For those that visited Science World this past October, you may have noticed some very festive pumpkins decorating their entrance. In particular, the CAN-inspired carving above has to be one of our all-time favourites.
What visitors may not have realized is that the decorative pumpkins were the result of a multi-season collaboration between Science World and CAN’s youth and adult participants spanning nearly six months!
With their commitment to accessibility and inclusion, Science World has been a longtime community partner. Over the past several years, we have collaborated with the popular Vancouver attraction to develop an Activity Storybook for visitors with autism, offer autism training to their staff and volunteers, and host our Youth and Adult programs.
This particular pumpkin project began this past Spring, when our CommunityWorks Canada ® program visited Science World. Youth andadults with autism toured the facility and volunteered their time to plant pumpkin seeds on site.
CommunityWorks Canada ® is a pre-employment training program that is federally funded by Worktopia. With funding coming to an end this January, the program will replaced by a new “Explore Volunteering” program. Visit the program page for details.
By the end of the summer, Science World staff reached out, letting us know that pumpkins had virtually taken over their garden!
So when our youth and adults were looking for places to volunteer again this October, Science World invited them back to carve the same pumpkins they had planted earlier this year. After a Saturday morning with museum staff, CAN participants carved everything from ghoulish figures to festive silhouettes.
“Science World is thrilled to work collaboratively with CAN,” said Cindy Wagner, Director of Visitor Experience. “It was an absolute pleasure to share this Halloween experience with CAN’s youth and adults and our visitors.”
Thanks to Science World’s enthusiasm for showcasing our programs, thousands of museum visitors were treated to a special Halloween treat, courtesy of CAN participants!
This story was first featured by the Presidents Group, a network of change-driven BC business leaders who are champions or more accessible, inclusive workplaces.
“When I started working at Canucks Autism Network (CAN), I was shy and nervous about making mistakes. Today, I’m responsible for a variety of tasks – from inventory to data entry. The best part is that I get to help CAN families.” -Siobhan Doyle, Office Assistant
Siobhan Doyle is one of two young adults with autism who works part-time in the CAN office. As a long-time participant who currently accesses CAN youth and young adult programs, she wanted to give back to the organization that had helped her. In turn, she has become an incredible asset to the team.
A passionate Vancouver Canucks fan, Siobhan first developed a level of familiarity and comfort with the organization and their staff as a participant. So when her Job Readiness Program at Douglas College tasked her with securing a practicum, she naturally reached out to the CAN office.
Like any employee, Siobhan entered her first job with a set of unique strengths and challenges. Joining the CAN office team as an administrative intern, her co-workers immediately recognized her exemplary work ethic.
In particular, Siobhan demonstrated a desire and aptitude to perform repetitive tasks that most staff would find monotonous. She was assigned to data entry, photocopying, filing and general administrative duties – all of which she completed with commendable focus.
However, as Siobhan recalls, it was not a seamless transition into the workforce. “I was mostly quiet and kept to myself. I was in a new environment, didn’t know my co-workers yet, and was nervous about making mistakes.”
Siobhan in her first year as Office Assistant in 2014
Recognizing the need to ease Siobhan into the demands and nuances of office communication, CAN assigned her with a dedicated supervisor who was able to model proper social and workplace behaviour.
“What I would emphasize to other potential employers is thatalthough I had an understanding of autism, I wasn’t an expert.” explained Amy, CAN’s Manager of Membership Services and Siobhan’s long-time supervisor. “More importantly, we approached Siobhan’s employment with open-mindedness and a willingness to try.”
Despite being an autism organization, CAN did not make assumptions about the type of support that Siobhan would need to succeed in the office environment. Understanding that she, like any other employee, is a unique individual with her own working style, they asked her directly what would help her succeed.
“It was really helpful to have written lists and visual step-by-step instructions on how to complete each task,” Siobhan explained. By providing her with a visual reference in addition to verbal instruction, Siobhan could work independently and refer back to tangible guidelines to confirm the expectations of the task.
By the time Siobhan’s practicum came to an end, she was invited to stay in a part-time capacity to continue contributing her skills to the team.
Siobhan (middle) also volunteers her time at key events, such as the CAN Family Festival in 2014 (pictured).
Among the many roles that she fulfills within the office today, Siobhan is responsible for compiling all coaches’ binders that go out to the 50+ CAN programs on a quarterly basis. Containing participant, staff and volunteer information, curricula, emergency procedures and more, the binder is a critical resource for the success of CAN’s province-wide sports and recreation programs.
When Siobhan isn’t occupied with administrative tasks in the office, you can catch her discussing her favourite Canucks players, reminiscing the most recent softball game (she plays on the office’s rec team), or inviting her co-workers out for a coffee run to Starbucks.
By investing additional time in Siobhan’s training, CAN was not only able to uncover her innate capabilities, they were able to benefit from her incredible work ethic, dedication and skill set. After nearly five years of working in the office, it is clear that Siobhan is a loyal and motivated employee who is delighted to be contributing to the overall success of the organization.
Canucks Autism Network is proud to have followed the lead of other inclusive employers and hopes that more organizations continue to pave the way towards workplace diversity.
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!
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
As the Canucks Autism Network continues to grow, so too does our staff team in the office! With an increasing number of programs being offered across BC, it is crucial to add like-minded individuals that share our passion for enhancing the lives of individuals and families living with autism throughout BC.
That said, we are incredibly excited to announce the most recent addition to our team, Elisabeth Walker-Young. In the newly-created position of Manager of Programs, Elisabeth will oversee the delivery and continued excellence of our sports and recreation programs province-wide. Elisabeth comes to CAN with years of experience as a champion for inclusion and accessibility in sport – both as an athlete and a professional.
As a competitive swimmer, Elisabeth is a four-time Paralympian that has won three gold medals for Team Canada. After retiring from competition, she was chosen for the role of chef de mission (official leader and spokesperson) for Team Canada at the 2015 ParaPanAmerican Games – an incredible honour that speaks volumes about her passion and reputation for advocacy.
Elisabeth as chef de mission at the 2015 ParaPanAmerican Games in Toronto. (Photo credit: Jennifer Larson)
Sharing her background as an athlete, Elisabeth recounted, “By mistake, I got involved in inclusive sport and have gained so much out of it. I wholeheartedly believe that everyone — regardless of their circumstances or lived experiences — deserve the right to participate and reap the benefits of being active within their community. In time, I realized that I had a voice to advocate for others in similar situations and a passion for affecting positive change.”
After retiring from competition, Elisabeth took on managerial roles with ParaSport Ontario, Curl BC and the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. It was during her most recent time as Manager of Inclusion with viaSport BC that she became closely familiar with Canucks Autism Network.
Among CAN’s core values is a commitment to collaboration. It is only fitting that Elisabeth sat with CAN’s Program Director, Stephanie Jull, on a national advisory committee for the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC). “I loved the philosophy that CAN had,” Elisabeth recalled. “We were asked by the CAC to develop a nationally-available resource to help sports leaders make their programs more accessible to individuals with special needs. CAN created tip sheets for engaging athletes with autism that were easy to understand for coaches regardless of their experience with autism.”
View CAN and viaSport’s 10 Tip Sheets for Coaches and Community Recreation Staff on our Helpful Resources webpage!
“I loved CAN’s philosophy. Now that I’m a part of the organization, I’m so excited to be connected to like-minded people, see the work in action and most importantly continue the incredibly important work that CAN does in the BC community.”
Welcome to the team, Elisabeth! The CAN community is so glad to have you on board.
