A YOUNG MAN WITH A MESSAGE OF EMPOWERMENT

This week Re:Action4Inclusion staff sat down with Ben Caldecott a young man from Walkerton, who has been actively involved in the movement over the past four years. Since 2013, Ben has continued to participate in the movement and has been a remarkably thoughtful person who uses his lived experience to change the way people view others who have a disability.

In high school, Ben attended segregated classes and mainstream courses. He looks back with fondness on the people he knew in high school. However, today, he says he enjoys the newfound freedom of college life much more.

Ben was first introduced to Re:Action4Inclusion when his teacher suggested that he take part in a leadership conference. He was in Grade 12 at the time. The conference was a unique opportunity to meet new people, hear from informed speakers and be introduced to a movement that shared his passion for freedom and choice.

“In high school, I just felt like I wasn’t being treated like an adult. I was concerned that I didn’t have the freedom other students my age had,” said Ben.

Unfortunately, for many students who have an intellectual disability, Ben’s experience is not an uncommon one. Since then, Ben has been a leader, a mentor and an ambassador of the movement for several years and throughout that time he has mentored youth with and without a disability. He wants to ensure people understand that youth who have a disability experience far too much inequality. He is making sure this injustice is part of the conversation around inclusion.

Ben in Orlando with fellow mentor and Adult Ally Thomas

For Ben, the most frustrating aspect of his high school experience was how his placement academically limited his ability to socially interact with his peers. He recalled that simple choices that are generally given to youth in high school were not the choices that either he or his peers in special education had. Ben told us that he felt this limited his ability to have an authentic high school experience and, in many instances, limited his ability to get to know students with similar interests outside of special education.

This past year, Ben travelled with seven other ambassadors of the Re:Action4Inclusion movement to Orlando, Florida to participate in the Leadership Summit at Inclusion International’s Shaping the Future Conference. Ben, alongside his fellow ambassadors, represented the voices of youth across Ontario by being a part of discussions and sharing the work of Re:Action4Inclusion with people around the world. For Ben, this was an empowering experience.

“It was empowering to be amongst people who shared the same beliefs as me around inclusion. There were people from all around the world there. It really was an amazing experience to network and realize that, no matter where you are from, people who have a disability should have the same rights as anyone else. We all want jobs, families, marriage or even kids! That’s our right, that’s our choice,” he affirmed.

Ben also said that his experience in Orlando taught him that, “no one can tell you different!” As advocates for inclusion in Ontario, with and without a disability, we can also influence the narrative around disability worldwide.

People that have had the privilege of getting to know Ben will know that his sincerity and genuine interest in the well being of others cannot go unnoticed.

Therefore, it is not surprising that today Ben is enrolled as a student at Lambton College in Sarnia. There, he is studying Protection, Security and Investigation. Ben shared with us how important this experience has been for him. He said that now his time is his own. Ben has an exciting schedule and social life as he is working as a security guard at a sports event center in Sarnia part-time while going to school. Ben also told us that he is enjoying the control he now has in his life.

Ben today, Student at Lampton College

“Unlike high school, I don’t have someone forcing me to do something that I don’t like doing. I am an adult and I have my own mind. If I don’t go to class I might fail a test, but that’s my own choice.”

He continued to share with us how he really likes living in the residence with other students. He has had to learn and do all the things that college and university students have to learn and do for themselves when they move away from home.

What Ben’s story shows is how important it is that we recognize that real authentic inclusion does not come from doing or thinking FOR others because personal freedom and independence is an essential part of life we all expect. We asked Ben what is one thing that he wished people knew about the injustice experienced by people who have a disability. His answer is one that will make you pause for a moment and really reflect.

“When you put people in a box, by deciding for them what they can and cannot do, it’s like confining them to a cage. People who have a disability are not animals. Our lives are meaningful and if you don’t allow someone their freedom, it’s like they are worthless, and I don’t think that’s what people really want to do.”

How important it is that we continue to reflect on the choices we make, on the attitudes we carry and on the things that we do. In this way, we can ensure that our decisions are informed and that our actions are intentional about dissolving the barriers to inclusion. When we do that, we can empower people. No matter where you go, it is true, if you think about building a community where everyone can belong you will build an environment where everyone can be successful.

