Welcome to the 2024 DEAM IDEA Conference!
Check out the conference program here.
What do I need to know about the conference?
Let us know what you think. Feedback please!
What's on in the sensory room?
We are happy to announce that the DEAM IDEA Conference sensory room is back in business. Alex Jack has returned as our facilitator - thanks Alex! In the sensory room this year, you can find stress balls, fidget items like spinners and moldable items, along with noise reducing headphones. The lighting can be reduced in the room and there are comfy seats to accomodate everyone!
What makes a sensory room... sensory? Check out this checklist.
Alex will be hosting 5-10 min guided breathing meditations during the lunch break and afternoon coffee break. Check it out and take a breather!
Sensory rooms are for everyone - make sure to stop by and say hello!
Speakers
Benjamin is a Program Leader for Vantage Enterprises in Calgary, Alberta. His work at Vantage Enterprises allows him to continue his passion for supporting underserved communities, he runs in-person and online programs for people with disabilities who are also a part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Keynote : Kello Inclusive
Katie has loved her career as an educator but has recently made a huge career transition - as the founder of Kello Inclusive! Kello, the first of its kind in Canada, is a talent agency that exclusively represents disabled and visibly different talent.
Riccardo owns a successful vertical farming business and is deeply committed to advocating for inclusion through his work with Kello Inclusive. Because of his love of music and as a talented pianist, he was inspired to develop a device that has allowed him to reclaim full use of the piano pedals and his place on the stage. RESONATE is a groundbreaking innovation aimed at making music accessible to all.
Meet Brandon Huynh, an audit associate at PwC, one of the Big Four firms renowned for their global professional services. In his corporate role, Brandon is an advocate for the Deaf community, promoting increased awareness and inclusion within his firm and the broader public.
Crystal brings a unique perspective on how neuroinclusion impacts opportunities to thrive in workplaces, learning environments and society as an ADHD and Autistic individual with over 15 years advocating for diversity, equity, inclusion and psychological safety. She is currently leading a team of experts in the fields of psychological health and safety, intersectional diversity inclusion, neurodiversity and learning design through the Harmony of Difference Learning Academy and Consulting Consortium.
Brooke Leifso, MA is a Disabled/Crip applied researcher and social change facilitator. She brings many levels of lived experience to the NorQuest College Workplace Accessibility research chair position and uses an intersectional disability justice social model approach in her work.
Niek Theelen is a standup comedian, actor, and filmmaker. He has a Fine Arts Degree from the University of Lethbridge. He has been performing standup comedy across Western Canada and even performed In The Netherlands and Ireland. When he's not on stages making people laugh you'll find him helping other Alberta filmmakers on their projects.
Kylie Dwyer is a Talent Diversity Consultant at the City of Edmonton with over 9 years of talent acquisition experience in the public sector, including previous roles at Alberta Health Services and the Government of Alberta. She specializes in inclusive hiring, and educating organizational leaders to increase capacity to recruit and retain equity-deserving groups in the workforce, including people with disabilities.
Tamara Jorgic is the Director of Projects with AWES. She is an educator with years of experience in the fields of adult and workplace education, curriculum development, literacy, and ESL. She’s worked in the non-profit sector, community agencies, and post-secondary institutions as a project and program lead, curriculum developer, instructional designer, and facilitator.
Tyson Wright is the Network Coordinator for Community Futures Treaty Seven. His role is to facilitate promotion and raised awareness within the southern Alberta Business Community of CFT7-funded employment services and candidates – through direct and digital engagements.His Siksika Name is “Niinaamskopakitopi” (Medicine Pipe Rider).
Thank you to our sponsors!
We couldn't have done it without all our community support. Thank you to this year's in sponsors.
Support the 2025 DEAM IDEA Conference
With the support of companies that align themselves with inclusive employment, we can continue to create meaningful education and knowledge development opportunities to make lasting change.
One of our sponsors from last year, EmployAbilities, let us know that they were “pleased to sponsor the 2023 DEAM IDEA Conference. The 2023 DEAM IDEA Conference featured inspiring stories from advocates and people with lived experience with disabilities, speeches from representatives of senior levels of government, and was attended by employers, allowing us to raise our awareness and profile with these key stakeholders. We’re grateful that the DEAM IDEA Conference exists and encourage other organizations to get involved as a sponsor, attend, and learn more.”
Sponsorship shows your organization's commitment to the future and leadership in investing in inclusive and equitable workplaces.
If you are interested in donating or being a sponsor for our 2025 event, please reach out to comms@aefn.ca.
