The Waterloo Region FASD Community of Practice has shared a April 2019 Update.

In this update you will find information about:

• FASD Caregiver Training Series
• "Dad's Use of Alcohol"
• Ontario's NEW FASD One Stop Hub 
• 'You're weird, you're different and nobody wants to be your friend': the loneliness of FASD
• Understanding and Supporting FASD with Dan Dubovsky (workshop)
• FASD and sleep
• FASD presentation with Len Whalen 

KW Habilitation's Youth Exploring Possibilities - YEP is offered for 9 weeks during the summer. This program focuses on exploring the community, including recreational and leisure centres and future volunteer and employment options. 

Develop your confidence by using the Grand River Transit to access Kitchener-Waterloo. Learn more about what resources and activities your community has to offer, and discover how to use them. Meet new people and experience great adventures together! 

What does YEP offer? 

Past YEP participants have enjoyed activities such as:

• life skills
• cooking and baking 
• arts & crafts and music such as drumming
• volunteering at local non-profit organizations
• rock climbing
• outdoor activities such as canoeing or fishing 
• learning about community safety from local police and fire departments 
• karate and Zumba
• attending local events and festivals
• tours of various employment settings

Who: Ages 16-21

Youth must meet eligibility for Developmental Services 

When: July 2 - August 30, 2019

9:00 - 3:30pm Monday to Friday

Where: 109 Ottawa St. S., Unit D, Kitchener

This is an accessible location. Activities happen in the community. 

Cost:

$120 per registered 5 day week

$97 per registered 4 day week. 

Youth will be supported in a 1:4 ratio. Fees are non-refundable. 

Sunbeam Centre has some new upcoming programs! 

Pottery Making Class

These classes will focus on making things for the garden. 

April 27 - May 4, 2019 from 1-3pm. 

Total Cost: $40

Location: Sunbeam Centre, 2749 Kingsway Dr., Kitchener 

Register online at www.MyCommunityHub.ca.  

Aqua Fit

A relaxing class led by an instructor focusing on body balance, and low impact strengthening activities that will help improve overall health and activities of daily living through range of motion exercises, stretching and low impact activities.  

Participants who require assistance with personal care or assistance in the pool are required to bring their own support person to class. 

April 3-24, 2019 from 3-4pm. 

Total Cost: $40

Location: Sunbeam Centre, 2749 Kingsway Dr., Kitchener 

Register by March 29.

If you have questions about any of these programs please contact Wendy King at w.king@sunbeamcentre.com. 

On March 19, 2019, Finance Minister Bill Morneau tabled his fourth federal budget (the “Budget”), ahead of the next election in October. The Budget, entitled Investing in the Middle Class, claims to provide over $2 billion in funding over six years to remove barriers experienced by people with disabilities and improve the lives of Canadians with chronic health issues. Of particular interest to the disability community include:

• Changes to the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) and the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), 
• New and renewed support for inclusive employment opportunities for people with disabilities, ASD and visual impairments, and 
• Enhanced federal supports for students with disabilities.

View the full budget here.

KW Career Compass can help you find meaningful employment!

Job Coaches are available to assist youth and adults with developmental disabilities match interests, skills and career goals to find the perfect fit.

Get help with:

• Resume and Cover Letter Writing

• Interview Preparation

• Skills Assessments

• Job Coaching

• Goal Setting & Job Searching

• Employment Readiness Classes

Fee for service options are available.

To apply, you MUST:

1. Complete and send in the full application and current resume by May 10, 2019 to KW Habilitation:

 Mail or in person: 99 Ottawa Street South, Kitchener, ON, N2G 3S8

 Fax: 519-884-8609

 Email: info@kwcareercompass.org

Please make each application to the Attention of Wil Candlish.

2. Have an intellectual disability (confirmed through a psychological assessment, IEP or DSO)

3. Be able to find own way to and from work and/or classes and appointments. (We can provide bus route training as needed!)

4. Commit to:

- Attending and joining all skill building opportunities.

- Working the scheduled hours/time as set by the employer.

- Only being absent from work/training if you are ill or have an emergency situation to deal with.

5. Have a Social Insurance Number – or be willing to apply for one to have it by June 15, 2018.

If you have any questions about Career Compass Summer Jobs 2019, or need help filling out the application please contact Wil Candlish, Manager at 519-744-6307 ext. 1213 OR by email info@kwcareercompass.org.

Family Alliance Ontario is currently renewing and accepting memberships. The membership year runs from April 1st to March 31st. You can join as an individual or family. Your membership fee helps support organizational expenses and the volunteer efforts of Board Members to represent the individual and family voice.

Learn more about Family Alliance Ontario on their website at https://family-alliance.com/.

Renewal Documents:

• Membership Application
• Family Alliance Ontario Accord:  please review before filling out the application
• Affiliate Application
• Affiliate Process 

Traditional gaming, digital media, video, role play and repetition are used to educate and engage students in a fun and interactive manner.
Students learn life skills that empower them to make safe, caring and respectful decisions in their everyday lives both online and offline.

Date: Sat March 23 & Sun March 24, 1-5pm
Time: 1:00 PM TO 5:00 PM Daily
Place: Kitchener

Cost: $113 (eligible for Passport funding)

WRDSS will reimburse WRDSS members 50% of the registration costs for those that

complete the course.

Learn more or register at https://www.wrdss.ca/event.

Are you looking for programs or activities for you or your child? The KidsAbility Program & Activity guides highlight some of the great programs geared toward both caregivers and children and youth with special needs. They feature KidsAbility, Firefly and community-based activities and resources. 

View the 2019 Spring-Summer Program & Activity Guide.

Waterloo United is proud to introduce the Abilities United team – New for 2019!!  The program is fully inclusive, designed and adapted for children with any disability – we welcome all on the field!  WMSC, in partnership with KidsAbility, is at the forefront of the development of not only soccer programs, but also physical literacy programming and recreation/socialization opportunities.  This is a parent participation program – one support person per player is required. 

Date:  Sundays from June 2 – July 28 (no program June 30)

Time:  10am – 11am

Location:  RIM Park (indoors)

Ages: 4-14 yrs

Cost:  $160 (includes full uniform, ball, medal and team photo.)

For more information visit  https://www.waterloounited.com/camps-skills/abilities-united/.

To register visit https://waterloounited.powerupsports.com/index.php?page=LOGIN.

Hosted by KidsAbility, iCan Bike helps children and youth with special needs to

achieve an important life milestone: learning to ride a two-wheeled bike!

Using specially adapted bicycles, partcipants gradually transition to a regular two-wheeled

bicycle learning the skills and condifence that they need to ride independently!

Times: 75 minute sessions each day (sessions scheduled between 8 am–5 pm)

Ages: 8 Years Old – School Exit (up to age 21)

Eligibility: Your child must meet eligibility requirements and register with KidsAbility for

this event. For more informaton and details including full eligibility criteria visit kidsability.ca/icanbike.

Cost: $180 per person

To Register: Call 519.886.8886 or 1.888.372.2259 ext. 1373 or email specialized@kidsability.ca.

Registraton deadline is Friday, June 21, 2019