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DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210212T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210212T111500
DTSTAMP:20211016T190941Z
CREATED:20211008T012934Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211016T190941Z
UID:1563-1613125800-1613128500@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Inclusive Employment Internships
DESCRIPTION:We welcomed Odette Dantzer\, of WorkAble. \n\nOdette Dantzer is the Program Lead for Work-Able\, a 12-month paid internship program that hires recent post-secondary graduates with disabilities. Interns gain public service experience while increasing their personal growth\, skill development\, knowledge\, and confidence. Overall\, since the Work-Able program began in 2015-2016\, there has been a 59 percent retention\nrate in the BC Public Service. \n \nhttps://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/careers-myhr/job-seekers/internship-co-op-opportunities/work-able \nOdette.Dantzer@gov.bc.ca \n\n 
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/inclusive-employment-programs
CATEGORIES:Employment
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Work-Able.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210209T191500
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210209T210000
DTSTAMP:20211019T012118Z
CREATED:20211016T204717Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T012118Z
UID:1810-1612898100-1612904400@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Online Board & Party Games
DESCRIPTION:With Crystal Lee-Clark Behavioural Analyst & Cailey Morgan
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/online-board-party-games
CATEGORIES:Fun,Life & Social Skills
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/games1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210129T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210129T150000
DTSTAMP:20211016T182402Z
CREATED:20211010T212905Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211016T182402Z
UID:1711-1611927000-1611932400@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Employment: Inclusive Employment Programs
DESCRIPTION:PosAbilities Employment Service Tammy McEvoy\, & Terrance Mansaray\, Employment Specialists Tammy & Terrance will describe how they advocate for & support individuals with “disversabilities” in finding employment. This includes a complete process of personal discovery\, finding employment\, job coaching and job maintenance. They help people in transitioning to new positions\, in building independence in the workplace\, and they\nmaintain an on-going connection with their clients to help them work through challenges that may arise along the way. \nBack In Motion Rehab Inc. Alissa Villanueva\, Warehousing Program\, Job Coach/Program Coordinator Alissa will speak about Back in Motion’s six week “Skills for Life & Work Program” designed to help individuals with barriers to work find\, secure\, and maintain employment. She will tell us who is eligible for this program\, and what it covers. In addition\, Alissa will present the opportunities and training that Back in Motion has developed for individuals interested in working in the warehousing sector through the “Warehousing Program”. \nTo join this Zoom meeting click on the URL link.
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/employment-inclusive-employment-programs
CATEGORIES:Employment
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Inclusive-Employment-Programs.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210112T191500
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210112T210000
DTSTAMP:20211019T012225Z
CREATED:20211008T013239Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T012225Z
UID:1567-1610478900-1610485200@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:SPS Games & Gathering in January 2021
DESCRIPTION:Online Board & Party Games \nWith Crystal Lee-Clark & Cailey Morgan \nFree event\, but registration required. Limited number of participants\, sign up early for this event!
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/sps-games-gathering-in-january-2021
CATEGORIES:Fun,Life & Social Skills
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/games1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210105T191500
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210105T191500
DTSTAMP:20211019T012350Z
CREATED:20211016T225455Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T012350Z
UID:1859-1609874100-1609874100@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:SPS Acting Workshop: Working As An Actor
DESCRIPTION:Week 4: Working As An Actor \nWith Laura Drummond\, Actor & Educator & Crystal Lee Clark\, Behaviour Analyst This workshop is for any adult interested in exploring acting\, either to audition interested in exploring acting\, to audition for acting roles or for personal development. \nBelow is the video summary  of the Acting Workshop from Dec 8\, 2020 to Jan 5\, 2021:
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/week-4-working-as-an-actor
CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/ActingWorkShop.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20201222T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20201222T210000
DTSTAMP:20211019T012546Z
CREATED:20211016T202552Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T012546Z
UID:1800-1608663600-1608670800@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:SPS Acting Workshop: Scene Work
DESCRIPTION:Week 3: Scene Work \nWith Laura Drummond\, Actor & Educator & Crystal Lee Clark\, Behaviour Analyst This workshop is for any adult interested in exploring acting\, either to audition interested in exploring acting\, to audition for acting roles or for personal development.
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/sps-acting-workshop-scene-work
CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/ActingWorkShop.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20201215T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20201215T210000
DTSTAMP:20211019T012514Z
CREATED:20211016T202003Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T012514Z
UID:1797-1608058800-1608066000@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:SPS Acting Workshop: Working With Scripts
DESCRIPTION:Week two: Working With Scripts \nWith Laura Drummond\, Actor & Educator & Crystal Lee Clark\, Behaviour Analyst This workshop is for any adult interested in exploring acting\, either to audition interested in exploring acting\, to audition for acting roles or for personal development.
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/working-with-scripts
CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/ActingWorkShop.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20201214T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20201214T120000
DTSTAMP:20211016T181514Z
CREATED:20211008T013603Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211016T181514Z
UID:1572-1607941800-1607947200@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Financial Literacy: Credit Card Use & Credit History
DESCRIPTION:Financial Literacy:  Credit Card Use & Credit History\n\nOur speaker was Kylie Pettifer\, an “Each One\, Teach One” trainer\, and a Specialist in Community Partnerships and Engagement\, Community Investment\, with Vancity Credit Union.
