LiveWorkPlay
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
LiveWorkPlay (LWP) is a Canadian charitable organization for people with intellectual disabilities. Founded in Ottawa in 1995 by the husband and wife team of Keenan Wellar and Julie Kingstone, LWP was originally known as the Special Needs Network.
As the organization evolved it began to adopt a philosophy of supporting self-determination for people with intellectual disabilities. In the year 2000 the name was changed to LiveWorkPlay to focus on the organization's goal of promoting full participation and decision-making with regard to living situations, work, and play. In 2005 the LiveWorkPlay organization formally adopted self-advocacy for people with intellectual disabilities as its mission.
In spring 2007 LiveWorkPlay became a housing provider for people with intellectual disabilities through the acquisition of condominium units in an existing Ottawa high rise. This decision came as an outcome of more than five years of practical and theoretical study and continuous consultation with adults with intellectual disabilities and their parents. The decision to pursue a non-institutional housing solution aroused significant interest in the field and the local media.
As an outcome of the organization's 2007 Visioning Day LiveWorkPlay adopted the new slogan A Good Life for People with Intellectual Disabilities in an effort to better connect LiveWorkPlay and its mission with the general public. The new slogan was announced at the annual Engines of Success recognition banquet, along with a new effort to promote the self-advocacy movement with the release of several video presentations.
In an effort to better share best practices and connect with like-minded organizations LiveWorkPlay joined Community Living Ontario as the Ottawa Affiliate in 2008.
