Positive Independent Living Workshops. Workshop Menu

Transcription

1 Positive Independent Living Workshops Workshop Menu

2 The Purpose of the Positive Independent Living Workshops The Victoria Disability Resource Centre recognised a gap in services being offered for people with disabilities that encourages independent living and thought we could make a positive impact. Many people with different types of disabilities visit the VDRC seeking information about services and programs to assist in their daily lives. The Positive Independent Living Workshop series at VDRC is designed to respond to these ongoing requests. It promotes independent living for people with disabilities while encouraging and supporting individuals to fully connect with their community. The Positive Independent Living Workshops are completely free and designed to educate and emphasize the value of people with disabilities having ordinary life experiences: being connected to community-based resources, consumer-controlled services, supports, referrals and skills training. Come and join us! How to Register: Online: (print from tabetha@drcvictoria.com In Person at the VDRC Office (817A Fort St Victoria, BC V8W 1H6)

3 THE MENU Workshop #1 Financial Planning Session 1: A Place to Start: Spending Plan (2 hours) Learn different ways to get the most out of your money. The discussion will cover spending plans while balancing needs and goals. Session 2: Banking Basics (2 Hours) Join a discussion about your banking choices and how to choose what's best for you. Learn about what the bank can do for you. Session 3: Borrowing Money (2 hours) Get to know how credit works and ways to keep your credit in check. Also using credit wisely and the different credit options available will be covered. Session 4: RESPs and Other Ways to Save (2 hours) Come and get great ways to plan for the financial future and save. Learn what options are out there when it comes to putting money away. This will also include a discussion about the RDSP. Session 5: Debt Management (2 hours) Learn about the different ways to deal with debt such as: credit counselling, consumer proposals, bankruptcy and negotiating.

4 Workshop #2 Connecting with your Community Session 1: Special Guest Speaker Ocean (2 hours) Ocean, a special guest will share her experience with MS and how disability became a new aspect of her life. I just expected that life would carry on in the same way that it always had, I assumed that I was in control. Hear an inspiring story of transitioning into a new way of connecting with the world. Session 2: Making Connections (2 hours) Build confidence and learn ways to meet people and put yourself out there. The group will hear a short introduction from Ocean and her experience making connections with her disability. Peer support for each other while learning ways to connect with people is the focus. Session 3: How to Access Community Events (2 hours) A great chance to learn about what community events are taking place around the community with an emphasis on free and low cost activities. Session 4: Recreation Options and Places to Go (2 hours) Get an idea of the different organizations and programs that offer adapted and inclusive sports and recreational activities.

5 Workshop #3 How to use the Computer Session 1: Basic Computer Skills (2 hours) Learn the basics of computers, installing updates, and the use of programs such as: Microsoft office, itunes, media players etc. Session 2: Using Social Media (2 hours) How to use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, online dating and other social connecting site. It will talk about how to be safe and what to put and not to put online. Session 3: Online Skills (2 hours) How to navigate the internet and most common websites. How to find information online from safe and trusted sites. Session 4: Computer Safety (2 hours) Get to know how to be safe when online using Social Media, government sites, banking and the like. Learn about everything from passwords to what kind of information is safe to share online.

6 Workshop #4 Food, from the Grocery Store to your Table Session 1: What Should I Eat? (2 hours) A discussion about healthy eating and how to make good choices for yourself using nutritional information. Session 2: Getting the Food (2 hours) Great ways to use coupons and flyers to stretch your food budget. Buying local and how to supplement your food for less. This will also look at accessing free food sources around the community from food banks to volunteer food harvests and community gardens. Session 3: Meal Planning and Prep (2 hours) How to plan meals for the day, week, and month. This session will also include tips on how to use the grocery store wisely. Session 4: Cooking the Food (3 hours) A chance to exchange recipes and cooking ideas and have an opportunity to learn how to cook safely with a disability. The group will have a chance to cook a meal together.

7 Workshop #5 Know Your Rights Session 1: Human Rights (2 hours) What are your basic and disability human rights and how do you advocate for yourself? Learning where to get support to enforce your rights. Session 2: Tenancy Rights (2 hours) What are your rights and responsibilities as a tenant? The process from moving in to moving out of a new place. Session 3: Welfare Rights (2 hours) Learn what your rights are for welfare and disability benefits from the initial application to appeals if required. Session 4: Consumer Rights (2 hours) Learn how warranties, return policies, contracts and bills work. Get in the know on paperwork. Session 5: Employment Rights (2 hours) Rights at work, learn about breaks, benefits, working conditions and other important rights to understand in the work force.

8 Workshop #6 Making the Transition to Your Pension Years Applying for Your Pension (3 hours) This will be a panel discussion that covers the Canada Pension Plan, CPP Disability, Old Age Security and other resources for those dealing with disabilities and concerns of aging. Don t miss out and make sure you re applying for everything you qualify for. Workshop #7 Job Club This workshop will discuss various topics related to seeking, getting and keeping a job. An emphasis of this workshop is peer support. It will consist of a group of likeminded people looking for employment. Peer support will provide the opportunity to learn from and teach each other with special guests to lend their employment expertise. Session 1: Resume and Cover Letter Writing (3 hours) How to write an appropriate cover letter and resume for the job you want. Get tips on the different ways to promote yourself on paper. Session 2: Interview Skills (2 hours) What to say and not say during an interview. How to sell yourself and make your positive attributes shine. Get the chance to end the session feeling prepared to interview for your next job.

9 Session 3: How and When to Discuss Your Disability (2 hours) It s not always easy to know what to say about your disability with a potential employer. We ll discuss how and when to bring up the topic of your disability with your new employer, and how to handle questions about your disability during an interview. Session 4: Now You Have the Job (2 hours) Now that you have a job, get prepared and learn the basics of what to expect on your first day. Have an opportunity to get some tools to make a great first impression.

10 Workshop #8 You Just Bought a Scooter, Now What? A Day With Your Scooter (5 Hours) This will be a half day workshop where scooter users can learn tricks for operating their new scooters effectively and have a chance to practice. The workshop will discuss scooter use, some basic maintenance tricks, charging, and useful tips. We ll also cover etiquette while riding in public and ways for you and everyone else to be safe. A great chance for new scooter users to get some practice with some scooter games while having fun. Workshop # 9 Transportation Getting Around the City (3 Hours) A great time to learn how to plan bus routes and how to use Handy Dart and other transportation options. It will also give people the opportunity to practice getting on and off a city bus.

11 Workshop #10 Assistive Technologies Types of Assistive Technologies (5 Hours) This will be a trade show with various businesses showing their products and discussing options for different devices to assist in daily living. It will give a general overview of the different types of technology and devices out there for people with disabilities and where you can get them.