Get ready for another term of RhythmWorks! RhythmWorks is an extension of DramaWays’ successful program DramaWorks. Being a Creative-Expressive group experience geared and modified for individuals with special needs ages 14+, it is designed to encourage physical activity and self-expression through the use of creative movement. During RhythmWorks sessions, participants will be exposed to the fundamentals of dance as well as the varying styles of movement. The dancers will become active as they are taught specific choreography, while also being given the opportunity to create their own dance sequences. A key benefit of RhythmWorks is that it enables participants to express themselves using non-verbal means of communication in a fun relaxed environment. RhythmWorks also stimulates all areas of the intelligences: bodily kinesthetic, visual and spatial, linguistic, logical, mathematical and interpersonal skills.

-Class size is limited and preference is given to previous RW participants.
-Participants must wear running shoes/dance shoes & comfortable clothes
(i.e. track suit) and those with long hair must tie it back. All in attendance
should bring a bottle of water with their name or initials on it.

Location: Turning Point Fitness
593 Yonge Street, Suite 200 (North of Wellesley between Glouchester & Dundonald Streets)

Time: Thursdays; 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Fall Dates: October 1st 2009 – December 10th 2009
Winter/Spring Dates: January 21st 2010 - June 17th 2010
(Classes continue during March Break)
Cost: $558 (Includes GST)

Full payment is due upon registration. Those who pay the full fee upfront will receive a $10 discount. Participants also have the option of submitting three post-dated cheques of $186 by August 1st, 2009.
A reminder there is an additional discount of $15 for those who are enrolled in two DramaWay programs per term. DramaWay is currently accepting enrollment for RhythmWorks classes beginning in September 2009.

For more information, please contact DramaWay at (416) 614-1078 ex.3.
Website: www.dramaway.com or Email: dramaway.admin@gmail.com

We are excited to announce that the DramaWorks program created by Danielle Strnad, experienced Drama Facilitator and qualified Social Service Worker is soon to be underway once again. This will be the eighth year this unique program will be running with its dramatic experiences, geared and modified to provide a creative outlet for individuals with special needs ages 14+. It is an excellent means for participants to explore themselves and their experiences through drama in a group setting. Throughout this year long program, participants engage in developing a final production while also working on life skills as they learn a wide range of process oriented drama games. Due to the program’s tremendous success, it is crucial to register early due to limited enrollment.

DramaWorks Downtown
Location: Community Living Toronto, 30 Birch Avenue (Summerhill & Yonge)
Program A: Tuesday, 5:15 - 6:45 p.m.
Program B: Tuesday, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Program A & B run from September 2009 to June 2010
FALL September 22 – December 1, 2009
WINTER January 12 – March 23, 2010- (Classes will be held during March Break)
SPRING March 30 – June 8, 2010
Fee: Payment is due upon registration. Those who pay the full fee upfront will receive a $10 discount. Participants also have the choice of submitting three post dated cheques of $250 (Includes GST) by August 1st, 2009.

DramaWorks East End
Location: Lawson Residence/Scarborough Region Office
1712 Ellesmere Road (Corner of McCowan & Ellesmere)
Program B: Wednesday, 6:45 – 8:15 p.m.

East End Program runs from September 2009 – June 2010
FALL September 23 – December 2, 2009
WINTER January 13 – March 24, 2010 - (Classes will be held during March Break)
SPRING March 31 – June 9, 2010
Fee: Payment is due upon registration. Those who pay the full fee upfront will receive a $10 discount. Participants also have the choice of submitting three post dated cheques of $250 (Includes GST) by August 1st, 2009.

DramaWorks West End
Location: Swansea Town Hall Community Centre
95 Lavinia Avenue (Near Runneymede & Bloor)
Program B: Thursday, 5:00 pm – 6:30 p.m.

West End Program runs from September 2009 – June 2010
FALL September 24 – December 3, 2009
WINTER January 14 – March 25, 2010 - (Classes will be held during March Break)
SPRING April 1 – June 10, 2010
Fee: Payment is due upon registration. Those who pay the full fee upfront will receive a $10 discount. Participants also have the choice of submitting three post dated cheques of $250 (Includes GST) by August 1st, 2009.

• Please note receipts will only be given upon request.

Space is limited, and is offered on a first-come first-served basis. Sign-up today to reserve your spot by forwarding your registration form and full payment to DramaWay, 11 Emmett Avenue, York, Ontario M6M 2E3. Registration forms can soon be downloaded off of the website for newcomers.

