Breaking through barriers for workers who have children with special needs.

Season’s Greetings

Another year has passed – and an extremely difficult and challenging one it has been, to say the least.

The COVID pandemic has been front and centre in our work over the past months. We all have worked hard to keep each other safe in the workplace. Here in Ottawa, this included countless meetings with Canada Post to ensure all necessary measures and equipment are in place. We have heard from health and safety committees and steward and social steward networks about members concerns. We are doing our best to consider all of your feedback as we make decisions about how best to respond.

We have heard from many CUPW members about the increasing anxiety and stress as you deal with school closures, the loss of your child care arrangements, and stressful uncertainty about how long it will be before life returns to “normal”. We know many CUPW members have been forced to make difficult choices about taking unpaid leave to care for children, or scrambling to piece together alternate child care arrangements in order to continue working.

Those with young children with special needs or caring for adult children with disabilities have endured additional challenges. We have heard about increasing exhaustion and fatigue as you struggle with longer working hours. The closure of many programs and services for children with disabilities has also left many children feeling anxious and isolated.

The pandemic has revealed many cracks in this nation’s systems of health and social services. In times of increased police and military budgets, and with multi millionaires paying little, if any, taxes, growing inequality has come to the fore through the pandemic. Going back to “normal” when normal was not working in the first place, for far too many, is not an option.

As we move into 2021 CUPW will continue to work with our coalition partners for a more just society. We will continue our fight to care for our planet, safeguard workers and their families, and ensure the wellbeing of seniors, people with disabilities while celebrating and amplifying the rights and values of indigenous peoples as we defend and expand postal and public services for the benefit of all.

We will stand strong and be hopeful for our future.

Wishing All a Joyous Holiday Season!

CUPW National 2nd VP

I am one of your four children.

I am the one who feels left out, the one who does not live with you anymore.  I am the one who is unable to express my needs and my wants. 

I was so hurt and didn’t understand why I couldn’t be with you and my siblings.  I am thankful that you never turned your back on me. You attended all my appointments no matter how far away I lived.  I have lived in three homes yet you still visited faithfully.  I came home every other weekend, special occasions and to celebrate my sibling’s birthdays. During covid you came with masks on and spent a few hours with me to celebrate my birthday.  I enjoyed coming home for a day during covid to spend the day swimming and having a picnic with my siblings and niece. (This was real nice. Thank you mom.)  I witnessed many times you going off on staff and supervisors.  I don’t know why but whatever the reason...it made the situation better and things changed.  I marvel at your frustrations knowing mine are far greater because I cannot express myself as you can.

My mother, what I give you is so valuable.  I give you Strength, Courage, Patience, Understanding, Knowledge and Wisdom but most of all I give you Love, Hope and Faith.

I am the child with a disability.  I am your teacher, I am your strength. I give you unconditional Love.  I am the child who will never talk back, I am the child who will listen to you.

I am your special son.

PO4 Postal Clerk

Scarborough, ON

The Special Needs Project has changed the quality of life for my son.

With psychotherapy it is clearer for him how to solve his problems with friends and problems in school. A lot of effort has been put in by me and I thank you for this program which is an important element for my son’s development. Thank you.

PO-4 Postal Clerk - A.H. - Pierrefonds, QC

About People First of Canada

People First of Canada is the national voice for people who have been labeled with an intellectual disability. We advocate for human rights and full inclusion. We advocate for the right to choose where and with whom we live. We do this by sharing our stories, supporting each other, and speaking for ourselves. We advocate for change within community and government so that all people will be included. We work together so that our voices will be heard as equal citizens. Our vision is a Canada that values diversity; and honors, respects, and includes all its citizens.

The People First movement was started in British Columbia in 1973 by a small group of people who lived in an institution and wanted to get out and live in the community. Since that time, thousands of people with intellectual disabilities have become part of the movement. In 1991, the organization was incorporated nationally and continues to move forward in its goal of community living, equality, and inclusion for Canadians with intellectual disabilities.

People First is unique in that the organization is controlled and run by the Board of Directors and the membership – who are all people who have been labeled with an intellectual or developmental disability. We come from all walks of life and have considerable life experience and unique perspectives on the issues that directly affect people with intellectual disabilities. We exist so that persons with intellectual disabilities have a voice, and that their voice is heard, especially on issues that directly affect them.

Currently, People First of Canada has 11 provincial and territorial chapters, over 70 local chapters throughout Canada and more than 3000 individual members. People First of Canada also has many, many wonderful volunteer advisors across the country who help chapters and members to reach their potential.

The priorities of the organization are around raising awareness, community living, education, employment, and recreation and social opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The work of People First of Canada closely follows the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. People First was also very involved in the Accessible Canada Act. Our members across the country contributed to consultations around the Act. In addition to that, our President and Executive Director presented our concerns about the Act to the Standing Committee in Parliament.

People First of Canada also produces resources and materials around these priorities. One of our most successful resources is the documentary film The Freedom Tour.

This powerful documentary film is one of a kind as it was designed, developed and produced by people with intellectual disabilities. It is used in universities, colleges and training courses in Canada and around the world. The film is also used by many advocacy and community organizations.

If you are interested in learning more about People First of Canada, please visit our website https://www.peoplefirstofcanada.ca/

If you are interested in watching The Freedom Tour, you can view the film here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tKw7vGo3ro&t=493s or through the People First of Canada website.