Upcoming Seminars & Conferences
Reach provides legal and resource information to people with all disabilities, their caregivers, educators, lawyers and service providers. Seminars and conferences are presented virtually or in-person, on topics such as mental wellness, PTSD, abuse, workplace accommodations, learning disabilities and many other topics related to disabilities.
If you would like to suggest a topic for discussion or discuss partnering with us please send us an email or complete a short survey.
People with disabilities are invited to contact reach@reach.ca to communicate the accommodations required to participate in an educational seminar.
"I recently attended the Trauma Informed Lawyering presentation hosted by REACH. The presenters were fantastic, and the information was extremely useful. Having practiced in personal injury for many years I was able to truly appreciate the practical coping techniques that were discussed during the presentation on how to manage the impact of clients' trauma on your life. What I liked most was that the content was very current and provided an opportunity to licensees to reflect on how they are practicing during the pandemic and the new challenges that we encounter as a profession. I am now a professor and think that these types of educational presentations should be provided to our students so that they can embark on their careers with a focus on their own mental health and they can learn early on to establish healthy boundaries. Thank you REACH!"
Asfrah Syed-Emond, B.A.Hon., LL.B.|Professor, Placement & Legal Studies Coordinator
Upcoming Seminars
Visit https://www.able2.org/events/ for upcoming webinars.
Past Seminars & Conferences
Managing Your Home as an Asset
Estate planning options in support of caregivers caring for persons living with mental illnesses and/or developmental disabilities planning for the housing needs of their loved ones when they are no longer able to care for them or when they are gone.
Join Reach and the Caregiver Resource Hub/ The Mental Illness Caregivers Association (MICA) and guest speaker, Natalie Sanna from the Persona Law Group for a discussion regarding estate planning for caregivers who are exploring housing need options for their loved ones.
This discussion will take place in person at the CMHA Meeting Room at 311 McArthur Avenue, Ottawa K1L 8M3.
Date & Time - Thursday, December 1, 2022 | 7:00-9:00 pm
Long-Term Disability Benefits: What you and your loved ones need to know
Join Reach, the Brain Injury Association of the Ottawa Valley, and Ted Bergeron, Founding Partner, Bergeron Clifford Injury Lawyers for a presentation on Long Term Disability Benefits: What you and your loved ones need to know. Topics will include: who qualifies / exclusions and conditions; how much does it pay; how long can you stay on LTD; how to maintain your benefits; what is covered ("appropriate and reasonable" treatment); what if your claim was denied? Legal action?; and LTD and CPP disability benefits; how they work together.
Registration for this event is free, but please consider making a contribution to Reach to support access to justice for people with disabilities. A charitable receipt will be provided for all contributions of $20 or greater. Visit reach.ca to donate.
This educational seminar is part of Reach’s initiative to increase legal referrals through front-line workers, made possible with support from The Law Foundation of Ontario.
November 10, 2022, 12:00PM - 1:00PM
Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP): Essential information about ODSP
Are you a front-line worker looking to learn more about the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)? Please join Reach Canada, Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre, and speaker Angela Mooney for an overview of the ODSP program, eligibility, support programs and other benefits available.
Angela Mooney practices housing and income maintenance law at Community Legal Services of Ottawa. Her previous social justice and community organizing work informs her current legal practice. She enjoys assisting and advising clients on their rights and how to address the legal issues they face. She regularly appears before the Social Benefits Tribunal and often provides Tenant Duty Counsel Services at the Landlord Tenant Board. When not working with and for her clients, she enjoys getting outside to explore trails and parks both near and far.
While the session is free, please consider making a contribution to Reach to support access to justice for people with disabilities. A charitable receipt will be provided for all contributions of $20 or greater. Visit reach.ca to donate.
November 2, 2022, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Accommodations During the Hiring Process for People with Disabilities
Presented in Partnership with Carleton Disability Awareness Centre
Join Reach for an educational session which will explore the issue of accommodations at every stage of the hiring process – from the recruiting phase to the interview process.
Registration for this event is free, but please consider making a contribution to Reach to support access to justice for people with disabilities. A charitable receipt will be provided for all contributions of $20 or greater. Visit reach.ca to donate.
This educational seminar is part of Reach’s initiative to increase legal referrals through front-line workers, made possible with support from The Law Foundation of Ontario.
October 19, 2022, 10:30am-11:30am
Strategies for Legal Professionals to Assist Clients with Mental Health Disabilities
Join Reach Canada for a panel discussion with Anita Szigeti (founding lawyer of Anita Szigeti Advocates), Neha Chugh (founder of Chugh Law), and Kate Cunning (Canadian Mental Health Association – CMHA) on how legal professionals can best support their clients living with mental health disabilities.
The session will be focused on three broad topics:
1. Identifying Clients with Mental Health Disabilities
Mental health is an “invisible disability”, and many clients may not be forthcoming regarding their mental health issues. Our panelists will discuss how to identify clients with potential mental health disabilities, how to discuss accommodating a disability in a sensitive manner, and how to approach addressing the stigma regarding mental health in certain communities.
