Upcoming conference targets youth transition into adulthood Monday January 16, 2012 -- Natalie Hamilton
The future is about to “Commence.”
Help youth build meaningful lives after post-secondary education by attending an upcoming conference.
Community Living Ontario presents the event, Commence, Feb. 8 to 9 at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North in Richmond Hill.
Organizers are aiming to inspire professionals and educators to set up young people for success during their final years of high school and assist with their transitions into other ventures.
“Commence will help attendees to think of exciting and rewarding futures through post-secondary education and employment,” Joel MacIntyre, Community Living Ontario advocacy advisor, tells Community Living Leaders.
“The best thing that could happen as a result of Commence is that we begin to gain the same imagination, the same vision for people with disabilities that we have for their (peers who don’t have a disability).”
Organizers invite students and parents to attend Commence and start uncovering possibilities. Participants will hear from a variety of speakers and have the chance to connect and network with others.
On the bill is Kathie Snow, author of Disability is Natural: Revolutionary Common Sense for Raising Successful Children with Disabilities. She will use humour and anecdotes to share what she has learned from her son, Benjamin. Snow will discuss the importance of having a vision, being imaginative and embracing the support of others.
Attendees will also hear from Micah Fialka-Feldman, who recently completed the OPTIONS program at Oakland University in Michigan. He has spoken at many conferences and is known for his social and political commitments and pioneering spirit.
Jeff Strully, CEO of Jay Nolan Community Services, has spent many years transforming services to be more responsive to people’s individual choices and aspirations. He will share inspiring stories of the people he has supported in developing valued social roles in the community.
Delegates will also hear from Paul Young, an internationally-recognized keynote and motivational speaker, panelist and consultant on disability issues.