Past Conferences: 2005 - Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Overview
The sold-out event was the professional development and networking opportunity of the year for Supported Employment Stakeholders. What a great time! Thanks Saskatoon
Program
Steve Donahue, Keynote Address
As a young man Steve Donahue attempted to cross the Sahara Desert from north to south. This harrowing adventure took place in some of the most inhospitable terrain on earth and changed his life forever. Steve learned that the uncertain and unpredictable journeys of life and work are much like trying to cross the Sahara; it's easy to get lost and chase mirages.
Steve will be with us for the entire conference telling his exciting story over several presentations. He will weave together his powerful tale and metaphor with our experiences by attending all our sessions and interviewing delegates. Steve's ThemeWeaver® has received rave reviews for its uniqueness, continuity and drama. He will bring our conference and his story to a powerful close that will have you on the edge of your seats. You won't want to miss any of this rare opportunity!
Cathy Fenwick
Keeping Spirit Alive at Work: Taking Care of Ourselves
Self-care and enthusiasm for our work encourages physical, mental, emotional and organizational well-being. Cathy Fenwick recognizes and acknowledges workers in Community Based Organizations for their dedicated and skillful service to their communities. This session will help us tap into our own need to be healthy, to manage ongoing change and uncertainty, and maintain a healthy balanced life. Cathy will present tips for reducing stress, building morale and creating a supportive and productive workplace. She believes that a healthy humour attitude is key to finding the strength to face challenges with courage, flexibility and hope.
Aldred Neufeldt
Fighting our Way out of a Wet Paper Bag - Changing Paradigms in How We Think about Employment and Disabilities
Aldred Neufeldt is Professor and Director of Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies at the University of Calgary, and an international authority on policy and practice issues related to employment and disability. He has published a variety of articles on the topic, including an influential mid-1970s monograph on comprehensive vocational services, and a book in 1998 titled Self-directed Employment and Disability; Business Development Models. Recent research has included a four province study of the costs and benefits of supported and self-employment models, a study of barriers to employment in rural and urban areas of Canada, and a current study of the 'new economy' and employment.
On a voluntary basis, Aldred is a founding member and past-Chair of GLADNET, the Global Applied Disability Network on Employment and Training. GLADNET has special consultative status with the International Labour Organization (ILO), and membership representing the major international disability organizations, universities, research centers, governments, unions and the business sector.
Dr. Neufeldt has published over one hundred articles, chapters and books on a wide range of topics, and has extensive international experience as consultant and project leader.
Dr. Gregor Wolbring, Bonus Session Speaker
Supported Employment: A Prerequisite for Well Being or Health or Both or None?
Intentions, purposes and actions which shape direction, advances and policies regarding science and technology, in general, and health focused science and technology, in particular, embody the perspectives, purposes, prejudice, particular objectives and cultural, economical, ethical, moral, spiritual and political frameworks of different social groups and society at large of any given society in which these human activities take place.
This talk will look at the concepts of disability, disease, health and well being how they are impacted by emerging technologies and ethics theories and what this means for areas such as supportive employment.
Dale Botting - Panel Session
Dale Botting is a western Canadian with over 25 years of extensive national and international experience in community economic development and community-based innovation. He has held numerous senior management positions in government, and has served as past Vice-President of a national business organization (CFIB), past CEO of a major community-based organization serving persons with intellectual disabilities (SARC), and former CEO of a regional economic development authority (Saskatoon region). Dale has a life long passion for promoting corporate social responsibility. He is actively on the Board of such organizations as the United Way, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Industry-Education Council, and AgWest Bio Inc. At this stage of his career, his personal and business interests have lead to formation of his own leadership development and community consulting firm, where he has worked hard to build industry partnerships with the aboriginal, disability, university research, and environmental communities. Dale's clients and partners range from California and Alberta, across the West, to projects in Ontario and Atlantic Canada. Saskatoon remains as home, and he is proud of his prairie roots.
Supported Employment - An Idea Which Is No Longer Ahead of Its Time
These conference sessions will focus on the modern demographic realities of a rapidly aging and retiring work force, and the economic challenges of a baby boom that is going "bust". Shortages of qualified and motivated labour are becoming an endemic problem across North America. As in other areas of community development, however, the solution often lies within our own local resources and imagination. Supported employment initiatives provide a strategic response to help meet the demands and challenges of this new economy. These two panel sessions will explore the creative actions of enlightened business leadership, and also attempt to learn from other case studies on how to develop affirmative measures to create more inclusive and visionary communities. The panels draw heavily on numerous examples from Saskatchewan, and your host province continues to be a leader in social activism and community development.
Wednesday Afternoon Panel: Smart Business Management for a New Economy
Supported employment is not philanthropic - it makes smart business sense in the new economy where a loyal and motivated work force is going to be increasingly difficult to source and develop. This Panel session begins with an overview of these modern labour market challenges. It includes testimonials and stories from local business leaders and other employers who have had first hand experience with supported employment, and have seen the benefits on the bottom line of their business operations. Views will be exchanged among job coaches, employers and participants in various case studies. You will be introduced to the vanguards of a new way of doing business, and a new ethic and culture in an innovative and enlightened market place.