2. Navigating the Challenges Working with Clients Struggling with their Mental Health
Legal professionals often face practical challenges when working with clients with a mental health disability, including difficulty taking instructions, and instructions that may be contrary to a client’s best interests. Our panelists will share their experiences navigating these challenges and tips for best assisting your clients, in keeping with ethical and professional obligations.
3. Best Practices for Supporting Clients with Mental Health Disabilities
Supporting a client struggling with a mental health disability often requires more than what a legal professional can provide. Our panelists will share resources, such as community organizations, services, and partners that are available to assist your clients.
This session has been approved by The Law Society of Ontario for 1 hour EDI Professionalism Content.
Thursday, October 6, 2022, 5:30pm-6:30pm
Raising Resilient Children and Youth in a World of Constant Change and Crisis with Dr. Cheng (CHEO)
Join ABLE2, Reach Canada and Dr. Cheng from the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) for a talk on fostering resiliency in children and youth living with disabilities.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to describe:
What we need for mental wellness, resiliency and self-regulation
Ways to build daily activities and routines that naturally provide wellness, resiliency and self-regulation
Ways to help find a balance on productive vs. recreational screentime
Ways to find time for self-care.
Wednesday, September 21, 2022, 6:30pm-8:00pm
CRA’s Benefits and Credits Available to Persons with Disabilities
The objective of this information session is to teach persons with disabilities, their families and/or caregivers what is the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), who is eligible, how to apply - what form to use and how to complete the form, how to claim the credit; and so on. We will also provide general information on the Child Disability Benefit (CDB), the Canada Workers Benefits (CWB) supplement, the Canada Caregiver Credit (CCC), the Disability Support Deduction, Medical Expenses and other tools and services that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) offers.
Wednesday, July 27, 2022, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Registration for this event is free, but please consider making a contribution to Reach to support access to justice for people with disabilities. A charitable receipt will be provided for all contributions of $20 or greater. Click here to donate. Reach Legal Education sessions are made possible with the generous support of the Ottawa Community Foundation.
Reach 2022 Hoarding Conference: Increasing Awareness, Legal Challenges and Community Collaboration
Presented by Meridian Credit Union
In 2019, Reach Co-Founder Ernest Tannis was appointed the trustee of the estate of his friend and client Neil Coulman, who lived with hoarding. Ernest's efforts to support Neil during their friendship, and later work as the trustee of Neil's estate, shed light on the complexities of hoarding including its legal impacts, health and safety issues, and the effect on those surrounding the individual living with hoarding behaviours.
Reach's 2022 Hoarding Conference, presented by Meridian Credit Union, aims to increase awareness of hoarding, provide practical tips and resources to support those experiencing hoarding behaviors, address legal challenges related to hoarding, and improve community collaboration around these difficult situations. This event is a three-part conference series being held in May-June 2022 in memory of Mr. Neil Leon Coulman.
Part 1: Increasing Awareness
Please note that this session has ended. By registering for the full conference, you will receive access to a recording of the session.
This session aims to increase awareness around hoarding and to highlight some of the practical and complex challenges associated with it. Discussion will include defining hoarding, associated behaviours and causes, other related mental health conditions, impacts on the individual and family/support network, and an introduction to the idea that a coordinated and collaborative community approach is important in supporting those who are struggling.
Tuesday, May 10, 2022, 11:30am-1:00pm
Presenter: Dr. Karen Rowa, Ph.D., C.Psych. (Associate Professor, Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University)
Part 2: Legal Challenges
A variety of legal issues can arise for individuals who live with the experience of hoarding. This session will provide general information, highlights, and strategy related to housing and, in particular, evictions, consent & capacity, and the Mental Health Act as they relate to hoarding behaviours. Legal practitioners will share their first-hand experiences and practical advice on how to advocate for and work with clients living with hoarding. The session will also include a brief discussion on the legal challenges associated with administering the estate of individuals who struggle with hoarding, from the perspective of an estate trustee.
Wednesday, June 1, 2022, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Presenters: Sylvia Chapman (Lawyer, Community Legal Services Ottawa), Anne Smith (Paralegal, Action Logement), Mark Handelman (Counsel, Whaley Estate Litigation Partners, Member of the Consent and Capacity Board), Bryan Gilmartin (Associate, Whaley Estate Litigation Partners)
This session has been approved by the Law Society of Ontario for one(1) hour EDI Professionalism.
Part 3: Community Collaboration
While each case of hoarding is unique, a coordinated and collaborative community approach is the most effective means of support for those who live with the experience of hoarding. This session will include a dynamic and practical discussion of why a coordinated and collaborative approach is needed and provide examples from regions that have developed and implemented such an approach. The session will also examine what works and what doesn’t work when it comes to community collaboration in hoarding cases and challenges faced by front line workers, families and support networks when they try to assist. Suggestions on how to work together on building community engagement and capacity to better serve those who live with hoarding behaviours will be provided.