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/financial-literacy-a-square-peg-society-meeting
CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/FinancialLiteracy.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20201208T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20201208T190000
DTSTAMP:20211019T012431Z
CREATED:20211008T013408Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T012431Z
UID:1569-1607454000-1607454000@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:SPS Acting Workshop: Acting Basics & Confidence Building
DESCRIPTION:With Laura Drummond\, Actor & Educator & Crystal Lee Clark\, Behaviour Analyst \nThis workshop is for any adult interested in exploring acting\, either to audition interested in exploring acting\, to audition for acting roles or for personal development. \n  \n\n 
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/sps-acting-workshop
CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/ActingWorkShop.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20201127T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20201127T143000
DTSTAMP:20211014T212204Z
CREATED:20211008T014751Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211014T212204Z
UID:1580-1606482000-1606487400@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Employment: Getting Past the Barriers
DESCRIPTION:Sarah Armstrong\, Navigator\, Youth and Adult Services\, & Ross MacMillan\, Employer Engagement Specialist\, Canucks Autism Network \, The Ready\, Willing & Able Employment Program \nAnjela Godber\, Employment Works Coordinator\, Pacific Autism Family Network EmploymentWorks Employment Program \nBringing Employers On Board: Barb Kalashnikov\, CCDP\, Employer & Community Coordinator\, & Ken Inaba\, Customized Employment Coordinator\, Burnaby WorkBC \n\nEducating Employers\nEmployer Expectations
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/employment-getting-past-the-barriers
CATEGORIES:Employment
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Nov2020Meeting.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20201023T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20201023T150000
DTSTAMP:20211014T205704Z
CREATED:20211008T014923Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211014T205704Z
UID:1582-1603458000-1603465200@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Inclusive Employment: Employers and ASD Employees Talk About Work
DESCRIPTION:Speaker: Karen D. Bopp\, PhD (she\, her\, hers) Director of Provincial Outreach | Adjunct Professor Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration in Autism (CIRCA) UBC Department of Educational Counselling\, Psychology and Special Education (ECPS) \nMany employers would like to be inclusive in their hiring practices\, but feel that they do not know what behaviours to expect from an autistic employee\, and many ASD individuals want to work\, but lack work experience\, or have had unsuccessful employment experiences. \nDr. Karen Bopp is the Provincial Director of Outreach who is leading a BC Training Initiative at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration in Autism (CIRCA) at UBC: https://circa.educ.ubc.ca/the-circa-training-initiative/. The intent of this\ninitiative is to create interactive on-line training modules on autism and other neurodiversities to help improve inclusion and acceptance in the workplace. This training initiative is unique in that the goal is focused on providing training for employers/managers/ HR professionals to learn how to adjust their practices to better support accept and include autistic\nindividuals in the workplace. An essential component of these modules are the video interviews that highlight the first-hand employment experiences of autistic employees. For more information about this initiative please\ncontact Dr. Bopp directly at:  karen.bopp@ubc.ca <mailto:karen.bopp@ubc.ca>
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/inclusive-employment-employers-and-asd-employees-talk-about-work
CATEGORIES:Employment
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/octMeeting2020.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20200922T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20200922T210000
DTSTAMP:20211019T042031Z
CREATED:20211008T015117Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T042031Z
UID:1584-1600801200-1600808400@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:SPS Appeal to Actors
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/sps-appeal-to-actors
CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20200916T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20200916T080000
DTSTAMP:20211019T042057Z
CREATED:20211008T020233Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T042057Z
UID:1593-1600243200-1600243200@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:SPS Love in the Time of COVID Sept 2020
DESCRIPTION: \n  \n
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/sps-love-in-the-time-of-covid-sept-2020
CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20200910T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20200910T120000
DTSTAMP:20211010T195944Z
CREATED:20211008T015554Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211010T195944Z
UID:1586-1599732000-1599739200@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:SPS Confident Conversation poster Sept 2020
DESCRIPTION: 
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/sps-confident-conversation-poster-sept-2020
CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20200901T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20200901T170000
DTSTAMP:20211019T042134Z
CREATED:20211008T015930Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T042134Z
UID:1590-1598947200-1598979600@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:SPS Building A Mental Health Tool Kit - Sept - Oct 2020
DESCRIPTION: \n \n \n \nSPS Building A Mental Health Tool Kit Sept 2020
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/sps-building-a-mental-health-tool-kit-sept-oct-2020
CATEGORIES:Mental Health
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20200418T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20200418T170000
DTSTAMP:20211019T042203Z
CREATED:20211008T020854Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T042203Z
UID:1595-1587196800-1587229200@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:ActUp! Building Confidence Through Drama\, Spring 2020
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/actup-building-confidence-through-drama-spring-2020
CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20200227T184500
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20200227T204500
DTSTAMP:20211010T211724Z
CREATED:20211008T021408Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211010T211724Z
UID:1602-1582829100-1582836300@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Social Conversation\, Engagement & Interaction: Insights for ASD Adults
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/social-conversation-engagement-interaction-insights-for-asd-adults
CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20200219T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20200219T170000
DTSTAMP:20211019T045148Z
CREATED:20211008T021208Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T045148Z
UID:1600-1582124400-1582131600@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Step-by-Step Income Tax Return Filing for People with Diverse Abilities
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/step-by-step-income-tax-return-filing-for-people-with-diverse-abilities
CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20200217T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20200217T170000
DTSTAMP:20211019T042243Z
CREATED:20211008T021022Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T042243Z
UID:1598-1581948000-1581958800@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Modern Love\, Navigating Meetups & Online Dating
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/modern-love-navigating-meetups-online-dating
CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20191126T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20191126T170000
DTSTAMP:20211019T042411Z
CREATED:20211008T021559Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T042411Z
UID:1604-1574780400-1574787600@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:A Square Peg Society Yoga Invitation
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/a-square-peg-society-yoga-invitation
CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills,Mental Health
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191114
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191115
DTSTAMP:20211019T042617Z
CREATED:20201115T080000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T042617Z
UID:1173-1573689600-1573775999@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Meeting : November 14\, 2019
DESCRIPTION:Meeting on November 14\, 2019
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/meeting-november-14-2019
CATEGORIES:Mental Health,Post-Sec Education
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191114
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191115
DTSTAMP:20211019T042646Z
CREATED:20191129T080000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T042646Z
UID:1170-1573689600-1573775999@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Square Peg Society Accessibility Legislation Report Back Nov 2019-Feedback
DESCRIPTION: \nSPSAccessibilityLegislationReportBackNov2019-Feedback
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/square-peg-society-accessibility-legislation-report-back-nov-2019-feedback
CATEGORIES:Employment,Housing,Mental Health,Post-Sec Education,SPS Business
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20181129
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20181130
