CAILC’s VILRC/AT Project Manager) and I were booked to fly out to British Columbia that morning to visit three ILRCs on Vancouver Island.� We rearranged our travel for a late night flight to Vancouver and attended the opening reception with Christine Malone (IL Impact Project Manager).�� It was there that the Minister announced� a federal investment of $5.4 million over two years for 14 projects across Canada that promote physical activity, healthy eating, healthy weights, and� promoting Canada’s Physical Activity Guides.

The projects, which will be delivered by non-government organizations in Canada, are national in-scope and provide innovative approaches to increasing physical activity and healthy living among Canadians including youth, families, and individuals with disabilities.

Minister Clement added:� “It is time for a change in the way Canadians think about physical activity, because eating poorly and skipping regular exercise will increase the risk of developing diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes and cancer. In addition to the health impact, the economic costs of physical inactivity and poor eating are significant.� In 2001, the economic burden of physical inactivity in Canada was estimated to be $5.3 billion, while the cost associated with obesity was $4.3 billion”.

CAILC was awarded one of fourteen projects that were funded and was approved for $554,220 for Food for Thought: A Pan-Canadian Initiative Addressing the Healthy Eating Goals of Persons with Disabilities. This project will help ensure that community capacity, partnerships, networks and supportive environments are in place to meet the healthy eating needs of people with disabilities so they can make healthier food choices.

Our project will focus on numerous activities including educating people with disabilities on Canada’s new food guide.� Most importantly we are going to explore how we can use food as a vehicle for reducing isolation. Eight ILRCs will be selected to participate in a pilot that will explore various models with local partners such as food security organizations and community kitchens.



Picture: Traci Walters and Jim Harnden in front of Cowichan Independent Living

After the announcement, Kier and I left on a late night flight for Vancouver and then onto the island so we could visit the Centres.� Nothing ever goes smoothly, and by the time I was on the plane heading west I realized that I left without my medication.� I couldn’t believe it.� Living with an immune system disorder, a cocktail of certain medication along with pain medication is critical to daily living, so I didn’t know how long I could go without the medication.� On Thursday, Sept. 27, with only about 3 hours of sleep, we met with the Cowichan Centre’s staff and board, then on to visit the Nanaimo Centre. After an intense two days with no medication I needed to go to the hospital in the middle of the night, and luckily I found a great doctor who provided me with the medication that I needed.� By 9:00 a.m. Kier and I were back on the road again.



Picture: Jim Harnden's van with the Cowichan Independent Living logo

Both the Cowichan and the Victoria Centres are growing in leaps and bounds. It is really exciting to feel the energy and see this growth.� Cowichan Valley Centre quickly adopted the new logo and everywhere I looked I saw our brand. The sign outside is actually three dimensional, bright and inviting.� Stickers were in the windows, clear plastic signs with the colourful logo on the wall inside. Jim Harden, the Centre’s Executive Director, handed us pocket calendars and funky laser pointers with the brand. Jim even had a magnetic sign on his white van. It looked great! The Cowichan Valley residents will know their new brand real soon, that’s for sure.



Picture: Kier Martin with the Kids on the Block from Nanaimo

In Victoria, the members of the Centre were presented with the new CAILC/IL Movement logo and they overwhelmingly accepted it as their own new logo. It was only a couple of months ago that the new CAILC logo was unveiled. I had no idea how exciting the possibilities were and how quickly the IL Centres would come on board with the national branding. Over time, CAILC and the IL Network will be much better off because the accumulative impact of consistent branding across the country.

 

 

Picture:  Traci presenting at the Victoria BC Annual General Meeting

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture: Mike Hason, Exective Director of the Victoria DRC

 

 

 

 

I am off to Saskatoon next week and a week later I will be in Calgary. I’ll be in touch shortly.

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9:12:37 9/12/2007

From the desk of Traci

The Canadian IL delegation has been speakers at various workshops at this assembly. The Canadian workshops are as follows:

The Bumpy Road to Accessible Transportation in Canada – Paul Claude Berube, CAILC’s National Chairperson
Virtual Peer Support – Bridging the Gap and Making Connections, Kier Martin, CAILC’s Virtual Virtual ILRC Project Manager
The Impact of the Canadian Independent Living Movement on Individuals, Communities and Government Policies – Traci Walters, CAILC’s National Director
Reaonable Accommodations for Persons�with Disabilities - Meenu Sikand, CAILC First Vice-Chairperson

Picture: Meenu Sikand- presenting at the DPI conference

There was a concurrent Global Summit on Independent Living and I was asked to present on the achievements of IL in Canada over the past 20 years, future directions and systemic challenges for Canadians with disabilities. The Global Summit was a first for the international IL Movement. I attended the last world assembly in Japan five years ago and at that event and this assembly, Independent Living is flourishing and growing rapidly.� Even though there are workshops and advocacy and justice workshop themes, the IL Movement was first and foremost on everyone’s agenda. The majority of the 2500 delegates were from IL Centres world wide. The reason for this rapid expansion - the IL model works in both developed and developing countries.� The foundation of the IL Movement is peer support, IL skills development, problem solving, utilization of local resources and collaboration. The expansion of IL is phenomenal!�

A representative from the newly formed Pakistani IL movement and I were both panel members for the “What is IL?” theme. The impetus for Pakistani IL was the devastating earthquake in 2005.� I remember him saying that over 15,000 people were left with spinal cord injuries (that they know of). Thousands more became amputees and acquired other significant disabilities.

