A2: Newcomers and Intellectual Disabilities: Resources and Challenges
The purpose of the workshop is to provide frontline workers and program managers more knowledge of intellectual disabilities, what resources are available in Ontario, how to access these resources. Examples will be shared of how newcomer organizations have worked together effectively with Community Living Toronto in supporting families with a child who has an intellectual disability. The workshop will also discuss various cultural taboos associated with disabilities and how Community Living is educating the communities so families do not have to hide their child or live in shame. The session will include a presentation and opportunities for discussion. The participants will leave the session with knowledge of how they can support the families that they are working with in connecting them to the services and resources they need. They will also receive an orientation to ConnectABILITY and will have ongoing access to this resource.
Bob Ferguson is the Service Development Manager at Community Living Toronto. Bob has over 25 years experience in providing services and supports to people with intellectual disabilities and their families. His current work includes leading Community Living Toronto in expanding their work within all the newcomer and culturally specific communities so everyone in need has equal knowledge and access to services and supports and that their staff have the skills and knowledge to work effectively with all the communities in Toronto.
Layla Ibrahim is a Family Support Coordinator at Community Living Toronto. Her work includes supporting families that have a child with an intellectual disability in areas such as finding financial supports, respite services, supporting the family and individual with school issues, planning, recreation and other needs. She also has extensive experience working with the Somali community in Toronto.
C6: Settlement and Employment Services for Newcomer Clients with Disabilities
This workshop will enhance frontline settlement workers and program managers’ skills and capacity to provide settlement services to newcomers with disabilities as well as increase their knowledge on issues and factors impacting the employment of newcomers with disabilities. The session will address issues such as how to openly discuss disability with clients, receive and serve clients who have various disabilities and adapt processes that may pose barriers to serving clients with certain disabilities. Other topics to be presented include:
- Overview of Disabilities and their impact on settlement and employment
- Needs of Newcomers with Disabilities
- Accessibility of Service Provision
- Case Management and Referral
- Tools and Technologies Available to create success
- Accommodations – Rights and Obligations of Employers and Employees
- Differences between Equity and Equal Opportunity Employers
- How Diversity Hiring can positively impact an employer’s bottom line
The session will include the personal case study of one of the facilitators as a newcomer with a disability.
Tara Geraghty-Ellis is the Disability Settlement Worker at Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Centre in Mississauga. Tara holds a Masters degree in Social Work. As a person with a disability herself, she has over twenty years of professional experience helping people with disabilities to integrate into the community, access the programs, services and support their need, and make their contribution to society. She also works as a job coach and social worker for people with various disabilities.
Judith Thomas, Canada Career Coach, has been in the employment sector for several years and has worked with many different groups including persons with disabilities and newcomers. She has presented previously at the OCASI, CANNEXUS and Opportunities conferences. Judith has articles published in the past three Contactpoint bulletins.
Raj Tribhuwan is an assistive technology specialist who is currently working with deaf/blind individuals at the Helen Keller Centre in Toronto. He has also worked at Balance for Blind Adults as a computer trainer and for several assistive devices vendors. On a volunteer basis, Raj was co-chairman of E R D C O (Ethno-Racial People with Disabilities Coalition of Ontario) for two years and now has his own foundation. The Raj Tribhuwan foundation collects tools and tech devices for shipment to third world countries.