DTSTAMP:20211019T043144Z
CREATED:20181213T080000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T043144Z
UID:1167-1543449600-1543535999@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Reflections on Independent ASD and Parent Meeting
DESCRIPTION:Thursday November 29\, 2018\,Reflections on Our Meeting\n\n\n\n  \n\n\n\nA small\, but passionate & articulate group of parents gathered to talk about our ASD adult children\, their issues and lives\, and our lives with them\, as we try to guide them to independence.  \n\n\n\n Based upon our 5 key issues:  Post-secondary education\, Employment\, Housing\,Life & Social Skills\, and Mental Health\, I compiled a collection of concerns and examples\, to provide food for thought. We didn’t cover all of the list below\, but we can certainly do this again. (See this list at bottom) \n\n\n\nWe found that\, while everyone could recognize many aspects of the examples provided in their kids’ lives\, ASD is truly a Spectrum. Even within our sector of the ASD population\, the range of personalities and type of issues that they struggle with are huge! Parents are having to meet their kids where they are at\, and are not necessarily able to work on more than one or two issues at a time. Some families are focused on post-secondary education\, realizing that their gifted young adults would never be content working at a “Mac-job”. These families are concerned with the discipline\, organization & healthy living challenges that will be required for success at University. Other families are working through the issues that surround independent housing. For these families\, this might not be the parents’ first choice issue\, but “leaving home” is upper-most in the minds of their young adults\, who are not succeeding in school or employment at the moment. So\,helping them to live safe and healthy lives on their own is still a win on the path to independence. Others feel that\, given that their son or daughter knows and wants a job (for the money\, and a sense of purpose)\, the path to reaching their adult is through employment – and this becomes the families’ focus. The challenge for these families has been in finding customized employment services that will follow the young adult in exploring employment\, leading them to the skills training that they require\, and helping them to integrate into the job\,once employed. Some families have young adults who are quite social with a range of friends\, others have a social group built around a particular niche interest\, and some are painfully lonely\, and feel very isolated from other young adults their age\, leading to dysfunction in other aspects of life\, such as work and school. All families feel that mental health and appropriate employment services that would have helped them have been unavailable or unaffordable or both. \n\n\n\n“Motivation” was a concept that was discussed. Employment and social skills programs require that our adults be“motivated to participate” or “coach-able” or “open-minded”.  The problem for us\, as parents\, is that by the time our adults are in their 20’s (or older)\, they have been criticized\,bullied\, and are often cynical\, at best\, or clinically anxious or depressed. Added to this\, autism inherently implies a certain rigidity and inflexibility of thinking. Furthermore\, being asked to change one’s behavior is hard for anyone.So\, what to do? \n\n\n\nI have seen that our son is motivated by success – tough love is not a concept that works for him. So\, Dr. Bailey’s pearl of wisdom that development\, for our ASD individuals\, is protracted\, means that we need to understand and convey to our young adults that becoming fully independent will take longer than it will for others\, and that this is OK. If we can\, slow things down for them – their entry into full time employment\, the number of post-secondary courses that they take each year\, the number of activities that the take on\, to ensure that they do well\, and are not overcome with anxiety. Can we break goals down into small achievable steps\, so that they can see small gains as wins enroute to a larger goal? Is the first question we ask of post-secondary institution or employer be – can we do this program part-time\, or ease into employment over several months or a year? \n\n\n\nOne family suggested that money maybe the only way to motivate some individuals. If having money in their jeans is a motivator for our kid\, then should we consider paying them to participate in counseling or attending an employment or skills training program\, in the hope that once there\, they will engage and learn the skills being offered? \n\n\n\nFor our really bright kids\, who have a goal that they want to achieve – say\, an engineering\, law degree\, or a particular type of job – say\, medicine or mathematics professor- can we ask for behavioral “proofs”\, tapping into their rationality\, to get them on board? For example\, can we talk to them in a calm moment\, and tell them that for us to be willing to financially support their goal\, they must demonstrate their self-discipline and self-control through certain behaviours\, ie\, by adhering to agreed-upon financial or domestic responsibilities? \n\n\n\nThis week I have been in contact with family friends who have an adult son struggling with addiction. The helplessness that this family feels is not unlike how we feel at times. Here is what the Mom has written to me on the topic of motivation: \n\n\n\n“If there’s one thing I’ve learned about addiction in the past five years it’s that until an addict wants to go clean there is very little others can do…(Our son)… has never stayed with help and support – and he has had access to a lot of it. It’s pretty stunning the number of doctors\, counselors\, support groups etc he as walked away from. We are doing what all addiction counselors tell parents to do – take care of yourselves and don’t let the addiction bring you down…So we go on living and we still find joy and make plans… So many people live with some kind of sorrow in their heart. It’s part of the human experience.” \n\n\n\nI am thinking about building success through working from where our son is at right now\, and to celebrate what he is doing well. We can only work on future goals as long as he feels hopeful about life and is willing to work with us. So\, I am wishing you all insight into yourselves and your kids\, so that you can find some ways to better “motivate”your kids and yourselves in 2019.   \n\n\n\nWishing you and your families all the best over Christmas and in the New Year! \n\n\n\nJoette\, and all of us at Square PegSociety            joetteheuft@gmail.com \n\n\n\nIssues & Stories (Compiled from books and tales told to me) \n\n\n\nFinding My Path After High School: \n\n\n\nBlanca is 23 and single\, living with her parents & brother. She has trouble sleeping – her alarm rings at 7am\,but often she is awake as early as 5am\, even though she goes to sleep at midnight. She has morning classes at University\, where she is studying Marine Biology. As she has a 45 min transit ride to school\, she has to get up\, but feels tired\, anxious and consequently\, often forgets things that she needs for her day. As she packs her bag she has trouble finding things in her very messy room. \n\n\n\nArnold is an 18 year old college freshman\, living in a dorm. He dreads the evenings because his roommates invite their friends in and are noisy. For the most part\, his roommates and their friends ignore him. \n\n\n\nIssues that arise around post-secondary education: \n\n\n\n\nI have trouble managing my time.\nI can’t fall asleep at night\, so stay up late\, then have difficulty getting up in the morning.\nI am always worried about doing well– getting the grades I want\, and getting my assignments done.\nSometimes I feel really overwhelmed\,but would rather fail than get help at the Centre for Students with Disabilities.\nI can’t concentrate at the University because it is too noisy\, the lighting is awful\, it is too hot/cold/smells bad.\nMy profs seem annoyed by the questions that I ask\, and I always seem to end up having conflicts with them.\nI can’t get to know other students –they always seem too busy\, or are already in their own groups.\n\n\n\n\nHenry is 29\,has a BA in English\, but has been unemployed for 6 years. He has been looking for work through online ads. He lives with his father\, who is critical toward him for not having found work. Henry feels pressured about work\, but doesn’t get much done at home alone while his father is at work; they often argue when his Dad gets home. \n\n\n\nMargaret is an endocrinologist and works in a practice with several other physicians. At lunchtime she would prefer to eat alone\, but due to a shortage of office space\,she is forced to use the staff lunch room. She tries to be polite to others also eating there\, but has never felt comfortable making small talk. She is not quite sure what to say and doesn’t enjoy the topics that come up in conversation. She has received feedback from the office manager that she is not well liked by the staff. \n\n\n\nIssues that arise around employment: \n\n\n\n\nI can’t find a job and don’t know where to begin to look.\nI get so overwhelmed with the job search that I avoid looking.\nI get so nervous at job interviews\,that I never get called back.\nSometimes I think the interview went well\, but then don’t hear back from the employer. I don’t understand what went wrong.\nI can only find low-level jobs where I can’t use my talents.\nI can’t concentrate at my workplace because it is too noisy\, the lighting is awful\, it is too hot/cold/smells bad.\nI can’t seem to organize myself/work to be able to get everything done.\nI am anxious about not doing well at my work\, displeasing my supervisor\, or not fitting in with others.