News

Live Educate Transform Society (LET’S) has a quarterly newsletter that began in 2021. We are in the progress of copying all our newsletter entries onto our website for easier access.

Also, in anticipation of our 20th anniversary in June 2025, we will be adding the history of our organization on this page. We are working on adding 2 decades worth of projects.

To sign-up for newsletter, scroll down to bottom of the page and add your email address.

*The years are a new feature and will be a work in progress. We appreciate your patience as we upload all our entries.*

Filter through our news topics:

Federation of BC Youth in Care Networks
Earlier in the year, CAN (LET’S) delivered workshops for the Federation of BC Youth in Care Networks. They recently came back to CAN (LET’S) to ask us to deliver a condensed Disability Awareness workshop for a program called Locals.

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Website
LET’S staff have been hard at work, creating a new website. We have been assisted in this work by 2 great folks. We are extremely grateful for their skills, perspective, and advice. Sid from Say Hey Studios did our web design and created a sleek, simplified design that matched what we were hoping for.

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Tamarack Institute
LET’S made some great connections at the Just and Sustainable Future Funds summit. 1 is Rochelle Ignacio, Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at the Tamarack Institute. About the Tamarack Institute: “The Tamarack Institute is a registered charity dedicated to ending poverty in all its forms.

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International Overdose Awareness Day
At Fraser Valley Pride, we had a great conversation with a coordinator with the Reducing Overdose Abbotsford Response group. They were saying how much they would love to provide a low sensory space at their upcoming August event and resource fair for International Overdose Awareness Day.

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Virtual Care Podcast
LET’S’ executive director Heather McCain was interviewed by Stephen Gillis from UBC for the Listen podcast. This podcast is part of the Virtual Team-Based Care study, which aims to humanize virtual care.

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Kamloops Pride 2024
Our last Pride of the season was Kamloops Pride. It was our 1st year. We had volunteered our low sensory space last year, which they enthusiastically took us up on, but the wildfires resulted in travel restrictions.

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Upcoming New Website
LET’S staff have been hard at work, creating a new website. We have been assisted in this work by 2 great folks. We are extremely grateful for their skills, perspective, and advice. Sid from Say Hey Studios did our web design and created a sleek, simplified design that matched what we were hoping for.

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Salal
Our 2nd Imposter Syndrome workshop was for Salal Sexual Violence Support Society, B.C’s largest sexual violence support centre. They provide services to women, trans, Two-Spirit, nonbinary, and gender diverse people.

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Vantage Point Summer Social
For the 1st time, Vantage Point organized a Summer Social. They brought together “non-profit staff, volunteers, funders, and other sector contributors for a celebration of our community!” The event was held at the Beaumont Studios in Vancouver.

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Hummingbird Feminist Disability Coalition
The Hummingbird Feminist Disability Coalition (HFDC) “is on a mission to empower women, girls, trans, two-spirit, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals to become influential leaders and advocates within their communities.

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Home Sharing Support Society 
LET’S received a request for our Imposter Syndrome workshop from a research analyst at the Home Sharing Support Society BC (HSSSBC). They said “I heard Heather present at the National Accessibility Week Dialogue and thought they were fantastic!

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New West Pride 2024
LET’S had a booth at New West Pride for the 2nd year. It is a great event. We enjoyed watching the broad spectrum of people who attend, including the furry table. We were so busy with conversation at our booth that we didn’t take any photos.

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Fortis BC Queer + Trans History 
LET’S is proud to have an ongoing relationship with Fortis BC. For the 3rd year, we provided Pride month workshops as part of Fortis’ employee engagement sessions. This year, we were asked to tailor our Gender & Sexuality workshop to build upon what was learned last year.

Read More

Home Sharing Support Society BC
LET’S received a request for our Imposter Syndrome workshop from a research analyst at the Home Sharing Support Society BC (HSSSBC). They said “I heard Heather present at the National Accessibility Week Dialogue and thought they were fantastic!

Read More

Salal Imposter Snydrome Workshop
Our 2nd Imposter Syndrome workshop was for Salal Sexual Violence Support Society, B.C’s largest sexual violence support centre. They provide services to women, trans, Two-Spirit, nonbinary, and gender diverse people.

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United Way Period Promise Campaign at Victoria Pride
At our Victoria Pride low sensory space, we were able to provide free menstrual products, such as reusable underwear (up to xxl), menstrual cups, and reusable pads. This was thanks to our partnership with the United Way Period Promise Campaign.

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Victoria Pride
LET’S was excited to be returning to Victoria Pride to provide a low sensory space. Last year, we provided feedback to the Victoria Pride organizers. We were very pleasantly surprised to discover they had made sure to address any issue we raised.

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Vancouver PrideFest 2024
LET’S was excited to return to Vancouver Pride Society’s PrideFest. We ran the low sensory space and had a LET’S information booth. We loved how many people stopped by our booth to show us that they still had the sensory items they’d gotten at our booth last year.

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Canada Pride Human Rights Summit
LET’S was hired to supply a low sensory space at the Canada Pride Human Rights Summit. The summit was the 1st time it had been held by Vancouver Pride Society. We were proud to be a part of this event.

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Vantage Point Summer Social
For the 1st time, Vantage Point organized a Summer Social. They brought together “non-profit staff, volunteers, funders, and other sector contributors for a celebration of our community!” The event was held at the Beaumont Studios in Vancouver.

Read More

Vancouver Foundation’s Just and Sustainable Futures Fund
As part of Vancouver Foundation’s latest initiative, the Just and Sustainable Futures Fund, LET’S consulted as a Community Advisor. The fund is a grant stream “[to] invest in the self-determination of people most impacted by systems of oppression, to support the conditions for a just and sustainable future to emerge for all.” Last month, we interviewed 3 community members and storytellers.

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Vancouver Pride
LET’S was excited to return to Vancouver Pride Society’s PrideFest. We ran the low sensory space and had a LET’S information booth. We loved how many people stopped by our booth to show us that they still had the sensory items they’d gotten at our booth last year.

Read More

Beyond the Binary
In the past few months, participation from community members, including LET’S, has led to valuable feedback and observations. The Beyond the Binary team continues to work towards an updated, national, Beyond the Binary Guide.

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New West Pride
LET’S had a booth at New West Pride for the 2nd year. It is a great event. We enjoyed watching the broad spectrum of people who attend, including the furry table. We were so busy with conversation at our booth that we didn’t take any photos.

Read More

Kamloops Pride
Our last Pride of the season was Kamloops Pride. It was our 1st year. We had volunteered our low sensory space last year, which they enthusiastically took us up on, but the wildfires resulted in travel restrictions.

Read More

International Overdose Awareness Day
At Fraser Valley Pride, we had a great conversation with a coordinator with the Reducing Overdose Abbotsford Response group. They were saying how much they would love to provide a low sensory space at their upcoming August event and resource fair for International Overdose Awareness Day.

Read More

Fraser Valley Pride
This was LET’S’ second year at Fraser Valley Pride, held at Fraser River Heritage Park in Mission. Fraser Valley Pride represents Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and Mission. Fraser Valley Pride has “been walking with our youth for many years.

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Burnaby Pride 2024
LET’S provided a low sensory space for Burnaby Pride. We also set up our information booth. The low sensory tent was well used. And people very much appreciated being provided with free sensory items at our information booth.

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Canada Pride Human Rights Summit
LET’S was hired to supply a low sensory space at the Canada Pride Human Rights Summit. The summit was the 1st time it had been held by Vancouver Pride Society. We were proud to be a part of this event.

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Burnaby Pride
LET’S provided a low sensory space for Burnaby Pride. We also set up our information booth. The low sensory tent was well used. And people very much appreciated being provided with free sensory items at our information booth.

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United Way Leadership Fellows
Heather McCain, Founder-Executive Director of Live Educate Transform Society, has been chosen as 1 of 9 Executive Directors from around BC for the 2025 Leadership Fellows Executive Director cohort through the United Way British Columbia.

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Fraser Valley Pride 2024
This was LET’S’ second year at Fraser Valley Pride, held at Fraser River Heritage Park in Mission. Fraser Valley Pride represents Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and Mission. Fraser Valley Pride has “been walking with our youth for many years.

Read More

Hummingbird Feminist Disability Coalition
The Hummingbird Feminist Disability Coalition (HFDC) “is on a mission to empower women, girls, trans, two-spirit, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals to become influential leaders and advocates within their communities.

