SARC Spring Conference 2024

For staff that support people experiencing intellectual disabilities

October23rd,2024

Jennifer Buchanan

The Music Advantage

There’s no other activity known to stimulate as many brain regions simultaneously as listening to music that moves us

This presentation combines a captivating collection of stories from Jennifer’s illustrious career with cutting-edge research and actionable strategies. This engaging and interactive keynote guarantees that you will remain riveted until the final note

The various elements of music hold the power to uplift our souls, alleviate our suffering, and boost our productivity. Music infuses meaning into every moment, while its intricate components (tone, volume, tempo) profoundly influence brain function and human behaviour

Discover how to harness this potential during the presentation

SARC Awards Nominations are NOW OPEN!

Scan the QR code to learn more about the SARC Awards and nominate!

Session 1A

JENNIFER BUCHANAN

THE POWER OF A PLAYLIST: JENX’S 8 TRACK (TOP TIPS) TO ROCK EVERY AGE

In this engaging and insightful session, you’ll delve into the science behind how music can reduce stress and boost productivity, making it an indispensable tool for enhancing your everyday life.

Discover the transformative power of inter-generational and connection music and learn how to bridge the gap between different groups by fostering a sense of connection and shared experiences through the universal language of music. Jennifer will guide you through practical techniques for incorporating music into your daily routine, from setting the tone during your morning commute to energizing your workout sessions, and even finding solace during moments of relaxation and reflection

Session 1B

CARA MILNE

COMMUNITY IS EVERYWHERE! SUPPORTING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO EXPERIENCE COMMUNITY AND CONTRIBUTION

This session will explore the value of community and contribution, especially after a pandemic Cara’s stories of how we can support people to be “in the community” rather than spending time in “outings” , will bring hope to the disability sector since community is right where you are! You will come away from this session with real and practical ideas! Come and be inspired!

Session 1C

LEANNE KERR AND STEPHANIE PASYCHNY

NAVIGATING THE WAY: THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION - A SIMULATED EXPERIENCE

In this unique experience you will learn about the importance of communication and how it must be individualized for each person you are supporting. You will learn about hearing and vision impairments, and be introduced to an ‘Orientation and Mobility’ tool to assist people with deafblindness (which is different from a vision or hearing impairment), to navigate their environment

Leanne Kerr and Stephanie Pasychny from the Canadian Deafblind Association (CDBA) will lead you in a presentation, including a simulation, where you will experience first-hand what it is like to be supported when you can’t hear, see, or understand what is happening around you Leave with practical communication tools that you can use with anyone you support

Because of the simulation aspect, this session will be limited to 20 attendees. The session will be hosted twice during the conference scheduling. Register early to avoid dissapointment.

S E S S I O N 2 A

C A R A M I L N E

CONCURRENT SESSION #2

M A Y 29, 2024

3:00-4:30 P M

COMMUNITY IS EVERYWHERE! SUPPORTING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO EXPERIENCE COMMUNITY AND CONTRIBUTION

T h i s s e s s i o n w i l l e x p l o r e t h e v a l u e o f c o m m u n i t y a n d c o n t r i b u t i o n , e s p e c i a l l y a f t e r a p a n d e m i c C a r a ’ s s t o r i e s o f h o w w e c a n s u p p o r t p e o p l e t o b e “ i n t h e c o m m u n i t y ” r a t h e r t h a n s p e n d i n g t i m e i n “ o u t i n g s ” , w i l l b r i n g h o p e t o t h e d i s a b i l i t y s e c t o r s i n c e c o m m u n i t y i s r i g h t w h e r e y o u a r e ! Y o u w i l l c o m e a w a y f r o m t h i s s e s s i o n w i t h r e a l a n d p r a c t i c a l i d e a s ! C o m e a n d b e i n s p i r e d !

S E S S I O N 2 B

J E P H M A Y S T R U C K

O N C E U P O N A C L I C K : H O W T H E I N T E R N E T H A S C H A N G E D H O W W E

T E L L S T O R I E S F O R E V E R R E P E A T S E S S I O N

T h i s s e s s i o n w i l l d e l v e i n t o t h e s e i s m i c s h i f t i n t h e l a n d s c a p e o f s t o r y t e l l i n g u s h e r e d i n b y t h e i n t e r n e t . W e w i l l e x p l o r e h o w d i g i t a l p l a t f o r m s h a v e r e v o l u t i o n i z e d n a r r a t i v e f o r m s , d e m o c r a t i z e d s t o r y c r e a t i o n , a n d a l t e r e d a u d i e n c e e n g a g e m e n t W e ' l l e x a m i n e t h e e v o l u t i o n f r o m t r a d i t i o n a l s t o r y t e l l i n g t o t h e i n - y o u r - f a c e , i n t e r a c t i v e , a n d m u l t i m e d i a - r i c h n a r r a t i v e s t h a t d e f i n e o u r c u r r e n t e r a T h r o u g h c a s e s t u d i e s a n d e x a m p l e s , w e ' l l u n d e r s t a n d t h e p r o f o u n d i m p a c t o f t h e i n t e r n e t o n s t o r y t e l l i n g a n d h o w y o u c a n u s e i t t o s h a p e c u l t u r e , i d e n t i t y , a n d p e r c e p t i o n s o f t h e w o r l d .

