Pre-Conference Event:
Family Advocacy: Towards More Positive Futures for Family Members Who Have Disabilities

During the workshop we will share our experiences and facilitate discussion regarding the role of families in promoting positive futures for family members with intellectual disabilities. All of us who are presenting this one day workshop have had many years of direct experience providing support that has enabled a family member to acquire valued social roles within the family and in the community. We know that in order for people with disabilities to have the opportunity to access the good things in life, we need to be working to promote change at all levels, with other families and with supportive organizations. We know that change does not happen easily, that there will always be challenges along the way, but that we can always make a positive difference. We all want better lives for the people we care about!

 

The goals of the event are:

1. To promote an understanding of how an SRV framework is essential to creating a vision for a meaningful and inclusive life for our family members

2. To share personal stories that may provide inspiration to workshop participants and encourage them to keep going even when things are tough

3. To impart the importance and impact of family-to-family networking

4. To enable participants to acquire knowledge and ideas that enhance or renew their ability to continue to work for positive change