It was a real treat to catch up with Ben. We are so excited to hear that college is going well and that he is excited for his final year this coming September. We are confident that he will bring a sound sense of security and belonging to whatever community he chooses to call home. We look forward to having Ben at the 2017 Re:Action4Inclusion Conference, which is being held from Friday, October 20th to Sunday October 22nd in Orillia. Stay tuned for further details!

YOU ARE NOT AN ISLAND

Ktlyn Vere was an open-minded and very mature high school student from Stratford Ontario. Ktlyn was always able to connect with lots of different people in her school. She herself said,

“I was kind of a floater myself but because of that I was able to interact with almost everyone in our school because I didn’t belong to one set group of people.”

Ktlyn attended the Re:Action4Inclusion conference in 2009 with her two friends Mike and Julian as well as some students from Listowel District Secondary School. She remembered that the conference was an amazing opportunity to meet people, connect on a different level and really learn about how to build communities that embraced diversity and inclusion. She specifically remembered how one speaker, Michelle Dagnino, opened her eyes to what was really possible. She said,

“She made it seem so achievable, that truly authentic inclusion in community is tangible and that stirred something inside me.”

From there, Ktlyn, Mike, Julian and the other students from Listowel formed a group they named the Perth County Youth for Inclusion.  This mixed group of leaders, with and without a disability, worked alongside their peers to raise awareness about the barriers that exist for people who have a disability. This group presented to the Avon Maitland District School Board, who then approved a school tour for the students to share their enthusiasm for change and what was possible.  Today, the Avon Maitland District School Board is paving the way for inclusion. To boot, high schools in Listowel, St. Marys and Wingham have all participated in Re:Action4Inclusion’s  Community Change Project initiative over the last few years. Indeed, the momentum for authentic inclusion in community has not come to pass.

Ktyln at the back mingling with youth at Conference 2010

When we asked Ktlyn what made this work possible she spoke about the group’s adult ally Steph. Ktylyn told Re:Action4Inclusion staff that Steph was a “driving force”  for the group.  She continued,

“Steph was a passionate and encouraging voice that kept us really focused on what we wanted to achieve. She validated every single one of us and at the same time challenged us to do better. We always felt we were coming to the table as an equal and we were ready to contribute.”

We asked what she would say to others wanting to empower youth in their community.  Ktlyn said

“Bring youth into your work. They are going to be the people following up with the next generation. You have to be partners in the effort for inclusion. People tend to treat teenagers like children, but Steph always treated us like we were equals and that was important. It’s not about teaching or direction. It is about coming together and creating that community.”

Here Ktlyn highlights an important point. While many leaders and organizations are now recognizing the importance of youth voice, in decision making and community, we cannot forget that all of us need an ally. We need an ally to challenge us and a mentor that shares our vision and passion for changing our society’s approach to inclusion and diversity.

Today, Ktlyn has a long list of incredible achievements we are happy to share. To start, Ktlyn has been a successful entrepreneur and business owner who has shared her passion for food and community. She also provides respite for individuals who have a disability and also works part-time as a cook.  She shared with us that even though her, “work life doesn’t necessarily connect to her passions for inclusion, her values and the choices she makes on a daily basis do.” Ktlyn also mentioned that she has continued to take things that she learned from her involvement with Re:Action4Inclusion with her into her professional life. She said,

“The movement changed how I interacted with my community. I had walls up before and this allowed me to look differently at the people around me. I always believed in inclusion, in being involved and in supporting members of the community. But the relationships that I developed with people, through my involvement in this movement, gave me the confidence that later enabled me to start my own business.  I was encouraged to be myself and was given a voice. I want to continue to share that and give that back to my community on a daily basis.”

Ktlyn and Mike at the Toronto Summer Institute 2011

Having known Ktlyn for a long time, we were not surprised to see that her values for community, inclusion and equality would shine through in not only her words but in her daily tasks as well.  While our high school years can be some of the hardest, Ktlyn’s story demonstrates how much of an impact people can have on one another. Ktyln said,

“Community is necessary. You are not an island, you can’t exist as a singularity. You need people around you.”

How true this is!

We want to thank Ktlyn for continuing to be such a motivated young woman and leader. Her thoughtful and sophisticated concept of community can’t help but have an impact on the communities she is part of. It is inspiring to be able share with our readers how our Alumni continue to show us that Re:Action4Inclusion is not a disability movement. Rather, it is a social justice movement lead by youth with and without a disability that continues to expand on our individual understanding of each other as a society so that we can build communities where everyone is seen for their value and contributions.

