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From time to time, the Waterloo Region Family Network (WRFN) is asked to distribute information on behalf of third parties. WRFN provides general information to self-advocates and families of children with special needs. The information provided on this website is not a recommendation, referral or endorsement of any resource, therapeutic method, or service provider. WRFN is not responsible for any information or services provided by third parties. You are urged to use independent judgment when considering any resource.

 


 

Health Care Access Research and Developmental Disabilities Newsletter

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Autism and Mental Health Series
Webinar Presentation

Autistic People and the COVID-19 Pandemic: What Have We Learned So Far?

Thursday, April 27, 2023, 12:00-1:00 PM EDT
Dr. Liz Pellicano, Professor of Autism Research at University College London joins us for the latest in a series of monthly interactive workshops where we discuss different topics that are important to Autistic adults. The webinars are designed and hosted by Autistic adults; all are welcome. View our flyer. 

For a full list of upcoming events, visit the Autism & Mental Health Webpage.

Click here to register

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Webinar Presentation

"All teach – all learn”: Lessons learned about mental health and developmental disabilities during the pandemic

Tuesday, March 28th  2:00-3:00 PM EDT
Presented by the Disability Health Equity Research Network, with guest speaker, Dr. Yona Lunsky, Director of the Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre and the Health Care Access Research and Developmental Disabilities Program (H-CARDD) at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health.

Click here to register

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Research Study Recruitment
Autistic Adults and the Experience of Psychedelics

Are you Autistic and over 18 years old? We want to hear about your experiences with psychedelics.
This research study wants to learn about the perception, opinions, and knowledge of autistic adults about psychedelics, and whether they have used them in the past.

Participation involves filling out a 20-30 minute online survey. Click here to go to the survey.

For more information, email or call us:

Hsiang-Yuan.Lin@camh.ca 
+1 416-535-8501 ext. 32817

Click here to go to survey

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Virtual Workshop
Direct Support Professionals in Developmental Services

New Workshop starts April 4th! 
Are you a Direct Support Professional (DSP) in developmental services? Join our free virtual workshop, offered over three 2-hour sessions, to learn about Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) strategies. This workshop aims to support the well-being of DSPs and is part of a research study to help us to learn more about how to best support the well-being of staff in the sector.

Dates and Times:1. Mar 28 from 6:30-7:00 PM (Orientation) 2. Apr 4 from 6:30-8:30 PM 3. Apr 11 from 6:30-8:30 PM 4. May 9 from 6:30-8:30 PM

Interested? Please complete the expression of interest form by clicking here. 

Contact us for more information at PACT@camh.ca

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Virtual Mindfulness Group
Leaders and Management Professionals in Developmental Services

 

Starts March 28th! 

Are you a leader or management professional in developmental services? Join our free 6-week Canada-wide virtual mindfulness program, led by Sue Hutton, a mindfulness teacher with 40 years of experience. This program is supported by the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence.

 


Every Tuesday, Mar 28th to May 2nd, 2023, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EDT
This program is also part of the Cultivating Community Wellness Initiative. View our flyer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Volunteer Opportunity
Caregiver Engagement Network


Join the Azrieli Caregiver Engagement Network! Open to all caregivers (siblings, parents, grandparents) of loved ones 18 years and older with a developmental disability. 

Next meeting: Thursday, March 23rd, 12:00-1:00 PM EDT
Click here for more information. 

 

Questions? Email Azrieli.Caregivers@camh.ca.

Click here to register

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New Research
Survey on Siblings of Adults with Disabilities

 

Are you a Canadian Developmental Services Organization?
Please take 10 minutes to complete a survey on how your organization includes the siblings of people with developmental disabilities in the programs and services offered. The survey is part of a research study by Siblings Canada and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.   
  
Share this flyer with the person at your agency who has the most contact with the families of people with disabilities (primarily siblings) or is most familiar with the support offered to families.

Click here to go to survey

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Trish Coupal at 9:45 AM
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AIDE-The Autism and/or Intellectual Disability Knowledge Exchange Network

Check out this online Canadian wide resource AIDE Canada | Resources for Autism & Intellectual Disability

  • Many of the resources related to autism and other disabilities. 
  • A parent series of "ask a question" and the family responds with their experience; one for self advocates, as well
  •  A resource page where you can borrow books and items.  

 

Leah Bowman at 11:51 AM
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Medical Advocacy and COVID-19 in Canada

Canada's Down Syndrome Magazine
In this interview, H-CARDD scientists Yona Lunsky and Rob Balogh discuss the current state of Canadian health care for individuals with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities, including shortcomings the pandemic has revealed about how they are viewed and cared for in our medical system. They talk about the lessons we can draw from the pandemic and offer suggestions for how families and people with disabilities can contribute to advocating for systemic change.

 

Read full publication by clicking here.

Leah Bowman at 9:51 AM
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Covid vaccines & people with Down Syndrome

We are sharing the following information provided to us by the Canadian Down Syndrome Society (CDSS). CDSS represents Canada at the Trisomy 21 Research Society (T21RS) Taskforce Meetings. T21RS has organized an international online survey to collect data about COVID-19 vaccine response among people with Down syndrome. If the survey is applicable to you, please consider taking the time to fill it out. The more responses they receive, the better the data will be.

 

We need your help! More needs to be learned about COVID-19 and the related vaccine among people with Down syndrome. The Trisomy 21 Research Society (T21RS) has organized an international online survey to collect this information.

 

You are invited to complete this survey, if you are a caregiver of a person with Down syndrome who has received the COVID-19 vaccine or who is eligible but does not plan to receive the vaccine.

 

The on-line survey:

  • takes about 15-30 minutes to complete
  • responses cannot be linked back to you (anonymous)
  • questions ask about the person’s health, COVID-19, and responses to the vaccine

 

Please click on the following link to complete the survey in the language of your choice:

English: https://is.gd/Eng_care

French: https://is.gd/Fren_care

German: https://is.gd/Ger_care

Italian: https://is.gd/Itl_care

Portuguese: https://is.gd/Port_care

Spanish: https://is.gd/Spa_care

 

Thank you for your help to collect this important information for people with Down syndrome.

T21RS COVID Taskforce

https://www.t21rs.org/

Leah Bowman at 10:29 AM
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