Category: Autism Resources

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Sep 23, 2019

Noah Jobson loves soccer. But what he loves even more is sharing his passion with young players.

In his seven years coaching for Cliff Avenue United FC in Burnaby (and nearly two years as Head Coach), Noah has guided hundreds of kids and youth.

But when asked to reflect on his coaching career, a specific young player comes to his mind.

“He was probably about nine — new to soccer and struggling to keep up. But he was also struggling socially and to follow along with my instructions to the group.”

Noah responded by providing the newcomer with a bit more attention. The child’s mother took notice and after the first session, she approached Noah to thank him. She also let him know that her son had autism.

Upon hearing of the diagnosis, Noah decided to research strategies to help the young boy succeed.

“One technique that really stuck with me was to avoid abstract direction,” said Noah. “So instead of ‘Everybody stand nicely over here’, I would say something like, ‘Put both feet on this line.’ I used very concrete, real life terms. I put in extra effort to be concise, clear and straightforward with my instructions.”

With small adjustments to his communication style, Noah saw huge improvements in the young player. More importantly, he noticed that the boy started to enjoy soccer.

Soon after, Noah began applying the same principles to other players – not just those with a diagnosis, but anyone who was struggling to focus or follow instructions.

Sure enough, Noah noticed the same progress across a wide range of players. He concluded that he had to share the same tips with the other coaches in his club.

To support his efforts, Noah’s Technical Director pointed him to CAN and Canadian Tire Jumpstart’s eLearning Module– Supporting Positive Behaviour.

Launched this past January, the online resource is currently available FREE of charge at coachingallabilities.com (select “Supporting Positive Behaviour” and use code JSCAN-A2B3C4D).

“The module covered all the same things about being concise, clear and direct. And it was 100% applicable to a wide range of kids. Not just those with a diagnosis,” Noah said.

“I recommend it to all the coaches that I teach. It’s a win-win, because [the training] helps us coach kids on the spectrum. But also, I strongly feel that the tips from the module help all kids.”

Since discovering the online resource at the beginning of the year, Noah has shared it with as many coaches as he could. And the word is getting out.

This summer, Noah spoke with a mother who was in the process of receiving an ADHD diagnosis for her son. Despite the difficulties with his behaviour, she was trying hard to get him involved in sports.

“After day one [of summer camp], she was so thankful,” Noah told us. “She had heard from a friend that our club was specifically good at working with kids of all abilities.”

It’s that kind of feedback that continues to fuel Noah’s commitment to inclusion and accessibility at Cliff Avenue United FC. As the Head Coach, he wants families to know that everyone is welcome and can be successful.

“We want to incorporate everyone into our programs.”

Learn more about Cliff Avenue United FC programs at cliffavenuesoccer.com.

At CAN, we share Noah’s commitment to inclusion and accessibility. We are so proud that resources like the Supporting Positive Behaviour module can help coaches like Noah champion the cause in the community at large.

And for coaches who are part of the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP), the training is now eligible for 2 Professional Development Points.

According to Noah, the end goal is simple. “We need kids of all abilities to be engaged and having fun.”

And we have to say that we agree.

Take “Supporting Positive Behaviour” for FREE!

Visit coachingallabilities.com and use code JSCAN-A2B3C4D at checkout.

Eligible for 2 NCCP Professional Development Points.

National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) coaches who are required to maintain their certification and who have submitted their NCCP numbers upon registration will be eligible for 2 NCCP PD Points. Questions? Email: training@canucksautism.ca

Every year, the City of Surrey hosts one of the largest Canada Day celebrations in BC. Presented by Coast Capital Savings, this past month’s Surrey Canada Day featured rides, fireworks and performances by Bif Naked and Our Lady Peace.

Thousands were in attendance, including Julia Langley and her family. For her 9-year-old son with autism, the crowds and noise of the festival environment can be overwhelming.

That’s why the City of Surrey partnered with us to offer CAN Sensory Friendly Spaces at all their major events. Featuring comfortable seating, sensory toys and quiet games, this was the first year that Surrey Canada Day featured the space for guests in need of a break.

