Keynote Speakers
|
|
Canadian Association for Community Living
|
| Topic |
Responding to Poverty, Powerlessness and Exclusion
|
| Time |
7:15 pm - 8:15 pm - Wednesday, May 30 |
| Location |
Grand York Ballroom - Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel and Suites |
| Biography |
 |
Michael Bach, Executive Vice-President of the Canadian Association for Community Living, a national federation of over 40,000 members, 400 local and 13 Provincial/Territorial Associations for Community Living. For over twenty years, Michael has undertaken research and development on policies and programs in Canada and internationally on ways to advance the full inclusion and human rights of persons with intellectual disabilities. He has written numerous reports, book chapters, and books in the area, the most recent being The Journey to Inclusive Education in the Indian Sub-Continent, with co-author Mithu Alur, and published by Routledge Press, New York. He holds a PhD in Sociology and Equity Studies from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto.
|
|
Ontario Human Rights Commission
|
| Topic |
Human Rights Issues Facing People with Disabilities in Ontario
|
| Time |
8:15 pm - 9:15 pm - Wednesday, May 30 |
| Location |
Grand York Ballroom - Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel and Suites |
| Biography |
 |
Barbara Hall has more than 40 years of experience as a community worker, lawyer and municipal politician. She served three terms as a Toronto city councillor from 1985 on and as Toronto's mayor from 1994 to 1997. From 1998 to 2002 she headed the Canadian government's National Strategy on Community Safety and Crime Prevention.
She was appointed Chief Commissioner of the Province of Ontario’s Human Rights Commission in 2005. She is currently President of the Canadian Association of Statutory Human Rights Agencies (CASHRA), a network that brings together Canada’s territorial, provincial and federal human rights agencies to protect, promote and advance human rights across the country.
Ms. Hall has also practiced criminal and family law, been a member of the Province of Ontario Health Ministry's Health Results Team, and lectured nationally and internationally on urban and social issues. She has extensive experience on non-profit boards and committees, and has a strong record of bringing diverse groups together to build safe and strong communities.
|
|
Speaker and Author
|
Topic
|
Life-changing Outcomes in 10 Steps or Less
We’re all working hard to make things better on behalf of people with disabilities and their families, and we’re in this together—people with disabilities, families, providers, agency staff and the wider community. Changing lives isn’t about new regulations or policies, or more money. Just a few tweaks can be life changing. Shifting our attitudes and actions can generate positive outcomes in the lives of individuals with disabilities.
|
| Time |
9:15 am - 10:00 am - Thursday, May 31 |
| Location |
Grand York Ballroom - Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel and Suites |
| Biography |
|
Kathie Snow the author of Disability is Natural: Revolutionary Common Sense for Raising Successful Children with Disabilities (now in its second edition), 101 Reproducible Articles: Revolutionary Common Sense for a New Disability Paradigm, and Apple-Bites: Commonsense Disability Strategies for Everyone.
Through humor and stories Kathie will share what she has learned from one of her greatest teachers – her son Benjamin. He has taught her many life lessons including the value of holding a vision. Kathie will speak on the importance of holding that vision, embracing the imagination it takes and welcoming the support of those around you on that journey. With those three ingredients; Vision, Imagination and Support anything is possible.
|
|
CEO, Axiom News
|
| Topic |
What Got us Here is Not Going to Get Us There
|
| Time |
10:45 am - 11:45 am - Friday, June 1 |
| Location |
Grand York Ballroom - Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel and Suites |
| Biography |
|
Peter Pula is Founder and CEO of Axiom News, a Canadian online news agency that publishes strengths-based journalism and helps organizations co-create and share their stories with community. Peter has an abiding interest in exploring and activating how citizens become creators of the places they aspire to live and work in. Axiom News is working with social mission, strengths-based, and democratic organizations around the globe to create a news network for a renewed and thriving world. AxiomNews.ca shares stories of movements shaping thriving community. Peter enjoys the companionship of his energetic life-partner, Sherri, and their four children, Amber, Evan, Marshall, and Pietra. Peter can be reached at peter@axiomnews.ca or 705 741-4421 ext. 28.
|
