Employment Advocacy, Celebrating Twenty Years, and Cooking Up a Recipe for Success!

Thanks to the 20th Anniversary Committee of Cooper Gage, Ian and Warren Murphy, and Jennifer Harris, LiveWorkPlay will be featured on April 9-10 on CTV Ottawa’s “Amazing People.” There will be a recorded segment from a visit to the LiveWorkPlay office airing on the 6pm news on the 9th and then a live-in-studio feature during the Noon news on the 10th. We know you’ll all be at Recipe

With breaking news last week about the Tunney’s Pasture sheltered workshop and the end of a federal contract, an important opportunity emerged for a dialogue about progress in support employment for people with intellectual disabilities. LiveWorkPlay Co-Leader and Director of Communications Keenan Wellar was quoted in two Ottawa Citizen articles, spoke on CBC radio All In A Day with Bryan Tardif from Citizen Advocacy, co-authored an op-ed (also in the Citizen) and encouraged other agency partners and leaders to get involved in the conversation. Renowned advocates like Mark Wafer have written articles with a similar viewpoint and publicly credited LiveWorkPlay for their approach to matching people with intellectual disabilities and employers.

The Board of Directors also issued a statement concluding:  Sheltered workshops present a significant systemic barrier to inclusion, so we are advocating that those who are not yet receiving adult Developmental Services be supported differently, and that those currently in segregated situations receive the planning and supports they need to make a successful transition to inclusive environments. LiveWorkPlay is here not only to assist in identifying this challenge, but to work with others and be a part of the solution.