1. AlterGo – City of Montreal PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN ACTION ACPL- AQLM October 2003

2. An end to exclusion Forum presented in conjunction with the National Conference on Parks and Leisure by partners working for universal accessibility –Linda Roy, City of Montreal and –Monique Lefebvre, AlterGo

3. A united effort for the greater good!

4. Working together means sharing a vision!

5. A positive approach Spirit of innovation Bold initiatives Unyielding determination Humility Political will

6. Spirit of innovation Doing things differently Measuring performance

7. Bold initiatives Initiatives based on common interests and goals; not inflexible positions Partnership Strategic alliances

8. Unyielding determination The right approach to planning and administration Direction Strategies All concerned parties

9. Humility Asking hard questions Seeing ourselves through others I am not a victim! It’s not my fault!

10. Political will Support Recognition Investment –Human resources –$$$$

11. Question period

12. Forum for open dialogue A partnership for over 25 years A way to change attitudes An atmosphere of mutal understanding A place to exchange ideas and experiences

13. One mission Encourage participation in leisure pursuits for persons with disabilities through dialogue

14. Objectives Promote equality in terms of accessibility to leisure activites for disabled persons in Montreal; Ensure that disabled persons have the same choices as all citizens;

15. Objectives (cont’d) Co-ordinate strategies leading to complete participation by persons with disabilities; Find common solutions to obstacles encountered by persons with disabilities; Facilitate collaboration between representatives of the City of Montreal and those representing persons with disabilities.

16. Question period

17. Access to programs and services The 4 areas to organize –Offer of service aspect –Communications aspect –Universal accessibility aspect –Human aspect

18. «IT takes a new way of thinking to bring about a new way of acting toward others!» Serge Lamontagne, St- Laurent

19. Adapted offer of service aspect Willingness by partners of the City to offer services to persons with disabilities Integrated participation and participation of disabled persons Support for the development of adapted programs – accompaniment in leisure or devlopment of specialized activity sites

20. Accompaniment as a means to encourage and promote accessibility to leisure activities for persons with disabilities

21. Accompaniment in leisure Objectives –Ensure that any person with a disability (regardless of the type of disability) can participate in leisure activities within a standard of specialized structure –Offer financial aid to organizations seeking to provide accompaniment services

22. Accompaniment in leisure Organizations participating in program Montreal region - 2002 –Standard organizations: 71 –Specialized organizations: 16

23. Accompaniment in leisure Program participants 2002 by disability type – Montreal region

24. Accompaniment in leisure Positive benefits –Much-appreciated program –Encourages improval integration of disabled persons –Mutually enriching experience –Greater choice in terms of providing leisure services and activities –Activities offered closer to home –Developping partnerships

25. Adapted offer of service aspect Policy of supporting organizations responsible for leisure activities targeted toward disabled persons Planning interaction and use of adapted transport services Develop way to measure performance – adapted for a disabled clientele Establish minimum norms for the support of adapted services and activities within organizations

26. Adapted offer of service aspect Participation in general community life and development projects by organizations responsible for leisure activities for disabled persons Plan for inclusion of disabled persons in programs and activities organized by community, e.g. Montreal Games, festivals, etc. Inter-district dialogue forums to oversee services for disabled persons

27. Question period

28. Communication aspect Accessibility of information for persons with a visual disability – information available on audio cassette or CD, etc. Accessibility through sign posting, symbols, icons, etc. Accessibility of services for persons with an auditory disability (e.g. installation of magnetic loop) – an adapted theatre production, interpreted for the hearing impaired, offered a few times a year

29. Communication aspect Publication of pertinent information regarding services offered to persons with disabilities in directories, brochures – accessibility of sites, rates for accompaniment, offer of adapted services, etc. Create an atmosphere where persons with disabilities feel welcome!

30. Environmental accessibility aspect Plan improvements regarding the accessibility of equipment and installations – collaboration within sector to identify and prioritize needs Review of plans by expert in accessibility and consultation with community organizations representing persons with disabilities when projects initiated

31. Human aspect Develop and jmprove skills among personnel responsible for customer service for persons with disabilities Form positive attitudes and pass on knowledge e.g. training of day camp staff, training of management team for improved access to programs and services

32. The importance of leisure Leisure is considered a right for all citizens by 95.3% of the population In Quebec, leisure falls under municipal jurisdiction

33. City of Montreal The entity responsible for providing citizens with a variety of service in sectors such as culture, sports, leisure and social development The administration of services in culture, sports, leisure and social development sectors is overseen at the district level

34. The roles of concerned parties Elected officials Leisure administrators AlterGo Organizations overseeing leisure activities for persons with disabilities

35. Leisure as a means of social intregration

36. The Defi Sportif Encourages and promotes participating in sports and active lifestyle for persons with disabilities Represent a dynamic and positive image of persons with disabilities

37. A vision The Defi Sportif – created in 1984 –An annual multi-sport competition where elite athletes guide the youth –A gathering of athletes fromj all disability groups –21st édition from April 28 to May 2, 2004

38. 2300 determined athletes

39. An international competition 16 disciplines – 550 volunteers 5 days of competition 3 competition sites in Montreal Over 100 partners Special events

40. Question period

41. How to reach us Linda Roy Director for Culture, Sports, Leisure and Social Development for Rivière-des-Prairies, Pointe-aux-Trembles, Montreal East E-mail : lroy_2@ville.montreal.qc.ca Tel. : (514) 872-6383

42. How to reach us Monique Lefebvre Executive Director – AlterGo E-mail : monique@altergo.netmonique@altergo.net Tel. : (514) 933-2739, ext. 222

43. AlterGo PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN ACTION