News - Live Educate Transform Society

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:

Tamarack Institute

August 29, 2024

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.

ConsultationFacilitation

International Overdose Awareness Day

August 28, 2024

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.

Low Sensory Spaces

Virtual Care Podcast

August 28, 2024

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.

Media

Kamloops Pride 2024

August 25, 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.

Low Sensory SpacesPride Events

Upcoming New Website

August 25, 2024

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.

Additional Posts

Vantage Point Summer Social

August 22, 2024

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.

Low Sensory Spaces

Hummingbird Feminist Disability Coalition

August 21, 2024

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.

Committees

New West Pride 2024

August 17, 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.

Additional Posts

Home Sharing Support Society BC

August 15, 2024

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!

Workshops

Salal Imposter Snydrome Workshop

August 13, 2024

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.

Workshops

Vancouver PrideFest 2024

August 3, 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.

Low Sensory SpacesPride Events

Canada Pride Human Rights Summit

August 1, 2024

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.

Low Sensory SpacesPride Events

Vancouver Foundation’s Just and Sustainable Futures Fund

August 1, 2024

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.

Consultation

Beyond the Binary

July 29, 2024

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.

Additional PostsCommitteesConsultation

Burnaby Pride 2024

July 20, 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.

Low Sensory SpacesPride Events

Fraser Valley Pride 2024

July 13, 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.

Low Sensory SpacesPride Events

United Way Period Promise Campaign at Victoria Pride 2024

July 5, 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.

ConsultationPride Events

Victoria Pride 2024

July 5, 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.

Low Sensory SpacesPride Events

United Way 2025 Leadership Fellows

June 28, 2024

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.

Additional Posts

Fortis BC Gender & Sexuality, Queer + Trans History Pride Month Workshop

June 27, 2024

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.

Workshops

Letter to Vancouver Pride Society

April 30, 2024

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.

Pride Events

ConnectFest

April 28, 2024

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.

Workshops

LET’S Staff Workshop

April 26, 2024

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!

Workshops

Health Sciences Association of BC

April 24, 2024

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.

Workshops

Fraser Valley Pride Meeting

April 22, 2024

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.

Low Sensory SpacesPride Events

Low Sensory Space at Kwantlen Polytechnic University During Exam Week

April 21, 2024

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.

Low Sensory Spaces

CBC Interview – Canada Disability Benefit

April 17, 2024

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.

Media

Queer Leaders Meeting at City Hall

April 16, 2024

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.

CommitteesConversations

Low Sensory Night at The Polygon Gallery

April 10, 2024

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

ConsultationLow Sensory Spaces

Hospital Employees Union

April 3, 2024

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.

Workshops

Beyond the Binary

March 30, 2024

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.

CommitteesConversationsResearch

Fierté Pride Conference Presentation

March 8, 2024

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.

Workshops

Conversation about Disability and Climate Change

March 1, 2024

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.

Conversations

Basic Income BC

October 8, 2021

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.

Grants

Homelessness Services Association of BC. Learn + Connect Series

July 21, 2021

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.

FacilitationSpeaking

SWAN (Stakeholder’s Walkability/Wheelability in Neighbourhoods) Tool

June 15, 2021

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).

Consultation

ConnecTogether Presentation

June 13, 2021

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.

Speaking

Let’s Talk Stigma Reduction Event

June 11, 2021

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.

Speaking

Community Forum on Built Environment

June 1, 2021

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.

Speaking

The Polygon Gallery Audit and Workshops

June 1, 2021

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.

Accessibility AuditsWorkshops

Burnaby Pride Survives and Thrives with Virtual Programming

May 21, 2021

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.

MediaPride Events

The Best Parks for People with Disabilities Aren’t in Vancouver

May 21, 2021

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.

Media

Grant for Jewish Queer & Trans Oral History Project

May 8, 2021

Grants

Cycle BC

April 21, 2021

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.

Consultation

City of Vancouver Scenario Planning Engagement

April 12, 2021

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.

Consultation

Basic Income BC

April 9, 2021

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.

Committees

Capital Pride’s EDUCATE Series

April 6, 2021

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.

Pride EventsWorkshops

UBC CAPACity – Transportation Justice

March 24, 2021

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.

Speaking

BikeMaps.org Consultation

March 3, 2021

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.

Consultation

Make A Stand: An Introduction to Advocacy

February 25, 2021

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.

Speaking

Disability Awareness Workshop + Book Suggestions

February 20, 2021

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.

Pride EventsWorkshops

New Role: City of Vancouver’s UN Safe City & Safe Public Initiative

February 1, 2021

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.

Committees

January + February Workshops

January 30, 2021

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.

Workshops

New Role: Open Access Foundation for Arts & Culture

January 23, 2021

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.

Committees

Priority Health Concerns in BC & the Training of Future Physicians Consultation

January 15, 2020

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.

Consultation

BC Disability Games Current Terminology Video

August 5, 2009

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.

Media

BC Disability Games Tips Video

August 5, 2009

Media

Pain Management

September 23, 2008

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.

Media

What This Support Group Means to Me

August 23, 2008

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.

Media

Founding of Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods/Live Educate Transform Society

June 15, 2005

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.

Consultation