LiveWorkPlay

Transitioning to the World of Work: Resource Fair on April 8th LiveWorkPlay will be there! This is a great event by the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) in partnership with the Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB) it is a resource fair for students and family members to explore strategies and resources that can help them thrive in the workplace. This event is designed for students with individualized learning needs. Date: Wednesday, April 8th Time: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Location: Confederation Education Centre (1645 Woodroffe Ave, Nepean) Advance registration is not required. Panel discussion (5:30 – 6:30 p.m.) Hear from a panel of community organizations as they share insights on: - Employment skills and tips for job seekers - Accommodations and supports - Disclosing a disability and advocating for yourself - Employee rights and responsibilities Service showcase (6:30 – 7:30 p.m.) This is your opportunity to meet one-on-one with local organizations. Ask questions, gather resources, and connect with community supports that can help you reach your goals. Who should attend: This event is open to all secondary students who are planning to graduate into the world of work and who identify as needing extra support in obtaining employment. Families are also welcome to attend.

Our 31st anniversary is coming up fast! 17 years ago today, our "Maybe One Day" PSA started airing on the A-Channel television. We caused quite a buzz! It was shown frequently on daytime television and we had soap opera and sci-fi fans calling us because the loved it, were bothered by it, or just had questions. We also submitted it as short film entry in the Sprout Touring Film Festival, and it made the cut for the festival event at the Inclusion Canada (formerly Canadian Association for Community Living) 50th Anniversary Conference in Ottawa. The filming took place in and around Fifth Avenue Court, and inside the Arrow & The Loon pub. Starring Rick Kaulbars, it featured many of our members of the time, with the punchline nailed by Jennifer Harris.

This has been a long time coming! 🐱❤️ Minutes after Chris moved to his own apartment last year, he spoke to our Community Supports Team about adopting a cat from Seniors, Kittens and Shy Cats Rescue. That sounds easy enough, but there were many ups and downs in the process. Sometimes a match is made and adoption is underway, but the cat needs a new operation, or other delays happen in the best interest of the kitty in question. Then there is everything you need to be ready to adopt - it's a long list, but really important! But it was all meant to be, congratulations to Chris and a shout out to the Supported Independent Living specialists at LiveWorkPlay who helped Chris and Shiloh find each other! ~ photos by Lindsay Pritchard

We are so excited to bring Project SEARCH Canada to the Ottawa area with these great partners Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) and The Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus!

This is only an hour and it is 60 minutes well spent! 👏

World Down Syndrome Day #WDSD2026 Message #3 from LiveWorkPlay: Loneliness happens when people are not supported to build and maintain connections with others: relationships that strengthen over time through shared interests and everyday experiences. For people with Down syndrome, as with all people, friendship and love grow from real connection in community.

World Down Syndrome Day #WDSD2026 Message #2 from LiveWorkPlay: Being part of a workplace helps people build relationships, earn an income, and take part in everyday life at home and in the community. Citizens with Down syndrome belong EVERYWHERE in our communities, including every type of workplace. --- The 2026 World Down Syndrome Day theme, “Together Against Loneliness,” focuses on raising awareness of how loneliness disproportionately affects people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, as well as their families. It highlights that loneliness is not just an emotional feeling but a serious health issue that can lead to anxiety, depression, and physical harm, often linked to social exclusion and stigma. The campaign calls for real inclusion in schools, workplaces, and communities, emphasizing that being present does not equate to being included or truly connected. It stresses that everyone - individuals, families, organizations, schools, employers, and governments - has a role in creating welcoming spaces and meaningful relationships to help people feel they belong. Ultimately, the theme frames loneliness as a human rights issue, urging collective action to turn the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities into concrete change that ends isolation and promotes full participation in society. Down syndrome occurs when an individual has an extra partial (or whole) copy of chromosome 21. It is not yet know why this syndrome occurs, but Down syndrome has always been a part of the human condition. It exists in all regions across the globe and commonly results in variable effects on learning styles, physical characteristics and health. Adequate access to health care, to early intervention programmes, and to inclusive education, as well as appropriate research, are vital to the growth and development of the individual. --- In December 2011, the United Nations General Assembly decided, with effect from 2012, to observe World Down Syndrome Day on 21 March each year. In order to raise public awareness of Down syndrome, the General Assembly invites all Member States, relevant organizations of the United Nations system and other international organizations, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organizations and the private sector, to observe World Down Syndrome Day in an appropriate manner.

World Down Syndrome Day #WDSD2026 March 21 Message #1 from LiveWorkPlay: Our world is better when people with Down syndrome are valued as full citizens, contributing to and benefiting from shared opportunities as part of diverse, welcoming, and inclusive communities. --- The 2026 World Down Syndrome Day theme, “Together Against Loneliness,” focuses on raising awareness of how loneliness disproportionately affects people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, as well as their families. It highlights that loneliness is not just an emotional feeling but a serious health issue that can lead to anxiety, depression, and physical harm, often linked to social exclusion and stigma. The campaign calls for real inclusion in schools, workplaces, and communities, emphasizing that being present does not equate to being included or truly connected. It stresses that everyone - individuals, families, organizations, schools, employers, and governments - has a role in creating welcoming spaces and meaningful relationships to help people feel they belong. Ultimately, the theme frames loneliness as a human rights issue, urging collective action to turn the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities into concrete change that ends isolation and promotes full participation in society. Down syndrome occurs when an individual has an extra partial (or whole) copy of chromosome 21. It is not yet know why this syndrome occurs, but Down syndrome has always been a part of the human condition. It exists in all regions across the globe and commonly results in variable effects on learning styles, physical characteristics and health. Adequate access to health care, to early intervention programmes, and to inclusive education, as well as appropriate research, are vital to the growth and development of the individual. --- In December 2011, the United Nations General Assembly decided, with effect from 2012, to observe World Down Syndrome Day on 21 March each year. In order to raise public awareness of Down syndrome, the General Assembly invites all Member States, relevant organizations of the United Nations system and other international organizations, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organizations and the private sector, to observe World Down Syndrome Day in an appropriate manner.

We agree that getting different levels of government across this country to come to an agreement over the definition of disability would go a long way in closing the equity gap, in terms of access to services and benefits. Anyone can become disabled through accident, illness or the ageing process. Becoming disabled should never mean automatically having to live in poverty. #EndDisabilityPoverty

About 15–20% of Canada’s population is neurodivergent. Creating accessible workplaces that support neurodiversity means that everyone can thrive. Learn more about inclusive practices and workplace accommodations in our guide: https://lnkd.in/emWHSqxk