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Partnership represents the model of inclusion Continued from page 1 3 · Friday, July 27, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com Duffy says the Kuku Hut's partnership with the ACCEPTional Foundation has been a wonderful opportunity for everyone involved. "To me, it's the model of inclusion. This is what people want to be doing. Just like everybody else they want to wake up in the morning and come to a job where they feel like they belong and they're a part of the community and an active participant," said Duffy. "And so I think it's a wonderful way to model that for like-minded businesses who would like to do that." Since being established, AF has worked to partner with like-minded businesses in the community and beyond to bring its goal to fruition. That goal is to contribute to the creation of an inclusive workforce where people with intellectual disabilities have the opportunity to find paid and meaningful work within the mainstream job market. "ACCEPTional believes it is in everyone's best interest to challenge the current norm and to create a workforce that's open and able to employ individuals with developmental disabilities," Bursey said in an earlier interview with the Beaver. "Not out of pity, but because individuals with disabilities are skilled, capable, talented and eager to contribute and because, when people contribute, when more people are engaged and active, we all win." AF is run by a board that includes a wide range of individual volunteers, from an accountant to social workers and business graduates. Some have some connection to those with mental disabilities, while others are seeking experience or are passionate about equality, change and integration. While the overall program is still in its infancy and the mechanics are still being tweaked, said Duffy, AF is looking to establish a 12-month job-training program and hopes to have five participants, including Erinn, in its first official year. "In the next couple of months, we're working to create a specific program for Erinn -- our first official participant," she said. In addition, AF will be holding a bike ride fundraiser on Aug. 25 at the Hamilton­ Brantford Rail Trail, to help spread awareness of the organization and help see its overall goal of equality and inclusion in the workforce become a reality. The Far and Wide Bike Trek will start near St. Mary Catholic Secondary School (200 Whitney Ave.) in Hamilton and begins at 9 a.m. -- participants can register in advance online at www. acceptionalfoundation.org or at the Kuku Hut -- registration is $30. This will be the second year the ride has been held. In 2008, Bursey ventured on a cross-North America bike trek as a fundraiser for Lawson Ministries, part of the Salvation Army, which provides support and training for individuals with developmental disabilities. That bike trek covered 13,000 kilometres and raised just under $200,000. AF is also planning another fundraiser, a dinner event, in the fall. Anyone interested in participating in the program can contact Matthew Bursey at 905-330-9482 or burseymatthew@ gmail.com, or Evelyn Duffy at the kukuhut@gmail.com. - with Oakville Beaver files S MM R SUMMER It's and we're taking it all sale 60% ff! Burrows Annual Summer Sale. We're taking up to 60% off Suits & Jackets 30-60% off Dress/Casual Trousers & Jeans 40-50% off Dress & Sport Shirts Buy 1, 2, 3 get 40-50-60% off Swimwear & Shorts 50% off Short-sleeve Knits, T-shirts & Sweaters 40% off Casual & Leather Jackets 50% off Shoes & Belts 50% off 30% 200 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville, ON L6J 1H6 905.842.0232 burrowsclothiers.com Your local Tim Hortons is happy to bring you Tim Hortons Free Swim ­ complimentary swimming time at your local pool. For a schedule of times and locations, drop by your local Oakville Tim Hortons restauraunt. © Tim Hortons, 2010