\nI am reluctant to ask for help because my supervisor always seems busy\, and/or my supervisor gets annoyed when I ask a lot of questions.\nI get irritated with coworkers\,supervisors\, and/or customers.\n\n\n\n\nLiving Alone & Together \n\n\n\nJake is single\,20\, and living with his parents. He recently dropped out of community college after only two semesters and now works part-time in the dairy department of a grocery store. Recently\, he got his driver’s license\, but is not comfortable driving\, and taking transit to work is complex and time-consuming. His stress over getting to work is at times so great that he calls in sick. He does not want to admit this to his parents\, but his anxiety over driving and transit contributed to his decision to quit college. \n\n\n\nNoel\, 37\, lives in his own apartment and works as a computer programmer. Evenings and weekends are very lonely. \n\n\n\nDan is an information technologist at a hospital. Dan is overweight\, has a family history of heart disease\, and has been told by his doctor that he needs to lose 40 lbs.He has had a girlfriend for about 3 years who also makes occasional comments on his weight. Dan knows that he has poor eating habits but is overwhelmed with the idea of changing his routine. He is not even sure what his first step should be toward organizing a weight-loss plan\, and continues to eat the same poor quality foods\, feeling guilty while doing so. \n\n\n\nIssues that arise around Living with others: \n\n\n\n\nI don’t keep up with laundry\,cleaning\, personal hygiene.\nI don’t get enough alone time\,privacy.\nMy family/roommates have too many guests – I feel uncomfortable having to socialize all the time.\nI argue a lot with my parents/siblings/roommates.\nMy family/roommates get annoyed with my behaviours and habits (eating\, sleeping times\, excessive tidiness\,messiness\, etc).\nI get annoyed with others’ behaviours and habits.\n\n\n\n\nIssues that arise around Living Alone: \n\n\n\n\nIt takes a long time for me to plan& prepare a meal\, so I resort to ordering in or eating out a lot\, which is both expensive and not very healthy.\nI don’t keep up with laundry\,cleaning\, personal hygiene.\nI can’t find the time to exercise/I get obsessed about my diet/exercise routine.\nI am very lonely\, and often don’t talk to anyone other than at work.\nI seem to misplace a lot of things(wallet\, keys\, purse\, etc).\nMy family worries that I will leave the stove on\, or forget to turn off the faucet in the bathroom.\nI have not always lived within my budget; my parents have on several occasions made good on my credit card debt.\n\n\n\n\nFinding Happiness – Relationships \n\n\n\nFred\, 31\, lives alone and works full time at a bank. Friday nights he gets together at a sports bar with a friend that he has had since high school. However\, they often argue– Fred has different opinions about sports from his friend and has been told that he is too aggressive in expressing his views. Sometimes his friend has brought others to join them\, but these people often get frustrated with Fred’s yelling. Even his friend has been threatening to quit their Friday night get-togethers. \n\n\n\nArnold wants to make friends\, but is very shy. He has always tried to “disappear” when around kids his own age\, a habit that protected him from bullies in high school. Now\,as an adult\, he wants to be more sociable\, but doesn’t know how to start conversations\, and even when he thinks of something to say\, he is too scared to try. \n\n\n\nNoel would like to get married and have children\, but has had no success with dating. He is frustrated because he feels that he is doing something wrong in terms of relationships\, but doesn’t know what it is. \n\n\n\nRobert would like to be able to run his own errands\, and to have his own activities\, such as going to the bank\, shopping or joining a gym. However\, in the past he has relied on others to speak for him\, and so doing these things on his own makes him highly anxious. But now he is motivated to become more independent because he does not enjoy hanging out by himself at home most of the time. \n\n\n\nCarla is 34 and married. She enjoys sexual activity\, but finds that being held tight outside of sex\, for long periods of time\, makes her feel claustrophobic. Her husband is affectionate\, and feels hurt when she rejects his hugs\, resulting in arguments between them. She finds herself avoiding contact with him. \n\n\n\nIssues that Arise Around Relationships \n\n\n\n\nI don’t know where to look to find friends.\nI feel my interests won’t interest others my age\, but I don’t want to pretend to be somebody else in order to make friends.\nI don’t know how to join in when it looks like everyone knows each other.\nI don’t know how to turn acquaintances into friends who will want to do something with me on the weekends.\nI have sometimes been told that I sound “nerdy” or like a “know it all”.\nI’m not sure that I can distinguish between a true friends and someone who is using me.\nI feel depressed that I will never have friends or a relationship.\nI don’t know where to meet potential dates\, and don’t feel comfortable in crowed places\, like parties or bars.\nI am too afraid of being rejected to ask someone for a date.\nI am intimidated by social networking sites\, and have tried online dating services\, but never got a date.\nI have begun a few Internet relationships\, but they have all fallen apart after meeting.\nI am embarrassed about being a virgin at my age.\nI doubt that I could trust that another person can accept me as I am; this inhibits me from becoming intimate with anyone.\nI get so upset when my partner is annoyed with me that I freeze and don’t know what to do or say.\nMy partner tells me that I am insensitive.\nMy partner blames all of our problems on ASD\, and it makes me feel guilty.
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/reflections-on-independent-asd-and-parent-meeting
CATEGORIES:Employment,Housing,Life & Social Skills,Mental Health,Post-Sec Education,SPS Business
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20181017
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20181018
DTSTAMP:20211019T042849Z
CREATED:20181106T080000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T042849Z
UID:1166-1539734400-1539820799@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Autism & Employment Conference
DESCRIPTION:SPS Summaries of ASD\, Employment & Mental Health Oct 2018
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/autism-employment-conference
CATEGORIES:Employment,Mental Health
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20180621
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20180622
DTSTAMP:20211025T000742Z
CREATED:20180718T070000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211025T000742Z
UID:1165-1529539200-1529625599@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Bias in Disability- “How Others See You”
DESCRIPTION:  \n  \nMeeting Thursday\, June 21\, 2018 \nBias in Disability- “How Others See You” \nSpeakers: Dr. Grace Iarocci & Nicki Scheerer  \n  \n  \n  \nDr. Grace Iarocci and Dr. Nikki Scheerer  presented to us their recent research on bias in disability. They are looking at how unconscious and first impressions fairly or unfairly\, contribute to one’s assessment\, and consequently\, treatment of an individual. While this research is in very early stages\, the intention is to direct their findings to improving autism awareness and understanding in the general population\, and particularly in high schools. The hope is that this will decrease the difficulties that individuals with disabilities have with functioning and interacting with others\, and enable us all to move toward a fully inclusive society.  We really appreciate their willingness to share their studies\, even though findings are not yet conclusive. \nThe Structure of the Research Project \nSeventy-seven high school students\, aged 16-19\, 50 female & 27 male\, were asked to view 40 – 10 second video clips of various adolescents\, with and without autism\, being interviewed\, ostensibly\, as applicants to a reality TV show. The 77 participants also were of mixed ethnicities\, and were screened for previous exposure to ASD individuals. These participants were divided into two groups; one group was given an approximately one hour educational presentation prior to seeing the 40 video clips\, the other group was not. After seeing the videos\, the participants were asked to rate the individuals in the videos in terms of various characteristics – attractiveness\, intelligence\, likability\, trustworthiness\, dominance/submissiveness. They also indicated their willingness to live near the individual\, likelihood of hanging out with the individual in their free time\, their level of comfort sitting next to the individual\, and their likelihood of starting a conversation with the individual. \nThe Findings \nOverall\, ASD individuals in the video clips were perceived more negatively than Typically Developing individuals. Furthermore\, the ratings of the group that had received the pre-video educational presentation did not statistically differ from the ratings of the group who did not receive the educational presentation. \nThe Qualifiers \nThis research is in its early stages\, and the findings need to be replicated\, but seem to support the results of the research of Noah Sasson et al (2017). These\, and other studies indicate that negative bias occurs even in very young individuals – it would be interesting to include in future studies\, participants younger and older –a broader range than the high school students in this study. Perhaps high school students are extremely conscious about “fitting in”\, and are therefore are hyper-sensitive to “differentness”\, and are not receptive to friendships with people whom they perceive as being “different”. One of our parents present suggested that future studies include participants in the Faculty of Education at SFU\, in order to test for bias in our future classroom teachers – a suggestion that Grace acknowledged could be possible.  