Website Address: www.dramaway.com

Email: dramaway@yahoo.ca

For more information call (416) 614 -1078 ex. 3

Waterfront Trail Artists will be offering an Etobicoke-based arts program. Although their programs are integrated, one of the current participants has a developmental/intellectual disability and has benefited greatly from his involvement. Their primary age group is children between 5 and 13, and the coordinator indicated that she would like to pass the word on to other children with developmental/intellectual disabilities and their families.

Please note that participants who require one to one support are responsible for making their own arrangements.

In order to give you a better idea of what they offer, please visit their website for their March Break 2009 program, spring 2009 programs, and their summer arts camp.

The Waterfront Trail Artists are a non-profit group of artists and arts supporters interested in involving their community in cultural activities. In consideration of this mission statement, they present programming which is both educational and entertaining, and which allows all members of the community to enjoy interacting with artists. They welcome both established and emerging artists working in all media, and although they are based in the Toronto Lakeshore, they encourage artists and arts supporters from all over to join them. They strive to produce workshops, festivals, and exhibitions which reflect this diversity, and which are as rewarding for the arts professionals who contribute their skills as for the public who attend.

The coordinator is Wendy Lilly, who can be contacted by:
Email: info@trailart.org
Phone: (416) 259-9597
Mail: 8 First Street, Toronto, Ontario M8V 2W9

You can also visit their web site at:
http://www.trailart.org

Check out this amazing showcase of Ill Abilities break-dancing at the Citadel Warfare in Halifax, Nova Scotia:

Luca “Lazylegz” Patuelli was born on July 28, 1984 in Montreal, Canada. He was born with Arthrogryposis (multiplex congenital), which is a muscle disorder that limits motion in the joints. Typically, this rare disorder can affect the whole body but fortunately in Luca’s case, it affects only his legs.

In 1999 at age 15, Luca an avid dancer started to “break” during high school. The real reason for his newfound interest was actually on-going knee surgery that left him unable to continue skateboarding. Noting his muscular arms, and natural athleticism, Luca’s friends thought he would do well in this extremely dynamic activity. They took him to his first Break-Dance competition, and since then, it became his passion.

In 2002, ‘‘Lazylegz’’ moved back to Montreal, and began learning the secrets of the vast, evolving Street Culture that helped form his greater appreciation of the Hip Hop Community. Through hard work and dedication, Luca developed a unique style, which incorporates both strength and crutches. In 2004, he joined forces with Canadian break-dance crew, Illmatic Styles, and won major North American events such as Back to the Underground, Last Man Standing. His newest crew ILL-Abilities, is a unique International BBoy crew that he founded consisting of dancers with disabilities only. Presently there are 4 “Ill-Abled” dancers, each with their own distinct style and character.

Today Luca resides in the city of Montreal, attending Concordia University, majoring in Marketing. Luca’s crutches are used in the same way as shoes; ‘’they are more of an accessory than a necessity’’. His disability never stopped him from accomplishing what doctors and most people considered impossible and according to Luca, it has helped him become the man he is today.

For more information about Ill Abilities, check out their website at:
http://www.lazylegz.com

Coming Soon to Thunder Bay, Ontario
September 30 – October 2, 2009
www.recreation-able.ca

Register before Aug 31 and save on registration fees

Featuring….

Keynote Presentations by Alfred Spencer, Director of Outreach and Compliance at the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario and Barbara Hall, Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission.

Over 20 workshop sessions led by dynamic speakers from across the province. Learn the latest ways to enhance current programs and to utilize staff and resources when making your programs more inclusive and accessible to people of all abilities.

Discussion Panel featuring recreation and health leaders from across Ontario in private, municipal and non-profit organizations that are ready to address the questions you want answered.

Recreation Night! On Wednesday night, join us at the Sportsdome, featuring sport opportunities, brought to you by ParaSport Ontario’s - Ready, Willing and Able program.

Presentation by Luca “LazyLegz” Patuelli: Meet the founder of the world’s first International Bboy crew~ILL-Abilites… comprised of only “ILL-Abled” dancers. As seen on America’s Got Talent, Much Music, the Today Show and more!

Dinner with Amy Roloff: Don’t miss the opportunity to meet Amy Roloff: speaker, author and star of reality TV show “Little People Big World,” on the Discovery Channel, TLC, as she share’s her life experiences in overcoming personal and public challenges and obstacles in being a person with dwarfism.