Ktlyn with friends networking with advocates from New Zealand

A FILM WRITER WITH AN EYE FOR INCLUSION

Vittoria today on the left

Last week, Re: Action4Inclusion staff sat down with one of its Alumni to find out how life beyond high school has been impacted having been involved as a youth in a movement for change. Vittoria Gibson was a high school student who was first introduced to the Re:Action4Inclusion initiative when she attended an assembly at her school. This assembly was arranged by local youth from the greater Niagara region, who wanted to share an opportunity with their peers to collectively make an impact in their school communities.

The youth hosts began the assembly by inviting their peers, from neighboring schools, to become involved with this social justice movement. Re:Action4Inclusion youth had identified the need to raise awareness around the lived experiences of their peers who live with a disability. They wanted to break down the barriers that were keeping individuals, who live with a disability, from the opportunities and experiences they wanted to have. The assembly included a presentation by Norman Kunc, a well-known speaker and advocate within the disability rights community. Vittoria told us,

“Norman had an infamous voice and gave our school a tremendous insight into the day to day life of an incredible human being, and he just happened to have a disability.”

Vittoria as a youth adviser (seen on the far right)

Vittoria was motivated by Norman’s ability to convey the need for society to change the narrative around disability in such a simplistic way. Therefore, she attended the Re:Action4Inclusion Conference which was held the following November.

At the Re:Action4Inclusion Conference in 2011, Vittoria recalled how inspiring it was to just casually sit around a campfire with people, telling stories and connecting around issues that everyone cared about. She said,

“It was cool having giant conversations and honestly connecting with other people, and I wanted more of that!”

What she began to realize, through these conversations, was how complex the issues were and continue to be for students who have a disability. She gained a greater understanding of the experience of navigating the world and the school system as a teenager with a disability. Vittoria told us that when she returned home she began to notice more and more that her fellow peers who had a disability were not included in regular classrooms or social activities within the school. She started recognizing more profoundly that people were being separated from the rest of the student body.

We asked Vittoria what she decided to do about this and she told us that she had some conversations with students she wanted to get to know, who attended Special Education classes. She said that some were not happy being there and others were quite comfortable. Vittoria said,

“Being someone who loves being with people, it bugged me that others weren’t having the same opportunity to do that and so not everyone was getting the full high school experience. I believe that we are all more alike than different. But I realized that more often than not, our society expects less from individuals whose contributions and gifts are not seen as important.”

Vittoria said, “People should automatically assume that all young people have ideas, dreams or passions!” That was the message she carried with her going forward. Vittoria continued to work with the movement as a member of the Youth Advisory Committee and also worked with the planning committee for the next Re:Action4Inclusion Conference in 2012. She also attended the Toronto Summer  Institute that year with a group of her peers to continue to represent the voice of youth.  She realized that sharing her voice and working with her peers was a way that she could begin to change the conversations and deepen the understanding of the barriers faced by individuals who have a disability.

Vittoria and her peers representing the movement summer 2012

Vittoria has since graduated from Sheridan College with a diploma in Film and Television studies. She works in customer service and volunteers her time at festivals and events held within the city of Toronto. Some of these have included Toronto Comic Con, Fan Expo, Conbravo, The Canadian Screen Awards, and the TURF Music Festival just to name a few. While Vittoria continues to gain experience and network with others in her field, she has also begun to write film stories. When asked how her involvement has impacted her work she told us,

“I write film stories about people and I’m not thinking about what they look like. I’m thinking about their day to day lives, what their passions are and what their story could be.”

We are delighted to see such a mature young woman pushing boundaries and challenging the Film Industry to be a more inclusive one. Vittoria said, “The industry is getting better because people are breaking down barriers out there and expecting greater authenticity from one another.” This is something we can all think a little bit more about next time we decide to go to the movies or choose something from Netflix.

It was a pleasure to catch up with Vittoria and to see her continuing to challenge society to change its perceptions even as an adult. Now, even outside of the regular classroom setting, Vittoria has the ability to identify where there is a greater need for inclusion because from an early age she understood what authentic inclusion looks like.  It is certainly true that “Once you see ‘it’ you can’t un-see ‘it”.  A quotation from Norman Kunc.