Further consideration also needs to be given to the educational presentation and why it made so little difference in the ratings of the participants. Was it too dry and factual? Too long\, too short? Not visually interesting? We were not shown this educational presentation at our meeting. Understanding if & how education can influence perceptional bias will be key to creating greater general acceptance of individuals with disabilities. Dr. Iarocci plans to work with Autistics United to develop a more sensitive educational presentation for future studies. \nWhat We Learned \n\n“Thin Slicing” – humans make judgments\, after very short exposure to a person or a situation -“first impressions” that are often (but not always) quite accurate. This is almost a survival instinct – a response to a potential or perceived threat. However\, many of us have also experienced situations where our first impressions are incorrect – where we have been impressed by someone who later lets us down\, or where we have failed initially to see qualities in someone we later come to admire.\n\n(Thin-slicing is a term used in psychology to refer to the human ability to find patterns in events based on very quick inferences about characteristics of an individual). \n\nWomen are better than men at making accurate\, quick judgements than men. Very young people\, as well as older individuals\, also make very quick judgements about others.\nMore socially competent individuals are more able to pick out people who are “different”\, but are also less likely to be empathetic towards those who are different.\nFinally\, one of the most significant findings – the social difficulties that an individual experiences\, occur within an interpersonal and social context. This means that approaches to overcoming these difficulties must be not only be directed at the individuals with the disabilities. This turns conventional treatment on its head\, as traditionally\, treatment has been focused on “fixing” the individual. \n\nWhere We Go From Here \n\nBias exists and “Differentness” is interpreted negatively\, in most instances. But can the behaviours that are the response to bias be modified through education? By removing the fear that often accompanies the perception of differentness? How can we achieve this?\nThe finding that bias exists is evidence that when social difficulties occur they are due both to the behaviour of the individual with the disability\, and the behavior of others in their social sphere. Therefore\, solutions should not be imposed upon the individual with the disability\, to make them fit (Square Pegs in Round Holes!). People with disabilities do not want to be pitied\, or made over – ask them what they need to improve their interface with their world. “Nothing about us without us”.\nPeople with disabilities are affected by the negative biases that others hold of them\, and many perceive\, and are hurt by these biases\, which negatively impact their mental health and their ability to function.\nParents also hold biases – and should be given support and training\, as an integral part of the social support circles around individuals with disabilities.\nThe Role of Education. Maybe education for social acceptance and social change is much more complex that we have previously assumed – that it requires many steps and much time\, and is built on much more than information sharing – perhaps a focus empathy building through art\, film\, theatre\, ie\, Theatre of the Oppressed?\n\nWe can help by helping to model and speak out that people with disabilities want a full and meaningful life\, and to continually create opportunities for them to do so. \nDr. Iarocci is a psychology professor at Simon Fraser University (SFU)\, and the Director of the Autism & Developmental Disorders Lab at SFU. Work in the Lab focuses mainly on two streams of basic research: 1) understanding the development of selective attention in humans and the implications for object and social perception\, and 2) understanding atypical development (e.g. autism spectrum disorder-ASD) where there are documented attentional/perceptual processing atypicalities that interfere with some aspects of perception yet facilitate others. Grace is also interested in social competence and the link to mental health and family well-being. \nAppendix \nTips to help you connect with individuals who have ASD. \n\nTry to connect. Social isolation is a big risk for people with ASD. Avoidance makes that worse.\nKeep an open mind. Just because a person struggles to connect does not mean they do not want to. Some people with autism are very social and desire friendships just like everyone else.\nSet aside fears. Remember that ASD does not automatically make a person aggressive. Meltdowns can happen\, but they’re often about being overwhelmed. If your ASD acquaintance is visibly agitated\, merely give them space and time to calm themselves.\nForget social norms and conventions. Repetitive behaviours\, such as hand flapping or noises\, are coping mechanisms — nothing to be concerned about. Remember that eye contact may be difficult for an ASD person. Many ASD people use their body — not words — to communicate. Try not to stare when they do unusual things.\nLook for creative ways to connect. Ask a caregiver for best practice advice for individuals. Speak at a reasonable pace and volume\, and use short sentences. Some children connect with touch\, music or animals. Think non-verbal\, perhaps pictures or flash-cards. Don’t expect an immediate response; it may take time.\nBe aware of sensitivities. Some people with autism are hypersensitive to sounds\, smells or certain physical sensations. Some are exactly the opposite. Ask a caregiver for advice about making the environment comfortable for the person with ASD.\nLet people practice. Reach out and help ASD people practice social interaction. Every child and young adult needs to practice social interaction.\nFoster awareness. Remember your reaction to a person with ASD becomes part of how they see themselves and how others see them.\nAdvocate for more respect and behavioural training supports. Sound the alarm about the lack of services for people\, especially once they hit age 18. Take an active stand against bullying and abuse.\nBe inclusive. Keep in mind that ASD is complex. Focus on more than just a “cure.” Think acceptance and inclusion. Says Iarocci: “It’s not the kind of thing you can fix. You need to be understanding. People with ASD just do things differently.”\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/bias-in-disability-how-others-see-you
CATEGORIES:Advocacy
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20180414
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20180415
DTSTAMP:20211019T043243Z
CREATED:20180501T070000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T043243Z
UID:1162-1523664000-1523750399@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Annual General Meeting on April 14th \, 2018
DESCRIPTION:Annual General Meeting \nSquare Peg Society \nApril 14\, 2018 \nVanCity Meeting Room\, 5064 Kingsway\, Burnaby BC \n  \n\nCall to order: The meeting was called to order at 1:40pm by moderator\, Fred Michael.\n\n  \n\nApproval of minutes: Fred noted that there are no minutes to approve as this is the first formal AGM.\n\n  \n\nDirector’s Report: Joette Heuft reviewed the purpose and particular focus of the Square Peg Society as a non-profit\, volunteer run organization that supports individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families. The focus is on building independence for those individuals whose disability may be ‘invisible’ and who struggle post-secondary to establish themselves. Joette reviewed the activities of the society and the activities that she has been engaged with. Some examples are organizing meetings and the cooking club\, responding to calls of enquiry about SPS\, and ASD\, participating in roundtable discussions on Employment and Mental Health (Pacific Autism Family Network\, West Coast Child Development)\, preparing and delivering a presentation to the Fraser Health Board of Directors\, and a meeting with Judy Darcy\, Minister of Mental Health & Addictions. The group acknowledged Joette’s outstanding contribution to the development and success of Square Peg Society to date.\n\n  \n\nTreasurer’s Report: Mahmoud Rezaee presented the financial statements for the fiscal year 2016-17. Total revenue was $2427.25 and total expenses were $1256.79 leaving a surplus balance of $1170.46. Discussion followed. Moved by Louvain Chalmers\, seconded by Debra Merchant to accept 2016-7 financial statements as presented. Carried\n\n  \n\nApproval of 2017-18 Budget: Mahmoud Rezaee reviewed the proposed budget and there was some discussion on bank fees – there was a one time cost of $80.87 for cheques – a significant cost\, but this was the minimum order that we could place\, and cheques were needed for paying volunteers for expenses incurred on our behalf. Moved by Sue McIntyre\, seconded by Louvain Chalmers to approve the budget.\n\n  \n\nElection of Board Members: Fred announced that Catherine Alcee will withdraw as Board Member at Large. Thank you to Catherine for her time over the past year. All other members will remain in the same positions:\n\nExecutive Director: Joette Heuft\nTreasurer: Mahmoud Rezaee\nSecretary: Debra Merchant\nMembers at Large: Fred Michael\, Louvain Chalmers\n\n\n\nCharitable status: Fred provided an update on Square Peg Society’s application for charitable status. The timing of the approval process is uncertain. The application was acknowledged in Jan/2018 and is expected to be reviewed in May with possible approval for the fall.