“My son was not coping at all. I thought there had to be a sensory zone somewhere,” Julia shared with us after the event. “Sure enough, I see the CAN tent. And inside is a table of noise-cancelling headphones amongst all sorts of fidgets and sensory gear.”

“My son was desperate to go because he knows that CAN is somewhere he can go and feel better. We are so grateful they were there so that we could all enjoy the Our Lady Peace concert!”

After announcing CAN Sensory Friendly Spaces last year, City of Surrey has taken the lead in hosting this resource. It is thanks to them that families like Julia’s can enjoy major community events like Surrey Canada Day.

Visit City of Surrey’s Accessibility webpage to learn more.

Julia’s son with autism was struggling to cope with the noise of the festival environment until they found CAN’s tent with noise-cancelling headphones on loan.

“We are thrilled to provide a sensory friendly space at this year’s Canada Day. It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to encourage inclusiveness and increase accessibility for all of our residents,” said City of Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum in a pre-event press release. “We thank the Canucks Autism Network for their partnership in creating this welcome addition to Surrey’s Canada Day.”

There are many reasons to celebrate on Canada Day. At CAN, we have special reason to celebrate our country’s diversity and inclusion.

Noise-cancelling headphones and quiet activities in the Sensory Friendly Space.

With groups like City of Surrey, we can continue to make community spaces more accessible for all individuals and families living with autism.

To learn how you can partner with CAN to make your community organization or space more accessible, please visit canucksautism.ca/training or email training@canucksautism.ca!

More CAN stories

“At CAN events, I don’t have to worry.”

Nearly 200 “Learn to Fly” during YVR Autism Aviation Days

Why Shawn & Leslie Give: “Our daughter has just flourished.”

My name is Nate Keller, I’m 17 years old and I have autism.

People often ask me if I have autism. I don’t always like it, because I don’t know if they’re making fun of me or if they’re just being curious.

I’m also a curious person and tend to ask people a lot of questions, so I do understand. I guess I don’t mind as long as it helps others to learn about me and anyone who lives with autism.

What I want to tell them is that autism can be hard. For example, it is harder for me to do well in school. It’s hard for me to play some sports. It’s hard for me to make friends.

What I want people to know is that I can still do the same stuff as everyone, but I might do it differently.

In school, I sometimes do different projects or have different exams than the rest of the class, but I still learn the same material. I also have extra time to finish projects. There is also an Education Assistant that helps me in class. I notice that some of my classmates ask my EA for help as well. Perhaps everyone needs help in some way.

LEARN MORE: CAN autism training for schools and educators

I love being social, but I feel like some of my friends don’t always understand me. Sometimes they’re impatient if I do things that are unexpected. When I’m feeling stressed or excited, I jump around and make noises. There are times when I laugh to myself when there doesn’t seem to be anything funny.

I want people to understand that when I have these unexpected behaviours, I do them to help me stay calm.

One of the ways that I find I can connect with people is through sports. At school, I am in cross country, track and swimming. I even won a couple of medals in swimming provincials.

I chose not to play basketball and soccer at school, because team sports can be very dynamic and hard to follow.

But outside of school, I play hockey with Canucks Autism Network (CAN). With extra help from staff and volunteers, CAN has given me an opportunity to play a team sport.

I’ve even made new friends at CAN. One of them is Liam. Through the hockey program, I realized that he was a lot like me. He got nervous very easily just like me. He had trouble talking sometimes just like me.


Last year, Nate participated in our “What’s Your ‘I CAN’?” video project
and shared what he likes most about being a CAN hockey player.

I think we both like hockey because we both get to burn off a lot of energy playing. Outside of CAN, we’ve even done the North Shore Triathlon together!

READ MORE: North Shore triathlon adds wave for adapted athletes (North Shore News)

One day, I’d like to play hockey outside of CAN too. Some CAN participants have gone on to play minor hockey and that’s pretty cool.

People who think and learn differently can succeed and offer a lot to the community. Everyone is different in their own way. People with autism aren’t less, they’re just different. They’re not weird, they’re just different.