S E S S I O N 2 C

M I K A Y L A M C M E C H A N A N D A I D E N Y O U N G

M E D I C A L D E C I S I O N - M A K I N G : H E A L T H C A R E P A S S P O R T A N D M Y H E A L T H C A R E

W I S H E S

J o i n I n c l u s i o n S a s k a t c h e w a n f o r a n o v e r v i e w o f M e d i c a l D e c i s i o n - M a k i n g r e s o u r c e s : H e a l t h P a s s p o r t a n d M y H e a l t h

C a r e W i s h e s . T h e s e t o o l s a l l o w s u p p o r t t e a m s t o f a c i l i t a t e c o n v e r s a t i o n s a n d g a i n i n s i g h t i n t o h o w p e o p l e w o u l d l i k e t o b e s u p p o r t e d w i t h t h e i r h e a l t h a n d h e a l t h r e l a t e d d e c i s i o n s .

T h i s s e s s i o n w i l l p r o v i d e a n o v e r v i e w o f b o t h t h e H e a l t h P a s s p o r t a n d M y H e a l t h C a r e W i s h e s , t i p s a n d t r i c k s f o r u s i n g t h e s e t o o l s , w h y t h e y a r e i m p o r t a n t , a n d w h e n t o u s e t h e m A t t e n d e e s w i l l g a i n a n u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f w h y m e d i c a l d e c i s i o n - m a k i n g i s i m p o r t a n t a n d h o w t o t a l k a b o u t t h i s t o p i c w i t h t h e p e o p l e t h e y s u p p o r t , a n d t h e i r s u p p o r t t e a m s .

Concurrent Session #3

SESSION 3A

MIKAYLA MCMECHAN AND AIDEN YOUNG

HEALTH CARE ADVOCACY

M A Y 30, 2024

9:00-10:30 A M

Join Inclusion Saskatchewan for a session about Health Care Advocacy The focus will be on patient rights, relevant laws and policies that impact decision-making, and avenues to advocate within the health care system. You will gain knowledge about how to support people in a health care setting and information to support them in building self-advocacy skills

SESSION 3B

BARKLEY ENGEL

DOOR OPENING TALKS: HOW TO MOTIVATE AND CONNECT

This session will provide you with concrete tools and ways to engage and motivate the people you support These strength-based tools will help you to develop and reinforce these relationships in a person-centred way, to help the person recognize their strengths to help them live their best lives. The knowledge learned in this session will help you to better connect with and motivate the person, while being committed to their well-being

SESSION 3C

JEPH MAYSTRUCK

INFLUENCERS, ALGORITHMS, AND A.I.: WHY MARKETING WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN

In this session, we explore the profound transformation in the marketing world driven by the rise of influencers, the sophistication of algorithms, and the integration of artificial intelligence We'll journey through the evolution of marketing strategies, from traditional methods to creative, data-driven approaches that now define the industry Discover how influencers have reshaped every industry, how algorithms tailor consumer experiences to unprecedented precision, and how AI is revolutionizing almost every industry, including the nonprofit sector We'll delve into real-world examples, analyze the impacts of these changes, and provide actionable insights on how organization’s can adapt and thrive, as well as market the great work they do.

CONCURRENTSESSION #4

MAY 30, 2024

11:00 AM -12:30 PM

SESSION 4 A

MICHELLECEDERBERG

THESTRESSTEST

In this session you will learn the physical impact that stress has on your body, mind, and long-term health, as well as recognize the subtle (and not so subtle) signs of increasing stress You will also learn and understand the difference between acute, chronic, and persuasive stress, and the surprisingly simple tactic that will help you avoid burnout and boost productivity Michelle will also show you how stress affects your day-to-day cognition and productivity, and will show you ways to stay focused and alert so you can do you best on the job, and still have energy for life Join this session to find ways to prioritize simple stress management practices that can strengthen person wellbeing and corporate health

SESSION 4 B

BARKLEYENGEL

DOOROPENINGTALKS : HOW TOMOTIVATEANDCONNECT

REPEAT SESSION

This session will provide you with concrete tools and ways to engage and motivate the people you support These strength-based tools will help you to develop and reinforce these relationships in a person-centred way, to help the person recognize their strengths to help them live their best lives The knowledge learned in this session will help you to better connect with and motivate the person, while being committed to their wellbeing

SESSION 4 C

LEANNEKERRANDSTEPHANIE PASYCHNY

NAVIGATING THE WAY: THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION - A SIMULATED EXPERIENCE

REPEAT SESSION

In this unique experience you will learn about the importance of communication and how it must be individualized for each person you are supporting. You will learn about hearing and vision impairments, and be introduced to an ‘Orientation and Mobility’ tool to assist people with deafblindness (which is different from a vision or hearing impairment), to navigate their environment

Leanne Kerr and Stephanie Pasychny from the Canadian Deafblind Association (CDBA) will lead you in a presentation, including a simulation, where you will experience first-hand what it is like to be supported when you can’t hear, see, or understand what is happening around you. Leave with practical communication tools that you can use with anyone you support

Because of the simulation aspect, this session will be limited to 20 attendees The session will be hosted twice during the conference scheduling. Register early to avoid dissapointment. Register early to avoid dissapointment.

CLOSING KEYNOTE PRESENTATION

MICHELLE CEDERBERG

The “Success-Energy” Equation

“Beat Burnout. Harness your Energy. Streamline Success. ”

MAY 30, 2024

1:30 PM

In this high-energy keynote, health and productivity expert Michelle Cederberg shares research from her latest book, The Success-Energy Equation. After years of studying top-in-class professionals, she’s uncovered obvious, though rarely recognized or exercised, ways to streamline success, reduce stress, and eliminate exhaustion.

From fail-proofing your routines, to clarifying your goals, and finally breaking free from the traps of distraction, Michelle uncovers a powerful combination of scientific facts, health truths, and laughable human behaviours that when implemented, will set you apart from the average ambitious individual and help you solve your own personal formula for success in profound ways.

Geared towards those in busy, heartcentred industries—this keynote will deliver action-ready strategies and science-backed principles that will leave you refreshed, motivated, and ready to experience your own next personal best.