For more information about the Recreation-able Forum or to receive a copy of the Event and Registration Guide visit www.recreation-able.ca or contact:

Barbara DeZan
Inclusive Recreation Forum Coordinator
600 Mckenzie Street
Thunder Bay ON. P7C 4Z3
Phone: 807-625-3220 Fax: 807-622-1430
E-mail: bdezan@thunderbay.ca

It is an exhilarating time for Access 2 Entertainment card holders because the program is expanding its scope to include a selection of cultural and recreational attractions across Canada. Over the past few years, the Access 2 team has received many requests from card holders and their families to extend the benefits of the card beyond movie theatres to other venues and attractions.

We are pleased to announce that starting in August; selected venues across Canada will be accepting the Access 2 Entertainment card. Using the same card that you use at the movie theatres, you will now be able to bring your attendant in for free to attractions that are brand new to the Access 2 program.

Enjoy live music and theatre at the Harbour Front Centre, or engage your mind at the Royal Ontario Museum. Explore the newly renovated space of the Art Gallery of Ontario or take in the breathtaking views of Toronto’s skyline from the CN Tower. Just show your card, no questions asked. For updates and a complete and comprehensive list of new attractions that are accepting the card, please visit www.access2.ca

In addition to the exciting expansion of the Access 2 Entertainment program for existing card holders, we are also pleased to offer an opportunity for prospective card holders in the Greater Toronto Area. In celebration of the Centre for Independent Living Toronto’s 25th anniversary, and with the support of a generous gift from the Dickson Play Fund, Access 2 Entertainment is offering 1,000 free Access 2 cards to CILT members and people with disabilities in the Greater Toronto Area. To view the details, please visit www.access2.ca

Since 2004, Access 2 Entertainment has been committed to expanding recreational opportunities for people with disabilities and helping businesses improve their customer service standards. To date, over 32,000 people have signed up for the Access 2 card. Many of these card holders can attest to the success of the program and its ability to reduce isolation for people with disabilities, promote a healthy lifestyle and facilitate access to a broad range of recreational, leisure, social and entertainment opportunities.

The achievements of the Access 2 Entertainment program have been in large part due to our sustained partnerships. Disability organizations and corporate Canada have worked astoundingly well together and have lifted the Access 2 program to new heights.

The disability organizations that originally collaborated to develop the program and continue to advise and promote it include: Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians, Canadian Abilities Foundation, Canadian Association of the Deaf, Independent Living Canada, Canadian Hard of Hearing Association, Canadian Paraplegic Association, Easter Seals Canada, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, and People First Canada.

The Adaptive Technology Resource Centre (ATRC) at the University of Toronto and diversityworX subsequently joined the core group to support the ongoing development and expansion of the program. The Motion Picture Theatres Association of Canada, led by Cineplex Entertainment, is the program’s founding industry partner. Easter Seals Canada is the managing partner and processes the Access 2 card applications and ensures delivery of the card.

For more information, please visit

www.access2.ca or call 416-932-8382 x 227

’We Will Not Be Hidden’ is a documentary that illustrates the lives and barriers Muslims with disabilities and their families face living in North America.

This documentary strives to bring awareness to both the Muslim community and the broader society about what being a Muslim with a disability entails.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

For more information on getting involved, visit: http://improvinginclusion.blogspot.com

For more information on the film, or to obtain a copy to show in your community, please email faaida1@gmail.com or call 1-416-844-1951.

It is an exhilarating time for Access 2 Entertainment card holders because the program is expanding its scope to include a selection of cultural and recreational attractions across Canada. Over the past few years, the Access 2 team has received many requests from card holders and their families to extend the benefits of the card beyond movie theatres to other venues and attractions.

A selection of new attractions across Canada will be welcoming your Access 2 Entertainment Card. Using the same card that you have been using at your favourite movie theatres your attendant can get in for free at the Harbour Front Centre, Royal Ontario Museum or the Art Gallery of Ontario. For a complete and comprehensive list of participating venues please visit the Program Information section under Venues at www.access2.ca

Our goal has always been to serve you better. We accomplish this by staying connected to the community and listening to your thoughts. We appreciate all your input and support and certainly enjoy hearing from you.

The moment the Access 2 Entertainment program began in 2004 it was a success. Now only 5 years later there are over 32,000 card holders in Canada! The number of card holders is expanding and the Access 2 program is expanding along with it. Continue to visit the Access 2 website for updates.