\n\n  \n\nNew Societies Act: Square Peg is a non-profit society in BC at present. There is a new Societies Act which we must comply with and it must be complete by Nov 2018. Dianne Simmons will work with Fred on this project as she has experience in this process.\n\n  \n\nNew Business/Project Updates:\n\nWebsite: Joette explained the importance of the website for Square Peg and believes a number of people follow events through the website. It takes time to continue to provide content for it\, and will take funds to expand and improve it. Square Peg is grateful to Mahmoud for the work he has been done. Sue McIntyre will now assume responsibility to answer email enquiries\, and will set up an email address to do so. There was a discussion about the effectiveness of using technology to reach/develop our community\, website interactivity\, and the need for technical support to achieve this. Louvain has consulted a friend who has expertise creating online communities and this person has agreed to advise on website development at a future meeting. Joette would like to start a Facebook page and perhaps initiate other social media activity.\n\n\n\n  \n\nFilm Club: This project\, called REEL Relationships\, is to be piloted over the summer by Aaron. The format is a monthly film (SFU students only) viewing and discussion that will be moderated by SFU grad students (selected by Dr. Grace Iarocci). For the time being the film club will be exclusive to SFU students as it will receive funds from the SFU Student Society. In future\, we would like to open this up to everyone.\n\n  \n\nCooking club: Joette and Sue have been running the cooking club in space provided by Shaughnessy United Church. As the program develops we hope that parents would decrease\, in order to enhance the participants’ sense of independence. Joette proposes to change the format so that sessions are booked in groups of three (eg. May\, June\, July) around a theme. One goal is to encourage bonding through consistency of attendees\, and familiarity with the event. There would be two baking sessions per year as well (Christmas/April). Funding would be helpful to buy equipment and to compensate the volunteer chefs.\n\n  \n\nSocial group: Joette described some of the ideas for the social club that have been tried and the challenges associated with them. Many of our members feel socially isolated\, but struggle with the effort\, skills\, and motivation needed to engage socially. While we feel that this is an important aspect of personal happiness and well-being\, we are unsure of how to make this a success. We all agreed that parents cannot and should not plan or organize social activities on our members’ behalf; however\, the opportunity is there for a young adult to take up the lead\, and we would support this. In addition\, some feel the need for more social engagement – should this be for parents? For families? In response to this discussion\, Fred & Joette will\, once per month\, propose\, a walk\, coffee\, gathering\, or an activity for people to join in on if they wish\, in order to provide an opportunity for people to meet and chat in an informal setting.\n\n  \n\nFunding: There was a general discussion about the need for funding and the hope that it will be easier to secure when Square Peg has charitable status so that donation receipts can be issued. Charitable status also confers credibility to potential donors. Joette would like to be prepared to submit funding requests in advance of receiving charitable status and a personal friend has offered to help identify potential donors. Estimated funds needed for cooking club ($1000)\, film club ($1000)\, website ($5000) and PEERS Program\, or other life skills training program ($30\,000 for 2 sessions for 3 years). The idea of trying ‘Go Fund Me’ was discussed and will be implemented for the film club project. Dianne also suggested that municipal volunteer boards could be a source of volunteer help.\n\n  \n\nAdvocacy: Joette discussed some of her projects to increase awareness of challenges for ASD young adults such as the presentation to the Fraser Health Board and Judy Darcy\, Minister of Mental Health & Addictions. We need someone to assist with the advocacy.\n\n  \n\nSquare Peg Meetings: Joette announced that meetings will decrease from 10 to 6/yr plus a summer picnic and Christmas event. There was discussion of different meeting formats with general consensus to keep things as is. We need help to organize and/or run the meetings. Please think of ideas for meetings and consider volunteering to run one meeting. This will be discussed further at the next Square Peg meeting on April 19\, 2018.\n\n  \n\nMeeting adjourned: the meeting was adjourned at 3:45pm.
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/annual-general-meeting-on-april-14th-2018
CATEGORIES:SPS Business
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20180402T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20180402T000000
DTSTAMP:20211025T000907Z
CREATED:20180502T070000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211025T000907Z
UID:1164-1522627200-1522627200@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:What Am I Eligible For (PWD)
DESCRIPTION:Click here to see the meeting minutes in PDF
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/366
CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20180215
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20180216
DTSTAMP:20211025T001005Z
CREATED:20180501T070000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211025T001005Z
UID:1161-1518652800-1518739199@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:A Home of My Own\,  Part Two
DESCRIPTION: February 15\, 2018 \n‘A Home of My Own’\, Part Two  \n  \nSpeakers:  Sue McIntyre & Julie Lebrun\, St. Andrew’s United Church\, Multi-Use Church Property  Re-development  \n                      Liz & Doug Cochran\, Finding/Developing Integrated Housing for our Adult Children  \n  \n St. Andrew’s United Church: The Re-development of Our Church Property   www.sauc.ca \n  \nThe St. Andrew’s Housing Society was formed as part of the redevelopment of St. Andrew’s United Church in Port Moody\, BC. Sue and Julie presented their planning process to date. In addition to a building permit\, a zoning change is also required for this project to proceed\, and the project is currently under review\, awaiting these approvals. \n Vision\, Mission and Values  \nChurch members\, in consultation with their congregation\, developed a visual representation of their mission\, vision\, and values in the form of a tree which they used to identify their key values\, which then guided their decision-making. It was emphasized throughout their presentation how important this vision was in helping them remain true to their values throughout the development process and in searching for partner organizations whose values aligned with theirs. \n Development Process  \nThe planning process began in 2014 and the project is projected to be ready for occupancy in 2020. St. Andrew’s advises that the planning and realization of this type of project takes time\, and patience needs to be exercised and lots of time allotted to the planning process. The process was described in 6 steps: \n\nMission/Vision: the idea\nFeasibility Study – The Concept Plan\nDetails: the Business Plan\nPreconstruction Phase\nConstruction\nOccupancy\n\nObjectives  \n\nCreate a new\, multifunctional\, welcoming space\nAchieve financial sustainability for the Church\nProvide benefits to the surrounding community\nConstruct a high quality building based on sustainable design\n\nIt is interesting to see how well these objectives have translated into the proposed project. Included are a new church for the congregation and shareable space for the surrounding community\, a Children’s Treatment Centre\, and affordable rental housing for families and individuals. Their studies indicated that what the community needed was not condos\, and not expressly seniors’ housing or housing for people with disabilities\, though it can accommodate both. Their intent for their housing was to provide a ‘great place to live in a kind way’. \n Partners  \nFinding and developing good partnerships is key to the success of this type of project. While the congregation had land and a long term goal\, it had neither the money nor expertise to move ahead on the project alone. The Church connected with four partners and the role and importance of each was described. \nThe partner organizations are: \n\nUnited Church of Canada BC Conference\nKinsight (formerly Simon Fraser Society for Community Living)\nSHARE Family & Community Services\nCatalyst Community Developments\n\nSignificant support has been provided by the United Church of Canada BC Council and BC Housing. \nMore details on the partners is available at http://www.thefuture2318.com/ \n Proposed New Building  \nA schematic of the proposed new building was shown and described; St Andrews is not yet ready to broadly circulate their drawings until they have received their permits. However\, it was inspiring to see how far the vision and values of the congregation\, have taken them from the existing church afloat in a large parking lot\, to the proposed building. Included are a new Church and Church offices and a Children’s Treatment Centre for people with developmental disabilities (this will be jointly owned and operated by Kinsight and SHARE. St. Andrew’s felt that the Treatment Centre\, a permanent partner\, with compatible values\, was preferable to retail units\, which would tend to have a higher rate of turnover\, and which may or may not be good neighbours. Proposed are 55 rental units\, ranging from studios to 3-bedroom units\, owned and managed jointly by the non-profit