Wednesday, June 15, 2022, 11:00am-1:00pm
Presenters: Karen Rowa, Ph.D., C.Psych. (Associate Professor, Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University), Sheri Hatherly (Hoarding Program Lead, Lanark County Mental Health), Stacey Murphy (Intensive Case Manager, CMHA Champlain East), Lisa Medd (Program Manager, Canadian Mental Health Association Ottawa)
Provincial Election and Accessibility
Join Reach for an educational session which will discuss the supports available to facilitate voting for people with disabilities with speakers Sarah Murray (Elections Ontario Accessibility Program Advisor) and Kate Riccomini (Linguist and blindness advocate). Topics will include:
General information on the policies in place surrounding accessibility and voting in Ontario;
Services/programs/community supports available to facilitate access to the polls for people with disabilities; and
How people with accessibility needs can prepare for the upcoming election (i.e. mobility-related issues, transport, advanced polling, etc.).
Thursday, May 5, 2022, 10:00am-11:00am
Registration for this event is free, but please consider making a contribution to Reach to support access to justice for people with disabilities. A charitable receipt will be provided for all contributions of $20 or greater. Visit reach.ca to donate.
This educational seminar is part of Reach’s initiative to increase legal referrals through front-line workers, made possible with support from The Law Foundation of Ontario.
Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) and the Canada Disability Savings Grant and Bond: What You and Your Loved Ones Need to Know
Join Reach Canada for an educational session on the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) and the Canada Disability Savings Grant and Bond!
The Government of Canada understands that long-term financial security is a real concern for people with disabilities and their families. For this reason, the Government introduced a first-of-its-kind savings program, the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP), which helps families ensure that their loved ones with severe and prolonged disabilities can save for their future.
This session will cover the differences between the RDSP, Canada Disability Savings Grant and Bond, as well as what you and your loved ones need to know regarding eligibility and application processes. Additional information regarding the Canada Disability Savings Program can be found at www.canada.ca/RDSP.
Thursday, April 28, 2022, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Registration for this event is free, but please consider making a contribution to Reach to support access to justice for people with disabilities. A charitable receipt will be provided for all contributions of $20 or greater. Click here to donate. Reach Legal Education sessions are made possible with the generous support of the Ottawa Community Foundation.
Mental Health Resilience: Supporting Families and Loved Ones Through Challenging Times: Grow Education Series
Reach Canada and ABLE2 are happy to present Juliet Haynes, Family Engagement and Experience Coordinator for the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre.
Juliet will give tips and tools for families supporting an adult with disabilities. The webinar will help you cope with feeling overwhelmed, tips for staying grounded and the importance of practicing and prioritizing self-care.
Juliet Haynes is the Family Engagement and Experience Coordinator at The Royal and Vice-Chair of the Family Advisory Council. Prior to this, she served as The Royal’s Family Support Program Coordinator where she devoted her energy to improving families’ access to support through community partnerships and telemedicine.
Wednesday, April 13, 2022, 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Registration for this event is free, but please consider making a contribution to Reach to support access to justice for people with disabilities. A charitable receipt will be provided for all contributions of $20 or greater. Click here to donate. Reach Legal Education sessions are made possible with the generous support of the Ottawa Community Foundation.
ABLE2 is offering a series of virtual workshops to help people with disabilities, their families and professionals in the community learn about and participate in fun activities. This workshop is funded by the Ontario Trillium Fund.
Disability Benefits During COVID-19: What You and Your Loved Ones Need to Know
Reach invites you to join us for an educational session on Disability Benefits during COVID-19 with Karine Dion, lawyer at Nelligan Law.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on all aspects of daily living. During these challenging times, people living with disabilities may face barriers in asserting claims for benefits. This session will cover how people living with disabilities can move forward with asserting claims for benefits and sick leave during these challenging times.
Thursday, March 10, 2022, 11:00am - 12:00 pm
Registration for this event is free, but please consider making a contribution to Reach to support access to justice for people with disabilities. A charitable receipt will be provided for all contributions of $20 or greater. Visit reach.ca to donate. Reach Legal Education sessions are made possible with the generous support of the Ottawa Community Foundation.
Understanding the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
Join Reach and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for an information session on the Disability Tax Credit!
The objective of this information session is to teach persons with disabilities and their caregivers about the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). This will include who is eligible, how to apply, what form to use, how to complete the form, how to claim the disability amount and related credits, and what is a non-refundable tax credit.
Tuesday, February 8, 2022, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Registration for this event is free, but please consider making a contribution to Reach to support access to justice for people with disabilities. A charitable receipt will be provided for all contributions of $20 or greater. Visit reach.ca to donate. Reach Legal Education sessions are made possible with the generous support of the Ottawa Community Foundation.
