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
ConnecTra's next workshop will be held in late October at the Roundhouse Community Centre in Vancouver.
The Roundhouse is fully accessible. There is underground pay parking available, and the venue is across the road from the fully accessible Yaletown-Roundhouse SkyTrain station. (See map here.)
There will be 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.
For more information, contact Steve Street: 604-688-6464 ext. 115 or sstreet@disabilityfoundation.org
Most recent meetings:
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 assitance 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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