“I may be a little bit different, but why not see the things that I can do well, instead of the things I can’t?”
Growing up, Ryan McTavish found that people would see his autism before seeing him as a person. He tried to find a place where he could belong, but it wasn’t easy. As a teenager, he found a mentor that saw him for who he was, and the value he had to give. Inspired by this friendship, Ryan knew things could and should be different for others with disabilities.
When he got older, Ryan wanted to do more. He wanted to be the change he wished to see in his community. Being aware of someone’s disability is not the same as accepting it. Ryan is the founder of the Start Living Acceptance movement. It’s simple, but powerful. Accepting someone how they are is more than making room for them. It is welcoming them as a meaningful part of the story.
Now, Ryan is a motivational speaker, sharing his story in classrooms, workshops and conferences. As a drummer, he also uses the power of music to share the message of acceptance. As a child, Ryan wished for a mentor. Someone like him that he could look up to in the community. With the Start Living Acceptance movement, Ryan has become that mentor for many young people in our region.
On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we celebrate people like Ryan McTavish.
People who share how important it is to accept others. Who teach others to see all people for who they are, first and foremost, instead of their disability.
Available in cans and on draught as of Dec. 2, 2018.
All beer orders must be picked up at Descendant Beer & Beverage Co. Gift wrapping of six-packs will also be available with a donation to EAFWR on Dec. 2 at the brewery.
Ryan McTavish Lagered Ale, available on draught and in cans while supplies last.
GAMES & DROP-IN When: Mondays from 6:30 - 8:00pm Where: Kitchener Public Library, Central Library at 85 Queen St. N. Open Space is a weekly gathering that promotes inclusion within the community by getting people together at a cafe for food, fun and conversation. All are encouraged and welcome regardless of ability, and you do […]
COFFEE & CHATS When: Wednesdays from 12:00 - 2:00pm Where: Cambridge Centre, Food Court, 355 Hespeler Rd. Open Space is a weekly gathering that promotes inclusion within the community by getting people together at a cafe for food, fun and conversation. All are encouraged and welcome regardless of ability, and you do not need to […]
COFFEE & CHATS When: Thursdays from 1:00 - 3:00 pm Where: 2960 Kingsway Drive, Kitchener Open Space is a weekly gathering that promotes inclusion within the community by getting people together at a cafe for food, fun and conversation. All are encouraged and welcome regardless of ability, and you do not need to be supported […]
Join us for Voices at the Table: Advocacy in Everyday Spaces, a conference for self-advocates and direct support people, presented by Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region, on June 5, 2026. Download the conference flyer Learn more and register for the conference: https://www.eafwr.on.ca/dsp-self-advocacy-conference-2026/ Registration is on a first come, first served basis. The deadline to register is Wednesday […]
COFFEE & CHATS When: Fridays from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Where: Conestoga Mall, Food Court at 550 King St. N Waterloo Open Space is a weekly gathering that promotes inclusion within the community by getting people together at a cafe for food, fun and conversation. All are encouraged and welcome regardless of ability, and […]
GAMES & DROP-IN When: Mondays from 6:30 - 8:00pm Where: Kitchener Public Library, Central Library at 85 Queen St. N. Open Space is a weekly gathering that promotes inclusion within the community by getting people together at a cafe for food, fun and conversation. All are encouraged and welcome regardless of ability, and you do […]
COFFEE & CHATS When: Wednesdays from 12:00 - 2:00pm Where: Cambridge Centre, Food Court, 355 Hespeler Rd. Open Space is a weekly gathering that promotes inclusion within the community by getting people together at a cafe for food, fun and conversation. All are encouraged and welcome regardless of ability, and you do not need to […]
COFFEE & CHATS When: Thursdays from 1:00 - 3:00 pm Where: 2960 Kingsway Drive, Kitchener Open Space is a weekly gathering that promotes inclusion within the community by getting people together at a cafe for food, fun and conversation. All are encouraged and welcome regardless of ability, and you do not need to be supported […]