Read More

Beyond the Binary
In the past few months, participation from community members, including LET’S, has led to valuable feedback and observations. The Beyond the Binary team continues to work towards an updated, national, Beyond the Binary Guide.

Read More

Tamarack Institute 
LET’S made some great connections at the Just and Sustainable Future Funds summit. 1 is Rochelle Ignacio, Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at the Tamarack Institute. About the Tamarack Institute: “The Tamarack Institute is a registered charity dedicated to ending poverty in all its forms.

Read More

United Way Period Promise Campaign at Victoria Pride 2024
At our Victoria Pride low sensory space, we were able to provide free menstrual products, such as reusable underwear (up to xxl), menstrual cups, and reusable pads. This was thanks to our partnership with the United Way Period Promise Campaign.

Read More

Victoria Pride 2024
LET’S was excited to be returning to Victoria Pride. Last year, we provided feedback to the Victoria Pride organizers. We were very pleasantly surprised to discover they had made sure to address any issue we raised.

Read More

SFU Accessibility Plan
SFU asked LET’s to review their draft accessibility plan and answer 3 questions, mentioned below. We provided feedback on the plan and made some suggestions for further emphasis as well as expanding the spectrum of who, on campus, is disabled.

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Just and Sustainable Futures Fund
As part of Vancouver Foundation’s latest initiative, the Just and Sustainable Futures Fund, LET’S consulted as a Community Advisor. The fund is a grant stream “[to] invest in the self-determination of people most impacted by systems of oppression, to support the conditions for a just and sustainable future to emerge for all.” Last month, we interviewed 3 community members and storytellers.

Read More

United Way 2025 Leadership Fellows
Heather McCain, Founder-Executive Director of Live Educate Transform Society, has been chosen as 1 of 9 Executive Directors from around BC for the 2025 Leadership Fellows Executive Director cohort through the United Way British Columbia.

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West Coast Environmental Law
In May, LET’S delivered a Disability Awareness workshop to staff at West Coast Environmental Law. The workshop was very well received. The conversations were robust and perspective building. 1 conversation, in particular, stuck with me, regarding a person who is experiencing trauma because of an ongoing genocide is the country they came from, and where family still lives, and how difficult it is to do everyday things when everything else in your world is falling apart.

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Vancouver Foundation
In May, LET’S delivered the workshop Neurodiversity at Work for the Vancouver Foundation. The audience was quite interested in the subject. 1 participant, in particular, who is neurodivergent, really enjoyed the workshop and loved the representation of their lived experience.

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Fortis BC Gender & Sexuality, Queer + Trans History Pride Month Workshop
LET’S is proud to have an ongoing relationship with Fortis BC. For the 3rd year, we provided Pride month workshops as part of Fortis’ employee engagement sessions. This year, we were asked to tailor our Gender & Sexuality workshop to build upon what was learned last year.

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SmartSweet 
SmartSweets contacted LET’S about our 2SLGBTQIA+ Canada History workshop. They asked, as some of their staff are US based, that we also include US facts, which we were happy to do. The workshop went well, with participants particularly liking the multiple choice section.

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Powell Street Festival Society
LET’S recently worked with The Polygon Gallery on a reduced sensory night for their  “Velvet Terrorism: Pussy Riot’s Russia” exhibition. A staff person of The Polygon Gallery also works with the Powell Street Festival Society.

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Mount Royal Library
LET’S delivered our workshop Neurodiversity at Work for Mount Royal University Library staff. Workshop attendees were attentive and curious. Following the workshop, LET’S was provided with this testimonial: “Thank you SO much for your presentation today!

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Jewish Family Services
In May, LET’S delivered our Disability Awareness workshop to Jewish Family Services. We have previously done an accessibility audit of their location called The Kitchen. We were excited to partner with them once again.

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Fortis BC Queer + Trans History 
LET’S is proud to have an ongoing relationship with Fortis BC. For the 3rd year, we provided Pride month workshops as part of Fortis’ employee engagement sessions. This year, we were asked to tailor our Gender & Sexuality workshop to build upon what was learned last year.

Read More

City of Vancouver HR Training
LET’S is in our 2nd year of delivering Disability Awareness training to staff of all levels of the City of Vancouver. Earlier this year, we received word that our workshops were being received so well that the HR (human resources) department wanted their staff to have a custom Disability Awareness workshop.

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CityHive
LET’S delivered our 2nd workshop to CityHive. Our May workshop was Neurodiversity at Work. Like our previous CityHive workshop, we enjoyed the engaged and curious language. Rowan Gentleman-Sylvester, Executive Director, offered the following testimonial: "I’m so grateful to LET’S and the support and training they’ve provided our team.

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Organizational Stigma Assessment Cycle 
LET’S has been a member, since 2022, on the advisory group of the Organizational Stigma Assessment Cycle, through PAN. In May, advisory group members met to share information on the process and hear feedback.

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Nanaimo Sensory-Friendly Airbnb  (Run by LGBTQ2S+ Family)
At Nanaimo Pride, LET’S’ low sensory host had a conversation with a local who shared that they have a sensory-friendly air bnb. They explained that this endeavour has been a labour of love. “Our suite was designed to ensure a relaxing environment for all of our guests.

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Nanaimo Pride
In May, LET’S set up a low sensory space at Nanaimo Pride. It was our 1st year. There was a mix-up with our tent but, fortunately, it was a beautiful day and we set up the materials without a tent, near trees and water so people could still cool down.

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East Side Pride 
East Side Pride, by Vancouver Pride Society, is the 1st of LET’S’ Pride season and the kickoff to the Vancouver Pride season. This event is a nice way to enter Pride season. Held at Grandview Park, off Commercial Drive, it is a smaller Pride filled with amazing concerts, drag performances, delicious food from a great selection of food trucks, and over 45 artisan and community groups. (LET’S information booth at East Side Pride.) We had beautiful weather for the event.

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Burnaby Residents’ Assembly
LET’S was contacted by the Dialogue and Engagement Coordinator at the SFU Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue. They were organizing a community dialogue program in the City of Burnaby. In early 2024, the Burnaby Residents’ Assembly on Livable and Resilient Neighbourhoods was launched.

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Vancouver International Children’s Festival
LET’S was contacted the Vancouver International Children’s Festival about our low sensory services. About Vancouver International Children’s Festival: “The longest-running professional performing arts festival for young audiences and the first of its kind in North America and Europe, the Vancouver International Children’s Festival presents the world’s finest music, theatre, dance, puppetry, acrobatics and storytelling, as well as creative arts activities for the entire family.

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Queer Prom
For 6 months, LET’S has been working with a group of students from Handsworth Secondary School, who received funding from It Gets Better, to put on a queer prom. Also involved was a teacher and staff from North Shore Restorative Society.

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New Storage Locker for Sensory Items 
LET’S is excited to announce that we now have a storage locker for our low sensory space items and, soon to be launched, sensory kits. This will be a tremendous benefit. We have grown so much that we need more space than we previously had.

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AccessAbility Resource Fair
LET’S was contacted by the City of Coquitlam Community Services Coordinator, with the portfolio of Inclusion (children’s programs/camps). They enquired about our workshops and the services that we offer.

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Mainland Community Services Society
Last year, LET’S had our first collaboration with Mainland Community Services Society. 2 of our team members spoke at a National AccessAbility Week event. We were delighted to have Mainland reach out again this year.

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Beyond the Binary National Knowledge Exchange
LET’S, and other stakeholders, were provided an update on the National Knowledge Exchange scheduled for October 16. Calendar holds will be sent out to the group and a save the date will be distributed.

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Art Therapy
LET’S was first contacted by Jillian Bagan in 2023. Jillian was launching an art therapy group called Queer Joy. She shared their poster with us. They also offered to promote LET’S’ services. They also mentioned that if we were interested in collaborating with them on future projects, or if we wanted to learn more about the art therapy group, they were available for a conversation.

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SFU Accessibility Plan
LET’S is consulting for SFU on the creation of their Accessibility Plan, a requirement of the Accessible BC Act. “An organization must develop a plan to identify, remove and prevent barriers to individuals in or interacting with the organization.

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Just and Sustainable Fund Interviews
Vancouver Foundation provided a list of questions about storytellers’ experience with justice and sustainability. The questions were extremely broad, leading all storytellers to ask, repeatedly, “am I answering the question?” and “am I giving you the information that’s needed?” We worked our way through the questions, each having a slightly different read on the conversation.

