DiversX

05/17/2026

This is the LAST WEEK to register for the FREE, 3rd Annual Beyond The Label Conference. Check out the agenda and our speaker information! Let's fill the seats for them!

Use the link below to find out more. You MUST register to attend. Happening SUNDAY May 24, 2026: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/beyond-the-label-conference-expanding-the-neurodiversity-umbrella-tickets-1988102435904

05/06/2026

The DiversX team had a great time networking and sharing about the conference at the Transitions Together event.

Thank you for having us and promoting our 3rd Annual Beyond The Label Conference.

Still time to register folks!

Use the link below to find out more: https://www.eventbrite.ca/.../beyond-the-label-conference...

Let's fill these seats for our amazing speakers!

See you there!!

04/30/2026

This is an exciting event! Consider checking it out and don’t forget you can also sign up for our FREE 3rd Annual Beyond The Label Conference at the end of the month!

So beautiful so see all the love for shaping a new community of support and resources for our neurodivergent folks! 🙏🏻

The Special Education Departments in the UCDSB and CDSBEO are hosting a transition fair - Together for Transitions - designed to provide families of students with identified exceptionalities valuable information about post-secondary pathways, community supports, and resources available as students transition out of the school system. The CICE program will be represented.

04/29/2026

Registration is open folks! Use the link below to find out more about our 3rd Annual Beyond The Label Conference taking place May 24, 2026: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/beyond-the-label-conference-expanding-the-neurodiversity-umbrella-tickets-1988102435904?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios&sg=daad0767bf0c4f29de1f4f7f26e457795594327036bb310c2f309b1e02132dc10040584dd8f824e61ef2bff6b7c50b3ec4d098ef9586e97d81de61e50d25f9ad3f5cd212d663a9f19d5782e1a8...

Thank you to Sx2 Productions Inc. for this lovely promo video!
https://vimeo.com/1186247842/6973d666fc?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci&fbclid=IwY2xjawRe9_pleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF1dkRhMHpZVkZVWDFPWjgyc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHpv5CBz0CnpcVeMotn0kQGG07ZVpXyX3hG27sNAtm8yBTSU0n8CsohgK3DGw_aem_qd6-VA23dCl-pLqpho7Rmw

Let's fill these seats for our amazing speakers!

See you there!!

04/22/2026

Have you seen this?!? Great space and gathering for my neurospicy friends!

North Grenville Public Library knows what we need! 🙏🏻

Introducing Nerd Out at the North Grenville Public Library!

Starting May 7, 2026, join us from 6:00–7:30 pm for an evening of pure, unapologetic geekery.

If you’re 18+ and love diving deep into fascinating scientific topics, this is your moment to shine. Volunteers can sign up for a 10–15 minute presentation on a subject they’re passionate about - physics, fungi, black holes, bees, quantum weirdness… if you nerd out about it, we want to hear about it.

You bring the knowledge. We’ll provide the tech— screen and sound system will be available to presenters.

Come learn, share, and celebrate curiosity with fellow science & technology enthusiasts!

To express your interest in presenting, please e-mail your idea to Caitlin at cthorne@ngpl.ca. You may be asked to present at a future Nerd Night if the slots are full.

04/06/2026

Beyond the Label 2026: Expanding the Neurodiversity Umbrella

The 3rd Annual Beyond the Label Conference, taking place on May 24, 2026, at the North Grenville Municipal Centre, is a free community event dedicated to reimagining how we understand, support, and design for neurodiversity in our everyday environments.

This year, we are expanding beyond traditional conversations of ADHD and Autism to explore the broader neurodiversity umbrella, including:
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
- Acquired and Traumatic Brain Injury
- The impacts of trauma and nervous system regulation and more

These experiences are often misunderstood, underrepresented, and unsupported in our systems. This conference aims to bridge those gaps by bringing together educators, employers, community leaders, and individuals with lived experience to learn, reflect, and take action.

