Council for Persons With Disabilities Launch Inaugural Capable Con

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In an effort to promote inclusivity and the community for living, learning, playing and working equally, the Council for Persons With Disabilities (CPD) has launched its inaugural one-day event ‘Capable Con’ on Tuesday.

(From left to right) Jason King, CPD volunteer; Zaun, King’s guide dog; Rachel Quilty, CPD digital marketing and event facilitator; Mariah Yee, CPD communications coordinator; Andrea Dodsworth, CPD chair; Leslie Yee, CPD vice-chair and Akira, Leslie’s guide dog. They are all joined by superheroes The Capable Crew that were unveiled during the launch. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This inaugural event is scheduled for June 4 — the final day of AccessAbility Week — from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. outside the VentureNorth building. The free event is designed to create open, healthy dialogues about disabilities and accessibility.

“Disability is not one thing; it is interconnected to everything,” Leslie Yee, CPD Vice-chair. Every person will have a disability at some point in their lives.”

The first-ever convention features a variety of all-age events:

  • Interactive and inclusive games

  • Virtual reality simulators

  • Scavenger hunts

  • Board games

  • Pokémon Trading Card Game tournament for beginners

  • All-Day stage entertainment

  • Draw prizes

In February, CPD received $26,340 in funding for their simulation software as part of their Time In My Shoes Program. The virtual reality experience allows people to experience the daily challenges many face through realistic simulation.

Simulations range from getting groceries while vision-impaired, navigating a street in a wheelchair and more.

(From left to right) Hearing Loss Hero, Samantha Aurel; Amputee Hero; Bionica Bot, Vision Loss Hero, Traveler and Scout; Twin Autism Heroes, The Power Pals and Wheelchair Hero (currently unnamed). The Capable Crew are fictional characters created as superheroes turning their disabilities into superhero powers. Photo courtesy of CPD.

The unveiling of ‘The Capable Crew’ occurred at the launch. They are a group of fictional superheroes that serve as ambassadors for the event. Each superhero uses their disability as a superpower. They were illustrated by Mariah Yee, CPD communications coordinator.

“We hope this creates a more inclusive and celebratory environment,” said Mariah.

Mariah Yee with her illustrations of The Power Pals, two superheroes who have autism. Yee has been drawing ever since she was at a young age. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

CPD encourages anyone to come including those who are able-bodied. The experience is supposed to educate others and bring awareness of disabilities in a fun and enjoyable manner.

"At some point in your life, you might have to rely on a pair of glasses or possibly a mobility aid as you progress throughout life or injury," said Rachel Quilty, CPD digital marketing and event facilitator. "Coming to Capable Con is just an opportunity to learn about different types of disabilities and types of accessibly in our community all while having fun."

The Capable Crew provides representation for those who never had any before. Quilty grew up with no left forearm or hand. She says her life would have been different if someone like Bionica Bot of the Capable Crew —a superhero with a lost limb — was publicly portrayed.

“If I grew up and saw her on a poster or on a TV show or in my school on a life-size cutout, I promise I would have had a different trajectory in my life,” said Quilty. “I think that having a Capable Crew in full form is a way to show children who are different that different is okay.”

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