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Just and Sustainable Fund Invitation
LET’S’ Executive Director taught 2 workshops for the Vancouver Foundation May. The workshops were very well received, which led to an invitation for Heather to join Vancouver Foundation’s latest initiative, the Just and Sustainable Futures Fund, as a Community Advisor.

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Low Sensory Night at Polygon Gallery
The Polygon Gallery engaged LET’S in providing on-site feedback for the gallery’s “Velvet Terrorism: Pussy Riot’s Russia” exhibition. The Polygon was interested in exploring how to make the exhibition more low sensory friendly for visitors on their low sensory night.

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Realize Project Advisory Committee
LET’S is proud of our continued relationship and work with Realize. Realize is the leading national, charitable, organization in Canada working to improve the health and well-being of people living with HIV and other episodic disabilities, across the lifespan, through integrated research, education, policy, and practice.   Realize reached out to LET’S and said that our organization would be a great addition to the Project Advisory Committee for a new project with Accessibility Standards Canada.

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Beyond the Binary
In May, LET’S participated in a Beyond the Binary Canada Roundtable meeting. Whereas, previously, the Beyond the Binary project was provincial, it is now national. This is in response to the enthusiasm and need demonstrated with our provincial guide.

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Queer Prom
LET’S has been volunteering our time to students from Handsworth Secondary School in North Vancouver for their Queer Prom. The students secured funding from It Gets Better in the US. It Gets Better is a nonprofit organization with a mission to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth around the globe.

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Jane’s Walk
LET’S’ was pleased to be contacted by a member of the organizing Committee from Jane’s Walk Vancouver Festival. We were asked to create and lead a walk. They said that our work in making our cities more vibrant and accessible is so important and it led to them hoping we could participate in this year’s festival.

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Letter to Vancouver Pride Society
Further to the reflections that Heather McCain shared at their presentation to Fierté Canada Pride mentioned later in this blog, Heather sent the following letter to Vancouver Pride Society in April.

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ConnectFest
This was our third year presenting at ConnectFest (formerly Burnaby Festival of Learning). This year’s workshop was titled “Lived Expertise Matters.” Heather discussed how our organization has been centering the use of our personal stories and our members’ stories to increase awareness and education for 18 years.

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LET’S Staff Workshop
In April, Heather hosted a disability awareness workshop for LET’S staff, Calla and D, so they could gain the experience of participating in a full LET’S workshop. So often we, as a staff, are focused on the exciting work of expanding LET’S and moving the organization forward, it was an important experience to take a moment and reflect on the great work that LET’S does and what a skilled facilitator Heather is!

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Health Sciences Association of BC
In early April, Harmony and Heather taught a full day Disability Awareness + Disability Justice workshop for the Health Sciences Association of BC (HSA BC). HSA BC represents more than 20,000 health care and social services professionals in hospitals, community health settings, child development centres, transition houses, and other community agencies across British Columbia.

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Fraser Valley Pride Meeting
LET’S met with Fraser Valley Pride about our upcoming involvement at Pride on July 13th at Fraser Valley Heritage Park in Mission. Last year we had an excellent location for the low sensory space. We were in a wooded area, a good distance away from noises and performers.

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Low Sensory Space at Kwantlen Polytechnic University During Exam Week
In April, LET’S hosted a week-long low sensory space at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) during the university’s exam week. LET’S was approached to host a low sensory space at KPU by a faculty member who stated “With so much stress anxiety and other mental health issues on the rise combined with high wait times for counselling I believe your space is so very much needed.” Prior to the low sensory space being set up, information was shared with staff.

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CBC Interview – Canada Disability Benefit
CBC interviewed Heather McCain on an evening news broadcast in April regarding the recent updates to the Canada Disability Benefit. Heather expressed the frustration of the disability community at the insultingly inadequate amount included in the update.

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Queer Leaders Meeting at City Hall
In April, LET’S’ Executive Director Heather McCain participated in a gathering of queer leaders at City Hall, hosted by Councillor Christine Boyle. Representatives attended from a variety of organizations, including AIDS Vancouver, JQT (Jewish Queers), Qmunity, Rainbow Refugee, and TransCare BC.

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Low Sensory Night at The Polygon Gallery
The Polygon Gallery engaged Heather McCain in providing on-site feedback on the gallery’s “Velvet Terrorism: Pussy Riot’s Russia” exhibition.

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Hospital Employees Union
Heather and Harmony facilitated a Disability Justice Workshop  for the Hospital Employees Union (HEU) in April. As per usual, the HEU audience was excellent. We have enjoyed presenting to HEU audiences for multiple years.

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Beyond the Binary
LET’S participated in a feedback session for the Beyond the Binary BC Guide before the guide is released to a national audience. This is in advance of a roundtable event planned for May, which will bring both the Researcher and Community Task Force members to one table, with the goal of creating a shared knowledge mobilization plan for the Beyond the Binary Canada Guide.

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Fierté Pride Conference Presentation
Heather McCain delivered an Accessibility at Pride workshop to Fierté Canada Pride. Fierté Canada Pride (FCP) is the national association of Canadian Pride organisations. They are a membership-based organisation, governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and Leadership Councils.

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Conversation about Disability and Climate Change
In early March, LET’S executive director Heather McCain had a conversation with Molly, a masters student in public health and intern at the School of Public Health at the University of Montreal. Molly contacted Heather as part of a project entitled "Climate change and disability: a mapping of international civil society organizations.” The aim of the project is to explore the actions and interventions of civil society organisations in Canada, sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia in relation to people with disabilities living in the context of climate change.

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SFU Accessibility Project
LET’S was contacted by the Director of Projects at SFU (Simon Fraser University). They are supporting the SFU Accessibility Project, which was established in response to the enactment of the BC Accessibility Act.

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Community Partnership for Reading of Equinox
LETS has partnered with Zee Zee Theatre for an in-person reading of Equinox. This play is part of the Queer and Trans Play Reading Series, a first-of-its-kind new play development model & virtual reading series.

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AdvoCon Workshop and Low Sensory Space
LETS will be doing our Breaking Barriers workshop at AdvoCon in October. We will also have a low sensory space for the 2 days that are in person at the SFU Surrey campus. "AdvoCon is an annual education advocacy conference organized by the BCEdAccess Society, a grassroots, BC nonprofit society and Canadian charitable organization, founded in 2014.

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WildBrain
In addition to the report mentioned earlier in this newsletter, LET’S hosted two workshops at WildBrain on Disability Awareness and Neurodivergence at Work. These workshops drew on conversations with staff and the Accessibility Audit report, allowing us to use specific examples from WildBrain’s workspace to discuss particular issues and adaptations.

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Vancouver Writers Festival
In addition to the Low Sensory Space mentioned earlier in this newsletter, LET’S offered Disability Awareness Front Line Training to volunteers of the Vancouver Writers Festival. This training included guidelines for how to support disabled attendees including guiding access, interacting with folks who use mobility devices, etc.

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Homelessness Services Association of British Columbia
LET’S presented a workshop titled “Call to Action: Being Actively Anti-Ableist” for the Homelessness Services Association of British Columbia (HSABC) at their annual conference in September 2023.

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City of Vancouver
LET’S has been working with the City of Vancouver on a variety of ongoing workshops. These workshops vary in length and have been delivered to different departments. In September 2023 we held our first full day workshop for the city with staff from various departments including planning, plumbing, and libraries.

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Bakau Consulting
LET’S hosted a Disability Awareness workshop in October 2023 as part of Bakau Consulting’s Facilitation Certificate Program (FCP). Bakau Consulting is a full-service equity, inclusion and anti-racism consulting company.

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AdvoCon
As mentioned in the Low Sensory Spaces section of this newsletter, AdvoCon is an annual education advocacy conference organized by the BCEdAccess Society, a grassroots, BC non-profit society and Canadian charitable organization.

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Realize Research on Episodic Disabilities and Employment
LET’S has been working with Realize Canada on a research project looking at episodic disabilities and employment. Heather worked with Bastion Marshall and Alfiya Battalova, with assistance from Kale Gösen (from Humanize Consulting), to conduct 46 1-hour long interviews followed by compiling and writing a final report that focused on the experiences of queer and trans folks with episodic disabilities in Ontario and British Columbia and employment.