COFFEE & CHATS When: Fridays from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Where: Conestoga Mall, Food Court at 550 King St. N Waterloo Open Space is a weekly gathering that promotes inclusion within the community by getting people together at a cafe for food, fun and conversation. All are encouraged and welcome regardless of ability, and […]
GAMES & DROP-IN When: Mondays from 6:30 - 8:00pm Where: Kitchener Public Library, Central Library at 85 Queen St. N. Open Space is a weekly gathering that promotes inclusion within the community by getting people together at a cafe for food, fun and conversation. All are encouraged and welcome regardless of ability, and you do […]
COFFEE & CHATS When: Wednesdays from 12:00 - 2:00pm Where: Cambridge Centre, Food Court, 355 Hespeler Rd. Open Space is a weekly gathering that promotes inclusion within the community by getting people together at a cafe for food, fun and conversation. All are encouraged and welcome regardless of ability, and you do not need to […]
COFFEE & CHATS When: Thursdays from 1:00 - 3:00 pm Where: 2960 Kingsway Drive, Kitchener Open Space is a weekly gathering that promotes inclusion within the community by getting people together at a cafe for food, fun and conversation. All are encouraged and welcome regardless of ability, and you do not need to be supported […]
COFFEE & CHATS When: Fridays from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Where: Conestoga Mall, Food Court at 550 King St. N Waterloo Open Space is a weekly gathering that promotes inclusion within the community by getting people together at a cafe for food, fun and conversation. All are encouraged and welcome regardless of ability, and […]
GAMES & DROP-IN When: Mondays from 6:30 - 8:00pm Where: Kitchener Public Library, Central Library at 85 Queen St. N. Open Space is a weekly gathering that promotes inclusion within the community by getting people together at a cafe for food, fun and conversation. All are encouraged and welcome regardless of ability, and you do […]
COFFEE & CHATS When: Wednesdays from 12:00 - 2:00pm Where: Cambridge Centre, Food Court, 355 Hespeler Rd. Open Space is a weekly gathering that promotes inclusion within the community by getting people together at a cafe for food, fun and conversation. All are encouraged and welcome regardless of ability, and you do not need to […]
COFFEE & CHATS When: Thursdays from 1:00 - 3:00 pm Where: 2960 Kingsway Drive, Kitchener Open Space is a weekly gathering that promotes inclusion within the community by getting people together at a cafe for food, fun and conversation. All are encouraged and welcome regardless of ability, and you do not need to be supported […]
COFFEE & CHATS When: Fridays from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Where: Conestoga Mall, Food Court at 550 King St. N Waterloo Open Space is a weekly gathering that promotes inclusion within the community by getting people together at a cafe for food, fun and conversation. All are encouraged and welcome regardless of ability, and […]
GAMES & DROP-IN When: Mondays from 6:30 - 8:00pm Where: Kitchener Public Library, Central Library at 85 Queen St. N. Open Space is a weekly gathering that promotes inclusion within the community by getting people together at a cafe for food, fun and conversation. All are encouraged and welcome regardless of ability, and you do […]
COFFEE & CHATS When: Wednesdays from 12:00 - 2:00pm Where: Cambridge Centre, Food Court, 355 Hespeler Rd. Open Space is a weekly gathering that promotes inclusion within the community by getting people together at a cafe for food, fun and conversation. All are encouraged and welcome regardless of ability, and you do not need to […]
COFFEE & CHATS When: Thursdays from 1:00 - 3:00 pm Where: 2960 Kingsway Drive, Kitchener Open Space is a weekly gathering that promotes inclusion within the community by getting people together at a cafe for food, fun and conversation. All are encouraged and welcome regardless of ability, and you do not need to be supported […]
COFFEE & CHATS When: Fridays from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Where: Conestoga Mall, Food Court at 550 King St. N Waterloo Open Space is a weekly gathering that promotes inclusion within the community by getting people together at a cafe for food, fun and conversation. All are encouraged and welcome regardless of ability, and […]