August 19th, 2026
When Voices Rise, Leaders Emerge
By: Rebecca Fowlie, 2RL Progam Manager
In 2025-26, we made it a priority to ensure that the people we support had the tools, confidence, and opportunities to become strong self-advocates. We began this journey with a joint Direct Support Person (DSP) and Self-Advocate conference in the spring, creating space for learning, collaboration, and shared experiences. This was followed by a workshop focused on effective communication, including how to communicate, who to communicate with, and how to ensure voices are heard.
These opportunities sparked tremendous growth and inspired eight people to attend “Speaking Out”, a three-day self-advocacy conference in Port Elgin. Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region subsidized the registration and sent two direct support people to ensure a successful journey. Throughout the conference, participants built meaningful relationships, strengthened their confidence, and developed the skills to speak up for themselves and others.
The impact of these experiences extended far beyond the events themselves. Three participants were so empowered by their experiences that they applied to become speakers at the conference for fall 2026. Most notably, one of the participants was selected to serve as the keynote speaker. This journey highlights the power of investing in self-advocacy.
By providing education, mentorship, and opportunities to lead, we are seeing individuals grow from participants into confident leaders whose voices are helping shape their communities.
Join us in raising more voices and turning self-advocates into leaders. We invite you to attend our DSP & Self-Advocacy Conference and explore ongoing learning opportunities that build skills, confidence, and community. Learn more at eafwr.on.ca/training