Drawing inspiration from the inclusive, community-rooted model of Inclusion BC’s Everybody Belongs conference, Unlocking Connections is a two-day online mini conference and education event designed to bridge the gap between disability theory and everyday practice. Hosted entirely through a fully accessible MS Teams meeting, the event brings together behaviour support practitioners, educators, community organizers, family members, tech developers, and disabled individuals to co-create actionable strategies for meaningful inclusion.
🌐 Event Format & Experience
Unlike traditional conferences that prioritize passive attendance, Unlocking Connections is built for interactive, self-directed learning. The MS Teams environment features:
- Live Keynotes & Panel Discussions led by disabled scholars, frontline practitioners, self-advocates, and community innovators
- Breakout Workshops focusing on hands-on skill-building (e.g., accessibility auditing, co-regulation techniques, accessible tech design)
- Structured & Unstructured Networking Lounges optimized for different communication styles, sensory preferences, and energy levels
- On-Demand Archives with video/audio recordings, transcripts, and slides available on odssbc.ca.
Participants control their pace: switch rooms, step away for regulation breaks, or dive deeper into sessions that align with their goals. No registration deadlines lock you in; no rigid agendas dictate your experience.
📚 Core Themes & Sample Sessions
The conference program is organized around four interconnected pillars:
- Lived Experience & Community Voice
Storytelling circles and peer-led panels exploring what inclusion actually looks like in neighborhoods, workplaces, and digital spaces. - Behaviour as Communication & Dignity-First Support
Practical workshops grounded in frameworks like Crosswinds’ FAST (Fast and Specific behaviour Targeting), focusing on early intervention, co-regulation, and moving away from compliance-based models. - Unstructured Inclusion in Practice
Exploring how flexible, community-driven platforms (such as Kumira) can replace rigid program structures with organic, self-paced participation that respects individual rhythms and capacities. - Systems, Policy & Everyday Action
Case studies on removing environmental barriers, implementing universal design, funding community-led initiatives, and building sustainable inclusion networks.
♿ Accessibility & Inclusion by Design
Accessibility is not an add-on—it’s the foundation of Unlocking Connections:
- Session previews with clear agendas, sensory notes, and communication preferences
- Neurodiversity-friendly access: slides available on request, and quiet breakout rooms
- Flexible participation: no required webcam use, optional chat-only engagement, and asynchronous contribution pathways
👥 Who Should Attend
- Behaviour support practitioners & social service professionals
- Educators, school staff & special education coordinators
- Community program directors & mutual aid organizers
- Family members & caregivers seeking co-created support strategies
- Disabled individuals wanting peer learning, advocacy training, or community connection
- Tech developers & accessibility consultants building inclusive digital spaces
📅 Event Details
Dates: January 9–10, 2027
Platform: MS Teams (with offline resource library & session archives)
Time Zone: Primary sessions in Pacific Time, with regional breakout options
Registration: Open now. Completely free.
Unlocking Connections: Where inclusion moves from theory to shared action.