Events & News

Events

Art of Disability Festival (ADF)

Since 2012, ILNS has hosted the Art of Disability Festival to showcase several talented artists with disabilities. The event highlights all aspects of the arts from fine art to performance art and everything in between. Over the years, the number of artists that participate in this festival has grown to include approximately 30 individuals. This event is a day of sharing, learning and celebrating the diverse talents in the community. For more details, click here.

Christmas Gala and Dance

After over two decades, our Christmas Gala is still the most anticipated event of the year with more than a hundred and twenty individuals coming together to share the spirit of the season. During this holiday season many ILNS consumers will enjoy our Christmas Gala and Dance surrounded by family, peers, and advocates. This event includes a traditional three-course meal, special addresses, and dancing to finish off the evening. 

Independent Living Across Canada Day (ILACD) 

On the first Monday in June, we celebrate Independent Living Across Canada Day (ILACD), through a variety of in person or virtual events. We come together to recognize the barriers that have been removed so persons with disabilities can live independently as well as the work that continues to be accomplished for Independent Living, accessibility and inclusion for all! 

Fresh Eats - Food Support

Whether it's through virtual Zoom sessions or special holiday edition recipes, we provide the know how and gift cards so you can learn to make affordable and healthy meals. Stay tuned for upcoming food series!

ILNS Monthly Bulletin

Our Monthly Bulletin will keep you informed with everything going on within our organization. To view past bulletins, click here. To sign up for our email list, click here.

Community Connections

See below for current information we receive from our partners, other organizations, and government agencies:

Province Seeking Feedback on Proposed Accessibility Standard

The Nova Scotia Government is seeking feedback on the proposed built environment accessibility standard, which includes human made spaces such as buildings, rights-of-way, and outdoor areas. People can also comment on amendments proposed for the Nova Scotia Building Code Regulations and Fire Safety Regulations, as well as new accessibility guidelines. 

Deadline to provide feedback is October 30, 2023. Provide feedback here: https://accessibility-engagement.ca/built-environment-public-review

For more information, visit their website at https://novascotia.ca/news/release/

Accessibility Standards Canada - New Emergency Measures

Accessibility Standards Canada has released a new draft standard on emergency measures, this covers important accessibility aspects in emergency situations, and broad guidance for many circumstances. This public review is your chance to make sure the standard works for you and for every Canadian. It identifies areas that work already and areas for improvement. 

Review it here

Provide feedback here by December 13, 2023. 

YLI Toolkit Launched

The Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI) Team proudly presents the YLI Toolkit, a free online multimedia resource hub for youth with disabilities and employers looking to make their workplaces more inclusive and accessible. The Toolkit will offer a one-stop resource database that provides tangible solutions to many of the attitudinal barriers faced by post-secondary youth with disabilities during their employment search.

For full details visit https://disabilityfoundation.org/yli/toolkit/

Explore the YLI Toolkit, use it, and let them know your thoughts by submitting your suggestions or feedback. Click here to give feedback. 

New Youth Centre at Captain William Spry

Looking for a safe space to hang out? Visit the new Captain William Spry Community Centre (16 Sussex St., Halifax)! This is a safe and inclusive space for all youth aged 13-18, with a wide range of activities such as video games, board games, TV, art supplies, wifi, free snacks, and comfy chairs. 

Starting September: Monday & Wednesday from 3:30-7:30 PM

For more information visit www.halifax.ca/parks-recreation/halifax-youth/

Bill C-22 Passed!

This is a historic moment for the Canadian disability community! On June 22, Bill C-22, or the Canada Disability Benefit Act, was approved by the House of Commons. This bill will be a game changer for the 1.4 million Canadians with disabilities living in poverty.

For more information visit Disability Without Poverty's press release. 

Brian Hennen Inclusive Community Lecture Series

To honour the life of Dr. Brian Hennen, The Brain Hennen Inclusive Community Lectures will be an interactive annual forum dedicated to learning about new ways to improve the quality of life for your loved ones with disabilities. The panel will include first voice, family members, advocates, medical and social service professionals, and the wider community. The first event will be held in October 2023. 

Dr. Brain Hennen was a lifelong advocate for persons with disabilities to have full and fruitful lives in their communities. Dr. Hennen sat on the ILNS Board of Directors, was a co-founder of the Community Homes Action group (CHAG), respected family doctor, professor at Dalhousie University, and head of the Department of Family Medicine. 

The Brian Hennen Inclusive Community Lecture Series Fund has been created at Dalhousie University in his memory. To donate please visit giving.dal.ca/drbrianhennen

For more information, please contact Jennifer Pierce at (902) 233-9275 or jennifer.pierce@dal.ca

Free Online ASL Classes

Have you wanted to learn American Sign Language (ASL) but the cost of the program has prevented you? The Oklahoma School for the Deaf is offering free online ASL classes. They are offering two pre recorded self guided classes: ASL 1 and ASL 2. 

This is a great resource for parents and teachers wanting to learn ASL. To learn more and to register visit: https://courses.osd

Inclusive Writing Guidelines and Resources 

The Government of Canada has put together a webpage for you to consult in-depth articles on the principles and techniques of inclusive writing in English. The guidelines for Inclusive Writing are designed to help the federal public service and other organizations produce writing that is free of discrimination based on sex, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disability, or any other identity factor. View the Inclusive Writing Webpage here.

Some of the articles include, but are not limited to:


Disability Housing Survey

Through a public engagement process, housing has been identified as one of the top three areas of concern for people with disabilities in Canada. The Canadian Human Rights Commission is working together with the Federal Housing Advocate to create an online tool to receive submissions from the public on systemic housing issues and unmet housing needs across Canada. 

Make a submission about your housing experiences so that the voices of people with disabilities can be amplified: www.housingchrc.ca/en/housing-submission 

Additional information on the Monitoring Disability Rights website: https://www.chrc-ccdp.gc.ca/en/monitoring-the-rights-of-people-with-disabilities

Interviews & Articles

A collection of media featuring ILNS and our consumers:

Supporting persons with disabilities live independently in the community

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