Stories honour advocates, successes in inclusion movement
Community Living Leaders reflects on 2011 Wednesday December 21, 2011 -- Kristian Partington
As we move into the full swing of the holidays and prepare to celebrate with family and friends into 2012, Community Living Leaders wants to take the opportunity to reflect on some of the inspiration drawn from a year’s worth of strengths and successes.
There were stories honouring the legacies of visionaries working towards inclusive education. In April, we looked back at the lifelong passions of Jim Hansen, who received the 2010 Canadian Association for Community Living Award for Inclusive Education for his dedication to the vision of a society free of barriers and segregation.
He was called the conscience of the movement.
We looked at the other end of the spectrum as well, inspired by young people pushing forward the mandate of inclusion in our schools.
People like Znak Ovenden, a student at Notre Dame College School in Welland, who says that while his school is not fully inclusive, students involved with re:Action4Inclusion — including himself — are working to change this.
We looked back at some pioneers of the movement no longer with us. We considered Rose Bennett, the former president of People First Ontario, who spoke loudly against injustice for those who could not and passed away suddenly in October.
“Rose didn’t shy away from telling picketers what she thought about what they were doing, and her fearlessness encouraged others to speak out as well,” wrote Community Living Ontario executive director Keith Powell in a written tribute.
“Rose’s life was a testament to social justice.”
Likewise, we looked back at the lifelong passions of Jim Turner, who was honoured at Queen’s Park when his wife Diane was presented with the prestigious William G. Davis Outstanding Volunteer Award.
Turner died last December, but throughout his life he strengthened the movement and promoted solidarity among the thousands of people working towards the goal of inclusion, and in his death, that mantle carries forward.
And when it comes to employment, a range of stories highlighted the success created when the business community is fully engaged in the realities of inclusive hiring.
The new year will bring its challenges, but one thing shines clear when considering the stories of the past year: the movement towards an inclusive society continues with zeal, and the more people become engaged, the more powerful it will become.
If you have questions or comments, please contact 800-294-0051, ext. 24, or e-mail kristian(at)axiomnews.ca.