Accessible Legal Practice: Perspectives & Strategies to Support Your Clients Living with Disabilities
Join Reach Canada for a roundtable discussion with Brendon Pooran, Partner at Pooran Law, Lila Refaie, Staff Lawyer at ARCH Disability Law Centre, and David Lepofsky, disability advocate who was named one of Canada’s most influential lawyers in 2010. The session will be focussed on three broad topics:
1. The Need for Accessibility in Legal Practice
2. Accessible Legal Practice and COVID-19
3. Tips for Your Practice
This session has been accredited by the Law Society of Ontario for 1 hour Professionalism and 30 minutes EDI Professionalism.
January 27, 2022 - 5:00pm - 6:30pm
2021
Financial Planning: Tips and Strategies for Canadians Living with a Disability
In honour of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Reach invites you to join us for a virtual education session on financial planning for people living with disabilities and their caregivers. Learn practical tips and strategies to help you or your loved one make informed decisions. The session will focus on the benefits of setting up and managing a Registered Disability Savings Plan, as well as other considerations to help you make long-term financial decisions. The presentation will be followed by a brief Question & Answer period. We welcome any questions that you wish to submit in advance of the presentation. Troy Mulvey, financial advisor with Equity Financial Services, will be the speaker at this educational session.
December 2, 2021, 11:00am
Registration for this event is free, but please consider making a contribution to Reach to support access to justice for people with disabilities. A charitable receipt will be provided for all contributions of $20 or greater. Visit reach.ca to donate. Reach Legal Education sessions are made possible with the generous support of the Ottawa Community Foundation.
The Criminal Justice System & Disability: Know Your Rights
Join ABLE2 and Reach Canada for an educational session focusing on the criminal justice system and knowing your rights. Our speaker is James Foord, an experienced Ottawa criminal lawyer who will be covering the following topics of interest:
- Interacting with the police: what are your rights when the police speak to you or ask you questions?
- Criminal charges: what is the process after you have been charged with a criminal offence?
- Court and community supports for people charged with criminal offences and
- Considerations for people living with disabilities: what do you need to be aware of when dealing with the courts and/or the criminal justice system?
Wednesday, November 17, 2021, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Remote Work and the Duty to Accommodate
As COVID-19 restrictions ease across the province, employers are increasingly looking towards a hybrid model of return to in-person work. Join Reach Canada and Ottawa employment lawyer, Chris Rootham for a discussion on an employer’s duty to accommodate, how COVID-19 has changed attitudes and increased opportunities for remote work, and what implications these changes to remote work can have on people living with disabilities. The session will explore how a person with a disability can request an accommodation to work in person or from home.
Chris Rootham is a partner with Nelligan Law, and practises in the Labour Law and Employment Law groups. He advises employees and trade unions in issues related to labour, constitutional law, administration, privacy, and personal information. Chris currently co-teaches the Employment Law course at the University of Ottawa. He has also taught and lectured on labour and employment law generally, and in the public sector more generally. He is the author of Federal Public Sector Labour and Employment Law.
Monday, October 25, 2021 - 11:00am
Registration for this event is free, but please consider making a contribution to Reach to support access to justice for people with disabilities. A charitable receipt will be provided for all contributions of $20 or greater. Visit reach.ca to donate. Reach Legal Education sessions are made possible with the generous support of the Ottawa Community Foundation.
Election 2021: Voters' Rights & Accommodations for People Living with Disabilities
Join REACH Canada for an education session on voters' rights, elections, and special considerations for people living with disabilities in light of the upcoming Fall 2021 Election. We will be covering the following topics:
- Elections & voters rights for people with disabilities in Canada
- Voting accommodations for people living with disabilities
- Special considerations for elections during COVID-19
- How to find more information and reach out to local candidates
Our speaker will be Jewelles Smith. Jewelles Smith is the Communications and Government Relations Coordinator with the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD). Ms. Smith is a highly regarded Canadian human rights expert. Ms. Smith has worked extensively on voter engagement for over 15 years, and is a member of the Advisory Group for Disability Issues (AGDI) Committee with Elections Canada. She is a PhD candidate at UBC and focuses on disability rights in her dissertation.
***To vote by special mail-in ballot, contact your local Elections Canada office or apply online by Tuesday September 14, 2021. Click here for more information. ***
Wednesday, September 15, 2021 01:00 PM
Registration for this event is free, but please consider making a contribution to Reach to support access to justice for people with disabilities. A charitable receipt will be provided for all contributions of $20 or greater. Visit reach.ca to donate. Reach Legal Education sessions are made possible with the generous support of the Ottawa Community Foundation.
Disability Tax Credit Update 2021: Overview & Implications for Canadians Living with a Disability
The 2021 federal budget released this spring included important changes to the Disability Tax Credit. The DTC is non-refundable tax credit designed to help people with disabilities or people supporting them reduce the amount of income tax they must pay.
This presentation will touch on what the Disability Tax Credit is, how you can apply for it and what the changes mean for people living with disabilities across Canada. It will highlight the changes in eligibility requirements and how the Disability Tax Credit could help you access other federal or provincial programs. The presentation will also discuss what the changes to the Disability Tax Promoters Regulations are doing to protect people living with disabilities in Canada. The changes are in force for the 2021 Tax year, so the time is now to learn about how you, or someone you love, can benefit from the Disability Tax Credit.