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The Power of Peer Support for Queer and Disabled People
Online, independent news outlet The Tyee featured LET’S and Chronically Queer (CQ) in this article about building community, connecting, and belonging. CQ is a peer-facilitated support group for 2SLGBTQIA+ people who are neurodivergent, mad, crip, chronically ill, and/or disabled.

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Disability Training for Airline Staff
LET’S’ executive director, Heather McCain, was interviewed in this video piece by CityNews, calling for improved training for airline staff around how to best support disabled passengers. As Heather states: “How are you going to address ableism and create accessibility when you don’t know what the broad spectrum of disability encompasses, and how disability is affected by ableism, stigma, and prejudice.” In the video, disabled passengers discuss how they’ve been harmed by poorly trained airline staff.

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HandyDART Activism
LET’S continues to engage in advocacy around improving HandyDART services and TransLink accessibility. Global News has a video about the concerns raised over HandyDART’s increasing reliance on taxis to provide HandyDART services and then another video on TransLink’s accessibility plan that was released amid these concerns.

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Vancouver Writers Festival
Vancouver Writers Fest (VWF) is one of the largest and most prestigious annual literary festivals in North America. Through year-round programming, the organization connects people to exceptional books, ideas, and dialogue that ignites a passion for words and the world around us.

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Camp Normie
LET’S facilitated a low sensory space for Normie Corp Event Society’s first multi-day festival, Camp Normie, which took place at The Birdhouse in Vancouver in September 2023. Normie was founded in 2020 amidst the pandemic lockdown, bringing community together safely online.

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AdvoCon
AdvoCon is an annual education advocacy conference organized by the BCEdAccess Society, a grassroots, BC non-profit society and Canadian charitable organization. The organization’s focus is action for equitable access to education, and they are led by the population they serve – disabled people, BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+, and other people in protected classes under human rights.

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Low Sensory Spaces
LET’S hosted low sensory spaces for a variety of events, including AdvoCon, Camp Normie, and Vancouver Writers Festival. These low sensory sensory spaces were very well used and loved. We noticed that a lot of the event volunteers really engage with and enjoy our spaces, and also often identify as neurodivergent.

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WildBrain
LET’S hosted a focus group for staff with disabilities and who are neurodivergent, as well as two workshops for staff at WildBrain, a television and production studio that makes content geared towards children and families.

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Cross Cultural Walking Tours
LET’S’ executive director Heather McCain participated in two Cross Cultural Walking Tours in September 2023. On the tours, Heather drew awareness to Marsha P. Johnson and Johnson’s disability activism, as often disability is left out of the gay and trans rights conversation.

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Accessibility and Public Transportation
Heather McCain, LET’S’ executive director, was interviewed by two students at Carnegie Mellon University who are doing a project on accessibility and public transportation. During our conversation we talked about this currently under review paper, of which Heather is a co-author: “​​Inclusion of People with Disabilities in Public Transit: A Case-study Analysis of Canada and US Policies”.

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Period Promise Campaign at United Way
United Way’s Period Promise campaign increases access to free menstrual products in communities so that everyone who menstruates can go to work, get to school, access services, and stay connected to their community. LET’S was contacted by the Capacity Building Specialist of the campaign.

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Save Out HandyDART! Virtual Town Hall
LET’S moderated the Save Our HandyDART! Virtual Town Hall in September. Save Our HandyDART is a coalition of riders, disability advocates, labour groups, community organizations, and attendees. The Save Our HandyDART coalition is advocating for change in a variety of ways, including speaking with government representatives.

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North Vancouver Queer Prom
A group of high school students in North Vancouver had their application accepted for an “It Gets Better” grant to do a Queer Prom and a series of events leading up to the main event. The club aims to be a safe space for queer students, allies and faculty.

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Jewish Family Services – Community Garden
LET’S was recommended to the garden coordinator of the Vancouver Jewish Community Garden. LET’S was asked to do a walking tour of the garden and make accessibility suggestions. The Vancouver Jewish Community Garden was established in 2020 through a collaborative effort by Vancouver Talmud Torah, Congregation Beth Israel, and Jewish Family Services and made possible by the Diamond Foundation.

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Rhodes Wellness Workshop
We delivered our Disability Awareness workshop for  Rhodes Wellness College. This college offer counselling  and life coaching training. We were asked to create a  workshop specific to the needs of their future counsellors and  their interactions with disabled, Deaf, and/or neurodivergent  clients.

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North Shore Restorative Justice Society
We were very pleased to be invited back to present our  Disability Awareness workshop for participants in the  North Shore Restorative Justice Society’s Youth Action  Collective. This is a group of youth/young adults who  engage in “a learning and unlearning process surrounding  facilitation and social justice issues”.

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Fortis BC
LET’S delivered 2 Pride Month lunch and learn workshops for  Fortis employees. We held 1 workshop in person and 1  online. We had some tech issues that challenged us but  ultimately, our Gender and Sexuality workshops were very  well received.

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Bakua Consulting Workshop
LET’S’ facilitators Harmony Bongat and Zi Kei delivered their  Neurodiversity 102 to the staff of Bakau Consulting. Neurodiversity 102 gives a brief overview about the  conditions that fall under the umbrella of neurodiversity.  Harmony and Zi talk about the barriers that neurodivergent  people experience and how we can reduce them.

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Apathy is Boring
LET’S, along with Happy Cities, spoke on a panel for the  Apathy is Boring RISE theme panel night. LET’S has  spoken on previous Apathy is Boring panels. They always  have a very enthusiastic and interested audience. Apathy is Boring is an organization founded in 2004, when  a choreographer, a filmmaker, and a fashion photographer  met at a party.

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Mobilizing Justice Webinar
Mobility as More Than Transportation: Exploring  mobility with a human rights, accessibility and gender equity lens. This webinar will explore the basic tenants of what it means  to view mobility through a human rights lens, and how  mobility systems intersect with accessibility rights and  gender equity.

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Save Our HandyDART! Coalition Town Hall
Live Educate Transform Society is working with the Save  Our HandyDART! Coalition to put together a Virtual  Townhall in September. The Save Our HandyDART! coalition is comprised of riders, disability advocates, labour  groups, community organizations, and attendees who are  concerned about Translink’s increased use of taxis to perform HandyDART trips and the service’s lack of public  accountability.

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Victoria Pride
We had a wonderful time at Victoria Pride. The very first  guest who stopped by our tent was having a panic attack. It was their first time attending a public event since coming  out. They were supported by a friend.

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Vancouver Trans Pride March
LET’S was unable to participate in the Vancouver Trans  Pride March as we had several other events happening at  the same time. We did, however, provide the Vancouver  Trans Pride March with some stim toys to give away.

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Vancouver Pride Society Parade
Executive Director, Heather McCain, board member Rebekah  Mahaffey, and future board member Adam (Rebekah’s son)  were excited to be in the Grand Marshal truck. Grand  Marshal’s are typically provided with 3 convertibles but  Heather switched things upby requesting a truck.

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Vancouver Pride Society Festival
LET’S had a booth and a low sensory space at the  Vancouver Pride Society Festival. It was an amazing day. Even before the event started, we had people coming up to  us to share how much the accessibility changes, by  Vancouver Pride Society, meant to them.

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Vancouver Dyke March
LET’S wasn’t able to participate in the Vancouver Dyke  March this year. We did, however, do some advising for the  Dyke March team regarding accessibility.

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Van Vogue Jam Posh Ball
Vancouver Pride Society invited LET’S to create a low  sensory space at the 3rd annual Vancouver Kiki Ballroom  Scene Posh Ball held at Parq Vancouver. Van Vogue Jam in partnership with Vancouver Pride  Society presented a night of ballroom, a series of  competitive categories birthed in NYC (New York City) by communities of Queer, Black and Latinex people.

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New West Pride
New West Pride was the last Pride event of the summer. It  was a blast. We didn’t provide a low sensory space at this  Pride but we did have a LET’S booth. We had great conversations, gave away more stim toys, and let people  know about the great work we are doing.

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Kamloops Pride
Unfortunately, we had to cancel our booth and low sensory  space at the Kamloops Pride because of the travel  restrictions to wildfire zones in the central BC Interior. We  hope to make it next year.

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Fraser Valley Pride
Fraser Valley Pride moved from Abbotsford to Mission this  year, due to safety concerns. LET’S had both a booth for  ourselves and a low sensory space. The Mission location  allowed for a low sensory space well away from the stage  and bustle of the main event.

