2015 Inclusion Awards Photo Album
Election Awareness at the DDRC
It’s been a year of elections for Calgarians, and the DDRC has been working to keep the conversation going about the importance of voting. With the federal election coming up on October 19th, we want to make sure our clients and staff members have the resources and information they need to cast their ballots.
Did you know that Canada is one of only four countries in the world that allows people with developmental disabilities to vote? It’s true. In 1993, Canada removed restrictions for individuals with developmental disabilities. Italy, Ireland, and Sweden are the only other countries with the same rules as us. This is one of the many reasons that we feel it’s so important to get our clients out on election day to make their voices heard.
We will be hosting a “Vote Pop-Up” for staff and clients on October 5th to help first-time voters or those who haven’t cast a ballot for awhile learn what to expect when they get to a real polling station on election day. We’ll go over what forms of ID they’ll have to bring with them, what accessibility options will be available, how to properly mark and cast a ballot, and more. Employees will have a chance to learn how to properly support someone while they vote. We’ll also take this opportunity to confirm whether or not individuals are registered to vote, and help them register if they still need to.
The DDRC has created an election guide for staff members and a plain-language workbook for clients to learn about what we’re voting for in this election, what the main parties are, and provide answers to some frequently asked questions. Interested in learning more yourself? You can access a copy of the guide and workbook to save and go over at home.
In the latest issue of Connection, we asked people around the office what they would do if they were the Prime Minister. If you haven’t had a chance to pick up a copy, take a look here.
OHS Week at the DDRC
August 10th marked the beginning of Occupational Health and Safety Week at the DDRC! This was a great opportunity for us to educate clients and employees about important safety and health issues.
Each day of the week featured a theme, and a variety of workshops and activities were offered to help highlight the themes. We were lucky enough to have guest speakers from the Calgary Fire Department and YMCA come to talk to us, and we had many employees share their expertise on particular topics.
Here are some of our favourite moments from the week:
ASL Club
Starting this fall, the DDRC will have a drop-in American Sign Language (ASL) Club for both clients and employees.
The ASL Club will be run by Crysta Trask, the DDRC’s Creative Coordinator, and Samantha Archibald, a Community Resource Worker.
According to Trask, the goal of the club will be to help improve the communication opportunities for individuals who have a hearing impairment, are deaf, or have a communication disability.
“My main goal for this club is to increase quality of life for all clients, as well as developing a stronger, closer DDRC community where everyone can be heard, acknowledged, and appreciated,” Trask said.
Archibald explained how isolating not being able to have a conversation with someone can be, which is an issue she hopes to overcome with this club.
“Some of our clients communicate with ASL or writing only, and that can be lonely,” Archibald said. “This can open communication for current and future DDRC clients.”
The club’s first meeting will be on September 9; the club will run biweekly.
Did you know that there are at least 137 distinct sign languages in existence? Although Quebec uses its own system (Quebec Sign Language), most of Canada uses American Sign Language. Much like differences in spoken English, there are different dialects across the country. For example, there are three different ways to sign the word “about” – a variation in the Atlantic provinces, one in Ontario, and a third used in the west and north of the country.
Inclusion Awards FAQ 2015
The 20th annual Inclusion Awards ceremony is just over a month away, but it’s never to early to start getting prepared! In order to ensure that the evening runs as smoothly as possible, we’ve put together a list of some of the most frequently asked questions. Feel free to ask any other event-related questions in the comments box at the end!
When is the event?
The 20th annual Inclusion Awards will be held on Thursday, September 24.
What time does it start?
Guests are invited to arrive any time after 5:30 to enjoy our live entertainment. The program will begin at 6:45 p.m.; for this reason, we ask that you arrive no later than 6:30 p.m.
How long is the event?
The event runs an average of two and a half to three hours.
What should I wear?
The dress-code for this event is business-casual. Please, no jeans.
What is the theme this year?
This year’s theme is the 1920s!
Will there be food?
Yes! Guests are treated to a delicious three course meal.
What if I have an allergy?
If you have a food allergy, please notify us as soon as possible via e-mail.
Will there be alcohol?
Yes. There will be a cash bar if you desire a beverage with alcohol. Water, juice, coffee, and tea will be provided free of charge.
Are kids allowed?
The event is open to guests of all-ages, provided that they have reserved a ticket online.
I was nominated for an award. Do I have to do anything special?
We ask that all nominees (and their guests) choose a seat in the first three rows, to ensure quick access to the stage if they are chosen as an award winner.
Will there be a photo booth again this year?
Yes! We are pleased to provide a fun 1920s-themed photo booth for the event! There will also be a 50/50 draw, silent auction, and door prizes.
How do I get to the Glenmore Inn?
The Glenmore Inn is easily accessible by car at 2720 Glenmore Trail SE. If you will be arriving by transit, routes 73 and 302 will also bring you to the hotel. Click here to see the Glenmore Inn on Google Maps.
Away We Grow!
As the summer months draw to a close, and with growing season more than halfway over, we thought it would be a great time to update readers on the progress of the DDRC plot in the Rutland Park community garden!
The Learning and Leadership Garden Club met on-site last Monday to discuss the pros and cons of their first planting season. Despite a bit of hail damage, the crops have come in nicely, and the garden is truly something for all of the club members to take pride in.