Our Focus
At Beyond the Label, we believe:
People shouldn’t have to fit into systems that weren’t designed for them
Universal design benefits everyone—not just those who are struggling
Neurodivergence is not a deficit, but a different way of experiencing and interacting with the world

This conference moves beyond awareness and into integration, equipping participants with practical tools, strategies, and frameworks they can immediately apply in:
- Classrooms
- Workplaces
- Community spaces

What You Can Expect
Participants will engage in:
- Interactive workshops and breakout sessions
- Hands-on tools like the Neuro-Inclusive Action Plan (N.A.P.)
- Experiential learning opportunities
- Panel discussions featuring lived experience and professional insight
- Networking with neurodivergent entrepreneurs and service providers

Attendees will leave with real, actionable strategies to create more inclusive, accessible, and equitable environments—where all individuals can thrive.

Who Should Attend?
This event is designed for:
- Educators, school staff, and administrators
- Employers, HR professionals, and hiring personnel
- Community agencies and service providers
- Healthcare and mental health professionals
- Neurodivergent individuals, advocates, and families

Get Involved
We are currently seeking:
- Speakers & breakout session facilitators
- Panelists with lived and/or professional experience
- Vendors (especially neurodivergent-led businesses and services)
- Volunteers

If you are passionate about advancing inclusion across the neurodiversity umbrella, we invite you to be part of this growing movement.

Beyond the Label is More Than a Conference
It’s a space where:
- Systems are questioned
- Lived experiences are centered
- And real change begins

Together, we are building a future where all brains belong—not just in theory, but in practice.

Regards,
Team DiversX
(Rebecca, Matthew, Kate, and Kathy-Ann)

06/03/2025

PRIDE Month, in honour of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, is about protest, activism, a call to action + actual action, education - learning + unlearning, resistance + response, understanding q***r history - the struggles, progress + recent years of increased hatred + bigotry, and recognizing q***r contributions to society. ❤️

YOU are NOT an ally or a safe person, service, business, online group, etc. if YOU remain silent, inactive, support bigots, promote hate or silence, or do not actively use specific "inclusive" language. Inclusion is an ACTION!

Every June we also celebrate PRIDE Month to honour the courage, resilience, and humanity of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

As PRIDE flags rise, let them rise with our voices, our solidarity, and our shared values of respect for differences, authenticity, safety for all, freedom, love, joy, kindness and unity. All humans matter! ❤️

NOW is the time to uplift voices, promote inclusivity, and advocate for acceptance and human rights! ❤️


***rwoman

05/27/2025

This past Saturday, DiversX hosted the 2nd Annual - Beyond the Label Conference — and we’re still feeling all the feels. 💛

A full day of learning, unlearning, laughing, crying, connecting, and most importantly: belonging.

Our theme this year was about moving beyond inclusion — beyond the checkbox, beyond accommodations. We explored what it really means to integrate neurodiverse perspectives, tools, and designs into our schools, workplaces, and communities — so people don’t have to ask for their needs to be met.

It was powerful. Emotional. Eye-opening. For many attendees, it was the first time they felt truly seen, understood, and supported on their neurodiverse journey.

I needed a few days to fully process the speakers, activities, stories, and moments of deep connection — but one thing is clear: this community we’re building is nothing short of incredible. We’re co-creating a future rooted in trust, safety, and universal design for all brains.

To the neuro crew — our beautiful team of four neurospicy volunteers — thank you from the bottom of my heart. We pulled this off with passion, purpose, and a vision for something better. You are the heart of this movement. 💚

And to everyone who attended, shared, laughed, cried, or even just sat with a new perspective — thank you. The work continues. This is just the beginning.

05/22/2025

🚨 Last Call to Register Today! 🚨

Join us for the 2nd Annual Beyond the Label Conference, a free event reimagining inclusion through neurodiversity, equity, accessibility, and universal design!

🗓️ Saturday, May 24th | 8:30 AM–4:00 PM
📍 North Grenville Municipal Centre (Urban Arts Centre)
💥 FREE to attend | Complimentary lunch included

This year’s theme: “From Awareness to Action.” Together, we’ll create a space where all minds can thrive.

