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Different groups of kids with their parents

About Us

ABOUT INCLUSION CANADA NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

#WHOWEARE

WHO WE ARE

Inclusion Canada Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to a future of inclusive communities where:
 

  • Every person with a disability is considered as a member of a family

  • All people learn together in regular classrooms and neighbourhood schools

  • Every person is supported to live in their own home

  • All people have the opportunity for meaningful employment

  • Individuals are empowered and supported in decision-making that affects them

  • Every person has opportunities to form lasting and meaningful relationships

A happy family of four

Description

Inclusion Canada Newfoundland and Labrador is a non-profit organization that works with and on behalf of persons with intellectual disabilities and their families. Inclusion Canada Newfoundland and Labrador promotes a vision of communities where everyone belongs and has a rightful place; where families support a person’s right to full citizenship.

 

It is simple really-most of us experience it every day. We are welcomed into our community, work with our peers and go to school with our friends. Inclusion Canada Newfoundland and Labrador works hard to make sure persons with disabilities are welcomed and supported in their community in the same way.

What Can We Do Together?

We can learn about, and share information on: support for families, income and disability supports, inclusive education, securing citizenship and legal capacity for all, RDSP’s, SET mentoring, future planning, supported employment, the UN convention of the rights of persons with disabilities, supportive living and much more.

 

We can work together, and with the government and other agencies, help build more inclusive communities.

 

We can provide guidance and direction to others seeking or needing support.

#Strategicplan

STRATEGIC PLAN

#BOD

BOARD OF DIRECTORS, REGIONAL REPRESENTIVES AND STAFF OF INCLUSION CANADA NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

2023

Executive Board

Dennis Gill

President Mr. Dennis Gill Email: dennisgill@inclusioncanadanl.ca Dennis is a retired High School Teacher, Vice-Principal, and Principal. Subsequently, he was a photojournalist and then an Executive Assistant with a privately-owned company. Since 1980, Dennis and his wife, Roxann, have made their home in the picturesque outport community of Pilley’s Island, population 250, and are the parents of two children: Daniel and Jenna. Danny has profound intellectual and physical disabilities and persistent epilepsy; they have learned much from devotedly and lovingly caring for him for 43 years. Jenna, married with two young children, is a Senior Financial Analyst with a national company. Over the past 40+ years, Dennis has volunteered extensively at the school, church, and in the community; five of his provincial/national involvements during the last “baker’s- dozen years” include 2010-19 Member, NL Provincial Advisory Council for the Inclusion of Persons With Disabilities; 2011-13 Chair, NL Provincial Advisory Committee on Supported Employment; 2011- President, Inclusion Canada Newfoundland and Labrador; 2014-2018 Member, and 2018- Chair, NL Provincial Buildings’ Accessibility Advisory Board; 2019- Director, Inclusion Canada Board. In 2013, Dennis was both humbled and honoured to be presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. To quote then-Mayor Fern Roberts, in part, “For all of your volunteer work with the community of Pilley’s Island and especially the dedication you have given to various committees and associations throughout Newfoundland and Labrador to help better the lives of those living with disabilities, you are indeed quite deserving of this award.”

Chad Perrin

Interim Vice President (July 2023) Mr. Chad Perrin Email: chadperrin@inclusioncanadanl.ca

Ray

Past President Mr. Ray McIsaac Email: raymcisaac@inclusioncanadanl.ca Ray has served on the ICNL board of directors and committees for close to 40 years. For the past 20 plus years, he has served as President and Past-President. He has taken the lead position on important files including law reform, the right to decide, trusts, wills and estate planning, shared responsibility and serving on the supportive living and housing. Individuals with intellectual disabilities and families has been the motivation for this intensive work. Part of the family journey has been shared and supported by wife Kathy, who was President of the Bay St. George Association for many years and a member of the INCL board for a similar period. Son’s Shane and Mitchell have also been part of the larger inclusion effort at conferences and meetings. Haylee also is a fixture at ICNL board and conference meetings. This journey includes the lived experience of autism and of mental health issues which have been challenging but taken in stride happiness is what counts. Others who have shared this journey have been Flo Paul, Marg Pike, and Eugene Hickey as truth-tellers and holders of the vision. The measuring stick is the accomplishment positive change in the lives of individuals and families. In the 1980’s, supported employment and people returning home from institutions to the community set the standard for the entire world in terms of the achievements of persons with quite severe disabilities. The triumph of the human spirit in the face of horrible abuse faced in the institutions makes the people themselves the heroes of this story. Ray acknowledges the role of Dolores Flynn in shaping respectful, ethical, and practical basis to provide dignified supports to persons with challenging disabilities in the work force and in the community. People with disabilities and those with mental health issues do not experience equal protection under the law. Some laws do not reflect the equality rights provisions of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Through collaboration with community and government, the opportunity exists through law reform to secure legal capacity and full citizenship for all. This would enable all persons to use support and accommodation in decision-making affecting personal, financial, and medically based decisions. NL is the only jurisdiction in the world currently approaching law reform with an equal focus on community mobilization. The goal is to develop support to enable supported decision-making agreement capabilities and individual life planning, at the community level. The response of community-based agencies and organizations of persons with disabilities and seniors has been outstanding and could not be stronger. There is great anticipation for the acceptance of the IRIS Roadmap to Law Reform and its recommendations by the provincial government. The closure of institutions was an absolute success. Still, the lack of options, choices, and alternative for people to continue to live in the community with supports, if needed is threatened. People with disabilities will be moved from community to restrictive living arrangements, particularly nursing homes. This is currently happening. The work of this association must continue to expand recognition of equality rights. People need access to money to offset the true cost of disability and access to people for support networks. For most persons with (intellectual) disabilities, the commonly shared experience is one of poverty and isolation. Some serious progress has been made in policy reforms which must continue under income and disability related support systems. The Registered Disability Savings Program can be accessed at the family kitchen table (Deon Hancock). Wills, Estate Planning and Trusts can be used and ICNL has identified knowledgeable legal supports to ensure families can get qualify, affordable services. The other part of the equation involves people. Many individuals do not have people who are willing or able to provide the needed supports. Others may have the potential to develop support networks but there is no organizing force to help that happen. The need is to build a planning capability around individuals and families to help support planning for the future. This is why the work taking place at the community level to build community capacity is so important to the construction of supports to live in the community.