Presentation by Ted Mann of Mann Lawyers.
Thursday July 15th, 2021, 11:00 am
Registration for this event is free, but please consider making a contribution to Reach to support access to justice for people with disabilities. A charitable receipt will be provided for all contributions of $20 or greater. Visit reach.ca to donate. Reach Legal Education sessions are made possible with the generous support of the Ottawa Community Foundation.
Housing And The Duty To Accommodate
Please join Reach and Connecting Ottawa to learn more about Housing and the Duty to Accommodate. This presentation will include a discussion of the following topics and much more:
- What is the duty to accommodate in relation to housing and when does it apply?;
- What are the obligations of the tenant and landlord in the accommodation process?; and
- Practical considerations around accommodation requests.
Following the presentation, there will be a brief question and answer period.
Presenters: Marie-Josée Houle, Action-Logement and Sylvia Chapman and Sabrina Diotte, Community Legal Services Ottawa (CLSO)
Tuesday, July 13, 2021 - 1:00PM
Registration for this event is free, but please consider making a contribution to Reach to support access to justice for people with disabilities. A charitable receipt will be provided for all contributions of $20 or greater.
Trauma-Informed Lawyering: Overview & Practical Advice
Join Reach Canada for a panel discussion on trauma-informed lawyering with Alex Desrisier (Connecting Ottawa) and Laila Demirdache (Community Legal Services of Ottawa). Our speakers will provide an overview of what a trauma-informed practice means, how lawyers can incorporate a trauma-informed approach into their daily practice, and strategies for addressing vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue. Following the presentation, there will be an opportunity for a brief question & answer session.
This session has been accredited by the Law Society of Ontario for 60 minutes of Professionalism Content.
Thursday, April 29, 2021. 5:00pm
Registration for this event is free, but please consider making a contribution to Reach to support access to justice for people with disabilities. A charitable receipt will be provided for all contributions of $20 or greater. Reach Legal Education sessions are made possible with the generous support of the Ottawa Community Foundation.
ODSP and Supplementary Government Benefits for Students during COVID-19
Are you a student looking to learn more about the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and other benefit programs during the COVID-19 pandemic? Please join Reach Canada and the Carleton Disability Awareness Centre for an overview of the ODSP program, eligibility, and other government benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our speaker will be Randy Slepchik, a labour and disability lawyer and partner at Jewitt McLuckie & Associates LLP. Randy regularly advises unions, workers and equity-seeking organizations as to legal strategies for advancing the rights of workers and persons living with disabilities. Randy is also on the Board of REACH Canada in support of REACH’s goal of increasing access to justice for persons with disabilities.
Monday, March 22, 2021, 4:00pm-5:00pm
Registration for this event is free. Please consider making a contribution to Reach to support access to justice for people with disabilities. A charitable receipt will be provided for all contributions of $20 or greater. Reach Legal Education sessions are made possible with the generous support of the Ottawa Community Foundation.
Indigenous Perspectives & Lived Experiences with the Legal System
Join Reach Canada for a session on Indigenous perspectives and lived experiences with the Canadian legal system. Our speakers will be Keith Gordon, a lawyer based in the Akwesasne/Iroquois of St. Regis Territory and Jennifer Valiquette, court worker with the Odawa Native Friendship Centre. The session will explore the systemic challenges that Indigenous peoples face with the Canadian legal system, as well as practical supports and resources.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021, 11:00am-12:00pm
Registration for this event is free. Please consider making a contribution to Reach to support access to justice for people with disabilities. A charitable receipt will be provided for all contributions of $20 or greater. Reach Legal Education sessions are made possible with the generous support of the Ottawa Community Foundation.
Human Rights, Disability and COVID-19
Please join Reach Canada, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) and Ottawa human rights lawyer, Yavar Hameed, for an educational session on human rights, disability, and COVID-19. Yavar Hameed will speak about service disruptions, income insecurity and Emergency Orders, during the pandemic and the challenges they create for disability rights advocacy.
Yavar Hameed practices as a lawyer in the area of administrative law and general civil litigation in Ontario with a focus on the defense of human rights against state and corporate action. He routinely advises and represents individuals in respect of federal and provincial disability rights matters in the context of employment, access to services and academic matters under the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code. He also teaches a course in Carleton University's Department of Law and Legal Studies entitled "State, Security and Dissent," which explores the limits imposed upon civil resistance by the state's construction of security in times of peace and war.
Following the presentation, there will also be time for a question and answer period.
Wednesday, February 10, 2021, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Registration for this event is free. Please consider making a contribution to Reach to support access to justice for people with disabilities. A charitable receipt will be provided for all contributions of $20 or greater. Reach Legal Education sessions are made possible with the generous support of the Ottawa Community Foundation.
Difficult Client Conversations: Practical Tips & Advice for New Lawyers
Join Reach Canada for a panel discussion on practical tips and advice for new lawyers on speaking to clients with special circumstances, including clients with disabilities. The discussion will identify strategies for managing difficult client conversations (such as conversations where clients may have difficulty expressing themselves due to a visible or invisible disability).