housing arms of Catalyst and the Church (the Church will own 30-35% of the units). Resisting the pressure to develop condos instead of rental units demonstrates an understanding of the surrounding community and a commitment to St. Andrew’s development vision. Rental income will be used to pay the mortgage and sustain the Church. Professional property managers will be engaged for the day to day running of the building. \n Project Financing  \nVarious partner organizations have contributed financially to the project throughout the developmental process (see 6 steps above). The Church’s primary assets were their land\, and a dedicated community willing to give of their time to work on this project. Careful selection of Partners connected the Church to development expertise and money. St. Andrew’s emphasized that they could not have undertaken this project alone. \n\nMission/Vision: St. Andrew’s Church\nFeasibility Study This cost approximately $20\,000\, provided by the United Church of Canada\, VanCity Credit Union\nBusiness Plan: St. Andrew’s\, UCC\, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)\, Catalyst Community Developments\nPreconstruction Phase: predevelopment loan from BC Housing\nConstruction: Church land transfer\, BC Housing\nOccupancy: take out financing\n\nWho Will Live There  \nThe process for applying/selecting occupants for the units has not yet been decided. The rental rates for the 51 units may vary but will average about 15% below market rates. The 4 units reserved for people with developmental disabilities will be rented and managed by Kinsight at the monthly housing allowance rate for PWD. \n Lessons Learned  \nJulie and Sue summarized their learning about the re-development process to date\, and advise others as follows: \n\nStay true to the vision\nDevelop guidelines for decision-making\nBuild a communication strategy\nCommunicate constantly; using different media and being inclusive of all stakeholder groups (eg. neighbours)\nDon’t do it alone; each partner brings something that makes it work\n\nHow to Help  \nThe congregation of St. Andrew’s United Church is a relatively small group (70 people) and welcomes community support and involvement. One opportunity is to attend the upcoming public hearing at Port Moody City Council. The date of this hearing has not yet been announced. \n  \nFinding/Developing Integrated Housing for our Adult Children  \nLiz Cochran is a co-founder of Vancouver Transition Parents\, a parent support group working hard to share information around the support of people with disabilities transitioning to adulthood and their families. Liz and Doug Cochran also represent a small group of Vancouver parents seeking to provide long term housing for their adult children with disabilities. This group evolved from common interest as their sons were part of a ball hockey league\, and the parents began to talk about housing for them a bit further into the future. From a larger initial group\, three families have come together over the past two years to find a solution and are ready to invite other Vancouver families interested in joining them on this project. \nThey identified some of the same issues that Julie and Sue described – the considerable amount of time that is required to define a vision/goals so that one knows what to look for\, and finding compatible partners. They formed a non-profit society as a basis for connecting with potential partners\, one of which\, \nthe Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion (BACI)\, has come aboard with this project. BACI would buy some or all of the proposed building\, manage it\, and perhaps offer some life skills programs\, such as cooking classes. In addition to engaging an architect\, Anthony Bonni\, the group has considered various building designs\, has liaised with VanCity about financial strategies (families would put in money) and has met with Terra Housing to figure out what was possible and what they really wanted. \nThis group is looking for a Vancouver location for their young adults\, as this is where they live\, and where their kids grew up. However\, as you can imagine\, the high cost of housing in Vancouver has made finding a site challenging. Yet\, as this is where they also live\, and want to be close to their kids\, and believe that their children ‘have the right to live in the community where they grew up’. \nImportant aspects of their housing vision: \n\nA mixed community which would include a variety of people of ages\, ethnicity\, and ability\nTo avoid being perceived as a “building where disabled people live”\, they feel that they would like to limit the number of people with developmental disabilities to 50% of the building’s population\, though their view of this has evolved over time\, and is not necessarily fixed.\nThey would like to offer a combination of living arrangements.\nThey will also be developing a mechanism to enable individuals to move out\, as they recognize that circumstances in the lives of everyone\, including the lives of their kids\, may change.\nThe inclusion of communal social area important.\nProximity to transit\, shopping and recreational activities is important.\nSome things\, such as parking space or garden areas are less important\, and may be reduced in area from what would be included in other buildings.\n\nLiz’s group feels that buying an existing building and renovating it\, is their most feasible option\, both in terms of time and money\, and have looked at a number of older apartment buildings. They think that a building of 10-16 units would be appropriate for them\, but so far have not found anything that would meet their needs. They have also noted that without an actual building it is challenging to develop a working relationship with the housing “players” in the city\, such as BC Housing/City of Vancouver\, or to get solid commitments from other parents who also need housing solutions for their adult children. They also have realized that\, when they do find a building\, they will have to contend with existing tenants who will have to be bought out\, or who may not want to leave. \nAn organizational framework that they are considering is the idea of ‘life leases’ where a member of the group would purchase the use of their accommodation in the building. Lessees would pay in and live in the building until they choose to move\, or until their death\, with the next person moving in paying the departing lessee or their estate the use purchase fee. Essentially\, lessees would buy a ‘right’ to inhabit and use part of the building. Any increase in value would be shared by members. \n Advice to other groups wanting to undertake similar projects  \n\nRealize housing projects take time\nLook at lots of projects/buildings to get ideas\nFind experts in the not-for-profit organizations\nMake meetings fun\nPartner with a service provider with experience and expertise in housing.\n\nLiz’s presentation left me puzzling over possible solutions to finding a building. I have difficulty seeing the City of Vancouver permitting the development of a multiple unit building in a single family zone\, even if their 10-16 inhabitants were housed in only 5 suites. An existing large single family house\, however\, could be re-designed with four or five bedrooms with bathrooms and a large common area\, with possibly a laneway house for a support worker to live in. This scenario implies that the building would need to appear as a single family building\, and not as a building with multiple front doors. I am also wondering if a relationship with a developer and/or the City of Vancouver could be pursued where families belonging to groups such as Liz’s could be given the option to purchase 3 or 4 adjacent suites in a new condo development at the design phase\, when the plan is still in flux\, which could then be re-worked to meet the needs of the young adults to be housed. This would likely involve the City offering a density bonus\, and/or allowing the reduction in the number of required parking spaces. Another possibility would be to cultivate relationships with the owners/property managers of older apartment buildings\, and ask to be alerted to any vacancies of apartments. The group could then begin to “assemble” units in the building\, providing incentives to tenants in a given suite to move other units in the building\, so that the group can gather units together to renovate them to meet the needs of their members. What would likely make this work would be the offer of the group to provide some building improvement capital\, and possibly to upgrade the suites of those tenants that have agreed to re-locate to another unit in the building. Finally\, what about further expanding upon the laneway house concept\, and instead of thinking about housing our kids together in a single building\, looked at housing them together in a neighbourhood? For example\, if 3 adjacent single family houses could be found either with aging home owners\, or home owners needing a mortgage helper\, laneway houses which could accommodate two individuals in each could be built on each of the 3 lots. If these were developed at the same time\, there could be significant design\, permitting\, and building savings. To make this really work would require that these laneway houses be either strata titled or given something like a long-term lease\, to ensure the security of housing that these individuals would need. Making them zero lot line units would make more efficient use of the land. However\, these might be hard to achieve in terms of permits. This grouped laneway house scenario could also allow the pooling of support worker hours\, if supported individuals were housed close together\, in the same neighbourhood. \nWe wish Liz and Doug and their other members well with this project and look forward to future updates.
