The Voyage Together   |   Schedule   |   Workshops   |   Presenters   |   Acknowledgements

Same Activities - Different Goals: Including Students with Developmental Disabilities in Regular Classrooms
Friday All Day Workshop
Presenter: Pat Mirenda
This workshop will focus on the purpose of including students with developmental disabilities in regular classrooms, along with strategies for accomplishing this. Developing IEPs, using principles of universal design for learning to plan lessons, and creating adaptations and modifications will be provided, along with videotaped examples of students in inclusive classrooms.

Stay the Course - Life Long Learning
Friday 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Facilitator: Chris Horrocks
Presenters: Tamara Hurtado, Geraldine Schwartz, Bridget Strand, Terry Robertson
Several examples of post secondary education opportunities will be shared. These include experiences of the Steps Forward Post Secondary Inclusive Education, Vancouver Learning Centre, Down Syndrome Research Academic and Social Development Program, and the College of New Caledonia Open Doors Program in Prince George.

Role of Educators and Sexual Health
Friday 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Presenter: Margaret Newbury Jones
This workshop is intended for educators and educational assistants. We will discuss what sexual health means, boundaries, common issues and what the role of educational personnel is in regard to the sexual health learning needs of the students they support.

One Size Doesn't Fit All -
Celebrating and Supporting Differences in Learners
Friday 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Presenter: Kathy Champion and Pam Collins
Participants will learn about the beliefs and key practices of Dr. Mel Levine that will guide the instructional, social and emotional support of learners. Dr. Levine is an internationally renowned pediatrician whose message is that all people, especially students, are wired differently. You will be introduced to a 'Management Profile' process that acknowledges and responds to individual student difference. This includes the power of helping students understand their strengths and weaknesses as part of understanding the way they learn.

Students with Special Needs Can Create Great Grad Portfolios
Friday 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Presenter: Vicki Lundine
By the time all students are ready to leave the school system, they should be prepared to present their portfolios to a perspective employer. Find out ways students with special needs are able to demonstrate knowledge and experience in six key areas. It is a process that truly helps people to look beyond the labels.

Get a Life! Stories About Life After High School
Friday 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Facilitator: Shelley Nessman
Presenters: Melanie Marcotte, Rasika Aklujkar
Come and hear inspiring stories about the lives of
people who have graduated from high school and gone on to get a life! Our panel of self advocates will share their stories, what helped them along the way and what challenged them. This will be an interactive and idea sharing session.

Assistive Technology
Friday 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Presenters: Susan Blockberger, Colette Massie, Charmaine Co, Kelly Koyangi
Attend this presentation to learn how assistive technology (AT) services can make a difference. We will explore a range of AT options and describe how students can use these technologies to participate, communicate and learn. You will hear interesting stories and perspectives on AT use from a student, parent, school district technology consultant, and a SET-BC consultant.

Secondary Success Stories
Friday 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Facilitator: Nancy Hoyano
Presenters: Chris Horrocks, Joshua Koenig-Ottmann, Leon Tam, Caroline Zimich
This panel presentation will address inclusive education and share their experiences in secondary schools. High school can be a challenging time for all students, but it is also an exciting time and there are many opportunities for creating successful inclusive learning opportunities.

Preschool Transitions - Preparing for Change Together
Friday 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Presenters: Wendy Langridge, Margaret Hanke
The transition from preschool into school can be particularly challenging for parents when their child has extra supports needs. This workshop is designed for both parents and professionals to learn new tools and strategies for smooth planning during any transition years.

Casting Your Net

Friday 1:30 pm - 2:45 pm

This session will focus on Microboards that have successfully built a strong, effective team of volunteers, community members and staff.  The discussion will focus on ways for Microboards to build a strong sustainable network.

Recruiting Your Crew

Friday 3:15 pm - 4:30 pm

This session will focus on Microboard staff recruitment.  We will look at creative ideas for finding, training and keeping staff and will include cooperative ways to develop a relief roster.

At the Helm - Families Leading the Way
Saturday 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Presenters: Elizabeth Anthony and Ellen Candlish
Families are invited to explore their leadership role to create and guide the changing services from agencies and government to ensure they are responsive to their needs. Over the past decades, many families have been leaders by supporting other families and advocating to create services that are taken for granted today. Together we will explore ways of improving support for our families through formal and informal means.

Expanding My Life in Community
Saturday 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Presenter: John Lord
In this session, we will explore different ways we can expand our lives in community. We will talk about three things that we know can make a difference in our community lives: planning for the future, inviting others to be part of our network, and connecting with more community places. All of these things can help us build our capacity as citizens.

Teens, Young Adults and Sexual Health
Saturday 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Presenter: Margaret Newbury Jones
This workshop is intended for parents and caregivers of teens and young adults. In a safe and comfortable environment, we will talk about the fears and concerns we have, common issues we face, and what resources might be available to help us on our way.

When the Bell Rings - Opportunities for Youth After School
Saturday 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Facilitator: Roari Richardson
Presenters: Scott Jensen, Master Sirota, Kathleen Hodges, Kendall Oliver, Ann Carr
Families often flounder in their efforts to create after school activities. Participants will enjoy hearing about innovative experiences for youth from a panel that will include representatives from South Arm Recreation, Sirota's Alchymy, Let's Play, and DC Youth Basketball Association.

The Heart Of Planning
Saturday 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Presenter: Cheryl Hughes
This session will share what is at the heart of good planning and how it is linked to supporting a well-lived life. Participants will learn the conditions and approaches within planning that support and nurture human flourishing. We will explore key aspects of planning from a human perspective and how better to support our loved ones and each other to realize our dreams.