The discussion will draw on practical tips and experience from Breanna Pizzuto, founder of Talk Tools Training, as well as advice from senior practitioners Peter Engelmann (Goldblatt Partners LLP) and Frank McNally (McNally Gervan Lawyers LLP).
Following the formal presentation, break-out rooms will be organized to facilitate informal networking and discussions to share experiences, tips, and advice for new lawyers.
Monday, February 1, 2021, 5:00 PM
This session has been accredited by the Law Society of Ontario for 1.5 hours of Professionalism Content. This Legal Information Seminar is made possible with support from the Ottawa Community Foundation.
2020
COVID-19 and Mental Health
Join Corry Comeau from the Ottawa branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association as he provides a general overview of mental health and mental illness in Canada, followed by a deeper dive into how the mental health of people in Ontario has been affected by COVID-19. Corry will also provide some tips for managing workplace stress and anxiety related to the pandemic, as well as some self-care pointers for parents and caregivers, and more. He'll close out the presentation with a brief question and answer period.
There is no fee to attend this event, but advanced registration is required. This Legal Information Seminar is made possible with support from the Ottawa Community Foundation.
Thursday, December 3, 2020 at 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Permanent Residency Options of Interest for People with Disabilities: Humanitarian & Compassionate Grounds and Spousal Sponsorship Applications
Please join us for a presentation by practitioners of Immigration and Refugee law, Ms. Arghavan Gerami and Ms. Niku Shaeri of Gerami Law PC in Ottawa, Ontario. The speakers will present on two common types of applications for Immigration to Canada - applications for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, and applications for permanent residence through spousal sponsorship.
Ms. Gerami will present on the topic of applications for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. This type of application will be of interest to those who are seeking to remain in Canada permanently, and who are facing one or more of the following consequences if removed from Canada: hardship in their country of origin; separation from family members; being uprooted from ties and other establishment in Canada; adverse effects on the best interests of any children involved. Ms. Gerami’s presentation will explore topics such as: who is eligible to make such an application; what makes a strong application; what to expect after an application is submitted; and what an acceptance or refusal would mean.
Ms. Shaeri will present another type of application for permanent residence – sponsorship of a spouse or common-law partner. This type of application will be of interest to those who are looking to sponsor, or be sponsored by, a spouse or common-law partner in order to come to Canada on a permanent basis (or remain in Canada, if already here). The presentation will explore topics such as: who is eligible to make such an application; application requirements; the difference between making an application from inside Canada versus outside the country; what to expect after an application is submitted; and next steps after an application is decided.
Following the presentations, there will also be time for a question and answer period.
There is no fee to attend this event, but advanced registration is required. This Legal Information Seminar is made possible with support from the Ottawa Community Foundation.
Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Family Law, Access, and COVID-19
COVID-19 has impacted every aspect of society, including family life. Please join Reach for a discussion on family law and access issues. In speaking about access in the context of COVID-19, the presentation will, among other things, touch on considerations for families with parents and/or children living with disabilities, as well as provide information on navigating the current family law court process during the pandemic. Our speaker will be Lisa Sharp, a family law and immigration lawyer practicing in Ottawa.
Lisa Sharp has practised family law for fifteen years, including family and child protection litigation, adoptions, and fertility law. Lisa is a parent / step parent to seven children; some of whom are persons with disabilities. Lisa offers a welcoming and accessible office to all families and has worked with families led by lesbian, gay, straight and transgender parents.
Tuesday, October 20, 2020 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
There is no fee to attend this event, but advanced registration is required. This Legal Information Seminar is made possible with support from the Ottawa Community Foundation.
Returning to Work in a Pandemic: Employee and Disability Rights during COVID-19
As workplaces begin to re-open following the COVID-19 shutdown, employees face difficult questions about how to protect their health and safety, fulfill their family obligations, and protect the health and safety of those around them. Please join Reach for a discussion on employees’ rights while returning to work during COVID-19, with a specific focus on the disability rights of employees and their family members. Our speaker will be Morgan Rowe, a lawyer with RavenLaw.
Wednesday, August 19, 2020 - 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
There is no fee to attend this event but advanced registration is required.
ODSP and Supplementary Government Benefits during COVID-19
Are you a front line worker who wants to learn about whether new supplementary government benefits during COVID-19 have any consequence for those receiving benefits under the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)? Please join Reach for a discussion on recent changes to ODSP, as well as the impact if any, on ODSP recipients. Our speaker will be Randy Slepchik, partner, Jewitt McLuckie & Associates LLP.
This seminar is offered through the Legal Referral & Information Clinics program with funding from the Ottawa Community Foundation.
Tuesday, July 14 2020 - 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
There is no fee to attend this event but advanced registration is required.
