Empowering Self Advocates To Take Action Cooperative
“We support Self Advocates to find their voices through workshops and training”
Help people find their way in life through training sessions, education and sharing experiences.
- About Us
We support people with disabilities to speak up for themselves and for others.We encourage people to learn about their rights and how to voice their concerns. We believe Self Advocates can bridge the gap between “us” and community by promoting diversity and inclusion for all.
- Our Goal
Our goal is to increase public awareness regarding disability issues and the right to be treated equally with respect and dignity as valued participants of our community.
We are always searching for new advocates to join our group. By sharing stories and learning about the issues that affect us, making us more skillful mentors and stronger leaders.
20
YEARS OF
EXPERIENCE
Our Purpose
Help people find their way in life through training sessions, education and sharing experiences.
— ESATTA MEMBERS
Our Team
James White
James White has worked in the Community Living sector for 40 years in several roles. Now retired from his 9 to 5 he is working with his business partners on projects. He is a board member of The Learning Community for Person Centred practices. He is also a mentor/ support member of, an entrepreneurial co-operative who deliver presentations on a range of topics and use their own life experiences and skills to teach others.
Tanya Norman
Involved in Self advocacy for many years with great mentors by my side. I have been involved with ESATTA for about 7 years.
Ryan Groth
Ryan Groth is a cofounding member of ESATTA. He is the senior trainer of People Planning Together. This workshop is one of the ways that has allowed him to pursue his passion to support others to take a leadership role in their lives. He is also our main tech support person.
Shelley Nessman
Shelley Nessman is a consultant and trainer. Passionate about Person Centered Planning as a way for people to lead good lives. Shelley is a founding member of ESATTA.
Kara Anderson
Kara is a mother of a son with a disability. She is passionate about advocacy work and has lived in Nanaimo, BC for over 10 years. Kara helps facilitate Welcome Workshops for CLBC and other projects.
Michael McLellan
Michael, living with a visual impairment, advocates for the “power of the white cane.” He serves on multiple boards, including Inclusion BC and BCPF, and as Vice President of ESATTA. Michael spreads the message of self-advocacy and inclusivity through presentations with organizations like CLBC in the B.C. Community.
Barb Goode
Barb Goode lives in Burnaby BC. She has been a devoted Self Advocate since the early Seventies. She is a founding member of ESATTA and has been involved for 13 years. Barb is passionate about plain language and dreams of a world where everyone uses it and understands one another.
iChange Justice PODCAST
- Host Joy Gilfilen
Experiencing Breakthroughs in Systemic Change with James White with ESATTA Cooperative
iChange Justice Host Joy Gilfilen interviews James White about how his own attitudes of leadership have changed over decades of working within institutions that were controlled from the top down with very rigid systems. James’ expertise is working with people who have been boxed in by being labeled with a disability, which creates a habit of disempowerment and co-dependency.
— SERVICES
Our Workshops
People Planning
TOGETHER
Empowering Self Advocates to Take -Action Co-op Trainer
What is
People Planning
TOGETHER?
This 2-day training is for people labelled with a developmental disability who are interested in taking a leadership role in planning a life they desire. This training is facilitated by people who also live with a label of developmental disability
What do we do in the
TRAINING?
You spend time identifying the things that are Important TO you so you can be happy. You spend time identifying the the things that are Important FOR you so you stay healthy and safe. You decide what works for you and how people can best support you to be happy and healthy at the same time!
What do I need to know about the
TRAINING?
Plan on spending 2 full days for the entire training. The training starts at 9:00AM and ends at 3:00PM. To be successful: People often bring a “secretary” with them for any supports that might be needed. People who have gone through the class said it was helpful to have someone that
- helps write things down
- gives support with reading
- helps talk about the different topics and understand what’s going on
- helps with any personal needs someone might have
What would you like to change in your life? There’s a way for YOU to make that happen!
Light Your Path While Living Life in the Fast Lane
Self Esteem Workshop
This training is designed to give you some tools and techniques to help you recognize the direction you want to take with issues you may have around Self Esteem and Confidence.
World Café Guidelines
We facilitate world cafes
This is a good way for people in agencies, neighbourhoods, towns to identify things they want to explore more. This helps people with a fun interactive process to dig into these issues they may want to explore and possible ways to make postive change in each situation. A good way for people to connect and talk and come to some consensus on steps forward.
One Page Descriptions
Self Exploration
This workshop is a Self Exploration about the things that are Important to and Important for you. It looks at the supports you need and want in life, work, and play. We will guide you with a group to look at these ideas and compile them so you can share them with people you trust. Many people say it helps them understand you more and it also saves you having to constantly tell people all these things. People who have done this workshop can use it for resumes cover letters and just as general information to help others get to know you. It is also a powerful team building exercise.
Breaking Down Barriers
Nothing About Us Without Us
Nothing About Us Without Us. That is the theme of this workshop. The barriers that have been in the system for years are being challenged and we discuss this in the workshop. It talks about the ways we can take more control in our lives. We discuss our rights and much more.
How to cope with Grief
Grief Workshop
This workshop explores the journey we take when we lose someone or something important in our lives. We will look at the stages of grief and ways to be more informed and cope with the challenges that come our way.
— ARTICLES
Latest from Our Blog
We write about self development and more.
Workshop inspires Terrace BC
The ESATTA team is trained to facilitate People Planning Together Workshops
Person-centred passion
Person-centred philosophy has always been at the core of James’s …
Community Inclusion Innovation
The goal of the fund is to invest in creative initiatives across B.C.
Workshop inspires in Terrace BC
People who have developmental disabilities are told what they need.
Limitations don’t define my life
I learned to live in my own home, cook healthy meals …
Empowering Change: The Journey of Self-Advocacy in Upholding Rights
Provide practical tips on where and how …
— TESTIMONIALS
Results we have helped create
Hear out what our clients say about ESATTA.
