Special Presentation Recognizes Deserving Client

Posted on By Communications Team

In April 2013, PACE client Vincent Steele was nominated for a PDD Leadership Award in recognition of the leadership he shows both in his paid employment, as well as with peers and community members.

Vincent was all set to attend the awards ceremony in June, when the city of Calgary was flooded, and the event had to be rescheduled for September. When the date rolled around the second time, Vincent found himself sick and was unable to attend once again. Instead of simply sticking his certificate in the mail, a representative of PDD came to the DDRC on Thursday, October 10th, to make a formal presentation to Vincent in front of his mother, support worker, other PACE clients, and a group of DDRC employees. The official presentation was followed by a small reception in the DDRC Training Room.

“I was surprised,” says Steele of his nomination. “I felt happy. [The nomination certificate] is hanging on my wall at my house.”

Vincent has been a PACE client for four years, and has recently celebrated his one year anniversary working with the Women In Need Society (WINS). He spends three days a week there, hanging clothes and working the baler, and has even been asked to train groups of volunteers. His coworkers appreciate what a great asset he is to the organization, and his nominator noted that “Vincent’s dedication to his work at the Women In  Need Society and his excellent work ethic demonstrates to everyone in his community that people with developmental disabilities have the ability to positively contribute to society through paid employment.”

When he’s not working, Vincent can be found participating in exercise classes at the YMCA, or studying for his learner’s license. “The job he’s at now is in a warehouse, and he’d like to drive a forklift,” explained Vincent’s CRW, Shannon Mills. “If he gets his learner’s, he can take the course, and then he can drive the forklift.” “That’s what I’d like to do,” Vincent chimed in.

Vincent is also an avid wrestling and baseball fan, and has traveled all over North America to watch ball games. Currently, he’s planning a trip to San Diego with his mother to see the Padres play. His favourite team is the Toronto Blue Jays, and he has already been to Toronto to take in a game.

IMG_2176 DDRC CEO Helen Cowie congratulates PACE client Vincent Steele on his nomination after the special presentation held for him on October 10, 2013.

Will Everyone Still Belong?

Posted on By Communications Team

Ten years ago, the DDRC led the way in the creation of the community social marketing brand, everyone belongs™ to advocate for the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in Calgary.  In the years since, we have continuously strived to assist our clients to demonstrate by example to all Calgarians that with the right support, everyone can belong.

This spring, the Alberta Provincial Government announced major cuts to the Disability Services Sector that will take effect July 1.  The $42 million dollar cuts will not only hurt our organization and the clients we serve, it will also impact all Calgarians, and beyond that, it will gravely jeopardize the values that have made this province a welcoming home for families of people with developmental disabilities.

In the true spirit of everyone belongs™, DDRC clients and employees have not taken this news lying down: we are aware that to create change, we have to actively express our vision of an inclusive community.  DDRC employees have been supporting clients to be aware of the proposed changes, how these cuts could impact them, and how
to stand up for their rights.

After having witnessed 60 years of Calgary’s past, we are passionately committed to the future of inclusion for the sake of the people that we serve, and for the community as a whole.

We sat down to discuss the past and the future with long-time DDRC employee and advocate, Sue Wedley:

How long have you been working at the DDRC?

It will be 16 years in October.

What was one of the most memorable experiences you have had in your time here?

The closing of Manchester Industries (a sheltered workshop
run by the DDRC), because it opened doors for a lot of people. It was an
opportunity for people to get out and get jobs. It was a fresh beginning.

Why do you think that the PDD cuts are so critical?

It has been such a struggle in the last 16 years to get people out in the community, finding employment, building relationships and friendships, and that could all be lost. This is a field that I chose; I have been working with people with disabilities since high school. So to me, it means a lot that this does not happen.

What advice or encouragement would you give to others in the sector in regards to the PDD cuts? What would you like to see others doing?

Speak up, or there’s not going to be a sector. If you are not being heard, then you have to get louder.  We have to strongly encourage people to write to their MLAs.  I love my job, and I have a commitment to the clients that I support. Part of my job is their voice.