Culture Change in Long-Term Care Homes
Matt Gervan, Personal Injury Lawyer and Partner with McNally Gervan LLP, along with Kathy Wright , V.P., CARP* Ottawa Board and Barbara Schulman, CARP* Ottawa member, will provide an overview on the topic of Long Term Care homes for front-line workers - issues and changes, as well as addressing common questions arising in this area.
*formerly the Canadian Association of Retired Persons
Thursday, June 18, 2020 - 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
There is no fee to attend this event but advanced registration is required.
Wills, Estates and Powers of Attorney for Front-Line/Community Workers
Raymond Murray and Erin Kelley from the firm of Nelligan O'Brien Payne LLP will provide an overview on the topic of wills, estates and powers of attorney, and address common questions arising in this area, as well as discuss some specific issues to consider during COVID-19.
Wednesday, May 13, 2020 - 11:00am - 12:00pm
Via Zoom
There is no fee to attend this event but advanced registration is required.
Fall 2019
Reconnect, Rejuvenate and Build Resilience: An Evening for Caregivers
Are you caring for an elder, or a child or adult living with a disability or neurodiversity? Do you sometimes feel like you have nothing left to give? Please join Reach, Equality and Justice for People with Disabilities, for an engaging and informative session about resilience and self-compassion for caregivers. Reconnect with yourself and others, take time to fill your self-care tank, and head home with practical mindfulness tools to help build resilience.
Hear from speakers Gail Dawson, Social Worker, MSW, and Heather Cross, Mindfulness and Yoga Instructor, owner of Here and Now Studio, and Lawyer.
When: December 3, 2019, 7 - 9 pm
Where: United Way Building, 363 Coventry Road, Ottawa
Spring 2019
Planning for People Living with Disabilities
March 20, 2019
7 pm - 9 pm
Ramada Inn, Cornwall - 805 Brookdale Ave, Cornwall, ON K6J 4P3
Please join Reach and Citizen Advocacy for an educational evening to learn more about planning options available specifically for people living with disabilities. Areas covered will include:
Wills and Henson Trusts;
Powers of Attorney;
Guardianship;
Capacity;
Disability Tax Credit; and
Registered Disability Savings Plan.
Following the presentations, there will be an opportunity to speak briefly with a lawyer and/or a financial planner on a one-on-one basis to ask individual questions.
Our speakers will be lawyers Michele Allinotte, Allinotte Law Office, Elizabeth Lockhart, Elizabeth Lockhart Law, and Financial Planner, Lisa Whittleton, Equity Financial Services.
Fall 2018
Wills, Power of Attorney and Estate Planning for Beneficiaries with Disabilities
Thursday, November 22th, 2018/Jeudi 22 Novembre 2018
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Public Service Alliance of Canada Building, 233 Gilmour St., Ottawa
Please join Reach, Equality and Justice for People with Disabilities/ Égalité et justice pour les personnes ayant un handicap, for an educational seminar on Wills, Powers of Attorney, and Estate Planning when there are beneficiaries with disabilities. Come learn about planning for long-term financial care. The evening will include an overview and discussion on the importance of wills and estates, powers of attorney, Henson Trusts and the Registered Disability Savings Plan ("RDSP"). Following the presentation, there will be an opportunity to speak briefly with a lawyer on a one-on-one basis to ask individual questions.
Des conseils juridiques en français seront également offerts au besoin.
Our speakers will be lawyers Leslie Kirk, Kirk Law Office, and Stéphanie Lalonde, Mathieu Quesnel Professional Corporation.
There is no charge for this event, however registration is required.
Compassion Fatigue and Mindfulness for Caregivers
Tuesday, November 27th, 2018/Mardi 27 Novembre 2018
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
United Way/Centraide Ottawa, 363 Coventry Rd., Ottawa
Please join Reach, Equality and Justice for People with Disabilities/ Égalité et Justice Pour Les Personnes Ayant un Handicap, for an engaging discussion on Compassion Fatigue and Mindfulness for Caregivers. How can we best care for ourselves while also caring for others? Are you caring for an elder, a child or adult with special needs, disability or neurodiversity? Come learn about compassion fatigue, resilience, and how to develop a relaxation practice.
Our speakers will be Gail Dawson, Social Worker, MSW, and Heather Cross, Mindfulness and Yoga Instructor, owner of Here and Now Studio, and Lawyer.
Fall 2017- Spring 2018
Health Care and the Vulnerable Person Series
Part 1: Consent and Capacity, Substitute Decision-Making, Power of Attorney for Personal Care
Date: Thursday November 30, 2017 at Sandy Hill Community Centre, 250 Somerset St. East (fully accessible)
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12: 00 p.m. (includes a networking breakfast)
Join us in the morning to learn from three experts: Dr. Francine Sarazin, C.Psych. Practice in Neuropsychology and Capacity Assessment, Elizabeth Lockhart, Lawyer & Mediator and Audrey Cole, activist and educator with deep roots in the Community Living movement. She is known for her expertise on guardianship legislation and her work on supported decision making.