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/a-home-of-my-own-part-two
CATEGORIES:Housing
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20170722T113000
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DTSTAMP:20211019T043629Z
CREATED:20211009T020831Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T043629Z
UID:1679-1500723000-1500730200@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Cooking Club
DESCRIPTION:LIFE SKILLS KITCHEN COOKING CLUB \nFor payment by PayPal  Click Here
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/cooking-club-3
CATEGORIES:Fun,Life & Social Skills
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20170420
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20170421
DTSTAMP:20211025T001432Z
CREATED:20170503T070000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211025T001432Z
UID:1159-1492646400-1492732799@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Challenges & Successes in College & University
DESCRIPTION:Speaker: Dr. Rashmeen Nirmal \nDr. Nirmal is a Registered Psychologist working in the British Columbia Autism Assessment Network (BCAAN) at Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children and is a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Pediatrics\, Faculty of Medicine\, at UBC. Her clinical focus\, while working in Canada and the United States\, has been on the assessment and treatment of children\, teens\, and young adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities\, with a specialization in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Her research interests include postsecondary supports for young adults with ASD\, executive functioning in the workplace for individuals with ASD\, and social supports for teens and young adults with ASD. Dr. Nirmal completed her M.A. and Ph.D. at UBC\, and she is a certified PEERS provider. \nDr. Nirmal’s dissertation on the experiences of ASD adults with post-secondary education is one of very few explorations into this subject. She emphasized the need for more research in this area. Her study was small\, only 12 subjects\, 9 males and 3 females. Most were undergraduate students\, between the ages of 18-20. The study included a follow-up interview for each subject\, to correct\, clarify the information gathered. \nMany ASD students have the intellectual capability of undertaking post-secondary course work\, and surveys of younger ASD students often indicate an interest in attending college or university\, yet actual enrollment is often lower than would be expected. One study of 680 ASD adults found that only 34.7 % attended a post-secondary institution. In addition\, many have several false starts\, or end up not completing a post-secondary program. In short\, many ASD students should do well at university or college\, but don’t. \nWhat the reasons for this? Here are some: \n\nA lack of social interaction & communication skills\, including a poor ability to interpret nonverbal cues.\nDifficulty finding common and shared interests. A predisposition to being obsessive or narrow in choice of interests. This laser-like ability to focus on a particular interest or area of study can also be an advantage\, especially at later stages in a degree program\, but can be seen to be socially rigid.\nRomantic relationships – ASD students may be developmentally delayed in this area\, which may make them feel odd or out of place\, or sometimes may lead to inappropriate relationships or behavior.\nSome students may find the lack of fixed\, rigid structures at University disconcerting.\nVestibulary discomfort; some may find the sounds\, smells\, textures\, over-whelming.\nLevel of Adaptive behavior functioning; there may be a wide gap between their cognitive functioning and adaptive functioning (the ability to independently carry out daily living activities).\nInability to be effective self-advocates.\nPresence of psychiatric co-morbidities\, especially anxiety and depression. These occur in 65% of adults with ASD.\nLevel of executive functioning – many find it difficult to organize and plan their time\, and to shift from one activity to another.\n\n8 Broad Themes emerged in Dr. Nirmal’s study: \n\nManagement of Academic Expectations: How well the student can organize his or her time\, work toward deadlines\, establish priorities\, shift from one task to another.\nThe Experience of Support: Does the student feel supported by professors\, by campus support organizations\, by community or global supports (church\, community centers\, mentors\, i.e.\, Temple Grandin)? Do they feel that they are supported by like-minded peers?\nManagement of ASD and related symptoms: Does the student’s preference for routine help to focus their attention on the task at hand\, or do their restricted interests distract them from course work? Are they able to find ways of coping with sensory dysregulation – for example\, finding places to work which do not overwhelm their senses?\nThe Influence of Past Experiences: Are past elementary or high school academic or social experiences an impediment to current and future experience?\nA Sense of Appreciation: To what extent does the student feel that they are respected by the professors and surrounded by like-minded peers – do they appreciate the more mature college or university environment?\nUnderstanding of ASD – their own understanding of themselves and the degree to which they fee understood by others. Some may feel that others do not understand their disability\, and may see any accommodations that they receive as allowing them to “slack off”\, whereas some may not take advantage of accommodations as they are in denial about having ASD\, or fear that accepting accommodation will separate them from their classmates.\nManagement of the Transition: Has the student been fully prepared for the transition from the structured high school environment to the much less structured college/university environment? Do they know how to function without the presence of a Special Education Assistant? Can they navigate the University system of registration\, websites\, forms and regulations?\nSocial Implications: Is the student understanding of and prepared to enter a new social world? Are they comprehending the threshold between their desire/ambitions for their future with uncertainty about that future? Do they recognize the need to initiate social interactions on their own\, or differently than in the past? Can they find social outlets outside of college or university or online where they might find smaller\, club based or special interest activities or events.\n\nWhat are the implications for practice and practitioners working with ASD individuals who attend or intend to attend college or university? \nIntensive intervention should be available to these individuals in the following areas: \n\nSocial skills training is required to prepare them for collaborative work and relationships in college and beyond.\nAdaptive behavior training and experience\, including through volunteer work and work placements\nExecutive functioning training to help them to organize themselves and to prioritize their work.\nOngoing mental health monitoring and treatment.\nTake it slow – understand that completing college or university will take longer than for a neurotypical student – and that building self-confidence and succeeding slowly is preferable to becoming overwhelmed and failing.\nMake use of accommodations and helpful technologies such as “smart pens” for note taking.
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/meeting-thursday-april-20-2017
CATEGORIES:Post-Sec Education
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