Windsor-Essex Family Network

01/28/2026

Welcome to the We All Belong Project! The We All Belong project is about making belonging visible and expected in everyday spaces, including classrooms, books, and community settings. We are grateful to the organizations that are supporting this work through financial contributions and partnerships. Thank you for helping shift how communities think about inclusion and belonging.
Chasing Hazel Foundation Community Living Windsor Rotary Club of Windsor (1918)

01/28/2026

Wake Up Wednesday!

I'm so excited to come back this week and talk about a disability advocate who has worked to make spaces for the experiences in the disability community who are often ignored. Today, I'll be highlighting disability advocate, motivational speaker, and National Director of Disability Without Poverty, Rabia Khedr.

Rabia has used her voice to build communities that connect people in the disability community because it can feel isolating when trying to navigate living with a disability along with every day life responsibilities. Rabia was born with low vision.

She is a powerful and passionate advocate for people with disabilities to have opportunities to thrive. She is a champion for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility. (otherwise known as I.D.E.A.)

Rabia is someone who has done so much advocacy work and has achieved many accolades. Personally, I found Rabia to be such a captivating voice and love to learn more about different important topics that affect the disability community.

Next week, I will come back to highlight someone who has advocated for marginalized communities to be represented. He is someone who has consulted with other businesses to let them have a chance to see how much of their audiences are people with disabilities.

01/27/2026

When we question if inclusive education works, we are questioning the belonging of students with disabilities. It's not about whether inclusive education is a priority or not; it is a right for all students. Thank you to Jacqueline Specht for laying it out so clearly in this interview. The bottom line is that inclusive education is possible and there are important elements missing to make it real.

"Inclusive classrooms are meant to show that diversity happens, it's not only about disability.... Attitudes and beliefs are the key to successful inclusive education. We need to start with the belief that all children belong in our schools, and as teachers and principals, that we can teach all children in our schools. We don't have that. We still think of ability as something we can separate, when we don't think that about any other identity..."

To hear the full segment, search “Do inclusive classrooms work?” on CBC’s The Current.

01/27/2026

We are appreciative of today's announcement to see steps to reduce grocery costs — expanding the GST/HST credit through the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit will put some relief in people’s pockets.

👍 Support for grocery costs is welcomed.
🚫 But it’s not enough to end disability poverty. We need real, long-term solutions.

Let’s be clear: this isn’t ending disability poverty. People with disabilities face higher ongoing costs and barriers that require long-term, targeted income supports and policies that address the root causes of poverty. Our community deserves solutions that go further than one-off benefits.

But today’s announcement isn’t a fix to disability poverty. Relief that isn’t sustainable or tailored to the realities of disability expenses still leaves far too many behind. We need robust, permanent supports — not temporary top-ups.

We need a fully funded Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), the tool that was designed to bring people with disabilities out of poverty.

We've presented a plan to the government and all political parties to get to a fully funded CDB.

The time to make this a reality is now!.

https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2026/01/26/prime-minister-carney-announces-new-measures-make-groceries-and-other

01/24/2026

🎨✨ Family Art Group: No Place for Hate Project ✨🎨

Join us for a FREE 6-week creative series where families come together to explore identity, inclusion, and confidence through expressive art. Each Sunday features a stand-alone activity—come to one or all!

🗓 Feb 8 – Mar 15 (Sundays)
⏰ Sessions start at 10:00 AM, done by Noon
👧🧒 Best for ages 7–12 (with a parent/guardian)
📍 The Safety Village, Windsor
💲Free to participate!

Space is limited—**registration encouraged**
📧 apiazza@thesafetyvillage.com
📞 (519) 945-5500 x239
*Please note: This is not a childcare program. Adults stay and create alongside youth.*

01/21/2026

Wake Up Wednesday!

I'm Faith, The Inclusion and Social Justice Coordinator at WEFN and today I'll be highlighting Canadian disability advocate, Jim Derksen.
(Every photo of Jim was blurry.)

Jim Derksen was someone that dedicated his whole life to fighting for the human rights of Canadians with disabilities. He had been diagnosed with polio and used a wheelchair in his everyday life.

He was someone who strongly believed that disability rights were human rights. His passion for disability rights was felt and helped change how people with disabilities to be acknowledged in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Jim passed away in July of 2022. He was 75 years old. What was apparent in learning about Jim was that he was someone who helped motivate others when fighting for disability rights to be taken seriously. He was considered a true pioneer of the disability rights movement in Canada.

I hope you look into Jim and the amazing legacy that he left behind. Next week, I will be discussing a disability advocate who has advocated for marginalized communities in the disability community.

01/20/2026

In 2016 5 Moore Minutes with Dr. Shelley Moore made this video which has swept the world. Now if only everyone could watch this video, not just educators and families, and understand why inclusion is key.

Shelley Moore, of The University of British Columbia, is one of the Top 25 finalists in SSHRC's 2016 Storytellers challenge.The annual competition challenges...

01/19/2026

It is our second gathering of youth ages 14-29 years old with disabilities AND allies (youth without disabilities). The goal of this meet up is to brainstorm the social media messages the group wants to create for the campaign. Everyone has something to contribute. After the brainstorming youth can choose an activity out of several or just hang out. Snacks provided. To register https://forms.gle/VFenqTV1Ln1EBvb39

01/19/2026

P4P's Introduction to the RDSP webcast is a great place to start to learn more about the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP), a long-term savings plan designed specifically for people with disabilities.

Whether you recently opened an RDSP or are interested in starting one, join us on January 21st at 12pm to learn more.

A live Q&A will follow the webcast to address your questions.

Register here: https://conta.cc/3Lzt1U0



Image Description: Various office supplies on an orange background including a calculator, a clock, a pen, paperclips, and a note that reads "Start Planning", all symbolizing preparation and financial planning. The text reads "Free P4P Webcast. Intro to RDSP. January 21st at 12pm."

01/18/2026

Parents and caregivers are invited to a free community workshop focused on managing ADHD in children, presented by the Regional Children’s Centre in partnership with St. Mark’s by-the-Lake.

Wednesday, January 21, 2026
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
150 St. Mark’s Road, Tecumseh

RSVP by email at stmarkschurch@cogeco.net to reserve your seat.

Questions? Call 519-735-4921.

Please feel free to share with families who may find this helpful.

01/18/2026

Our first federal priority for the new year is the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB). We want a more adequate Benefit with better delivery.

The Canada Disability Benefit, launched in July 2025 at $200 per month, still leaves people far below any poverty-line benchmark. Restrictive eligibility criteria, specifically the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) act as a barrier that prevents many people in poverty from receiving the benefit at all.

Read more about what we're asking regarding the CDB: https://www.inclusioncanada.ca/resource?view=41aa4588-66c8-4bc5-9c9c-0147e5817350

01/15/2026

Join us on Saturday, 24, 2026, from 9:30 am to 11:30 am, at South Essex Community Council, 215 Talbot St. E, Leamington, OR on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, via Zoom.
Register @ windsoressexfamnet.ca or email us @ info@windsoressexfamnet.ca
RSVP by January 21, 2026.
Those who attend will receive a complimentary book (one per family). Space is limited.