Even though I’ve found friends at CAN that are similar to me in a lot of ways, I’ve also realized that not everyone is going to be like you. And you’re not going to be like everyone else.

Being different can be interesting. It can even be special.

More CAN Stories

Sarah Russell: “CAN is home to me.”

Nate: “I want to help other kids like me.”

“Mom, I’m really happy today.”

May 14, 2019

Kerry and her husband Ryan have a son with autism and a younger daughter. Last month, her family participated in the 5th Annual CAN & YVR Autism Accessibility Tour.

Held on April 18, the tour is offered to decrease anxiety often associated with air travel. Individuals and families with autism were invited to familiarize themselves with the pre-flight process, including check-in, security, finding their gate and boarding a plane.

In addition to the tour, each individual with autism was given a YVR Resource Kit, which features an activity storybook, step-by-step checklist, airport map, tips for travel and a tote bag to carry each item.

By increasing expectations and providing a simulated airport experience, the goal of the annual event is to build confidence for future travel.

It was Kerry’s first time at a Canucks Autism Network event. That same night, she shared this feedback with us:

***

Yesterday night, I was front-loading my oldest for the tour. He announced: “I don’t want to do it. But I’m ready to do it. I will use my courage.”

To prep himself on the way there,  he requested that we play “Brave” by Sara Bareilles on repeat.

With his visual schedule in hand, he put that song into action at the airport—conquering check-in and security. He fearlessly filed onto the Air Transat Airbus A330, filled with families just like ours.

Sample pages from the CAN & YVR Activity Storybook.
Travelers with autism can obtain the YVR Resource Kit, including the Activity Storybook (pictured above), at any YVR info desk.

The beautiful thing about this whole experience was that it provided a safe place for nervous fliers and their supporters to just be, without apology.

Meltdowns, earmuffs, iPads, fidgets, and endless questions about every step—it was all okay. There were no dirty looks or hurry-ups, because everybody there just “got it.”

To be honest though—when I signed up for this event, I was thinking mostly of myself. I wanted to have a picture of what traveling with a child who is fearful of crowds, machines, noise, and new things would look like.

And I left with not only that, but also with this sense of feeling deeply loved by countless kind strangers. To the service agents, security and customs officers, airport volunteers, flight attendants, and to the many, many genuinely smiley helpers sporting Canucks Autism Network t-shirts—why do you care about my family so much?

The tour also included an opportunity to sample the YVR Customs Declaration kiosks.

This week, spectrum-related struggles had me feeling extra lost & lonely, and ready to resign from this parenting gig. Tonight felt like the gigantic hug I needed. Thank you Canucks Autism Network and YVR for allowing me and my family to feel seen & safe.

***

We launched this program with YVR in 2014, because we had individuals and families with autism like Kerry’s in mind. Air travel can be a significant challenge for those on the spectrum who have anxiety or sensory sensitivities. But with the correct supports in place, they can accomplish so much.

We have always recognized that the entire family that shares the struggles and successes of an individual with autism. That’s why the tour allowed for the entire immediate family to join in on the experience.

Kerry’s husband & daughter were also able to experience the entire CAN & YVR Autism Accessibility Tour.

The larger the community of support, the better we can all support those on the spectrum. In addition to YVR, this year’s tour was also made possible by collaborations with Air Transat, Canadian Air Transit Security Authority (CATSA), Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and US Customs & Border Protection (CBP).

Thanks to these incredible partners, we can continue striving towards our vision for every individual with autism to be understood, accepted and supported in all community spaces.

Learn more about YVR autism accessibility: yvr.ca/autism.
Check out the Facebook album for the 2019 CAN & YVR Autism Accessibility Tour.

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May 1, 2019

Rob MacMillan is a BCEHS paramedic specialist who serves on the Canucks Autism Network (CAN) First Responder Advisory Committee.

First responders are more than seven times more likely to interact with an individual with autism. However, most are not trained on how to recognize autism or utilize effective support strategies in crisis situations involving those on the spectrum.

Due to anxiety, sensory sensitivities, triggers or communication barriers, emergencies involving an individual with autism can often escalate quickly without this background of understanding.