Unfortunately, when disasters hit, people with disabilities are the last served by foreign aid and emergency rescues. This is a well known fact that happens everywhere throughout the world. Many people are left to die. A few leaders with disabilities in Pakistan opened the first IL Centre – a Mobile Centre that could move to various locations. The leaders from the Mobile Centre exposed the horrendous conditions of foreign aid excluding the disabled community. They mobilized international donations of wheelchairs, equipment and supplies. They also provided training and equipment to individual with newly acquired disabilities, teaching them how to make and repair their own wheelchairs. Since then 9 other IL Centres evolved. This is a good example of how flexible the IL model is.� Centres evolve based on local conditions.

Picture: Traci presenting at the IL Global Summit

Each and every workshop blew me away! I feel completely inspired by the energy, vision, creativity, and innovation that I have witnessed at this event. From morning to evening, in workshops, on the buses to the hotels, in the halls of the convention centre and even in elevators, leaders of the IL and disability rights movements are exchanging ideas, strategies, developing friendships that will last for many years to come.�

In one of numerous IL leader meetings, it was clear that everyone identified the need for a formal Global Network for IL leaders throughout the world. At the Global IL Summit a declaration was made and agreed upon from every country where IL Centres exist and the Global Network was officially created.� What a historical moment in the history of IL.

Picture: Members of the Canadian delegation with members of the American delegation

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11:11:37 9/6/2007

From the desk of Traci


Hello from South Korea!

I finally made it to Seoul on September 1st with my daughter Candice and CAILC’s VILRC Project Manager Kier Martin. I thought we were going to arrive on August 31st; however, I unfortunately was not advised that we were going to lose a day on the way here. I booked the hotel a day ahead of schedule as well and missed my prearranged transportation from the airport. Maybe this is common knowledge but it would have been beneficial to have been informed.� Oh well, live and learn.�

Picture: Paul Claude & Traci day 1 at the DPI Conference�

 

The flight here was very pleasant but my scooter arrived broken, as usual. I met up Meenu Sikand, CAILC’s 1st Vice Chairperson once I arrived at the hotel in Seoul and her wheelchair was missing critical parts upon her landing as well.� For people with disabilities this is par for the course. It is very rare when traveling that assistive devices arrive without damage or scratches and dents. It is the norm, sad but true.� Some airlines could care less and others do everything possible to try and resolve the problem. Luckily for me I traveled on Singapore Airlines and their representative is bending over backwards to try to find a repair person and rent alternative equipment for me.

I am now writing from the Opening Ceremony of the Disabled People International’s 7th World Assembly in Seoul.� The rest of the Canadian delegation is also here: Paul Claude Bérubé, CAILC’s National Chairperson and Jean Paul Normandin from the CAILC Board of Directors.� There are approximately 2,500 people with disabilities in attendance. The Keynote Speakers include the Prime Minister of Korea, the Korean� Minister of Health and Welfare, the Chairperson of Disabled People International and other disability leaders from around the world. There was also a video taped message from the new Secretary General of the United Nation’s, Bank Ki-moon sending congratulations to the international disability community on the new UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture: Traci Jean-Paul and Paul Claude

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture:  The Canadian deligation is met by friendly Korean greeters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture: the Canadian deligation hard at work

There is also a trade show with exhibitors showcasing products and services. One of the exhibitors is a sexual rehabilitation centre for people with disabilities, a Korean Government funded program providing sexual education and the latest products.� Wouldn’t it be nice to have our government fund a centre like that?

Later on we will be attending a reception for IL leaders from around the world. There are hundreds of people here representing the international IL Movement.

Some of the workshops themes for the next three days are:

• Participation in political life;
• Sexual reproduction right;
• Persons with disabilities in situations of armed conflict;
• Disability, genetics and discrimination;
• Role of disability organizations in recovery process and UN emergency relief programs;
• Improving access with appropriate technology in developing countries;
• and much more.
  

We are all tired now after a very long day. I thought I would leave you with some poetry I found here.

 

Everyone deserves to live life in dignity.
Every life is precious
as unyielding as nature may be,
so must we ceaselessly
strive along. As tolerate as
Mother earth may be,
so must we act within
our world with virtue.
Let us all
Enjoy the warmth of the sun,
Soft breezes and life filled
With joy and happiness.

From “My Dream”, A book of the China Disabled Peoples’ Performing Troops

Traci Walters
National Director