LiveWorkPlay / VivreTravaillerJouer
@liveworkplay.bsky.social
Helping the Ottawa area community welcome and include people with intellectual disabilities, autistic persons, and individuals with a dual diagnosis to live, work, and play as valued citizens.
Today the final quarterly meeting of the LiveWorkPlay Federal Employment Strategy Group was another extraordinary 60 minutes; formal speaking roles today: Mary Gusella, Emile Tompa, W. Francis Fung, Anna Nelson, Joëlle Perrier-Olsen, Sherrise Turgeon, Céline Henrie, Joshua Gray, and Ashleigh Benson.
November 26, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Today the final quarterly meeting of the LiveWorkPlay Federal Employment Strategy Group was another extraordinary 60 minutes; formal speaking roles today: Mary Gusella, Emile Tompa, W. Francis Fung, Anna Nelson, Joëlle Perrier-Olsen, Sherrise Turgeon, Céline Henrie, Joshua Gray, and Ashleigh Benson.
vimeo.com/1127546811/9...
The Future of Supports in Inclusive Hiring: Innovative Practices from the Field (Original broadcast October 8, 2025)
Anna Nelson (LiveWorkPlay)
Oly Backstrom (SCE Lifeworks)
Charmaine McIntyre (Inclusion Alberta)
The Future of Supports in Inclusive Hiring: Innovative Practices from the Field (Original broadcast October 8, 2025)
Anna Nelson (LiveWorkPlay)
Oly Backstrom (SCE Lifeworks)
Charmaine McIntyre (Inclusion Alberta)
November 26, 2025 at 3:06 AM
vimeo.com/1127546811/9...
The Future of Supports in Inclusive Hiring: Innovative Practices from the Field (Original broadcast October 8, 2025)
Anna Nelson (LiveWorkPlay)
Oly Backstrom (SCE Lifeworks)
Charmaine McIntyre (Inclusion Alberta)
The Future of Supports in Inclusive Hiring: Innovative Practices from the Field (Original broadcast October 8, 2025)
Anna Nelson (LiveWorkPlay)
Oly Backstrom (SCE Lifeworks)
Charmaine McIntyre (Inclusion Alberta)
This year's Disability and Work in Canada conference is coming up fast, and LiveWorkPlay will be a part of it with an exciting and challenging panel on Inclusive Employment Accountability with representatives from Innovation, Science, and Economic Development (ISED) and Ready, Willing and Able (RWA)
November 21, 2025 at 8:45 PM
This year's Disability and Work in Canada conference is coming up fast, and LiveWorkPlay will be a part of it with an exciting and challenging panel on Inclusive Employment Accountability with representatives from Innovation, Science, and Economic Development (ISED) and Ready, Willing and Able (RWA)
Another very busy week for the LiveWorkPlay team was capped off today with a presentation by co-leader Keenan Wellar on Just Enough Support as part of the WE Inspire online conference. Over 100 students from 12 different Developmental Services Worker college programs were in attendanc!
November 21, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Another very busy week for the LiveWorkPlay team was capped off today with a presentation by co-leader Keenan Wellar on Just Enough Support as part of the WE Inspire online conference. Over 100 students from 12 different Developmental Services Worker college programs were in attendanc!
Absolutely massive news out of British Columbia, they have ended this practice that forces people to choose between love and food. This is a gross injustice that inexplicably continues in various parts of Canada in 2025.
plan.ca/2025/11/13/a...
plan.ca/2025/11/13/a...
Fairness for Couples on Disability Assistance in British Columbia - Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network
PLAN is very happy to share some encouraging news from the Province of British Columbia. Starting December 1, 2025, couples where both partners receive disability assistance will no longer receive […]
plan.ca
November 14, 2025 at 4:15 AM
Absolutely massive news out of British Columbia, they have ended this practice that forces people to choose between love and food. This is a gross injustice that inexplicably continues in various parts of Canada in 2025.
plan.ca/2025/11/13/a...
plan.ca/2025/11/13/a...
Check out this feature in the latest Menu Magazine from our amazing employnent partner Calypso Theme Waterpark represented by Director of Human Resources Sandra Lalonde. You can read the full article online, it includes two very familiar faces, Shelby and Carl!
November 14, 2025 at 4:13 AM
Check out this feature in the latest Menu Magazine from our amazing employnent partner Calypso Theme Waterpark represented by Director of Human Resources Sandra Lalonde. You can read the full article online, it includes two very familiar faces, Shelby and Carl!
This is the 110th anniversary of John McCrae's poem "In Flanders Fields" thank you to the amazing students of Mount Royal Public School in the Peel District School Board for sharing their rendition of the poem with us.
November 14, 2025 at 4:12 AM
This is the 110th anniversary of John McCrae's poem "In Flanders Fields" thank you to the amazing students of Mount Royal Public School in the Peel District School Board for sharing their rendition of the poem with us.