As a BCEHS Paramedic Specialist and father of a daughter with autism, Rob MacMillan is highly motivated to bridge this gap of understanding. Together with six other members of the Canucks Autism Network (CAN) First Responder Advisory Committee, Rob played an instrumental role in developing and launching our First Responder eLearning Module this past January.

A screen shot of the Autism Awareness eLearning Module for First Responders.
The First Responder eLearning Module is a FREE 1-hour course available to fire fighters, police officers, paramedics, search and rescue and other emergency care providers across BC. Visit elearn.canucksautism.ca to access now!

Rob recently shared an example from the field that illustrates how a little awareness can go a long way in emergency situations.

Last month, Rob was at a dispatch centre when a call came in involving a boy with autism who had climbed three stories up a tree. Rob arrived on scene to find the boy’s mother anxiously watching as her son continued climbing to dangerous heights.

“Fire rescue had already arrived,” Rob recounted. “And any time one of them tried to approach the boy, he just kept climbing higher and higher. He wasn’t afraid – he was just having fun. But we were all extremely distressed. Meanwhile, the tree was starting to sway as he continued climbing.”

Despite Rob’s personal experience with autism, he knew that each child with autism is an individual with their own unique personality. He asked the boy’s mother about her son’s likes, dislikes, triggers and ability to communicate. The mom informed him that her son was non-verbal. They began to strategize together.

Learning that the young boy was highly interested in his mom’s iPhone, they initially tried to show him something on a smart phone to encourage him to climb down.

A paramedic specialist vehicle in the park
As a BCEHS Paramedic Specialist, Rob provides on-scene support for high-risk situations in the Lower Mainland.

When that didn’t work, Rob regrouped with the firefighters. Although the boy was non-verbal, Rob explained to them that he could likely understand the words they were saying and that they simply needed to adjust the way they communicated with him.

“They just needed to talk to him nice and slowly, allowing time for their instructions to sink in,” Rob recounted. “His mom had also indicated that he likes [sensory] pressure, so if they needed to hold him to help him down the tree, he’d probably like that if it felt to him like a hug.”

Armed with a bit more awareness of the boy’s needs and communication style, the firefighters began another ascent up the tree. But slower. And with newfound confidence felt more confident that the boy was understanding what they were saying, and that they could interpret his behaviour a bit better as well.

When one of the firefighters eventually reached the boy, he used simple language and offered the boy a big hug. The boy accepted his invitation with open arms and together they made their way back down to the ground.

After nearly two hours on-scene, Rob watched as the boy was successfully rescued and reunited with his mother.

“She had tears in her eyes. Most of all, she was just so relieved that somebody there understood autism and what was happening up in that tree.”

CAN’s eLearning Module for First Responders is FREE and available 24/7 online. Since launching in January 2019, over 800 first responders across BC have accessed the training. Take the 1-hour course at elearn.canucksautism.ca.

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CAN you help?

2019-04-05 – 2:31 pm

Thank you for the incredible ongoing support! As new followers continue to share the video, we want to address some frequently asked questions.

Q: Why is Canucks Autism Network not donating money?

The purpose of the campaign is not for Canucks Autism Network (CAN) to donate $1 per video share. As a registered charity, CAN is the recipient of donations resulting from the #CANDidYouKnow campaign.

In order to maintain the Surrey Fire Fighters Charitable Society (SCCFS)‘s funding commitments to many other deserving charities, together, we decided to cap their incredibly generous support at $1 for the first 5,000 shares. Since then, four additional organizations have stepped out to match (listed below), bringing the total funds raised to $25,000!

This is a phenomenal contribution to Canucks Autism Network programs, training and awareness initiatives that will have a long-lasting impact across BC. We cannot be more thankful to all who have shared and to all five supporting organizations who have stepped up to donate.

Q: Why are people still re-sharing this to their account?

The goal of this video campaign continues to be for autism awareness and acceptance. Because of you, the video has exceeded expectations. The Surrey Fire Fighters Charitable Society (SCCFS) is also a non-profit organization that makes charitable donations to other organizations in the community, SCCFS have been able to commit $5,000 to Canucks Autism Network and we are very grateful for their support. As a result, additional organizations have stepped up to match their initial donations and have now brought the total funds raised to $25,000.

