Community Living Guelph Wellington’s first symposium brought together 120 people to confront ableism, amplify the voices of people with disabilities, and highlight the urgent need to break down barriers to inclusion and belonging.
GUELPH, ON – October 26, 2026 – What does it take to build a community where everyone truly belongs? That question brought together 120 members in the community on October 22 for People, Perspectives & Possibilities, the first symposium hosted by Community Living Guelph Wellington (CLGW). The event challenged stereotypes, addressed barriers faced by people with disabilities and highlighted the urgent need to turn conversations about inclusion into meaningful action.
Community Living Guelph Wellington (CLGW), which supports more than 900 adults with developmental disabilities across Guelph and Wellington County, welcomed self-advocates, people with lived experience, families, caregivers, direct support professionals (DSPs), community leaders and service providers. Together, they explored how ableism, misconceptions and systemic barriers continue to affect the opportunities, independence and participation of people with disabilities.
The message was clear: disability inclusion is not solely the responsibility of service providers. It is a shared community responsibility that requires awareness, education and action.
Opening the symposium, CLGW Executive Director Cindy Kinnon emphasized the collective responsibility to create communities where everyone has the opportunity to belong and thrive. She highlighted open dialogue as essential first steps toward challenging assumptions and creating lasting change.
The event also welcomed Matthew Rae, MPP for Perth–Wellington, who spoke about the importance of supporting the developmental services sector and strengthening community inclusion.
Keynote speaker Evelina Baczewska, a feminist sociologist specializing in disability pride and disability justice, challenged participants to reconsider how society views disability. Her presentation, Understanding Ableism, the Politics of Disablement, and the Foundations of Disability Pride, explored how narratives of pity, tragedy and so-called “Inspiration Porn” can reinforce harmful stereotypes, shifting the conversation toward dignity, rights and removing systemic barriers.
Throughout the afternoon, participants engaged in four interactive breakout sessions focused on countering ableism, strengthening community connections, supporting independence and choice, and advancing person-centred practices. The day concluded with an interactive panel discussion, where speakers and attendees exchanged perspectives, challenged assumptions and explored how these lessons could translate into everyday actions.
While the symposium lasted one day, its message extended far beyond the event: meaningful inclusion requires listening to people with disabilities, respecting their choices and ensuring they have opportunities to participate fully in community life. Events like this demonstrated the importance of bringing people together to question existing stereotypes, learn from lived experiences and recognize that building accessible, welcoming communities is everyone’s responsibility.