Treasurer

Vacant

Una Tucker

Secretary Ms. Una Tucker Email: unatucker@inclusioncanadanl.ca In 2009, immediately following retirement from a 33-year career working in disability programs with the provincial government, where she was a strong advocate for the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in all aspects of society, Una became a member of the Inclusion Canada Newfoundland and Labrador (ICNL) board of directors as secretary. Shortly after joining the board, Una attended a meeting of the National Individualized Funding (IF) Discussion Group in Saskatoon and continued as a member of this group as they met by teleconference to develop the document “Framework for Effective Implementation of Individualized Funding” in August 2011. Beginning in May 2011, she was appointed by ICNL to serve on the Inclusion Canada (IC) board of directors, where she served on several Task Forces and Working Groups over her eight-year term. Una’s professional background and work at the national level made her the ideal candidate to lead ICNL’s Supportive Living and Housing Committee. This committee developed a position statement and policy paper to help all board members to use a consistent message when communicating with outside agencies and the government. The policy paper was later introduced to the ED/Chair Network and was used to initiate the work of that group in developing the “Better for You – Better for Us” document, which was signed by 14 participating organizations and presented to the government of NL in the Fall of 2013. Recent highlights from this committee are the development of several briefing notes to be used in dialogue with the government and a detailed History Exhibit on Deinstitutionalization, unveiled at ICNL’s 65th Anniversary Conference, to be used as an educational resource. Una presently lives in Lethbridge, NL, with her husband Harvey and is committed to continuing to promote the rights of all individuals with disabilities to choose to live in their own homes in regular neighbourhoods with the support they need.

Marg X2

Directors-at-Large (Directors-at-Large are appointed by the Board for an indefinite period of time.) Ms. Marg Pike Co-Chair, Grassroots and Membership Committee Email: margpike@inclusioncanadanl.ca Marg Pike – Marg lives in Bloomfield with her husband, Everett. They have two daughters, Kelly and Connie. After living in Labrador for 34 years, they retired and moved to Marg’s hometown. Marg started volunteering as a member of the Labrador West Association for Community in 1979 and joined the Provincial Association in 1982. She held several positions, including secretary, vice president and acting president. In 2009 Marg was awarded the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador, and in 2012 she was awarded the NLACL Distinguished Associate. Both awards were in recognition of her work with and on behalf of individuals with intellectual disabilities. The following is an excerpt from her Bio for the Order of NL – Guided by values of equality, honesty and compassion, Margaret Pike has committed herself to advance the rights of people with developmental disabilities. Her work continues to positively affect thousands of people, their families, and their communities within this province. Her dedication has proven invaluable to the success of her endeavours.

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Mr. Eugene Hickey Chair, Inclusion & Well-Being Initiative Email: genehickey@inclusioncanadanl.ca

2023 Regional Representatives 

Gary Andrews

Mr. Gary Andrews St. John's Metro garyandrews@inclusioncanadanl.ca Gary's been a pastor for over 30 years. He has pastored multiple churches, including two larger multi-staff congregations and a mission church downtown that focuses on the marginalized. He has also served as a chaplain at Her Majesty's Penitentiary for eight years and as a General Executive Officer with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Newfoundland and Labrador. He is currently an Executive Master of Business Administration - Human Resource Leadership student at the University of Fredericton. Gary's been married to his sweetheart, Roxanne, for almost 34 years. They have two adult children, one of whom is getting married this year, so Gary & Roxanne are living in the hope of grandkids!