Q: If I re-share to this my account, will be $1 be donated?

$1 has been donated for the first 25,000 shares across social media channels. Because we have capped the donations, any shares beyond 25,000 will no longer receive a $1 donation. In order for more dollars to count per share, we would require additional donor support. If you would like to help, please contact: connect@canucksautism.ca

Although your share of our video may not result in a $1 donation, the invaluable awareness and acceptance of autism that this video is generating is incredibly invaluable.

Q: I don’t know how to share this video. Can I donate to Canucks Autism Network and/or Surrey Fire Fighters Charitable Society instead?

Certainly!

To donate to Canucks Autism Network, please visit: canucksautism.ca/donate
To donate to Surrey Fire Fighters Charitable Society, please visit: surreyfirefighters.com/donate

2019-04-04 – 4:21 pm

$25,000. Canucks for Kids Fund have officially come onboard to contribute to the #CANDidYouKnow campaign. Thank you!

2019-04-04 – 4:16 pm

Incredible. Our friends at BMO have also donated $5,000, bringing the total of this autism awareness & acceptance campaign to $20,000!

2019-04-04 – 3:17 pm

We are thrilled to announce that Aquilini Development has stepped up to contribute an additional $5,000 to our “Did You Know” campaign! Together with SFFCS and YVR, the total funds raised through supporters sharing our autism awareness and acceptance video is now $15,000!

2019-04-04 – 9:21 am

To all those who have shared and retweeted our “Did You Know?” video on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, THANK YOU for your tremendous support of the cause!

We are overwhelmed by the support and reach of the campaign and are beyond thrilled with the awareness that has resulted from it.

To maintain the ongoing funding commitments of one of our key partners, we have decided to cap the Surrey Fire Fighters Charitable Society (SFFCS) donation at $5,000.

We are thrilled to announce that Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has stepped up to match the $5,000 and support the campaign. Thank you to YVR for being an incredible supporter and partner!

We welcome any other businesses or partners who want to step up and match the funds to support the continued reach of this campaign. Until then, we are immensely grateful to all those who continue to share (despite the funding cap) for the sake of awareness.

We created this video with the hope of raising autism awareness and acceptance, as well as vital funding for our programs, training and awareness initiatives across BC. We could never have anticipated the outpouring of support that we have received since posting across our social media channels on April 2nd.

On behalf of the over 4,700 individuals with autism that have benefited from our programs, THANK YOU for your support! We hope that this video will help create a future where every individual with autism is understood, accepted and supported in all community spaces.

Please email connect@canucksautism.ca if you have any questions or would like to donate to support the cause.

 

 

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Jan 8, 2019

FREE E-LEARNING MODULE LAUNCHES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BC PARKS AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION

In an innovative effort to increase accessibility for individuals with autism in community recreation, Canucks Autism Network (CAN), in partnership with BC Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA), has launched a free E-Learning Module for recreation providers across BC. Funded by the Ministry of Child and Family Development (MCFD), the online resource represents an unprecedented collaborative effort among government, recreation, and the non-profit autism sector.

The one-hour online module outlines behaviours associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), as well as effective strategies for supporting children and youth with autism in recreation settings. The interactive module also highlights interviews with experienced recreation leaders who have successfully implemented these strategies, which include communication tips, behavior support, and teaching tools. The E-Learning Module can be accessed at no cost at elearn.bcrpa.bc.ca or canucksautism.ca/recreation.

“Canucks Autism Network has been providing workshops to the recreation sector since 2012, and demand grows exponentially every year,” said Dr. Stephanie Jull, VP of Programs and Training at Canucks Autism Network. “This new online training module provides an exciting opportunity to spread knowledge and build capacity across BC and beyond, creating a positive impact for the thousands of families living with autism in our province.”

The project began after CAN successfully pitched the need for a widely-accessible online resource to the MCFD in 2017. With 1 in 66 Canadian children diagnosed with autism, and over 16,000 children and youth with autism in BC alone, MCFD recognized the growing need for community accessibility.

