Sometimes, finding your voice starts with taking one small step.
For Charlie, that step began with participating in opportunities to share his experiences with others.
At a Trillium Community Summit, Charlie shared his perspective as a person with a disability. Later, he participated in Advocacy Day, where he had another opportunity to speak up and connect with others around issues that matter to people with disabilities.
The first time Charlie participated, he used cue cards to help organize his thoughts and feel prepared. As he gained experience, something changed. During Advocacy Day, Charlie was able to answer questions and participate in conversations more naturally, relying less on his notes and more on his own knowledge and experience.
That growth matters.
Charlie was building confidence while learning that his experiences and perspectives have value. He was also showing others what can happen when people with disabilities are given opportunities to participate, practice, and be heard.
Charlie shared his experiences through Trillium’s Advocacy, Training and Consultation (ATC) program.
Established in 2022 in response to client feedback, ATC recognizes that people with disabilities bring valuable expertise through their lived experiences—and that they should be compensated for sharing that expertise.
Through ATC, people like Charlie have opportunities to contribute to trainings, events, advocacy, and other activities while being recognized and paid for their time and knowledge.
Charlie’s participation demonstrates why these opportunities are important. Each experience can provide another chance to practice skills, build confidence, connect with others, and discover new ways to contribute to the community.
Charlie’s story is also a reminder of what Give More 24 can help make possible.
Your support helps Trillium continue creating opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in their communities, develop skills, share their experiences, and have their voices heard.
For Charlie, one opportunity led to another. Using cue cards helped him take that first step. With practice and experience, he became more comfortable engaging in conversations and sharing his perspective.
That kind of growth doesn’t happen overnight. It happens when people have opportunities to participate, practice, learn, and try again.
And when people with disabilities have opportunities to share their voices, everyone benefits. Communities gain new perspectives. Professionals gain valuable insight. And individuals gain greater confidence in their ability to contribute.
This Give More 24, give more to confidence. Give more to opportunity. Give more to voices being heard.
Together, we can help create more opportunities for people with disabilities to participate, contribute, advocate, and help shape the communities where they live and work.
Click here to learn more about Give More 24!
