Organizer and client and family engagement lead at Five Counties Hayley Hodges promotes the 2026 ‘Spring into Learning’ series, which is returning May 2 with a focus on rethinking disability. /Five Counties photo
Five Counties Children’s Centre continues to challenge residents to “rethink disability.”
The organization – which has dedicated decades to helping families across Northumberland, Peterborough and Haliburton counties – plans to focus on this message through its upcoming “Spring into Learning” series.
Marking its second year, the free event back by popular demand will make its return next month at the Five Counties Peterborough location at 872 Dutton Rd.
Organizer and client and family engagement lead at Five Counties Hayley Hodges tells us more.
Hodges says last year’s first-time series had a “wonderful response” while focusing on seeing abilities and not disabilities in individuals.
While noting the series isn’t solely for Five Counties families or professionals such as educators or in supporting roles, Hodges has extended a far-reaching invitation.
The series is also bringing together presenters like a former Canadian Paralympian, a Trent University professor and writer and a social worker and community activist, all with the goal of tackling the importance of shattering pre-conceived notions and biases towards persons with disabilities, Five Counties has announced.
“This year’s theme focuses on how we can ‘rethink disability’ and see resiliency in individuals who overcome challenges and achieve new things with their different abilities,” continues Hodges. “This year, there will also be special emphasis on the vital role of caregivers and how they can be better supported in their work supporting individuals with a disability.”
Five Counties has released the following lineup for the Spring into Learning series:
Keynote speaker Alec Denys, a five-time Paralympian, sports enthusiast and accessibility advocate, will share his personal story of suffering a life-altering injury, which left him paralyzed from the waist down, and how his love of sports helped him discover new abilities.
Workshop facilitator Derek Newman-Still, a local author, Trent professor and activist, will speak on the importance of resiliency in their life to respond and correct presumptions from those who diss their disability.
Workshop facilitator Maureen Pollard, who is also a social worker and compassionate bereavement care provider, will explain why caregivers need to care for their own wellbeing as much as the person they support and realize that self-care isn’t selfish.
Registration details for the May 2 event and additional information are accessible online or by contacting Hodges directly at 1-888-779-9916 ext. 215.
Hodges believes there is great value in attending the conference-style series.
Hodges also hopes attendees will leave with more positive perspectives overall relating to disabilities, as well as a better understanding of caregivers’ roles.