“All kids deserve the opportunity to participate in sports and other activities,” said Katrine Conroy, Minister of Children and Family Development. “I’m pleased that MCFD could collaborate with CAN and BCRPA to bring this specialized training to recreation providers so that they can provide the supports kids need to join in with their peers.”

Research shows that individuals with autism are far less likely to participate in community recreation than their typically-developing peers. Furthermore, research indicates that physical activity can increase attention and cognition while decreasing anxiety, among children and youth with autism.

“We are thrilled to be presenting this valuable E-learning module in partnership with CAN, said Rebecca Tunnacliffe, CEO of BCRPA. Our members who manage and work in recreation facilities across BC hold very highly the importance of creating a positive experience for all their participants. This module will directly assist staff to amplify their awareness of the needs of autistic individuals, and implement strategies to provide them with a positive experience so they will want to return again and again.”

Since 2012, CAN’s province-wide team of training facilitators has delivered hundreds of workshops to well over 10,000 individuals in the public sector across BC. In addition to supporting the sport and recreation sectors, CAN’s live training team builds capacity for first responders, education staff, and a variety community spaces including YVR, Science World, and the Vancouver Aquarium.

CAN is proud to unveil three online training resources for various sectors in January 2019. In addition to the launch of the E-Learning Module for recreation providers, CAN has also released an online training module for first responders and will be unveiling an online resource for sport coaches in late January.

For more information, or to book a live training workshop, please visit canucksautism.ca/training.

Nov 28, 2018

The City of Surrey hosted their annual Tree Lighting Festival & Holiday Market this past Saturday. Featuring live music, rides, vendors and the lighting of a 60-foot tree, the festival is a highly anticipated holiday event that brings joy to hundreds of families in the community.

Held for the eighth year, this iteration of the festival was extra special for families living with autism. For the first time, individuals with autism and other sensory sensitivities had access to a Sensory Friendly Space.

Sensory Friendly Spaces provide a quiet place for individuals with autism and other sensory sensitivities to decompress from the busyness of public events. With the support of Canucks Autism Network, City of Surrey piloted their first Sensory Friendly Space back in July.

City of Surrey’s Accessibility Specialist, Karin Pasqua, witnessed first-hand the benefits of the resource. Encountering numerous families living with autism, she was overwhelmed with the positive feedback that she received about the Sensory Friendly Space.

“We heard from numerous families would could stay and enjoy the event far longer than they would have otherwise,” Karin explained. “I met one family who was able to visibly relax as they sat on the couches and watched their son giggle away playing with the sensory toys we had available.”

“One mother was so grateful she was in tears.”

In addition to the Sensory Friendly Space, individuals with autism can borrow noise-cancelling headphones to manage the high volumes of the event. Karin personally recounted four instances of children using the headphones. Two kids in particular had used them so they could wait in line to see Santa.

Including the CAN Birthday Festival, where the initiative was launched, Sensory Friendly Spaces have now been offered at two major public events at Surrey Civic Plaza. The City of Surrey’s hope is to continually expand the events and venues that the resources are offered.

“We had staff from other City of Surrey facilities, including the Surrey Arts Centre, come by to see how the room was set up and how it works,” recalled Karin.

About Sensory Friendly Spaces
Sensory Friendly Spaces are one way that Canucks Autism Network (CAN) aims to improve accessibility for individuals with autism living in Surrey. Other components of this partnership include staff and volunteer training, resource development, and co-hosting autism friendly events.

For more information about the City of Surrey’s Sensory Friendly Spaces, please contact Karin Pasqua at karin.pasqua@surrey.ca.

In addition to the City of Surrey, CAN supports a range of community partners, including Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Science World and Rogers Arena.

For more information on how Canucks Autism Network can support your organization to improve accessibility for individuals with autism, please visit canucksautism.ca/communityspaces or email training@canucksautism.ca.

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Jul 20, 2018

Earlier this month, Science World hosted “Community Access Day” for individuals and families with autism across the Lower Mainland. Offering free admission, Science World hosted hundreds of Canucks Autism Network (CAN) members throughout the day.