Janet Balcome and Joshua Balanaser were just two many LiveWorkPlay members, volunteers, staff, and supporters in attendance for the amazing Atlético Ottawa victory in the Canadian Premier League championship in Ottawa! They had a great view of the snow clearance team and of course the winning goal!🏆
November 14, 2025 at 4:11 AM
Janet Balcome and Joshua Balanaser were just two many LiveWorkPlay members, volunteers, staff, and supporters in attendance for the amazing Atlético Ottawa victory in the Canadian Premier League championship in Ottawa! They had a great view of the snow clearance team and of course the winning goal!🏆
Breaking news! Kenny Hayes will perform at our members-only (and invited guests) Festive Family Gathering on Friday, December 12!
November 7, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Breaking news! Kenny Hayes will perform at our members-only (and invited guests) Festive Family Gathering on Friday, December 12!
Martin Couture and Frances Laube purchased this beauty straight from the farmer's pumpkin patch! They decided on a challenging cat design, carved to perfection, and ready to go for tomorrow. Happy Halloween!
- Photos by Mikayla Young, LiveWorkPlay Community Supports Team
- Photos by Mikayla Young, LiveWorkPlay Community Supports Team
October 31, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Martin Couture and Frances Laube purchased this beauty straight from the farmer's pumpkin patch! They decided on a challenging cat design, carved to perfection, and ready to go for tomorrow. Happy Halloween!
- Photos by Mikayla Young, LiveWorkPlay Community Supports Team
- Photos by Mikayla Young, LiveWorkPlay Community Supports Team
Co-Leader Keenan Wellar was pleased to join in this webinar "Integrated Employment Services in Ontario: Challenges and Opportunities for Job Seekers with Intellectual Disabilities" hosted by Community Living Ontario's Shawn Pegg, and Ines de Escallon from the Family Support Network for Employment.
October 28, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Co-Leader Keenan Wellar was pleased to join in this webinar "Integrated Employment Services in Ontario: Challenges and Opportunities for Job Seekers with Intellectual Disabilities" hosted by Community Living Ontario's Shawn Pegg, and Ines de Escallon from the Family Support Network for Employment.
Amazing news! LiveWorkPlay is thrilled to report the 50th indeterminate hire that we have supported for people with intellectual disabilities and autistic persons in the federal public service! Full story: liveworkplay.ca/2025/10/23/50/
October 23, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Amazing news! LiveWorkPlay is thrilled to report the 50th indeterminate hire that we have supported for people with intellectual disabilities and autistic persons in the federal public service! Full story: liveworkplay.ca/2025/10/23/50/
A productive Public Service Neurodiversity Week continues for the LiveWorkPlay team! For Wednesday and Thursday we are thrilled to be with the team at Accessibility Standards Canada hosting a workshop on Creating Welcome Workplaces, with a specific focus on people with intellectual disabilities.
October 22, 2025 at 10:00 PM
A productive Public Service Neurodiversity Week continues for the LiveWorkPlay team! For Wednesday and Thursday we are thrilled to be with the team at Accessibility Standards Canada hosting a workshop on Creating Welcome Workplaces, with a specific focus on people with intellectual disabilities.
Naim Abdallah released his four-song EP at the monthly John Howard Society of Ottawa Coffee House “This Is My Story” which is now available from online record store Bandcamp: naim23.bandcamp.com/album/this-i... the LiveWorkPlay team is thrilled to have helped with this project.
October 20, 2025 at 3:39 AM
Naim Abdallah released his four-song EP at the monthly John Howard Society of Ottawa Coffee House “This Is My Story” which is now available from online record store Bandcamp: naim23.bandcamp.com/album/this-i... the LiveWorkPlay team is thrilled to have helped with this project.
The October 6-7 @vraie-idea.ca Symposium brought together partners including LiveWorkPlay to showcase the progress being made towards supporting inclusion of persons with disabilities in the workforce. The theme of the symposium was “The Win-Win of Designing Workplaces for Disability Inclusion”.
October 16, 2025 at 9:17 PM
The October 6-7 @vraie-idea.ca Symposium brought together partners including LiveWorkPlay to showcase the progress being made towards supporting inclusion of persons with disabilities in the workforce. The theme of the symposium was “The Win-Win of Designing Workplaces for Disability Inclusion”.
Today, on International Plain Language Day, we’re pleased to share the news of the release of the CAN-ASC-3.1:2025 Plain Language standard. It’s the first National Standard of Canada on plain language!
accessible.canada.ca/news/accessi...
accessible.canada.ca/news/accessi...