🎤 Don’t miss our incredible guest speakers:
✨ **Dr. Tess Clifford** - A Clinical Psychologist with 15 years of experience in southeastern Ontario, Dr. Clifford specializes in autism diagnostic assessments and neuroaffirming care. She's dedicated to fostering a more just world that embraces all brain types.
✨ **Lorraine Driscoll** - An expert in neurodiversity and inclusion, Lorraine is committed to creating supportive environments for individuals with diverse needs. [Learn more about Lorraine here.](https://lorrainedriscoll.com/about/)

🎟️ **Register now to secure your seat:**
👉 [Event Registration](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/beyond-the-label-conference-redesigning-spaces-for-all-minds-to-thrive-tickets-1320129806789)

📣 Interested in showcasing your organization? Sign up for a vendor/info booth here:
👉 [Vendor Booth Registration](https://forms.gle/kxBin6XriJipacNu8)

Let’s come together to spark change and co-create spaces where ALL minds can thrive!

05/18/2025

Last chance to REGISTER, this FREE conference is happening THIS SATURDAY!

Join us for the 2nd Annual Beyond the Label Conference — a free, community-powered event dedicated to reimagining inclusion through the lens of neurodiversity, equity, accessibility, and universal design.

🗓️ Saturday, May 24th | 8:30AM–4:00PM
📍 North Grenville Municipal Centre (Urban Arts Centre)
💥 FREE to attend | Complimentary lunch included

This year's theme is “From Awareness to Action” — and we’re co-creating a space where all minds can thrive, not by “fixing” individuals but by redesigning systems.

Featuring powerful voices like:
✨ Rebecca Rafuse of DiversX — on hidden trauma, gender bias & Universal Design
✨ Dr. Tess Clifford of KidsInclusive — on neuro-affirming care
✨ Lorraine Driscoll of Building Better Brains — on brain-based IEP support

Our expert panel discussion on integrating neurodiverse needs into education, policy, and community design

MUST Register to attend:
👉 https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/beyond-the-label-conference-redesigning-spaces-for-all-minds-to-thrive-tickets-1320129806789?aff=oddtdtcreator

Interested in showcasing your organization or service? Sign up for a vendor/info booth here:
👉 https://forms.gle/kxBin6XriJipacNu8
(Please register all team members helping at your table through the main attendee link above.)

Let’s come together to spark change and co-create spaces where ALL minds can thrive.

04/21/2025

🚨 Registration is OPEN!
Join us for the 2nd Annual Beyond the Label Conference — a free, community-powered event dedicated to reimagining inclusion through the lens of neurodiversity, equity, accessibility, and universal design.

🗓️ Saturday, May 24th | 8:30AM–4:00PM
📍 North Grenville Municipal Centre (Urban Arts Centre)
💥 FREE to attend | Complimentary lunch included

This year's theme is “From Awareness to Action” — and we’re co-creating a space where all minds can thrive, not by “fixing” individuals but by redesigning systems.

🎤 Featuring powerful voices like:
✨ Rebecca Rafuse of DiversX — on hidden trauma, gender bias & UD
✨ Dr. Tess Clifford of KidsInclusive — on neuroaffirming care
✨ Lorraine Driscoll of Building Better Brains — on brain-based IEP support
✨ Peter Young, CCDP of Virtual Encounters — immersive VR storytelling

Our expert panel discussion on integrating neurodiverse needs into education, policy, and community design

🎟️ Register now to attend:
👉 https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/beyond-the-label-conference-redesigning-spaces-for-all-minds-to-thrive-tickets-1320129806789

📣 Interested in showcasing your organization or service?
Sign up for a vendor/info booth here:
👉 https://forms.gle/kxBin6XriJipacNu8
(Please register all team members helping at your table through the main attendee link above.)

Let’s come together to spark change and co-create spaces where ALL minds can thrive.