April 13, 2005 Press Conference

The Developmental Disabilities Resource Centre of Calgary (DDRC) will hold a press conference on Wednesday, April 13th at 1.00 p.m. (please note the time change from 12 noon to 1.00 p.m.) in the Leacock Theatre at Mount Royal College to roll out phase two of the everyone belongs™

Highlights of the press conference will include a briefing of the campaign by DDRC staff, including Patty Morris, executive director of DDRC, and Darryl and Wanda Sutter, the new Ambassadors of everyone belongs™. There will also be a screening of the new television commercial.

This second phase of the campaign will focus initially on inclusive education, encouraging educators to consider the inclusion of individuals with developmental disabilities into regular school settings.

DDRC originally launched the everyone belongs™ campaign in May 2003 at Senator Patrick Burns Junior High School, a Calgary school that welcomes all students, including students

The everyone belongs™ social initiative seeks to change peoplesˆ¢ minds, attitudes, and behaviours about those who might be perceived as ˆ£differentˆ§. While DDRC is encouraged by the progress made toward the creation of truly inclusive communities, there is substantial work yet to be done in a variety of areas.

everyone belongs™ is the name of a social brand campaign conceptualized and initiated by the Developmental Disabilities Resource Centre of Calgary (DDRC) to promote the inclusion and contribution of all people, including people with developmental disabilities, in the ordinary stuff of life going to school, working or volunteering, having friends and a home. We believe that communities that welcome all citizens are better communities stronger, healthier, and more vibrant.

DDRC is a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to including people with developmental disabilities into the community in real and meaningful ways. It is one of the largest service providers of its kind in Alberta and provides services to approximately 850 people with developmental disabilities in a variety of programs, and resources to over 10,000 individuals each year, wanting to learn more about inclusion.