ConnecTra Events
ConnecTra provides a variety of outreach services for people with significant physical disabilities in the Lower Mainland. The primary objective is to link people with disabilities to activities and programs that will lead them to become more active, more involved in their community and more employable.
This will include:
- A series of regular workshops
- Presentations to clients and service providers
- One-on-one leisure planning
- Operating a centralized resource centre
In addition, ConnecTra’s affiliated societies are themselves involved in arranging events and activities for people with disabilities.
For more information about ConnecTra, contact Stephen Street: 604-688-6464 ext. 115, or sstreet@disabilityfoundation.org
Next event
Christmas with ConnecTra
ConnecTra's next workshop will be our annual festive celebration, Christmas with Connectra.
It will be held from 1– 3pm on Wednesday, Dec 7 at Vancouver’s Roundhouse
Community Centre (181 Roundhouse Mews – the intersection of Davie &
Pacific.) There is a fully accessible SkyTrain station, Yaletown-Roundhouse,
across the road.
The theme will be travel and transportation for people with disabilities, including a presentation by Translink about accessible transit in Metro Vancouver, and a talk about accessible travel for those venturing further afield.
For more information, contact Steve Street: 604-688-6464 ext. 115 or sstreet@disabilityfoundation.org
Most recent meetings:
October workshop - review
ConnecTra's October workshop included presentations on winter sports (by Disabled Skiers Association of BC),
employ-ability (Neil Squire Society), high performance fore-arm crutches (Side
Stix), peer program (BCPA) and travel for people with disabilities (Canadian
Assisted Travel Society). See the Facebook page for pictures of the event.
August workshop - review
ConnecTra's August event was a mix of technology, sport, employment and health.
 Presenters included Neil Squire Society, Herb Torrance talking about the Wildcats boccia team, Richmond Centre for Disability about resources for career development and Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Society about massage.
June workshop - review
 The June workshop, again held at Roundhouse Community Centre, attracted a crowd of more than 50 clients, including a number of people new to ConnecTra.
The event featured an interesting mix of speakers, including
Heather McCain of Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods (right), information about gardening for people with disabilities, accessible computer systems and advocacy.
(See our Facebook page for pictures.)
Abilities Expo - review
The Abilities Expo event, held at the Roundhouse Community Centre (181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver) on Tuesday, April 19 brought together people with disabilities and more than 30 service providers.
More than 150 people attended.
If want to know more about the event - and see pictures - see ConnecTra's Spring/Summer newsletter.
Valentine's Day workshop - review
ConnecTra's February 14 workshop produced a good crowd on a rainy day for a varied and interesting event.
 Again held at Roundhouse Community Centre, it featured presentations on Employment Program for Persons with Disabilities, safety for the visually impaired at SkyTrain stations, Meals on Wheels and the Tetra Society of North America’s new fully accessible workshop. What particularly caught people's attention was Tetra's latest project, wheelchair safety lights.
Eric Molendyk spoke of how the project came about after he was run down by a driver who said she hadn't seen him, and Tetra volunteer Brian Johnson (both pictured, above left) explained how the three rows of 15 LED lights draw a minimal amount of power but shine like a beacon.
ConnecTra's Christmas workshop
 ConnecTra celebrated Christmas at the Roundhouse on Tuesday, Dec 14.
There were presentations on: accessible bathing (by Premiere Bathrooms Canada), the Disability Savings Tax Credit and on sourcing quality healthcare workers from overseas. Motivational speaker Bruce Gilmour also made a presentation.
October workshop - review
ConnecTra's October meeting, held at the Roundhouse, featured a presentation on the
Registered Disability Savings Plan. This investment opportunity was designed specifically for people with disabilities, and offers substantial returns – for those eligible – which can subsequently be cashed without impacting benefits or pensions.
August workshop - review
ConnecTra's August workshop brought together a wide range of disability issues.
There was a presentation from Habitat for Humanity, which is currently creating accessible and affordable housing; one from Greg Travers, Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work employment coordinator; Eric Molendyk of the Sam Sullivan Disability Foundation reviewed late summer leisure activities; and a discussion about legal rights for people with disabilities lead by Paul Caune of Paladin Advocacy League and Heather McCain of Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods.
June workshop - review
ConnecTra's June workshop brought a variety of people with disabilities together for a wide-ranging event.
Presenters included motivational speaker Joseph Stewart, Marine Drive Mobile, which offers internet accessability and nutritionists Mannatech. The event also focused on leisure opportunities running throughout the summer, including wheelchair tennis, sailing and hiking opportunities.
