The trip from the Comox Valley to White Rock only takes a few hours, but for Julia Tait and Deirdre Pitre, attending the Global Leadership Exchange in June offered a much larger journey into new ways of thinking about accessibility, housing, leadership, and belonging.

The Exchange brought together self-advocates, community leaders, service providers, researchers, and elected officials from across Canada and beyond. Participants shared ideas and feedback that help to inform future discussions in Ottawa around accessibility, inclusion, and community development.

Conversations That Matter

Julia and Deirdre attended sessions focused on advocacy and housing for people with disabilities. With Surrey and White Rock mayors, MLAs, and community leaders in attendance, discussions explored how local government can work more effectively with disability advocates to create more accessible and inclusive communities.

One message echoed throughout the event: “Nothing about us without us.” The phrase emphasizes that people with disabilities must be directly involved in decisions that affect their lives and communities.

Inspired to Keep Advocating

For Julia, the experience was motivating.

“I feel inspired to keep fighting. I know there will be roadblocks and I’ll continue.”

A highlight for Julia was meeting Ross Chilton, CEO of Community Living BC. The two discussed challenges that exist within the system, including experiences of mistreatment. Julia described the conversation as healing and appreciated the opportunity to share her perspective with someone in a leadership role.

Reflecting on the experience, Julia says, “I’m grateful to L’Arche Comox Valley for giving me the opportunity to attend the Exchange. It was a wonderful experience to meet people, share ideas, and learn from advocates across the country. I’d also like to thank Deirdre for accompanying and supporting me throughout the trip. She helped make this experience possible… and fun.” 

Bringing Ideas Home

Beyond the formal sessions, both women valued the connections they made with advocates and leaders from across the country. The networking and exchange of ideas sparked conversations about opportunities closer to home, including the potential to establish a disability advocacy group in the Comox Valley.

For Julia and Deirdre, the Global Leadership Exchange reinforced the importance of collaboration and ensuring that people with disabilities have a strong voice in shaping their communities. They returned home with new connections, fresh ideas, and renewed energy to continue advocating for a more inclusive future.