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Burnaby Pride
LET’S had a table with information about our organization  and our projects. Behind our booth, on a grassy and partially  shaded area, we also had a low sensory tent for event  attendees. The low sensory space was busy throughout the  day.

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Vancouver Pride Parade Route Change
“McCain, who uses a walker, says that seeing a Grand  Marshal with a visible disability and who is also  neurodivergent will go a long way towards making other  disabled and neurodivergent people feel like they belong at  Pride.”

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Vancouver Pride Magazine
LET’S was highlighted on page 14 and 15 on the Vancouver  Pride Magazine in a piece on accessibility. “It’s inspiring that Vancouver Pride has come out and  admitted to not being accessible.

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The Self Advocate Podcast
LET’S was invited to The Self Advocate Podcast to talk with  Alison Klein about their work and its impact on accessibility  for the Vancouver Pride Parade. Also included in the podcast  is Marcelo Ponce, the accessibility and volunteer coordinator  from Vines Arts Festival.

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Pride Flag Raising
As Pride 2023 Grand Marshall, LET’S Executive Director  Heather McCain raised the flag at Vancouver City Hall. Prior to the raising of the flag, there were speeches by city  officials and representatives of Vancouver Pride Society.  LET’S’ Executive Director officially announced our name  change from Creating Accessible Neighbourhoods to Live  Educate Transform Society (LET’S).

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New Route, Same Celebration
"We have a lot of members who have never been to Pride  because of the barriers that were there," explained Heather  McCain, the Grand Marshal for this year’s parade.

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The Polygon Gallery – A Funding Success Story
LET’S delivered our Disability Awareness and Gender &  Sexuality workshops for The Polygon Gallery in 2022.  LET’S also created an accessibility audit and report. We are pleased to report that the gallery successfully applied  for funding to implement the recommendations we made,  particularly upgrading The Polygon Gallery’s interior doors  to an accessible format (from solely manual to a powered  automatic option).

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Vancouver Writers Fest
Vancouver Writers Fest is committed to listening, learning,  and doing the work to make the festival a safer, low-barrier  experience for everyone involved. As part of this ongoing  work, Vancouver Writers Fest has an Accessibility  Roundtable of people with various disabilities, some who are  also neurodivergent. LET’S is proud to be a member of the  roundtable.

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Canadian Feminist Disability Coalition Digital Storytelling Project
LET’S was selected to participate in The Canadian Feminist  Disability Coalition (CFDC) Digital Storytelling Project, an  initiative of the University of Guelph in partnership with the  DisAbled Women’s Network of Canada.

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Beyond the Binary
LET’S is continuing our work with Beyond the Binary, a committee of the Women’s Health Research Initiative  (WHRI). We are a committee of trans, nonbinary, and  gender diverse individuals to identify (1) barriers and  facilitators to gender equitable practices among women’s  health research contexts, (2) priorities for safe, trauma informed engagement.

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Chronically Queer
Chronically Queer continues to hold hybrid meetings. You  can find the information about Chronically Queer and the link to our meetings on our website. Second meeting back  in person. For our in person attendees, we provide stim toys, stuffs,  colouring, and more – all supplies from our low sensory  spaces service.

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Grand Marshal
In recognition of their ongoing work with Vancouver Pride Society, LET’S’ Executive Director was honoured with the  role of Grand Marshal of the Vancouver Pride Parade.  Heather, and LET’S, has been working with Vancouver  Pride Society since 2019.

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Youth Action Collective (North Shore Restorative Justice Society)
LET’S is always excited to get an email from North Shore  Restorative Justice Society. We enjoy engaging with the  youth in their program. Their Youth Action Collective was  formed in 2020 and came out of the gap they noticed in the  North Shore, the fact that there was a lack of spaces/groups  dedicated to youth organizing, by youth.

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Massey Arts Society
LET’S delivered the 2nd of 2 workshops for the staff of  Massy Arts Society. The first was Disability Awareness.  The second was a combination of Disability Justice and  Crip Kindness. This was a great audience of engaged  participants who asked great questions about how they can  integrate accessibility practices into their venue, workplace,  and services.

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Fortis
For Pride Month, Fortis, a previous client, wanted to do a  lunch and learn. LET’S delivered 2 workshops, 1 in person  and 1 online. Both workshops were our Gender and Sexuality  workshop. It was a great audience who had well thought out  questions.

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Hospital Employees Union (HEU)
We were recommended to the Equity and Human Rights  Officer in HEU’s Education and Human Rights Department by  another HEU employee. The Equity and Human Rights Officer  was one of the organizers of the Equity Conference, in Spring  of this year, and had the opportunity to sit in on LET’S’  workshop.

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Technology for Living
LET’S was contacted by the Community Coordinator for  Technology for Living. They explained that they recently  initiated a diversity, inclusion and equity committee and were  looking for speakers who could provide education to our staff.  They were particularly interested in learning more about  neurodivergence.

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Crip Kindness for Poverty Reduction Coalition
Homelessness Services Association (HSABC) and the  Poverty Reduction Coalition (PRC) were adding another  round of virtual anti-oppressive workshops available to their  respective members and they thought of LET’S.

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City of Vancouver Disability Awareness Training
LET’S continued our contract with the City of Vancouver and  offered another session of our Disability Awareness  workshop. In addition to our ongoing training, we are working with the  City to have a recorded version of our training.

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Burnaby Festival of Learning
LET’S was excited to participate in our 3rd Burnaby  Festival of Learning. We taught a Disability Awareness  workshop that invited participants to more fully challenge  ableist notions of how we think about and label our bodies,  minds, and senses.

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Volunteering at AdvoCon
If any members of LETS are interested in volunteering, their  involvement as volunteers would be a gift to the community  and event. AdvoCon needs to fill the roles to make it a great  conference. There is work available online and in person.

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Ticket Discount for AdvoCon
AdvoCon has extended a discount for LETS members.  30% off hybrid tickets – your code: LETS30 (limited tickets  available!) 20% off online tickets – your code: LETS20 AdvoCon also has a financial aid form – if anyone needs  help with finances the conference does their very best to  support them.

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AdvoCon
LETS will be doing our Breaking Barriers workshop at  AdvoCon in October. We will also have a low sensory space  for the 2 days that are in person at the SFU Surrey campus. AdvoCon is an annual education advocacy conference  organized by the BCEdAccess Society, a grassroots, BC  nonprofit society and Canadian charitable organization,  founded in 2014.

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Research Demographics
LET’S was proud of the diverse demographics included in the  46 interviews (we even learned about some new, to us,  identities). Here are some of our demographics: Location: Abbotsford, Burnaby, Chilliwack, Comox Valley, Courteney,  Coquitlam, Kitchner, Ontario, Langley, Nanaimo, Nelson,  Ottawa, Ontario, Pitt Meadows, Richmond, Salmo, Tla’Amin  territory, qathet area, aka Lund, Toronto, Ontario,  Tsawwassen, Vancouver, BC/Unceded Musqueam, Squamish,  Tsleil-waututh, Victoria, West Vancouver, Winlaw Age Range: Teen to 58 Sexuality: Aro/Ace, Aroflux, asexuality, bisexual, butch, demisexual, ethically non-monogamous, gay, gayish queer, lesbian, omnisexual, pansexual,  polysexual, queer Gender: 2 spirit, agender, beyond binary, butch, cis female, depends on day, female, female ish, femme, genders are many, gender fluid, genderqueer,  girl, girl with a question mark and shrug emoji, low fem,  male, male-genderfluid, male (transgender), man, no gender,  non-binary, non-binary woman, not applicable, pangender,  queer, transgender, trans male, transfem, transmisogyny affected (TMA), trans, non-binary, woman, xgender  (connected to Filipino culture) People with more than 1 gender identity: 14 Pronouns: Any pronouns, he/him, he/she, he/they, she/her, she/they,  they/he/keoi (Cantonese), they/she, they/them Race: Black, Black/biracial, Chinese, East-Southeast Asian  (Chinese-Vietnamese), Filipino, Indigenous, Japanese,  Jewish, Latin/Latino/Latinx, mixed, mixed (white and Central  American Indigenous), South Asian, white/white Settler Disclosed Immigrants (5) Approximate Income: No personal income to $91,000 Highest Education (does not need to be completed): Did not graduate high school, completed high school,  certificates, college, culinary school, bachelors, diplomas,  post graduate, masters, doctorate, trade/technical/ vocational training

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Realize
LET’S is working with Realize on a research project. In  June, we put a call out for participants and received an  amazing amount of people willing to share their stories. In a 2 week period, we did 46 interviews.