Children, youth and young adults with autism, along with their families, explored Science World’s full range of attractions — igniting their imagination through exhibits like The Science Behind Pixar and the award-winning Ken Spencer Science Park.

Jili and her son were among the CAN members who attended last week’s event. “This was my first opportunity to visit Science World with my son,” Jili explained. “It’s such a great place for him, because there are so many things for him to see. He loved being able to see for himself what a tornado looks like. And the staff are so helpful. We already bought a membership!”

Among Science World’s core values is a commitment to both collaboration and inclusion. At CAN, we are dedicated to improving accessibility for individuals and families living with autism in all community spaces. That’s why for the past three years, we have partnered with Science World to bridge the gap for individuals with autism to experience the wonders of science and nature.

In addition to their Community Access Days, we have partnered with Science World to develop accessibility resources, host autism-friendly events and provide staff training. It is no secret that Science World has been a leader in igniting wonder within the Vancouver community. With numerous initiatives over the course of several years, it is clear that they are also on the leading edge for increasing accessibility and inclusion.

Science World Activity Storybook
During Autism Awareness Month in April 2016, CAN and Science World collaborated to create an Activity Storybook for individuals with autism that may wish to visit the venue. Designed to increase predictability, the Activity Storybook outlines what individuals with autism can expect from a visit to Science World. Check out “I CAN Visit Science World” for your next trip!

Cover photo of "I CAN Go To Science World" activity storybook.
The Science World Activity Storybook illustrates the process of visiting the facility, from paying for your pass to what each exhibit entails.

Science World staff training
With a desire to better support individuals with autism that walk through their doors, Science World reached out to CAN to receive autism training. In January 2016, our training team visited Science World to deliver a customized autism training workshop on site. The dozens of Science World staff and volunteers in attendance received an introduction to autism and a wide range of support strategies and tips for better interacting with individuals with autism. Learn more about CAN autism training workshops.

A woman speaks at a podium beside a projector in front of a seated audience.
CAN staff have delivered autism training workshops to Science World staff on multiple occasions since 2016.

Monthly Social Programs at Science World
With the assurance that Science World provides a safe and supportive environment for individuals with autism to visits, CAN has hosted countless Monthly Social Program events over the past several years. In groups of 10, our youth and young adult participants have enjoyed the countless exhibits with the support of our staff and volunteers.

Meanwhile, our CommunityWorks! Canada ® program, which provides volunteer opportunities to youth and young adults with autism, has also visited Science World on a number of occasions to assist their staff with various tasks. These visits have provided them with valuable volunteer experience with a well-known organization in the community.

A male adult supervises as a male youth sits by a computer.

Having partnered together to create resources, provide training and host events, Science World and CAN co-presented on “Creating Opportunities for Accessibility” at the 2017 Lower Mainland Museum Educators (LMEE) Conference.

Organizations like Science World are committed to accessibility and inclusion, and are key partners in CAN’s vision that individuals with autism are understood, accepted and supported in all community spaces.  If you are a similarly-minded organization or community group that would like to learn more about increasing accessibility for your guests, we would love to hear from you!

CAN supports accessibility in a wide variety of public spaces by providing consultations and creating customized solutions. These can include, but are not limited to 1) staff training, 2) developing accessibility resources (such as the Activity Storybook), and 3) partnering to co-host autism friendly events.

To learn more about accessibility at Science World, visit scienceworld.ca/accessibility.

To learn more about partnering with Canucks Autism Network to make your organization more accessible for individuals with autism, contact our Manager of Training, Hallie Mitchell, at hallie.mitchell@canucksautism.ca or 604-685-4049 ext 219.

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Jul 5, 2018

At Canucks Autism Network, our vision is for every individual with autism to be understood, accepted and supported in all community spaces. To achieve this vision across the province, far beyond the walls of our programs and events, CAN seeks to collaborate with like-minded organizations who also support this goal.

For years, the City of Surrey has been a key partner for us to impact the lives of individuals and families with autism. In addition to hosting countless CAN programs, the city has been host to some very special highlights in our 10-year history.

