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We collect basic website visitor information on this website and store it in cookies. We also utilize Google Analytics to track page view information to assist us in improving our website.
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.
Welcome to November!
Inside the November issue of Family Pulse you will find information on:
SEAC Updates
Celebrate the Small Stuff
What's Happening at WRFN
Parent & Caregiver Survey
Steph's Corner
Community Information, Resources and Opportunities
You can read the online version of Family Pulse here or download a pdf copy.
Welcome to July!
Inside this issue:
Evening of Elegance @home - WRFN's Signature Event
SEAC Updates
Of Joy and Sorrow
What's Happening at WRFN
Steph's Corner
Community Information, Resources and Opportunities
You can read the online version of Family Pulse here or download a pdf copy.
I am writing to encourage participation in the public consultation on the K-12 Standards Development Committee’s (K-12 SDC) Initial Recommendations Report (Initial Report).
In Ontario, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) outlines the legislated process for the development of new accessibility standards through Standards Development Committees. These Committees are responsible for developing and reviewing accessibility standards in Ontario. These accessibility standards help move Ontario forward on its journey to create a more accessible and inclusive province.
The mandate of the K-12 Education SDC is to provide recommendations to government on removing and preventing accessibility barriers in the publicly funded education system. The Initial Report is the result of an extensive joint effort of Government-appointed representatives from the disability community and the education sector to identify the barriers that students with disabilities face and the measures needed to remove and prevent them. I am pleased to inform you that the Initial Report is now available for public comment through an online survey at the following link: Consultation: Initial recommendations for the development of proposed Kindergarten to Grade 12 (K-12) education accessibility standards | Ontario.ca.
As well, a Technical Sub-Committee – made up of members of the K-12 SDC and the committee working to develop a similar standard for the Post-secondary sector – has developed its recommendations on student transitions between different levels of the education sector, and between education and employment and the community. A link to this report is also found on the online survey web page.
The consultation will elicit comments from the public ─including students, parents, school and school board staff- on the Initial Report. The K-12 Education SDC will review and consider all feedback before it finalizes its recommendations and submits its final report to the Minister for Seniors and Accessibility for consideration.
I encourage you to share this public consultation opportunity widely, including with your Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC). It is important that the diverse voices in our publicly funded K-12 education system share their insights and feedback so that they can be considered by the K-12 Education SDC before it submits its final report to the government.
The Initial Report was posted online on June 1, 2021 for a period of business 65 days. The public may also provide written submissions by email to: [email protected]. The public has an opportunity to participate in these consultations until September 2, 2021.
Thank you in advance for promoting this opportunity internally and broadly to interested parties and your networks.
Sincerely,
Nancy Naylor
Deputy Minister
Welcome to June!
Inside this issue:
SEAC Updates
New Seasons
What's Happening at WRFN
Steph's Corner
Community Information, Resources and Opportunities
You can read the online version of Family Pulse here or download a pdf copy.
Toronto Family Network
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Toronto District School Board Policy Consultation on Human Rights Deadline: April 30, 2021
https://www.tdsb.on.ca/About-Us/Policies-Procedures-Forms/Policy-Consultations
Please share this link widely and encourage participation. Toronto Family Network has made a submission that was addressed to the Senior Human Rights Policy, Education & Org Change Specialist listed as the contact person for this consultation, as well as to the Director of Education, Chair of the Board, Special Education Advisory Committee, Parent Involvement Advisory Committee and Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission.
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TDSB Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) Meeting
Next Meeting: April 19, 2021
Link to Human Rights at TDSB Page: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/About-Us/Human-Rights
FYI Other consultations include Parent and Community Involvement Policy, Specialized Schools and Programs Policy and Workplace Harassment Prevention.