Petrina Hart

Ms. Petrina Hart Central-Coast of Bays petrinahart@inclusioncanadanl.ca Petrina Hart is a Residential Manager with over 20 years of experience in providing support and implementing community integration programs for persons with disabilities. Her passion for increasing the quality of life for the people she supports has ensured each program is uniquely specialized to individualized needs while fostering independence in life choices. Petrina has experience instructing courses designed to enhance the support for persons with disabilities, which allows her to advocate daily for community integration and quality programs at the ground level. With a degree in Psychology from Memorial University and extensive training in Management, Supervision and Developmental Disability courses, Petrina has developed the skills and insight to passionately coach, mentor and manage multifaceted teams. She is looking forward to working with and on behalf of persons with intellectual disabilities as an advocate for Inclusion Canada NL in her new role as Regional Representative for the Central Region.

Chad Perrin

Mr. Chad Perrin Avalon chadperrin@inclusioncanadanl.ca Chad is a licensed clinical social worker in Newfoundland and Labrador and a licensed Dual Diagnosis Specialist supporting persons with intellectual disabilities and co-occurring mental illness. Having served on numerous Governmental and Not-for-profit boards, he is eager to do his part in supporting the ongoing work of Inclusion Canada NL, ensuring inclusive communities. He’s an Executive Director for a residential support program here in NL called Momentum Developmental Support and spends his free time with his wife, their two boys and their dog, a black Labrador retriever named Cookie Monster.

Lucy Rumbolt

Ms. Lucy Rumbolt Long Range lucyrumbolt@inclusioncanadanl.ca My name is Lucy Rumbolt, and I have been married for 40 years and have two children, A boy and A girl. I lost my son ten years ago to cancer, and my daughter was born with Spina-Bifida and Hydrocephalus. I have been involved in volunteering for many years, and I started when I was 15 years old. I love getting involved in helping out our community, especially our special needs. I have doodIe have been married for 40 years and have two children. My daughter was born with Spina-Bifida and Hydrocephalus (she is my guiding light). I love to be involved in our community, and I have been an advocate for Inclusion around our area and have gotten many changes. Volunteering is my way of giving back, and I love doing it. I worked in administration but quit working in home Care. I'm a go-getter, and when I think there is something that is needed in our community to help out our residents, I don't wait for others to get it started; I am usually the one who gets things started.

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Bonavista-Burin Vacant

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Mr. Joey Mackey Labrador West Hello, my name is Joey Mackey. I am the Regional Representative for Labrador West. I was born and raised in Newfoundland and Labrador which I am proud to call ‘home’. I have been involved in numerous initiatives with Inclusion Canada NL for the last twenty plus years. Prior to being a Regional Representative I was the Vice-President of the Local Association for Community Living. I have a sibling with a developmental disability who I have been a support person too. One of my focuses with Inclusion Canada NL is to be a voice at the table for Inclusive Education and ensure that all individuals with an intellectual disability have equal opportunities to receiving an education

KK 2023

Ms. Kimberley Inclusion Advocate Hi, my name is Kimberley and I am a volunteer at Inclusion Canada NL. I home care workers that support me throughout the week. Joby from Empower supports me as well. I have a beautiful cat named Kallie, who gets me through my rough days. I have had many challenges in my life since my mom passed away. It has made me stronger and more independent. I have a wonderful support group at Inclusion Canada NL, Empower advocacy group, as well as the peer support group from Joby and Amanda. I don’t know what I would do without all the support I receive from Inclusion Canada NL and Empower The Disability Resource Centre. I love to write true stories about my life. Both Empower and Inclusion Canada NL feel like family to me, and you all do so much for me. I appreciate it with all my heart and soul. I don’t know what I would do without all of you guys. Joby Fleming from advocacy and Amanda Lush from peer support, Emma, Ashley, and Tina from Inclusion Canada NL have been like family to me. I only have two supporters in my family, my aunt, a senior, who isn’t well and Jimmy, my cousin, who gives me words of support as he lives in the United States. I feel so fortunate and blessed by all my supporters. I believe my mom is watching over me from heaven, along with my two dads and my two aunts, Jean, and Rita. I also enjoy talking to my Aunt Marilyn on the phone, and we have the best conversations. My Aunt Marilyn and I have a very special bond and I feel I have the same bond with my cousin Jimmy.

Inclusion Canada Newfoundland and Labrador Staff

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Tina Neary Executive Director Telephone: (709)722-0790 ext 1 Email: executivedirector@inclusioncanadanl.ca

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Nancy Andrews Coordinator, Students Exploring Through Mentoring Program Cell: (709)486-0213 Email: setmentoring@inclusioncanadanl.ca

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Shelly England Labour Market Facilitator Ready Willing and Able Telephone: (709)728-8680 Email: shelly.rwa@inclusioncanadanl.ca

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Emma Ford Community Liaison Coordinator Telephone: (709)722-0790 ext 3 Email: community@inclusioncanadanl.ca

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Deanne Dawe Support Coordinator Telephone: (709)722-0790 ext 4 Email: supportcoordinator@inclusioncanadanl.ca

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Bobby Porter Office Assistant

Board 1978 – 2014

Click here for a complete list of Inclusion Canada Newfoundland and Labrador’s Executive Board 1978 – 2014 inclusive.

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