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East Side Pride
LET’S did the low sensory booth for Vancouver Pride Society at East Side Pride. It was such a hit that LET’S was  asked to do it both days of the Vancouver Pride Festival,  at Burnaby Pride, the Vancouver Dyke March, and at Victoria Pride.

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Chronically Queer
LET’S worked with GeekDesign to create a logo for  Chronically Queer. We are very happy with our brand new  logo. The C is made up people (heads and arms only)  supporting one another, each in a colour of the Progress Pride  flag.

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JQT’S BC Jewish Queer & Trans Oral History
In 2022, LET’S proudly offered a grant to JQT for their work  on the BC Jewish Queer & Trans Oral History. In May, LET’S was honored to be invited to the official launch of the online  exhibit of the BC Jewish Queer & Trans Oral History Project.  LET’S is so excited to see this project go live.

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Beyond the Binary Grant
In February, LET’S was a co applicant on a grant to continue the work of the Beyond the Binary committee. In May, we heard that our application had been  successful. Yay! From the application: The overall goal of this Planning and  Dissemination project is to inform  nationally acceptable and feasible  guidance and resources to  advance patient-oriented, trauma-informed women’s health  research.

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Mainland Community Services Society Conversation
LET’S worked with Mainland Community Services Society (MCSS) to develop, host, and speak at a National  AccessAbility Week celebration dialogue entitled “Creating  Inclusive Communities”. The event’s goal was to provide an  enriching experience built on the foundations of equity,  knowledge, and lived expertise.

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Vancouver Pride parade moves East by Phoebe Fuller
Excerpt: After returning from a three-year pandemic-induced hiatus in 2022, parade organizers turned to the event with an increased focus on inclusion. Last season was the first time that Pride hired a dedicated accessibility co-ordinator.

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New site, new route, extra day on deck for Vancouver Pride events in 2023 by Elizabeth McSheffrey
Excerpt: “Heather McCain of Live, Educate, Transform Society — formerly Creating Accessible Neighbourhoods — welcomed the changes to the route and festival. “The new festival location is a much-needed change,” she said. “We are excited that there is flat access without fills, concrete, less grass, and no sand in passive travel …

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Announcing Big Changes at Press Conference
On May 4th, Live Educate Transform Society did a joint press conference with Vancouver Pride Society (VPS) to announce 2 big changes to this year’s Vancouver Pride events. LET’S has been working with Vancouver Pride Society since 2019.

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Vancouver Writers Fest Accessibility Roundtable
Our June meeting was filled with discussion regarding committee members’ recommendations from the 2022 event and priorities for the upcoming festival. Priorities include: • Volunteer training • Venue information • Input on ASL Events • Program Guide input • Accessibility Statement We look forward to our continued involvement in the committee and to the upcoming Writers Fest (October).

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National Guiding Circle – HIV, Disability and Deaf Communities Meeting
A health inequity consistently flagged in Realize’s ongoing consultations with the HIV, disability and deaf communities across Canada are people’s experience of persistent ableism in accessing sexual health information, supports and services including those related to HIV, Hep C and other STBBI.

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Canadian Feminist Disability Coalition National Meet and Greet
Participating in the Canadian Feminist Disability Coalition (CFDC) national meet and greet was a great opportunity to meet like-minded individuals who share passion for advocacy and peer support work.

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Beyond the Binary
LET’S participated in a Beyond the Binary meeting. The goals of the meeting were to review the Beyond the Binary Canada goals, provide an overview/update of Beyond the Binary in BC outputs, discuss and identify additional partners (local community members, organizations, others), and summarize action items.

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UBC Student Support & Advising
LET’S was contacted by a person who had previously attended 1 of our workshops. They work at UBC and work with students, both online and in person. They inquired into the cost and process of our accessibility audits.

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Massy Arts Society Accessibility Audit
CAN (LET’S) did an accessibility audit of Massy Arts Society venue. “Located in the historic Ming Wo building in Vancouver’s Chinatown, Massy Arts Society is a ground-level, wheelchair-accessible space featuring an interior gallery space and a window gallery.

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Canadian Feminist Disability Coalition
Creating Accessible Neighborhoods (Live Educate Transform Society) has been asked, and has accepted, to join the Canadian Feminist Disability Coalition (CFDC), a 30 month pan-Canadian systemic change project established by the Live Work Well Research Centre at the University of Guelph, in collaborative partnership with civil society organizations and stakeholders to build the leadership and advocacy skills of diverse women and girls with disabilities to become agents of change for their rights in Canada.

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Massey Arts Society
CAN/LETS was excited to deliver 2 workshops to the staff of Massy Arts Society. The first was Disability Awareness. The second was a combination of Disability Justice and Crip Kindness. This was a great audience of engaged participants who asked great questions about how they can integrate accessibility practices into their venue, workplace, and services.

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HEU Equity Conference
CAN/LETS debuted a workshop at the HEU’s (Hospital Employees Union) Equity Conference. Harmony Bongat, researcher, content creator, and facilitator, adapted their Queer + Trans History workshop and created a Queer + Trans History Trivia Game.

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Disability Consultation for Children’s Book
Over the 18 years of CAN’s (now LET’S) existence, we have had many requests for services. We were excited to receive a new type of request. We were emailed: “I am an author / illustrator living on Vancouver Island and I am in the process of writing a grant application.

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Groundswell Alternative Business School
We were contacted by Groundswell, who said they heard great things about our workshop. They were interested in holding a Disability Awareness workshop for staff. Following the workshop, we received the following compliment: "Thanks so much for the informative and important workshop.

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Egale Combo Workshop
We were contacted by Egale, following staff voicing their wanting to learn more about Disability Justice and neurodiversity. After communicating with their contact, we decided it would be best to present a workshop that introduction information about Disability Awareness, Disability Justice, and Neurodiversity at Work.

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Citadel Theatre
CAN/LET’S was contacted by a producer at Citadel Theatre (located in Edmonton). They hired us to deliver a Disability Awareness workshop regarding how they could best meet the needs of disabled audience members, staff, artists and other building users.

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Chinese Canadian Museum
CAN/LET’S was very excited to have the opportunity to deliver a Disability Awareness workshop for the Chinese Canadian Museum. This museum is the first of its kind in Canada. They are located in Chinatown, Vancouver.

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Abt Associates
CAN/LET’S delivered a Disability Pride workshop for Abt Associates. As described on their website “Abt Associates is an engine for social impact, fueled by caring, curiosity and cutting-edge research that moves people from vulnerability to security.

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Neurodiversity 102
This workshop is a level 2 class and pairs well with our Neurodiversity 101 class, which covers the basics about neurodiversity. In the 101 workshop, we give definitions, discuss language, talk about different models of neurodiversity and discuss what conditions fall under the umbrella of neurodiversity.

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Neurodiversity 101
Neurodiversity 101 offers you a look at what neurodiversity is. We will give definitions, discuss language, talk about different models of neurodiversity and the neurodiversity paradigm and discuss what conditions fall under the umbrella of neurodiversity, with an in-depth look into Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism, Developmental Language Disorders (DLDs), Sensory Processing Disorders (SPDs) and Mental Health conditions.

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2 New Workshops
CAN/LET’S is proud to have 2 new workshops Neurodiversity 101 and 102. Both workshops were researched and created by Harmony Bongat and Zi Kei Ho, people with lived expertise. Neurodivergent workshop created by Zi and Harmony Bongat

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Patient and Community Partnership for Education
CAN/LETS participated in the consultation to gather perspectives from patients and community members on the priority health concerns in British Columbia and how future physicians should be trained to meet these needs.

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Organizational Stigma Assessment Cycle Project
CAN/LET’S has been working with PAN (Pacific Aids Network) on the Organizational Stigma Assessment Cycle Project (OSAC). They recently published Exploring the Language of Stigma Reduction on their website.

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Vancouver Pride Society Consultation
Live Educate Transform Society (formerly Creating Accessible Neighbourhoods) went on a tour, with Vancouver Pride Society, of the new parade route and festival location. We worked with them on imagining how the new festival space could be designed.