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Toronto Catholic District School Board SEAC Meeting
Next Meeting: Wed, April 21, 2021
https://www.tcdsb.org/board/trusteesoftheboard/boardmeeting/Pages/BoardMeeting.aspx
https://www.tcdsb.org/ProgramsServices/SpecialEducation/SEAC/Pages/default.aspx
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Government of Ontario News Release Ontario Extending Temporary Wage Enhancement for Personal Support Workers
March 18, 2021
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From Family Alliance Ontario
Social Hour: Sunday April 11, 2021, 8:00-9:00 pm. Who has questions about gardening? Do you have knowledge that you can share? RSVP by Sat April 10, 2021:
Family Knowledge Share: Wed April 28, 2021, 7:00-8:00 pm. Rosanne Purnwasie, Organizer, Durham Sibling Group and FAO Board Member, will share information about their group.RSVP by Mon April 26, 2021:
Family Knowledge Share on Wed May 26, 2021, 7:00-8:00 pm. Topic: Supported Decision Making: Community-based initiatives to advance the equal right to decide by Michael Bach with the IRIS Institute (www.irisinstitute.ca).
Family Alliance Ontario Annual General Meeting on Sat June 5, 2021 from 9:30 am.-12:00 noon. Speaker: Rupert Gordon, Assistant Deputy Minister will be sharing information about the Developmental Services Reform.
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Family Alliance Ontario (FAO) ODSP Survey
https://forms.gle/2DExh8RiwDso84Tq5
Family Alliance Ontario wants to find out what families and people across Ontario experience when they interact with their local ODSP office.
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Family Alliance Ontario (FAO) and People for Personalized Funding (PFPF) Surveys
Both surveys close April 16, 2021
Ontario SSAH Survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeRkYhhETMbTM8OYsdWOFhqp2Cfq0nv1UK2yuIqP8-VJquLkQ/viewform
Ontario Passport Survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-ILApMbaVGSn_Nv-eIS4O5_ZOvaWs4rWKdniRy-75Kb2SlA/viewform
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Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) Housing Navigation and Housing Toolkit Survey
Survey: http://bit.ly/HNSurveyEN
Responses collected until May 14, 2021
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From Marilyn Dolmage
CTV investigation into class actions aired Saturday March 20th.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6XzHE3aW8Q
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Advocacy Kit from People for Personalized Funding (PFPF) formerly called the Special Services at Home/Passport Coalition
Revised kit found on site: https://www.pfpf.ca/
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Families for a Secure Future (FSF) April Family Gathering
April 8th from 7:00 - 8: 00 pm Eastern Time
Zoom login details posted on FSF website: https://www.familiesforasecurefuture.ca/
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Toronto Star Article
Reva was interviewed for this article and quoted.
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From Jason Weppelman Client Program Manager Toronto Companies Looking to Recruit/Hire People with Disabilities/Autism/Neurodiversities
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Community Living Ontario Feature Story: Provincial Budget Announces New Funding for People with Disabilities, Developmental Services
Find on website in Update Friday: March 26, 2021
https://communitylivingontario.ca/en/
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The OHRC at 60
Toronto Family Network received an invitation to this 15-month commemoration and celebration. 15-month.
On March 29, 2021, the OHRC marked its 60th anniversary with a virtual celebration to mark the start of a 15-month period of commemoration and celebration of both the OHRC’s 60th anniversary and the 60th anniversary of Ontario’s Human Rights Code in June 2022. http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/ohrc-at-60
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From Amanda Bartlett-Hindley, Ontario Community Services Coalition (OCSC)
Overview of the COVID-19 vaccine in a 30 minute info session with Q&A available on OCSC website: www.ocsc-ontario.ca under “Family Forums & Links.” Also found on the website is Dr. Patricia Spindel's Advocacy Workshop Presentation.
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Ontario Human Rights Commission Right to Read Public Inquiry
We have no new info to share. Last Post on the OHRC website seems to have been October 26, 2020. Please let us know if you hear anything new.
http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/right-read-public-inquiry-on-reading-disabilities
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