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Towards Culturally Responsive Disability Services: An International Conference
October 6th & 7th, 2008
Niagara Falls, NY
Day 1
Four members of an ERDCO team: Rabia Khedr, Jeyasingh David, Raihanna Hirji-Khalfan and David Meyers, attended the "Towards Culturally Responsive Disability Services: An International Conference" in Niagara Falls, New York on October 6th & 7th, 2008. This was a conference organized by CIRRIE (Centre for International Rehabilitation Research Information & Exchange).
Back, left to right: Rabia Khedr, Jeyasingh David, Raihanna Hirji-Khalfan,
Front: David Meyers
ERDCO was a co-sponsor of the event, and Rabia Khedr, our long-serving advisor, represented ERDCO as part of the conference welcoming committee. Rabia did an excellent job of highlighted the various projects ERDCO had worked on and also served as moderator for one of discussion sessions.
Several professionals working with people with disabilities in both the United States and Canada, delivered well-researched presentations on topics that helped everyone understand how best to serve people with disabilities from different cultural backgrounds. A common theme of most of the presentations was the profound lack of cultural sensitivity in the disability services provided by government run and private sector services throughout North America, resulting in discrimination and inequities faced by people based on such traits as culture, race, immigrant status and language of origin.
One of the most interesting speakers was from Chicago, Illinois and spoke about how to deliver cultural competence training to staff who provide services to people with disabilities. It was presentations such as this that enabled the ERDCO delegation to learn more about delivering cultural competence training to the wider community. This is one of ERDCO's objectives for the future.
Attending such conferences is an excellent way for ERDCO to keep up to date with recent developments in the disability field and how this relates to people from different cultural backgrounds. Not only is it important to learn from other grassroots organizations, it is also vital that we are aware of the new research that is being conducted around race and disability. This will position us to play a greater leadership role as a community resource that the government, the private and public sectors looks to for public education and supports as our society seeks to be more responsive to the inclusion and equity needs of its ethno-racial members with disabilities.
By Raihanna Hirji-Khalfan
ERDCO's 2008 Annual Community BBQ
August 9th 2008, High Park
On Saturday, August 9, 2008, ERDCO together with community partners, held a BBQ and community celebration in Toronto's High Park. Several groups came together to share food and community connections. At this year's event, ERDCO enjoyed the privilege of co-sponsoring the BBQ together with a few other parties: the Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT), Canadian South Asians Supporting Independent Living (C-SASIL), Tamil Disability Organization and WholeNet Technologies.
As in past years, a key objective of this event was to offer diverse members with disabilities, their families and community partners an opportunity to build stronger networks and engagement and celebrate our assets. And besides getting to know each other and sharing experiences, there was the excuse to -as always - have a great time! And even though it poured and poured and still poured all-afternoon-long, we did just what we set out to achieve on the day. Most attendees had a fine time linking and schmoozing with friends, old contacts and people they'd never met before. This was a clear reminder that people with disAbilities are used to navigating inaccessible situations.
The staff at the outdoor snack bar had mercy on our group and permitted us all to stay under their canopy for the afternoon. It was a sardine-tight squeeze for all but most of us stayed dry. It took a while for the barbecue to crank up, but the food was especially good when it came. (And many thanks go out to the intrepid event volunteers, attendants and community members who helped dish out the food, despite getting cold and soaked in the process.)
At this year's BBQ, as part of our strategic plan, we had hoped to do some interviews with attendees to get their thoughts about ERDCO at this time, what they know of our work and the type of work they'd like to see us doing in the future. Because of the downpour, this was not possible.
Next year we plan to have our BBQ again, with even more people and a more accessible space. All of our community members and partners will again be invited, so bring your personality, your ideas, your appetite, and an umbrella (just in case)!
Written by Maria Cruz, ERDCO Board member
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