Plan to Attend Canada’s Largest Exhibition for People with Disabilities

FREE ADMISSION

Queen Elizabeth Building Exhibition Place Toronto, ON
Friday June 4th 10am - 5pm
Saturday June 5th 10am - 5pm

People in Motion features 63,000 square feet of exhibits which include adapted vehicles, mobility aids, barrier-free design, rehabilitation services, home health care products, accessible travel, leisure activities, technical aids, employment information, corporate services and government programs.

People in Motion is Canada’s most comprehensive exhibition for people with disabilities of all ages, as well as their families and friends.This event is fun and enlightening.

Everything for a wide range of disabilities is displayed under one roof, making it easy for consumers and professionals to see and compare products and services.People in Motion is for you!

Mark the dates on your calendar NOW and plan to attend June 4th and 5th 2010

Website: www.people-in-motion.com

People With Disabilities Deserve Jobs: Official
Posted By Kelly McShane, Special to the Packet and Times
Posted Mar 2, 2010

With the help of a new community support campaign, it’s going to be easier for people with disabilities to showcase their talent as part of Ontario’s workforce.

“We want to ensure that all Ontarians have the opportunities and tools they need to reach their full potential,” said Kristen Tedesco, communications coordinator for the Ministry of Community and Social Services.

Provincewide, more than 150 service providers have signed on to help hundreds of people with a wide range of disabilities find jobs.

The campaign aims to create employment opportunities for Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) clients, while working to change attitudes toward the value of disabled community members in the workplace, both from the perspective of potential employers as well as from disabled people themselves.

“The campaign is two-fold: it helps employers identify talent and create a more inclusive workplace, while at the same time helping people with disabilities discover and apply their skills in the workforce,” Tedesco said.

Through the campaign, employers and potential employees can connect with employment support agencies that offer a range of employment services, including job matching and help with training and retention.

The majority of these services are free of charge.

People who leave the ODSP for paid work may be eligible for a $500 Employment Transition Benefit, as well as automatically receiving a $100 work-related benefit to help with costs, such as transportation or clothing.

“We also increased the maximum deduction for informal child-care costs from $390 to $600 per month per child to provide another child-care option for working parents,” she said.

In addition to these measures, in April 2009, the ministry exempted as income and assets the earnings of social assistance recipients attending full-time post-secondary education.

“We simplified rules around earnings exemptions, so for people on ODSP, the more you work, the more money you keep,” Tedesco said.

For more information on the campaign, visit www.mcss.gov.on.ca/talent

INDEPENDENT LIVING CANADA
JOB POSTING - NATIONAL DIRECTOR

Introduction: Independent Living (IL) Canada is the national bilingual non-profit association of Independent Living (IL) Centres from across Canada. Both IL Canada and IL Centres are dedicated to promoting the Independent Living philosophy and model of service delivery. As organizations run by and for persons with disabilities, we embrace the principles of consumer-control, cross disability in nature and community based. Programs at the local level, as well as national initiatives, reflect the inclusion of our diverse populations and promote and celebrate the economic, social, culturally and political contributions that persons with disabilities make to Canadian society. Independent Living Canada promotes and supports the development of Independent Living Centres, IL programs, and provides education and leadership for its member organizations, partners, governments and communities.

Position Summary and Scope:

Reporting to the IL Canada Board of Directors, and in accordance to the guidelines set by the governance policies, the National Director is accountable for promoting and fostering the development of the Independent Living Movement across Canada including but not limited to the effective and efficient operation of the National office. In carrying out the vision, goals and objectives of the board of directors, the National Director is responsible for developing and implementing an innovative marketing, public relations, fundraising and strategic plan that will apply and encourage awareness, recognition and support of the Independent Living Movement by governments, disability and mainstream organizations, consumers, media, public/private sectors and the general public. The primary focus of the work of the National Director is to promote and foster the growth and stability of Independent Living Centres at various stages of development.

Skills Required:

•Strong understanding and passion for IL philosophy and the ability to articulate the benefits of supporting the IL movement to the public and private sectors, media, mainstream organizations and funders
•Lived and/or professional experience in the disability rights and/or Independent Living sector/community
•Ability to conduct all activities/responsibilities in fluent French and English.
•Experience working with a diverse volunteer Board of Directors
•Excellent verbal and written communications skills
•A leader with ability to manage and support diverse teams/committees in meeting goals, objectives within specific timeframes
•Minimum of 5 years of successful experience in financial planning, monitoring and budgeting
•A strong and long standing track record of fund raising with both the public and private sectors
•An entrepreneurial spirit, political savvy and the ability to develop and maintain meaningful relationships with government and non-government partners
•Ability to deal well with a broad spectrum of skill sets and expectations
•Ability to handle multiple projects with a strong knowledge base to set priorities and deliver within the budget and meet deadlines in a timely manner
•Accountable, creative and willing to take initiative and calculated risks
•A mature leader who has the ability to mentor and inspire the leadership of others in the IL Network
•Community development is an asset
•Ability to continue to build a sense of community within the association and within the disability community
•Minimum of 5 years senior management experience in marketing, communication, operations, organizational development and strategic planning
•Capacity and willingness to travel and represent Independent Living locally and nationally

If you are interested in applying for this exciting opportunity, please write and tell us about yourself in your cover letter, your applicable experience and what distinguishes you as a leader.
Please include your salary expectations in the cover letter.

Location:Ottawa
Please send resumes to
Independent Living Canada
c/o Recruiting Committee
402-214 Montreal Road
Ottawa, Ontario
K1L 8L8
Deadline: January 4, 2010 (4:00 pm)

Prefer electronic submissions to employment@ilc-vac.ca; however, hard copies are also acceptable.

Independent Living Canada is an equal opportunity employer and encourages people with disabilities to apply.