It is our utmost pleasure to announce our official incorporation and registration under Canadian non-profit law. Here's some background about why we're here.
Promoting Social Inclusion and Participation
Globally, at least 10% of children have moderate to severe disabilities that prevent them from learning and participating in society. A further 13% are estimated to have light to moderate disabilities. The adult population living with challenges, injuries, illnesses, chronic pain, mental health challenges, and trauma, never ceases to increase. Despite incredible medical advances, many of us suffer and become isolated as a result. The inclusion of people living with temporary or permanent disabilities or limitation leaves to be desired. Many neurodiverse people struggle to be accepted and seen, and there are fewer and fewer avenues for meaningful social participation for those who do not “fit the mold”.
Science, in particular neuroscience, has made recent discoveries that support a new approach in helping people overcome their limitations. First and foremost is the discovery of lifelong neuroplasticity, or the ability of the brain to repair and reorganize for more optimal physical, mental and cognitive outcomes. This discovery means that even people with severe disabilities can, in the right context, continuously learn and acquire new skills.
Second is the realization that there is no brain-body duality, and that improvements to the brain lead to improvements to the body, and vice versa. This calls for a more holistic or integral manner of learning, healing, that considers the emotional, physical, cognitive and mental challenges of the person.
At the same time, no individual exists in a vacuum: we are all intricately linked to networks that are more or less supportive of our aspirations, starting with families, schools, communities, institutions and societies.
Humans are biologically wired for learning and connection.
NeuroSomatic Education refers to any approach that leverages neuroplasticity in the service of improved brain and body function, and therefore, of improved participation.
Who we are
Our Vision is to contribute to the creation of an equitable, inclusive society that enables everyone to develop, participate and reach their full physical, emotional, intellectual and social potential.
Our Mission is to accelerate the adoption of science-based practices, approaches and modalities in education, re-education and rehabilitation for vulnerable people, in the service of social inclusion. Our constituency are:
- people (children and adults) living with disability(ies), neuro-atypical or neurodiverse people, living with physical or intellectual impairments, whether diagnosed or not;
- people (children and adults) living with genetic diseases, impaired function due to accident, injury or birth;
- people living with developmental disorders or facing mental health challenges;
- their families, caregivers, healthcare teams and therapists.
What we do
To deliver on our mission, we will work in the following 4 areas of activity, which may overlap for synergy.
Area 1: Science: Raising awareness and informing the general public, health services and families about innovative, science-based practices/approaches and methods (modalities) that can improve the health, education, rehabilitation and inclusion of vulnerable people.
Axis 2: Access: To increase access to education, inclusion, rehabilitation and reintegration services using innovative and science-based modalities.
Axis 3: Innovation: To contribute to scientific research and the documentation of best practice in education, rehabilitation and reintegration of vulnerable people.
Axis 4: Advocacy: Raising awareness and informing the public, the educational community, health services and families about social inclusion issues, including through the development and implementation of special projects aimed at the social inclusion of vulnerable people in the educational or professional environment.
Through our work we will promote practices, approaches, methods and modalities for which a sufficient scientific basis exists, i.e. a body of articles, research, data and/or case studies. The list of modalities, approaches and practices will be reviewed at the beginning of each year by the Board of Directors upon advice from the Advisory Committee.
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