Creating Accessible Neighbourhoods wants to hear from you!

Creating Accessible Neighbourhoods (CAN) is working with Realize on a project that needs your help. They are looking for participants to help them expand their collective knowledge and understanding about the issues that directly impact the employment journey of queer and trans community members living with episodic disabilities in Canadian workplaces. Participants will be paid $75 for their contribution. 

Participants must be 2SLGBTQIA+ and disabled/person with a disability, chronically ill, mad, crip, neurodivergent, and/or Deaf/deaf with episodic disabilities. Participants must be living in what is colonially known as Canada (no citizen requirements). CAN is particularly seeking interviewees who live outside of Vancouver. The interviews will be online 1-on-1. 

To participate, contact Heather McCain, Executive Director of CAN by email at info@canbc.org or phone/text 604.437.7331.  They will send you a calendly link for you to book a 30 or 60 minute interview. They understand if the interview needs to be cut short due to pain/energy. Typed follow-up answers will be accepted if you didn’t get a chance to say everything. 

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Realize’s definition of episodic disabilities:

A person can simultaneously live with both permanent and episodic disabilities; however, there are clear distinctions. An episodic disability is marked by fluctuating periods and degrees of wellness and disability. In addition, these periods of wellness and disability are unpredictable. As a consequence, a person may move in and out of the labour force in an unpredictable manner.

Examples of episodic disabilities: arthritis, asthma, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, colitis, crohn’s disease, diabetes, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, HIV/AIDS, pain, lupus, mental health issues, multiple sclerosis (MS), muscular dystrophy, severe migraines, and more

More information: 

Under the Workplaces REVAMPED (Workplaces REcognizing the Value of eMPloyees with Episodic Disabilities) project, Realize aims to:

1) Increase awareness of episodic disabilities among employers;

2) Increase the understanding of employers of the challenges related to working and living with episodic disabilities;

3) Increase the capacity of employers to respond effectively to the challenges facing people living with episodic disabilities;

4) Increase access to information and networking opportunities for small, medium and large employers on leading practices in accommodating employees living with episodic disabilities in the workplace; and 

5) Increase the capacity of people living with episodic disabilities to communicate effectively about their lived experience.

Indigenous women, Two-Spirit, gender diverse people with disabilities - You are invited to an online session on employment!

The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is developing training for employers to identify and remove barriers to employment for Indigenous women, Two-Spirit, and gender diverse people with disabilities. NWAC would like to present the initial draft of the training program and get your feedback!

NWAC wants to hear about your experiences with employment, as well as what you think  employers need to do and understand to improve these experiences and increase access.

NWAC is holding 5, one-hour engagement sessions with Indigenous women, Two-Spirit, and gender diverse people with disabilities. Participants will receive a $200 honorarium. If you are interested, please let us know which of the below sessions you would like to attend.

All the sessions will take place at:

  • 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.    – Ontario time
  • 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon – Manitoba time
  • 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.     – Alberta time
  • 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.      – B.C. time 

Please pick ONE date to attend:

  1. Oct 21, 12:00-1:00 Ontario
  2. Oct 22, 12:00-13:00 Eastern
  3. Oct 27, 15:00-16:00 Eastern
  4. Nov 4, 14:00-15:00 Eastern
  5. Nov 5, 15:00-16:00 Eastern

Space is limited so please RSVP to Doris Rajan as soon as you can. You can email Doris at d.rajan@irisinstitute.ca and/or call if you need more information 416 409-7025.

Your voice is important! Hope you can attend!

Download the flyer here.

Disabled Community Connection Network - Next Meeting

Disabled Community Connection Network (DCCN) is a monthly connection and information sharing group for people of all ages (16+) with any disability.

Next Meeting:
Thursday, August 17th, 4-6 PM
Speaker: Karen Lai (Accessibility and Inclusion Consultant)
Topic: Overcoming Barriers to Employment and Education as a Disabled Person

PeerNet BC
#408-602 West Hastings (an accessible space)
Vancouver, B.C. V6Z 2W3

ASL Interpretation and food is provided! The space is also wheelchair accessible. Please let them know of any accommodations and dietary needs you require.

Please email s.klassen@nsdrc.org or call 604-904-4088 to register.

here.