Everyone Belongs in Our Schools
Saturday 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Presenter: Tamara Kulusic
Participants will be introduced to the newly revised version of the handbook entitled 'Everyone Belongs in Our Schools: A Parent's Handbook on Inclusive Education' from the BC Association for Community Living. This workshop will focus on developing practical strategies for supporting inclusive education and developing effective advocacy skills.

Positive Behaviour Support and Your Family
Saturday 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Presenter: Claudette Sandecki
Parents will have the opportunity to learn more about what Positive Behaviour Support is, how it can benefit their son or daughter with challenging behaviour, and what to look for in a support plan developed through team collaboration and built around a comprehensive Functional Assessment.

Legal Perspectives (presented in Chinese*)
Saturday 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Presenter: Peter Li
This session will cover the topics of Power of Attorney, Representation Agreements and Wills. These are the three basic legal instruments for managing personal matters including financial and non-financial matters as well as matters before and after death. For those who are physically or mentally incapable of handing their own matters, these legal instruments are critical to family members, professionals or volunteers who may assist them.
*This session will be conducted in Chinese (Cantonese) and questions at the latter part of this session may be presented and answered in Cantonese, Mandarin or English.

Leaving High School - Transition Planning For the Seas Ahead
Saturday 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Presenter: Linette Baker
If this exciting, challenging and concerning time is approaching your family please come to this workshop. We will explore various options, planning components, strategies, and take time to celebrate! Participants will leave with resource books, examples of transition binders and planning tools.

Sleight of Hand
Saturday 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Facilitator: Carolyn McTaggart
Please join us if you love to sing, but can't stay on key and like the idea of sign language, but were worried it would be hard to learn. Come learn to sing in sign from the ends of your fingers to the tips of your toes. It will be fun, easy and along the way you will get an introduction to another language and the creative possibilities of nonverbal communication. Participants will learn to sing a song in sign language with the choir and will have the opportunity to perform at the banquet, if you choose. Wear shoes and clothes that are easy to move in.

All Aboard for Inclusive Childcare
Saturday 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Presenters: Lorraine Aitken, Carrie McLellan
The Supported Child Development Program (SCDP) provides inclusive childcare for children with extra support needs. Over the past decade children, families, childcare providers and communities have challenged services to improve, grow, adapt and change. Participants will learn about current SCDP services, new initiatives such as inclusion training for school age child care providers and will have an opportunity to discuss challenges and future directions. The Richmond SCDP will be profiled.

Employment Works - Learning the Ropes
Saturday 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Facilitator: Lori Emanuels
Presenters: Beryl Swan, Bev Anderson, Randy Wilson
Plans for adult life usually include paid employment, but many people with developmental disabilities need assistance to achieve this goal. We will learn strategies for assisting individuals to prepare for employment, find paid employment and hear personal stories of employment. Transition Youth Employment Services Society will share their experience assisting two hundred and fifty people find work in the last five years.

Charting the Way with Community Living BC
Saturday 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Presenters: Lynn Rolko and Paula Grant
Participants will obtain up to date information regarding the delivery of services for children and adults with the creation of Community Living British Columbia (CLBC). This session will provide some history and the philosophy and experience to date of CLBC. We will learn about the premise of a new system of service delivery that is based on planning for an individual and their unique support needs, and the development of innovative ways to provide support.

Keys to Making Inclusive Education Successful
Saturday 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Presenters: Norman Kunc and Emma Van der Klift
Based on personal experience and the input of educators throughout North America, Norman and Emma will share five areas of support that need to be present for inclusion to be manageable and successful. Parents will learn about concrete low-cost suggestions about what needs to be in place in an inclusive classroom and specific ideas on what to request in an Individual Education Plan.

My Future As a Sibling
Saturday 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Facilitator: Linda Perry
Presenters: Angela Clancy, Joe Emanuels, Masumi Smith, Mathew Smith, Sean Atherton
When we think about the future for our children with special needs, we usually focus on the individual and the role of their parents in that future. A panel of siblings will share insights, hopes, dreams, fears, and plans on how their futures will be intertwined with their brother or sister.

A Family's Journey - Planning the Next Step (presented in Chinese*)
Saturday 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Facilitator: Ella Huang
Presenters: Shirley Leung, Katy Kwong, Herbert Lui, Dennis Luk, Hugo Chan, David Lee
The journey of a family who has a family member with a special ability may face some challenges and feel alone. Join us to take control of your life journey so you will feel supported and involved in the planning process. This session aims to bring forward some common issues and barriers in caring for your loved ones, and how some families make it work in a creative way. Together, professionals and parents will identify what next steps will be most beneficial for your family and how to shape them. The session is interactive and inspirational.
*The session will be conducted in Cantonese; facilitation can be arranged for Mandarin speakers.

Captain's Missives - A Dad's Panel
Sunday 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Facilitator: John Lord
Presenters: Tim Stainton, John Tsang, and Robert Wells
Please join us for this unique opportunity to hear Dads share their stories and experiences about their children, as we most often hear stories from the perspective of Moms. Three Dads will share their experiences relating to their child's support needs, their journey so far, and their hopes for the future.

Round Rhythms

Sunday 9:00 am - 11:30 am

Facilitator: Barbara Karmazyn 

Please join us for a lively, fun filled,  interactive rhythmical experience.  Express your own natural rhythm on drums and percussion instruments.  Discover the joy of creating musical harmony as we make "in the moment music" together.   Emphasis is on fun, creativity, self-expression  and a playful discovery of rhythm. Suitable for all ages and abilities - no experience required.