How do you build a bridge between children and young people who are labelled by their disabilities into the centre of community life? How do you build hospitable communities where such bridge building is common place? These are the questions we address in this presentation through the lens of Asset Based Community Development.

1. Changing the Narrative on Inclusion for Children with Disabilities in Newcastle-upon-Tyne , Cormac Russell

2. Why the shift? Why the shift?

3. Social inclusion? Where it matters? Participation Friendship Intimacy Economic Exchange

4. Full circles indicate capacity to deal with life and are a powerful measure of health in our society.

5. Spot the difference?

21. Associations, Local Government, Business & People

22. Power to Change “ Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has .” Margaret Mead

23. Neighborhoods Needs Map Graffiti Environmental pollution Unemployment Gangs Literacy challenges Early School Leaving Broken Families Poor Housing Joy riding Drug Dealing Crime Disability

25. ‘ You can’t know what you need, till you know what you have…’

26. A Sample Community Asset Map Individuals Gifts, Skills, Capacities, Knowledge and Traits of Youth Older Adults Artists People with Disabilities Students Parents Entrepreneurs Activists Institutions Schools Universities Community Colleges Police Departments Hospitals Libraries Social Service Agencies Non Profits Museums Fire Departments Foundations Physical Space Gardens Parks Playgrounds Parking Lots Walking Paths Forests/Forest Preserves Picnic Areas Campsites Fishing Spots Stories Of background and personal history Of what you like to do and contribute Of existing and ongoing skills and capacities Of successful community development Of economic growth Of addressing discrimination Of including those who are marginalized Of recognizing the value of everyone Of a time when you or your group felt appreciated and valued Of a time the community was at its best Local Economy For-Profit Businesses Consumer Expenditures Merchants Chamber of Commerce Business Associations Banks Foundations Institutional-Purchasing Power and Personnel Micro enterprises Local Coops Corporations and Branches Animal Care Groups Anti Crime Groups Residents Assoc Business Organizations Charitable Groups Civic Events Groups Cultural Groups Education Groups Elderly Groups Environmental Groups Family Support Groups Health Advocacy and Fitness Groups Heritage Groups Hobby and Collectors Groups Men’s Groups Mentoring Groups Mutual Support Groups Neighborhood Improvement Groups Political Organizations Recreation Groups Religious Groups Service Clubs Social Groups Union Groups Women’s Groups Youth Groups Associations My Community My Community

32. Person Centered Work The move is from services to clients to supports for citizens Community Centered Work Inclusion

34. Tips on Working with Neighborhoods Ways that inhibit engagement How we work differently with neighborhoods and residents We know who to contact by position We have to research who to contact (sometimes it is not obvious) We give them timelines and deadlines We ask them to give us a reasonable time frame We write things up – give them memos and job descriptions We meet with them and have face to face conversations (preferably in their community) We often take the lead in projects We need to allow the neighborhood to lead us We set up meetings during the day We go to meetings at nights or on the weekends and when appropriate help to figure out childcare and transportation

35. Tips (cont.) Adapted from Untied Way of Metro Atlanta We offer a list of possible roles for our organization We ask how our organization can be most helpful We use our leadership structure to help us make relationships We look to current relationships to help introduce us into new communities We manage projects We negotiate our role, offer suggestions and learn to be flexible We reach our objectives in a way that is most efficient We follow the lead of residents with patience, as work takes much longer, is not efficient, often involves several players and lots of twists and turns We assume authority is in the person with positional power Authority rests in the one with the most relationships

36. Tools for asset based change

38. The 5 Ds Process of Strength Based Community Work D1- DISCOVER D2 - DREAM D3-DESIGN D1- We have done it before. D2 – We have a vision for our future. D3 – We agree on what could be done. D4 – We have a list of our resources to draw from. D5 – action plan & start implementing it. D5 – DELIVER/DO IT D4 -DEFINE

39. Untapped potential……

45. Matching Grants