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Ethical Engagement with Transgender + Gender Diverse Folks
EnGAGE stands for Ethical partnerships with transGender And Gender diverse communities for conducting pharmacoEpidemiologic research. This project is aimed at ethically engaging transgender and gender-diverse populations in pharmacoepidemiology research.

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Organization Name Change
June will be the 18th anniversary of Creating Accessible Neighbourhoods. It is hard to fathom that what started as a single issue organization has become an organization with workshop participants from around the world.

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Vancouver Pride Society Changes Route and Festival Location Based on CAN/LET’S’ Work
In 2019, CAN/LET’S worked with VPS, doing accessibility audits on all their Pride events, including having a team of 15 at the Vancouver Pride Parade. We are very proud to announce that, as a direct result of the work we did and the recommendations and feedback we offered, the Vancouver Pride Society has changed the parade route and location of their festival.

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Providing Anti-Oppressive Health Care
CAN/LET’S was part of a focus group, hosted by the Medical Council of Canada (MCC), regarding their development of a new Examination Objective. They were seeking input from patients and health care professionals.

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Planetary Health Integration Project
CAN (LET’S) participated in the Planetary Health Integration Project. We were thanked for our input and told it was of great value. Using the data from the focus groups and interviews recommendations were created to share with UBC Faculty of Medicine and put them into action.

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Neurodiversity and Accessibility Practice in through Work Integrated Learning
CAN/LETS’ Executive Director, Heather McCain, spoke on a panel at FutureWave 2023. FutureWave was a free, hybrid, 2-day digital event exploring the future of the tech workforce in Canada hosted at the Microsoft Canada Waterfront Office in Vancouver.

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Pathways to Independence Sexual Health Peer Talk
Creating Accessible Neighbourhoods’ (Live Educate Transform Society’s) Executive Director, Heather, spoke on this online peer discussion panel on sexual health. Heather did a brief presentation on the 2SLGBTQIA+ sexualities.

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Mandating Anti-Racism Education
Creating Accessible Neighbourhoods (Live Educate Transform Society), among other organizations, signed on to the open letter. The following is an abbreviated version: Dear Minister Rachna Singh (Parliamentary Secretary for Anti- Racism Initiatives),

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Pathways to Independence
CAN (LET’S) was invited to speak with a peer group, hosted by Pathways to Independence, on the topic of sexual health. Our presenter gave an overview of the identities under the 2SLGBTQIA+ umbrella. They also spoke of their personal experience as an asexual, aromantic, queer, non-binary person.

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Partnering with Patients, Caregivers and Learners to Develop Virtual Care Educational Products
CAN (LET’S) was invited to take part in a follow-up focus group to provide input on how to evaluate the process of the Virtual Care Educational Products project. The evaluation team wanted to gather perspectives from patients, caregivers and learners experience in participating in this research project.

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Women Transforming Cities’ Open Letter
CAN (LET’S) was proud to sign on to Women Transforming Cities’ open letter to the Vancouver City council. However, we wish it weren’t necessary for organizations to write open letters like these, requesting investments in equity.

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Bakau Consulting Accessible Facilitation Workshop
In February, CAN (LET’S) facilitated an Accessible Facilitation workshop for Bakau’s Facilitation Certification Program. We have presented this workshop with Bakau in the past and will again in the future.

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Vancouver Pride Society Accessibility Audits
CAN (LET’S) and Vancouver Pride Society have been working together since CAN (LET’S) was hired in 2019 to do accessibility audits of their events. In February, we met with Joseph, their Community Engagement Manager.

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Capilano University Disability Awareness Workshop
CAN (LET’S) was hired by the manager of Student Affairs of Capilano University to deliver a Disability Awareness workshop. This department oversees mental health and wellbeing, sexual violence, EDI (equity, diversity, inclusion), orientation and engagement for the university.

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Beyond the Binary Grant
About grant: “The overall goal of this Planning and Dissemination project is to inform nationally acceptable and feasible guidance and resources to advance gender-equitable, patient-oriented, trauma-informed women’s health research.

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Open Access Foundation for Arts & Culture(OAFAC)
Guided by the principles of Disability Justice, OAFAC is a BC-based, pandemic-era cultural organization that aims to set a new cultural standard for accessibility by nurturing creative and justice-oriented accessibility practices.

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Organizational Stigma Assessment Cycle Project (OSAC)
One of the core values that shapes PAN’s work is to challenge stigma and discrimination, and a new step in this work is the Organizational Stigma Assessment Cycle Project (OSAC). OSAC will support organizations to learn where they may unintentionally be contributing to experiences of stigma and discrimination, and identify areas for growth and change.

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Beyond the Binary Community Steering Committee
People across the gender spectrum benefit from research framed as “women’s health”. And, cis women benefit from research that includes people with diverse gender and sex characteristics. In 2019, the WHRI (Women’s Health Research Institute) began featuring examples of gender-equitable research practice through our Beyond the Binary web stories.

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Beyond the Binary Project
The Beyond the Binary in BC Project grant term has come to an end. The report to funders was due March 31st. As part of this submission, they have to provide the latest version of their Resource Package, of which CAN (lET’S) contributed to.

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City of Vancouver Disability Awareness Workshop
CAN (LET’S) continues our 1 year contract with the City of Vancouver. In January, we presented our Front Line Staff Disability Awareness workshop. We discussed the brand spectrum of disability and adaptive equipment.

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Pulled Out of SIXPO (Sexuality, Inclusion and Exploration)
Sixpo is a free festival organized by and for folks with disabilities, where topics related to relationships and sexual wellness are discussed. CAN was originally going to offer 2 workshops, Gender & Sexuality and Queer + Trans History Trivia, and have an in person Chronically Queer session.

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Bringing Patients and Society Back into the Social Accountability of a Medical School
In 2022, CAN (LET’S) took part in a patient / public consultation focus group for the project “Bringing patients and society back into the social accountability of a medical school.” 1 of the questions at the focus group was about guiding principles for engagement and as a consequence of the consultations 8 guiding principles have been identified.

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In May, CAN participated in S.U.C.C.E.S.S.’s event Dismantling Barriers and Foster Anti-Racism. We delivered our Disability Awareness and Disability Justice workshops. The event included three weeks of engaging activities to deepen understanding about the importance of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in our communities.

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Basic Income BC
In May, CAN (LET’S) granted $1,500 to JQT (Jewish Queer Trans – pronounced J cutie) for phase II of their "On The Record: The BC Jewish Queer & Trans Oral History Project" About the project: JQT Vancouver and The Jewish Museum and Archives of BC are excited to embark on this important partnership project to make our community archives more inclusive and complete.

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Grant: Indian Residential School Survivors Society
CAN (LET’S) has donated a grant of $1,500 to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS). CAN (LET’S) recognizes that Indigenous people have higher rates of disability to those who are not Indigenous.

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Homelessness Services Association of BC. Learn + Connect Series
Creating Accessible Neighbourhoods (Live Educate Transform Society’s) Executive Director, Heather McCain, will be moderating an event for the Homelessness Services Association of BC. Learn + Connect Series on Homelessness People with Disabilities, July 15.

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Burnaby Intercultural Planning Table
CAN (LET’S) launched 2 new workshops: Queer + Trans History BC and Queer + Trans History Canada. We partnered with Burnaby Intercultural Planning Table to host the workshops in July. Since 2007, The Burnaby Intercultural Planning Table (BIPT) has been collaborating with immigrant and refugee service providers to create dialogue to identify the needs of newcomers and share resources that will enhance their integration and settlement in our community.

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Vancouver Pride Workshops
Vancouver Pride Society offered CAN (LET’S) a grant to research, create, and teach 2 new workshops: Queer + Trans History BC and Queer + Trans History Canada. We delivered the workshop to a great audience as part of Pride season.  

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Queer and Trans Conversations about Disability Leadership
To mark PrideMonth, Realize hosted ‘Queer and Trans Conversations about Disability Leadership’. This session, part of the Real Talk with Realize series, was hosted by Melissa Egan, National Lead, Episodic Disabilities at Realize and moderated by Heather McCain (they/them), Executive Director of Creating Accessible Neighbourhoods (Live Educate Transform Society) in Vancouver BC.

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Patient & Community Partnership for Education
Creating Accessible Neighbourhoods (Live Educate Transform Society) participated in a consultation with the Patient & Community Partnership for Education at UBC. The consultation gathered perspectives from patients and community members on the priority health concerns in British Columbia and how we should be training future physicians to meet theses needs.