Accessibility Standards Canada publishes Canada’s first Plain Language Standard - Accessibility Standards Canada
accessible.canada.ca
October 13, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Today, on International Plain Language Day, we’re pleased to share the news of the release of the CAN-ASC-3.1:2025 Plain Language standard. It’s the first National Standard of Canada on plain language!
accessible.canada.ca/news/accessi...
accessible.canada.ca/news/accessi...
LiveWorkPlay was pleased to participate in this important webinar which Ready, Willing & Able and colleagues across the country!
October 10, 2025 at 8:25 PM
LiveWorkPlay was pleased to participate in this important webinar which Ready, Willing & Able and colleagues across the country!
A new United Way East Ontario minute started airing today on CTV News Ottawa! It was on CTV Ottawa Morning Live as well as the evening news! You can look forward to seeing it many times in the weeks to come. Congratulations to Jennifer, Percy, and Nick, and the amazing team at DHL Express.
October 10, 2025 at 8:23 PM
A new United Way East Ontario minute started airing today on CTV News Ottawa! It was on CTV Ottawa Morning Live as well as the evening news! You can look forward to seeing it many times in the weeks to come. Congratulations to Jennifer, Percy, and Nick, and the amazing team at DHL Express.
Ryan McBride and Heather McAdam asked if LiveWorkPlay could share a post about their recent week of travel to British Columbia, in and around Victoria and Vancouver. With some support, they started out with smaller trips and are now very capable travelers, and want to encourage others!
October 10, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Ryan McBride and Heather McAdam asked if LiveWorkPlay could share a post about their recent week of travel to British Columbia, in and around Victoria and Vancouver. With some support, they started out with smaller trips and are now very capable travelers, and want to encourage others!
Every week our Friday Night Meetups bring people together all over the Ottawa community! Examples: Jenny, Paul, Pat, Ish and Junaid enjoy good company and humour at Absolute Comedy. Andrei, Zhenni, Jospeh, Josh, Ashley, Namitha and Lee enjoyed the Ottawa Redblacks BC Lions game.
October 10, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Every week our Friday Night Meetups bring people together all over the Ottawa community! Examples: Jenny, Paul, Pat, Ish and Junaid enjoy good company and humour at Absolute Comedy. Andrei, Zhenni, Jospeh, Josh, Ashley, Namitha and Lee enjoyed the Ottawa Redblacks BC Lions game.
Some of the Tuesday “Zoom Crew” (they usually meet online) met up in the real world again - this time at Absolute Comedy! Jess, Steven, Lee, Rachel and Justin enjoyed playing pool and sharing some laughs together.
October 10, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Some of the Tuesday “Zoom Crew” (they usually meet online) met up in the real world again - this time at Absolute Comedy! Jess, Steven, Lee, Rachel and Justin enjoyed playing pool and sharing some laughs together.
The LiveWorkPlay Federal Employment Strategy Group had a great turnout with 64 in attendance for the September 24 quarterly meeting! Special thanks: Mae Johnson and Arpita Dar from Employment and Social Development Canada, Clara Morgan and Maria Ibrahim from Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.
October 10, 2025 at 8:10 PM
The LiveWorkPlay Federal Employment Strategy Group had a great turnout with 64 in attendance for the September 24 quarterly meeting! Special thanks: Mae Johnson and Arpita Dar from Employment and Social Development Canada, Clara Morgan and Maria Ibrahim from Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.
The LiveWorkPlay Community Partner Award for Options Bytown (now OPTIONS HOUSING) was announced in April but we were not able to present it then. September 18 at the Options Housing Annual General Meeting, Daniel Harris from our Community Supports team presented the award to Jessica Osabuohien.
October 10, 2025 at 8:05 PM
The LiveWorkPlay Community Partner Award for Options Bytown (now OPTIONS HOUSING) was announced in April but we were not able to present it then. September 18 at the Options Housing Annual General Meeting, Daniel Harris from our Community Supports team presented the award to Jessica Osabuohien.
LiveWorkPlay was at the Community Living Ontario annual conference September 16-18. Pictured: Keenan and Julie enjoyed a special session hosted by the Family Support Network for Employment!
October 10, 2025 at 8:02 PM
LiveWorkPlay was at the Community Living Ontario annual conference September 16-18. Pictured: Keenan and Julie enjoyed a special session hosted by the Family Support Network for Employment!
A big shout out to the organizers, performers, and volunteers of the CityFolk Festival 2025 at Lansdowne Park! LiveWorkPlay member Janet Balcome was attending as a fan, she bumped into Chris Jones and Josh Balanaser who attended some concerts as fans when not volunteering with the Green Team.
October 10, 2025 at 7:59 PM
A big shout out to the organizers, performers, and volunteers of the CityFolk Festival 2025 at Lansdowne Park! LiveWorkPlay member Janet Balcome was attending as a fan, she bumped into Chris Jones and Josh Balanaser who attended some concerts as fans when not volunteering with the Green Team.