Thursday Morning Panel: Learning from Others - Best Practices in Work Place Inclusion and Labour Force Development
The challenge of work force inclusion is not limited to persons with disabilities. There are numerous other groups striving for greater economic integration. The mobilization of community leadership and greater awareness is a challenge for youth, aboriginal people, and other communities that have been historically disenfranchised or segregated. This Panel is based on the premise that we can all learn from each other. In Saskatoon there is an abundance of community development programs in aboriginal employment, community leadership training, work force preparation and career counseling for youth, and other "business models" to support a more inclusive community. These will be shared with Conference participants, and you may discover how some prairie "crops" can grow better with a little cross-pollination of ideas!
Concurrent Sessions
Thursday, November 24: 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Session 1: The Employment Outcomes Project
Learn how to implement a continuous quality improvement tool that is unique and specific to employment services for people who have a disability. Several agencies in Ontario have been collecting and assembling data about the individuals who engage them for assistance to find paid employment and what happens to those individuals.
Session 2: Employment Partnerships - Government and Community Agencies
The partnerships between the Community Board's both Provincial and Regional (Government), Community Agencies, the business community and individuals with developmental disabilities.
Session 3: Getting Past the Small Town Blues - Creative Employment Development
Using case examples, presenters will share their strategies for building on the unique attributes of small town life to nurture a community where hiring people with disabilities is the norm.
Friday, November 25: 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Session 4: Recruiting New Employers: Innovative and Practical Approaches
In this session, we will share information we gathered from focus groups involving currently enrolled employers on how to recruit new employers interested in hiring adults with intellectual disabilities.
Session 5: Understanding Learning Disabilities: Strategies for Success
The Strategies for Success Workshop is based on a hands-on simulation experience which gives participants an understanding of learning disabilities, how they affect employment, and strategies that can help.
Session 6: Innovative Employment Success for Adults with FASD and other Developmental Disabilities
The team presenters will illustrate in detail two successful employment programs for adults with disabilities through lecture, anecdotes, discussion, and question and answer. Participants will develop an understanding of how to implement an effective employment program and build community capacity.
Friday, November 25: 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Session 7: Job Development in Supported Employment: Perspectives from a Practitioner and an Employer
The presentation will focus on the role of the job developer in supported employment and a variety of effective tools for job development will be showcased. The impact job development has on employers will be highlighted and an employer will provide his/her perspective.
Session 8: Recruiting and Retaining Persons with Disabilities within Saskatchewan Executive Government
The consultant working with the pilot project will discuss how building relationships with government departments, community agencies, and job seekers continues to build the bridge to success.
Session 9: Supported Inclusion at Work
Self-Advocates are people with intellectual disabilities who advocate on behalf of themselves and others. The SAAG presentations include skits, audio visual aids as well as an open panel discussion. The group is currently working on a video geared to high school and post secondary students called: "Inclusion is More Than 9-3." This video will be shown in the session in order to illustrate the importance of seeing inclusion as a way of life rather than a reaction to the presence of people with disabilities.
Entertainment
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Please join us for an intimate evening of Saskatchewan hospitality at the Western Development Museum. Talk a stroll through the streets of 1910 Boomtown while listening to the creative talents of The Pothole Road Blues Band. The evening program takes place from 7:30 - 10:00 p.m. Enjoy supper on your own during your free time and then join us for appetizers and a cash bar.
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Our Conference Gala Eventwillfeature The Martin Yanovsky Show for our evening entertainment. Travel with Martin as it takes you on a musical journey through different countries and styles. From ragtime to classical medleys, the sound of the sweet French accordion to the contemporary piano hits of the 20th century. Martin's misunderstanding of the English language lets him weave his life story full of humour and satire. His routine is developed by giving new perspective to old sayings.
Venue
The Delta Bessborough
Delta Bessborough, Saskatoon's most distinguished landmark, is located in the heart of this historically rich city. Positioned on five acres of private waterfront gardens, it is nestled between two riverfront parks on the South Saskatchewan River. The Delta Bessborough is Saskatoon's castle on the river.
Venue Links
The City of Saskatoon
Please visit www.sasktourism.com for local attractions and entertainment.
2005 Sponsors
Crown Investments Corporation of Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Community Resources and Employment
Government of Saskatchewan: Department of Community Resources & Employment
Government of Saskatchewan: Department of Learning - Programs Branch
SGI
SaskEnergy
SaskPower
Government of Saskatchewan: Department of Saskatchewan Highways & Transportation
Government of Saskatchewan: Department of First Nations and Métis Relations
Saskatchewan Public Service Commission
Provincial Training Committee
Community Futures Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation
Saskatchewan Association for Community Living
Saskatchewan Abilities Council