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SWAN (Stakeholder’s Walkability/Wheelability in Neighbourhoods) Tool
Several CAN (LET’S) members participated in a discussion of the SWAN (Stakeholder’s Walkability/Wheelability in Neighbourhoods) tool. This tool was created thought the Canadian Disability Participation Project, with consultation by CAN (LET’S).

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ConnecTogether Presentation
In May 2020, ConnecTogether started as an online program that brings workshops, interactive live streams and presentations to our community. They have had reoccurring sessions on meditation, nutrition, adaptive fitness, mental health and more.

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Let’s Talk Stigma Reduction Event
Creating Accessible Neighbourhoods (Live Educate Transform Society) created a video about our organization and work to break stigma about disability for Pacific AIDS Network’s Let’s Talk Stigma Reduction event.

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Community Forum on Built Environment
CAN (LET’S) participated on a panel at ConnecTra Society’s Accessible Community Forum on Built Environment. Presented by the Disability Foundation and hosted by the, the Accessible Community Forum was an online event that brought organizations together to learn from the disability community about the various barriers they face.

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The Polygon Gallery Audit and Workshops
CAN was hired by The Polygon Gallery in North Vancouver to do an accessibility audit of their venue and teach our Disability Awareness and Intro to Gender + Sexuality workshops for their staff. The Polygon is a vibrant art institution that inspires and provokes cultural insight through adventurous programming.

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Burnaby Pride Survives and Thrives with Virtual Programming
Burnaby Now did a spotlight on Burnaby Pride’s plan for their 2021 Pride event. CAN’s (LET’S’) Executive Director is Co-Chair of Burnaby Pride and spoke about how they are excited that Burnaby Pride will keep some online access post-pandemic for accessibility.

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The Best Parks for People with Disabilities Aren’t in Vancouver
CAN’s (LET’S’) Executive Director, Heather McCain, was quoted by The Tyee in their recent article about the need for more accessible parks. From article: “My first question when I’m working with a client is, accessibility to whom?” says Heather McCain, founder and executive director of Creating Accessible Neighbourhoods, an organization led primarily by disabled people that consults on services like accessibility audits.

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Digital Accessibility for People with Disabilities
CAN’s (LET’S) Executive Director, Heather McCain, spoke on a panel about how governments can better improve enforce and advance digital accessibility among people with disabilities. The event was hosted by put on by Ryerson (Toronto Metropolitan University) Leadership Lab, an action-oriented think tank based at Ryerson (Toronto Metropolitan) University.

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New Workshops
CAN (LET’S) has launched our two new workshops: Queer + Trans History BC and Queer + Trans History Canada. This workshop will take participants through some of British Columbia’s milestone moments in 2SLGBTQIA+ history.

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Grant for Jewish Queer & Trans Oral History Project
In May, CAN (LET’S) granted $1,500 to JQT (Jewish Queer Trans – pronounced J cutie) for phase II of their "On The Record: The BC Jewish Queer & Trans Oral History Project" About the project: JQT Vancouver and The Jewish Museum and Archives of BC are excited to embark on this important partnership project to make our community archives more inclusive and complete.

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Dismantling Barriers and Foster Anti-Racism
In May, CAN participated in S.U.C.C.E.S.S.’s event Dismantling Barriers and Foster Anti-Racism. We delivered our Disability Awareness and Disability Justice workshops. The event included three weeks of engaging activities to deepen understanding about the importance of justice, equity, and diversity in our communities.  

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Chill Foundation
CAN (LET’S) delivered our Disability Awareness workshop with staff from the Chill Foundation. CAN (LET’S) also reviewed Chill Foundation’s volunteer training material to ensure it was accessible and used no ableist language.  

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Cycle BC
CAN (LET’S) was contacted by a consultant at Cycle BC. They are working on the Strategic Plan for the next ten years. They are trying to capture as many perspectives as possible. They noticed that they didn’t have much input from disabled people.

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City of Vancouver Scenario Planning Engagement
CAN (LET’S) was 1 of several community organizations who was invited to participate in Scenario Planning Engagement with the City of Vancouver for their plan. This a long-term, strategic and actionable Vancouver Plan – a plan that enables individuals, communities, and future generations to thrive.

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Basic Income BC
CAN (LET’S) has joined Basic Income BC (BIBC). BIBC advocates "for a national basic income guarantee so that everyone can live with dignity, regardless of work status." BIBc is part of a network across Canada advocating for a livable basic income guarantee for those who need it, regardless of their work status. "A basic income guarantee ensures everyone has an income sufficient to meet their basic needs and live with dignity, regardless of work status.

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Capital Pride’s EDUCATE Series
CAN (LET’S) delivered a Disability Awareness workshop for (Ottawa) Capital Pride’s (Ottawa) EDUCATE series. We were excited to be part of a series that helped speak to a wide range of 2SLGBTQIA+ issues and experiences.

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UBC CAPACity – Transportation Justice
UBC CAPACity is a student-led initiative that aims to bring together undergraduate students interested in city planning and its various branches. The club strives to serve as a gateway for people to seek and find opportunities in the field, share knowledge around urban issues locally and globally, and build networks.

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BikeMaps.org Consultation
CAN (LET’S) participated in a key informant interview with BikeMaps.org BikeMaps.org is a pan-Canadian group of researchers who have an interest in active transportation. They were recently awarded funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada to create a platform that focuses on the pedestrian environment.

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Make A Stand: An Introduction to Advocacy
The Bridge Disability Expo (formerly Opening Doors For Accessibility) is a conference series held virtually across six cities over six days and dedicated entirely to Canadians living with disabilities.

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Disability Awareness Workshop + Book Suggestions
Burnaby Pride is expanding their program to include events every other month. For their first event, CAN (LET’S) partnered with them to deliver a Disability Awareness workshop to the public. Burnaby Pride also partnered with Rob Bittner, who will be making book recommendations for all of the bimonthly events.

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New Role: City of Vancouver’s UN Safe City & Safe Public Initiative
CAN (LET’S) also has two representatives, Heather McCain and Harmony Bongat, on the newly formed City of Vancouver’s UN Safe City & Safe Public Spaces initiative. This project aims to address sexual violence and sexual harassment against women, girls, trans, Two Spirit, non-binary, and gender diverse people in public spaces.

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January + February Workshops
Adler University – Two Disability Awareness session with a focus on academia. Cygnus Design Group – We gave a presentation on wayfinding in hospitals. 2021 is the third year that CAN has had a UBC intern, a student who helps with projects.

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New Role: Open Access Foundation for Arts & Culture
CAN (LET’S) has a new role on the board of Open Access Foundation for Arts & Culture. The purpose of the organization is to set a new cultural standard for accessibility in the arts by supporting creative and justice-oriented approaches to care and participation in a landscape of prescriptive programs and restrictive regimes.

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Priority Health Concerns in BC & the Training of Future Physicians Consultation
Creating Accessible Neighbourhoods (Live Educate Transform Society) participated in a consultation with the Patient & Community Partnership for Education at UBC. The consultation gathered perspectives from patients and community members on the priority health concerns in British Columbia and how we should be training future physicians to meet theses needs.

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BC Disability Games Current Terminology Video
In 2009, Heather McCain, Founder-Executive Director of Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods [Live Educate Transform Society] created videos for the volunteers and organizers of the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows BC Disability Games.

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BC Disability Games Tips Video
In 2009, Heather McCain, Founder-Executive Director of Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods [Live Educate Transform Society] created videos for the volunteers and organizers of the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows BC Disability Games.

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Pain Management
From the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Chronic Pain Support Group (2003 – 2008), written by Heather McCain When all the tests are done – when you have visited the many specialists required to make a diagnosis – when you have an idea what your pain is – and when you know that your pain is not going to go away, you are left with Pain Management.

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What This Support Group Means to Me
From the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Chronic Pain Support Group (2003 – 2008), written by Heather McCain I heard an oral fable told that I will try to transcribe into written word, as it truly captured what happens for me during our meetings each month. “A group of people met one evening.

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Founding of Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods/Live Educate Transform Society
Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods (CAN) was formed in 2005 based on the need to have an organization to advocate for a transit inaccessibility issue. Our founder, Heather McCain (they/them), was excited to finally have a power wheelchair which would allow them access to their friends, medical appointments, volunteering, and the broader community.

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