Today, the Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth is launching our I Have Something to Say website , a first step in our effort to elevate the voices of children and youth with special needs.
In partnership with our Youth Advisory Committee, we have created a website that will allow children and youth to tell us their story. We want to hear:
• What the world would look like if all children with special needs were supported to realize their full potential?
• How would the world be different than it is right now, if that happened?
• What would you like Irwin Elman, the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth, to know about how to make the lives of children and youth with special needs living in Ontario better?
Children and youth who are able, are encouraged to share their stories directly with us using our I Have Something to Say website.
We also are encouraging children and youth who might like or need to communicate with us in ways other than writing. We are looking for a piece of art, videos, songs, e-books — whatever works best for them and inspires them to express themselves.
We know that many children and youth will need help to raise their voices. We are counting on you to support them.
Connect with us through the I Have Something to Say website to explore any ideas you have on how to elevate the voice of a child or a group of young people you know. If you need support from us to do so we are there for you.
The I Have Something to Say website is not only for children and youth. We want to hear about your lived experience working with, caring for, and loving children with special needs.
The I Have Something to Say website is one way for young people to express themselves. In the coming weeks and months you will learn about other pieces of our strategy. We have set the deadline for submissions for December 3rd, 2014.
We will work for change to allow decision makers to listen to the lived experience of children and youth with special needs.
This process will move mountains.
There are a number of ways to get involved and support the project:
• Help us spread the word to children and youth and any others in your network you think might like to contribute to the discussion and make a submission
• Share the I Have Something to Say website on social media or let us know what you need from us to help spread the word
• Tell us how you would like to elevate the voices of children and youth with special needs
• Invite our team to speak at an event or youth meeting
• Stay in touch with us on social media. Like the Provincial Advocate’s Facebook page and follow us on Twitter @OntarioAdvocate
If you have any questions about the submission process or to tell us how you would like to be involved, please contact me.
Kind Regards,
Nikie
Nikie Tentoglou
Project Lead, I Have Something to Say!
Advocate for Children & Youth
Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth
401 Bay Street, Suite 2200
Toronto, ON M7A 0A6
Tel: 416-325-5674
Fax: 416-325-5681
TTY: 416-325-2648
Email: [email protected]