History of DAWN Canada facilitated by Monika Chappell

• DisAbled Women’s Network Canada: DAWN Canada
• 12 Board members across Canada
• For women only in mixed groups(both men & women) men seem to take over & not attending to women’s Specific means men’s voice are the ones heard
• !n 1985, 17 women joined for the first time to communicate issues that were affecting them and that needed attention from each other. Four main issues identified as priorities are as follows:
  1. Self esteem and the need for improvement
  2. Help for those who are parents, or are parents of those with disabilities
  3. Violence experienced by women with disabilities
  4. The need for appropriate, accessible employment and the ability to be independent individual in society

• DAWN Canada got funding to write position papers on these issues
• In 1992, DAWN Canada became a federal society recognized in Canada. The goal devised at this time was to come together, speak about unified issues facing all, and thus become one voice which is more effective in supporting lasting change.
• Research at this time involved looking at:

Mental Health

Rape crisis and abuse

Isolation and poor self-esteem

·        Statistic shows 51% of women with a disability have experienced violence ( for women with certain disability-types, the rate can be much higher up to 83% ) – the key difference that women with disabilities have from other women is that the violence is often repeated many times and that it often comes from caregivers, family etc….

·        In 94’ – 95’ Pacific DAWN was founded. There was already a provincial DAWN affiliate, DAWN BC (one of the first provincial groups formed), This group was headed by women with disabilities who did not believe in a woman’s right to control her body-they were not feminists. A small group of women in BC wanted to create something for WWD that was grounded in feminism and approached DAWN BC to see if they would be ok if this happened. They were in agreement and so Pacific DAWN was formed with the goal to provide a feminist voice for WWD in BC & Yukon. Originally based primarily in Vancouver this group met regularly to work on issues & to support each other. In particular Pacific DAWN worked with the BC Centre of Excellence of Women’s Health to do BC focused health research. Slowly over the late 90’s & early 2000’s, the founders began to die or move away and the group began to falter. At the same time a group of women outside of Vancouver started forming a loose support network.

·        In 1997 draft bylaws were created but the society incorporation was put on hold when the majority of women who made up the group passed away in death. By the end of 2003 there were only 2 women left to continue from the founding group.

·        Then an opportunity to apply for a grant from the BC/Yukon Region of Status of Women & the 2 groups came together in “ Nothing About Us Without Us”

·        Pacific DAWN received a grant from the BC/Yukon Regional Office of Status of Women. The overall purpose of the grant to help revitalize Pacific DAWN.

·        More specifically, the objectives were to identify key leaders in the region, and develop their leadership skills, through a skill building conference.           

Once home the identified leaders were to begin community development efforts, connecting with other services, connecting with women with disabilities towards eventually starting local action-support groups.

·        At this point this phase is complete, we now need to review and redefine the goals of Pacific DAWN to move forward with the next phase of the revitalization.

·        One initiative we are already part of is the (CCWS) is a province-wide high level coordinating committee that meets 3 x’s/yr. to discuss issues of violence against women, identify systemic problems and ways to problem solve Pacific DAWN will be taking a greater leadership role regarding WWD on this CCWS committee showing we are strong empowered women who can take a leadership role in the area of violence against WWD

·        CCWS’s goal this year ( with our leadership) is to develop a strategic action plan to identify & address systemic issues on violence against WWD

·        There are smaller communities starting their own smaller groups in order to take action, make change and bring awareness in their own community. These groups are also for support to stay encouraged and become self empowered. i.e.: bringing awareness and accessibility in airports, hospitals, and municipalities to accommodate those who deserve the same access and service as those without a disability. Needs of Deaf i.e.: TTY in airports, hospitals. Need to discuss important issues like employment, accessibility

·        Need advocates to fill out. Disability forms & be a voice for awareness for disabilities that are not seen.