In April 2016, the CAN Provincial Adapted Hockey Tournament was hosted at Surrey Sport and Leisure Complex, and was recognized by the City of Surrey with the Best Provincial Event. This unique tournament brought athletes with autism and other developmental disabilities from across the province together to compete and showcase their skills.

CAN was also proud to partner with City of Surrey in 2017 to host an Open House at Surrey Fire Hall #17, inviting families living with autism to come and interact with firefighters to decrease fear and increase awareness. This was a pivotal first for many families in making emergency services more friendly and accessible, and for increasing autism awareness among first responders.

As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, the City of Surrey has joined us in hosting the CAN Birthday Festival, a free and public celebration on today at Surrey Civic Plaza.

A graphic promoting the CAN Birthday Festival on Saturday, July 7 at Surrey Civic Plaza

At this event, the City of Surrey has unveiled a number of community accessibility initiatives, created and supported by CAN. These resources have been introduced at the CAN Birthday Festival with the goal of extending them to improve autism awareness and accessibility in a wide range of City of Surrey buildings, programs and events in the future.

It is important to note that many of these features will benefit not only individuals with autism, but a wide range of community members who may need support to access community spaces. These initiatives are outlined below:

1. City of Surrey Staff Training
All City of Surrey staff attending the CAN Birthday Festival have receive our autism training. This training has included information about autism and introduce strategies to support successful interaction in community spaces. This information will allow these City of Surrey staff to better provide services to individuals and families with autism not only at the CAN Birthday Festival, but in a range of community settings and activities for years to come.

2. Video Storybook for City of Surrey Events
In 2017, CAN partnered with the City of Surrey to create a publicly-available step-by-step video model for accessing a fitness centre. This year, CAN is proud to partner with City of Surrey to produce a video that will support access to community events.

This video will provide a step-by-step visual of what to expect and provide strategies for individuals with autism to successfully navigate public community events. This resource will be filmed at the CAN Birthday Festival and is expected to launch later this year.

3. Event Accessibility Toolkit
Similar to the Accessibility Toolkits developed in collaboration with YVR, Kelowna International Airport and Rogers Arena, the City of Surrey will also offer tools for individuals and families with autism to better access their public events. These tools will include event maps with icons for key areas and activities (ie. sensory-friendly space, washrooms, food, entertainment, shopping, etc), event signage that matches the icons on the map, and an event schedule/checklist.

An event checklist/schedule and map side by side.
The CAN Birthday Festival schedule checklist and map that will be handed out to event guests. Tools such as these are one of the many accessibility elements that City of Surrey will aim to implement for future public events. (Click for larger view)

4. Sensory Friendly Spaces
These designated spaces at public events will provide a haven for individuals with autism and other sensory sensitivities to relax. These quiet spaces will feature seating and activities for individuals of any age or diagnosis who may be feeling overwhelmed to have a designated space to decompress.

Sensory Friendly Spaces can be identified city-wide by the logo that was unveiled at the CAN Birthday Festival.

Two men stand on stage. One holds a large sign of a logo, while the other speaks with a mic.
CAN Manager of Strategic Sponsorships Ryan Yao and City of Surrey Councillor Dave Woods unveil the Sensory Friendly Space logo at CAN Birthday Festival on July 7, 2018.

5. Autism Accessibility Guidelines
In order to consistently deliver these initiatives, CAN and the City of Surrey have developed a set of guidelines to ensure that all events, programs and buildings are providing an accessible experience to individuals and families with autism.

With over 16,000 children and youth with autism in BC, we are so thankful for organizations like the City of Surrey, who have recognized a clear need for increased accessibility and support.

As we continued working towards our vision, we look forward to collaborating with more like-minded organizations to improve autism accessibility in all community spaces.

If you would like more information about partnering with Canucks Autism Network to improve autism accessibility in your business, organization or community space, please contact our Manager of Strategic Partnerships ryan.yao@canucksautism.ca.

If you would like more information about City of Surrey’s accessibility initiatives, please contact Tara Roberts at troberts@surrey.ca or 604-598-5763.

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