Disability Expo - review
ConnecTra presented a multi-agency resource fair which connected hundreds of people - individuals with disabilities and Metro Vancouver’s biggest and most useful providers of services for people with disabilities.
The Abilities Expo was held at Roundhouse Community Centre in mid-April to provide the resources, information and personal contacts to enable a person with disabilities to live a full and inclusive life.
Experts were on hand to talk about accessories, advocacy, assistive devices, children, clothing, equipment, employment, housing, leisure, recreation, rehab services, sport, technology, training, transit, theatre . . . and more.
In addition there were movies, live music, arts and crafts, refreshments and demonstrations/presentations. See the full list of participants (pdf) here
February meeting - review
ConnecTra's most recent workshop, Sex and Intimacy Uncovered, was held at Library Square Conference Centre, Vancouver, on Thursday, Feb. 26.
The theme was sexual health, with a presentation by Vancouver Coastal Health sexual health clinician Christine Zarowski.
December meeting - review
ConnecTra's December workshop was held Wednesday, Dec. 16 at The Roundhouse in Vancouver.
 A packed audience enjoyed presentations by Lori Tran and Lynne Davidson of SuiteHarmony; Anna Parisi - pictured, right - Canadian Paralympic Committee’s Communication Chief (look here for info and here for tickets!); Campbell Macdonald of Parking Mobility, which offers a service using "mobile phone technology to empower persons with disabilities to find accessible parking and to identify when people park in those spaces who do not have proper identification."
October meeting - review
ConnecTra's most recent workshop, held October, celebrated our 10th birthday!
Presenters included Canadian 2010 Paralympic curling team member Darryl Neighbour (pictured, below); Link-up, which provides "employment services for people
with disabilities;" and Buggy Bag 
Mobility Accessories.
Naturally, there was birthday cake and a celebration!
August meeting - review
ConnecTra's August workshop included Neal Squire Society, which provides "Education and career development for
people with physical disabilities;" Theatre Terrific, "transforming lives through the power of theatre;" a demonstration from Soup 'n Stuff; and a Q&A session with HandyDART.
June meeting - review
ConnecTra's June workshop featured INTERFIT – Integrated Fitness Society, which provides accessible recreation opportunities, and Theo BC, which offers training for health and employment opportunities.
Brian Bell (pictured) spoke about Interfit, a North Vancouver based program offering leisure opportunities to people with disabilities. It includes hiking,kayaking and skiing programs, as well as helping people equip themselves for adaptive expeditions. See the latest ConnecTra newsletter for more about Brian and Interfit.
April meeting - review
ConnecTra's April workshop mixed job-finding resources with accessible adventure travel.
Presenters included Triumph Vocational Services, which provides employment programs for people with disabilities, and Adventure Travel Specialist Michele Cohen (pictured above).
February meeting - review
ConnecTra's February meeting included a detailed account of the the first disability savings plan in the world”– the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP).
The RDSP was designed specifically for people with disabilities, and offers substantial returns – for those eligible – which can grow and subsequently cashed without impacting benefits or pensions.
The reality is this was drawn up with children in mind, enabling parents of a child with disabilities to make long-term investments, and there is an age cut-off. “People aged 30 and below will really benefit the most from it,” said presenter Doug Brodhead.
The deadline was March 2 for people wanting to retroactively receive government grants and bonds for 2008, but RDSPs can be opened any time.
Full report of the presentation here.
More info: sstreet@disabilityfoundation.org or phone 604-688-6464 ext. 115.
Christmas workshop - review
The pre-Christmas ConnecTra workshop was held on Monday, Dec 15.
More than 15 members defied the ice and snow to attend.
Guest Speakers were from IAM Cares Society, which provides "employment assistance and 
support services" for people with disabilities, and inner city regeneration group Building Opportunities with Business.
Seen here (right) are Krista Lefler (IAM Cares), Lani Johnson and Liz Charyna (both Building Opportunities with Business).
October Workshop - review
The presenters at ConnecTra's October workshop were
Dr Udo Erasmus (seen here with Steve Street, right) who spoke about “life wellness,” and a representative from Access Works who spoke about paid and volunteer opportunities with the 2010 Winter
Olympics.
A late lunch was provided.
For more information about ConnecTra, contact Stephen Street: 604-688-6464 ext. 115, or sstreet@disabilityfoundation.org
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