Part 2: Living Well and Dying Well- Discussion on range of options such as increased supports, palliative care, medically assisted dying
Date: Thursday April 19, 2018
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Venue: The Royal Canadian Legion, Montgomery Branch, 330 Kent Street, Ottawa
Featuring a panel of three experts: Nadine Valk, Executive Director of the Champlain Hospice Palliative Care Program, Dr. Jill Rice MD, CCFP(PC), Champlain Regional Palliative Consultation Team & Palliative Care Lead and Kelly Doctor, Lawyer, Goldblatt Partners LLP, Part 2 will be of specific interest to health and legal professionals, caregivers and clients.
This program may be eligible toward the Law Society's CPD Requirement as Substantive Hours. Please note that this program is not accredited for Professionalism Hours.
Part 3: Health Care and Protecting the Vulnerable Persons in our Community- Rights and Resources
Discussion on vulnerable people at risk while in care facilities or under home attendant care. Seminar will include introduction to Elder Mediation. Speakers include: Daniel Nassrallah, partner at DNG law firm; Elizabeth Sterritt, certified family mediator; Kim McDonald, Case manager, Nepean Rideau Osgoode Community Resource Centre.
Date: Thursday May 31, 2018
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12: 00 p.m.
Venue: The Royal Canadian Legion, Montgomery Branch, 330 Kent Street, Ottawa
Spring 2017
Caring for a Loved One with an Eating Disorder or Suspected Eating Disorder – What to Look for, How to Respond
Tuesday May 16, 2017, 7pm-9pm
Canterbury High School, 900 Canterbury Ave, Ottawa, ON K1G 3C3
Dr. Hien Nguyen, C.Psych. and Dr. Sarah Jane Norwood, C.Psych., Anchor Psychological Services are both registered psychologists with the College of Psychologists of Ontario having completed their predoctoral residency at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario.
Dr. Nguyen has worked and trained at community-based mental health centres, university clinics, and tertiary care hospitals. She has extensive experience working with children and adolescents from diverse backgrounds, across various age groups and presenting with a wide range of clinical, learning, and developmental difficulties.
Over the course of her training, Dr. Norwood has gained experience providing psychological services to children, youth, and families in hospital and community mental health settings. She has also co-authored numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals and has presented her research on body image, eating disorders, and emotion regulation at several international conferences.
Invisible Disabilities: Addictions in the Workplace
Tuesday April 25 at 11 am to 1pm (bring your own lunch, refreshments available)
Location: 601 Cumberland | Ottawa | K1N 6N5, second floor above Café Nostalgica. Fully Accessible.
Psychologist Matthew Rippeyoung will discuss the shift in how substance use and abuse is conceptualized, the variety of treatment approaches and how to support a person struggling with substance use, and information about local treatment options.
Lawyer and partner at Jewitt McLuckie & Associates, Randy Slepchik will present the legal framework behind addiction issues in the workplace and entitlement to disability benefits. This will engage employment law, labour law, human rights law (the duty to accommodate) and insurance law.
Best practices and strategies for assisting employees with disabilities whether as their lawyer or when assisting a colleague in the workplace will also be addressed.
This program contains 2 Professionalism Hour(s).
Fall 2016
Wills, Estates and Power of Attorney
Most Burning Estate Questions
Tuesday November 29 from 7pm - 9pm
United Way - 363 Coventry Rd, Ottawa ON K1S 4E6
Questions you have in planning for the financial security of a family member with a disability, taking into account his or her unique circumstances and needs, will be addressed by this REACH workshop on Estate Planning Options for Family Members with Disabilities: Wills/Estates/Power of Attorney/Trusts.
Presenter: Wills/Estates Lawyer, Erin McNamara, McNamara Law. The presentation will be followed by an opportunity to meet for a 10-12 minute consultation with a lawyer on a one to one basis for your individual questions.
Eating Disorders - Signs, Symptoms, Stigma: Panel of lived experience and clinicians
Wednesday October 5th, 12:00pm to 2:30pm - Welcome to bring your own lunch
Presented by: Reach , Hopewell, National Initiative for Eating Disorders
Catholic Family Service Ottawa- 310 Olmstead, Ottawa
Panelists include: Wendy Preskow, Founder/President NIED-National Initiative for Eating Disorders; Dr. Sarah Jane Norwood and Dr. Hien Nguyen, Anchor Psychological Services; and Nerys Parry, Ottawa writer and mother of two, one of whom struggles with an eating disorder.
Introduction of Mindfulness
Thursday October 20, 2016 from 11:30am to 1:30pm
400 Coventry Road- Enbridge Building, corner of Coventry and Belfast
This workshop is an introduction to the history of mindfulness and its fundamental principles. Participants will have the chance to experience both formal and informal mindfulness. The workshop consists of mindfulness practices, group discussions and educational materials on incorporating mindfulness to daily life.
Sonia Tanguay, a psychotherapist, provides counselling and psychotherapy to young adults and adults on ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression and stress management. Zsuza Grandpierre, is a Canadian Certified Counsellor, a Registered Psychotherapist, Mindfulness Teacher and Professional Development Instructor.