FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 22, 2009

Hundreds to gather at Nathan Phillips Square on October 5th at the 6th annual disability pride celebration in Toronto

TORONTO—To mark the 6th annual disability pride celebration in Toronto, Simply People: Celebrating Our Lives & Identities, hundreds will gather at Nathan Phillips Square on October 5th from 4:00PM to 7:00PM. This free outdoor event is open for all to attend (rain or shine) and one of this year’s guest speakers will include The Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Mr. David Lepofsky, Chair of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Alliance and others.

On stage, performers will include: Comedian Andre Arruda, Limitless Productions (inclusive dance performance), Humorist Libby Thaw, Writer Carol Krause, Folkloric Belly Dancer Lluvia, Poetry Recital by Sol Express, etc. There will be various display tables by organizations/groups and an experiential learning workshop.

“Our vision is to bring as many people together to celebrate our lives and identities in an inclusive environment of positive synergies and attitudes of being proud. I’ve had a disability since birth and I can’t stress how important it is for people to be proud of who they are so that they can move forward in life,” says Uzma Khan, the lead organizer of this year’s event.

“This event brings members and supporters of the disability community together and we celebrate the long distances that we have travelled to date in breaking down barriers. I have a disability and believe me, I’ve had to break down many barriers to accomplish my goals in life and I couldn’t have done it without a positive attitude,” says Paul Santos, a member of the Planning Committee.

This event is brought to you by Canada-Wide Accessibility for Post-Secondary Students (CANWAPSS) and friends of CANWAPSS, including LinkUp Employment Services, Abilities Arts Festival, VoicePrint, Easter Seals Canada (Access 2 Entertainment) and diversityworX.

ASL interpretation, attendant care and transcription services will be available onsite.

For more information about this event, please e-mail the organizers at info@disabilitypride.ca or visit www.disabilitypride.ca .

The Music Therapy Centre is a street front clinic hosting a variety of programs promoting health and wellness to all people. Funded by the Canadian Music Therapy Trust Fund, the centre provides a variety of programs to serve the community at large ranging from programs for the aged, for children who are autistic, physically, or mentally
challenged, to programs for post-polio survivors.

The Music Therapy Centre also serves individuals with mental health illnesses, medically fragile children, and people with multiple disabilities. For more information, please visit their website www.musictherapytrust.ca/

Voices of All Ages:
An Intergenerational Choir starts Season Five!

Join on Wednesdays now!

The Canadian Music Therapy Trust Fund invites you to join Voices of All Ages, our intergenerational choir. If you love to sing, come out on Wednesday afternoons to the Music Therapy Centre.

Invite your family, friends, and neighbours. No auditions, just a love for singing and making music!

Wednesdays 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p. m.
September 16, 2009 to November 18, 2009

MUSIC THERAPY CENTRE
1175 Bloor Street West (just west of Bloor and Dufferin)
Wheelchair accessible. Registration fee is $30 per person per term.

How You Can Help

Any assistance you may be able to offer is truly appreciated. In particular, we request that you display, publish, and distribute the attached flyer on our behalf. We believe this is a wonderful opportunity and hope many are able to participate.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Music Therapy Centre at 416-535-0200 or email: info@musictherapytrust.ca

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 31, 2009

Hundreds to gather at Nathan Phillips Square on October 5th at the 6th annual disability pride celebration in Toronto

TORONTO—To mark the 6th annual disability pride celebration in Toronto, Simply People: Celebrating Our Lives & Identities, hundreds will gather at Nathan Phillips Square on October 5th from 4:00PM to 7:00PM. This free outdoor event is open for all to attend (rain or shine) and one of this year’s guest speakers will be Mr. David Lepofsky, Chair of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Alliance.

On stage, performers will include: Comedian Andre Arruda, Limitless Productions (inclusive dance performance), Country Music Singer Christina Doyle, Humorist Libby Thaw, Rapper Romeo, Writer Carol Krause, etc. There will be various display tables by organizations/groups and an experiential learning workshop.

“Our vision is to bring as many people together to celebrate our lives and identities in an inclusive environment of positive synergies and attitudes of being proud. I’ve had a disability since birth and I can’t stress how important it is for people to be proud of who they are so that they can move forward in life,” says Uzma Khan, the lead organizer of this year’s event.

“This event brings members and supporters of the disability community together and we celebrate the long distances that we have travelled to date in breaking down barriers. I have a disability and believe me, I’ve had to break down many barriers to accomplish my goals in life and I couldn’t have done it without a positive attitude,” says Paul Santos, a member of the Planning Committee.

This event is brought to you by Canada-Wide Accessibility for Post-Secondary Students (CANWAPSS) and friends of CANWAPSS, including LinkUp Employment Services, Abilities Arts Festival, VoicePrint, Easter Seals Canada (Access 2 Entertainment) and diversityworX.

ASL interpretation, attendant care and transcription services will be available onsite.

For more information about this event, please e-mail the organizers at info@disabilitypride.ca or visit www.disabilitypride.ca.