Developmental Disabilities & Possibilities 2025

Be a part of Ottawa’s premier event:

Developmental Disabilities & Possibilities 2025 – a Conference t0 Inform, Celebrate & Connect in a Culturally Diverse Community.

This event is hosted by L’Arche Ottawa with funding support from the Government of Canada.

WHEN: March 27, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. (detailed schedule to be confirmed)

WHERE: Cityview United Church, 6 Epworth Ave, Nepean, ON K2G 2L5  Get Tickets on Eventbrite

The event is built around the belief that we’ll only be able to build successful futures when we bring together interconnected services, groups and people who support and impact the developmental disabilities sector (DS) in Ottawa. This includes provincial government representatives, employers, business owners, settlement services and developmental service agencies. It also includes families; including newly arrived Canadians and adults with developmental disabilities.

On March 27th expect to meet people who understand this sector and know how our system works and when it doesn’t work. People with deep expertise. People with the passion and know-how to turn barriers into pathways. People who make things happen. People who are new to the system.

Event Features:

● Keynote Speaker, Mark Wafer (Former Tim Hortons Franchisee and inclusive employer of over 200 people with disabilities);

● 3 Panel Discussions

     ○ Inclusive hiring in Ottawa for jobseekers with intellectual disabilities

     ○ Navigating and Accessing Services in the DS Sector for Newcomers and Established Canadians

     ○ Leveraging Social Enterprise In DS Sector

● Fun Performances, Art Exhibition and Networking Opportunities to foster community engagement;

● A Marketplace of Kiosks showcasing services, organizations, and businesses.

By raising awareness of the specific struggles different groups face in accessing developmental services and fostering collaboration among stakeholders—including families, students, developmental service providers, business leaders, settlement agencies, and provincial government reps.—this event will serve as a platform for dialogue, innovation, and solutions. Together, we can create a more accessible and inclusive system of support that benefits everyone.

L’Arche Ottawa is excited to bring this vision to life and looks forward to partnering with you to make it a resounding success. Get your tickets now!

If you have any questions please reach out to at: Rebecca commlife@larcheottawa.org

Program:

8:30 AM: Doors Open & Check-in

9:00 AM : Opening Remarks & Land Acknowledgement

9:15 AM: One family’s story on how long term employment transformed a community. Vince Kazmierski

9:35 AM : Panel Discussion: Inclusive hiring in Ottawa for jobseekers with intellectual disabilities

Panellists: Keenan Wellar from LiveWorkPlay, Kelly McGahey from EARN, Moderator Mark Wafer

10:25 AM: Networking Break

10:45 AM: KeyNote Speaker: Advocate & Inclusive Hiring Strategist Mark Wafer “To achieve corporate excellence, make inclusion your overarching goal” Mark is an Advocate & Inclusive Hiring Strategist, Former Tim Hortons Franchisee and when he changed his hiring practices everything changed “Business Beyond The Bottom Line”

11:40 AM: Networking LUNCH

12:20 PM: Words From City Councillor Laine Johnson

12:30 PM: Be Your Own Hero: A Mother’s Journey~ Jolene Hung

12:50 PM:  Panel Discussion: Navigating & Accessing Services in the DS Sector.

Navigating and Accessing Services in the DS Sector for newcomer and established Canadians. Panelists: Anneke Van Nooten from CCI, Tiana Chiappetta from Service Coordination, DSO, Amine Kara from MCSS, Kory Earle-Morrow from People First, Jolene Hung.

1:40 PM: Networking BREAK

2:10 PM : Panel Discussion: Leveraging Social Enterprise for More Meaningful Work in the DS sector. Moderator: Jasmine Duckworth

Panellist David Knox + Billy from Hearty Tails, Mark Mur from CSED,

3:00PM :  Performances & Awards: Rossland Crew Hip Hop, L’Arche Ensemble, Propeller Dance, Inspiring Possibilities Achievement Awards and Closing Remarks