Independence 92

The roots of Independence ’92 go back to the summer of 1989, when Mike Horsey, the president of the B.C. Pavilion Corporation (BCPC) and Phil Heard, vice-president of New Business Development for the corporation, were looking for an even that would involve persons with disabilities and be linked to the United Nations International Year of Disabled Persons. The BCPC is in the business of creating and hosting trade shows and events. However in this case, management was looking for a different kind of project. One that served a strong social purpose and one that would not, or could not be undertaken by the private sector. This would be the first BCPC supported event after all the costs were covered, would be turned back into the community of person with disabilities.

They approached Rick Hansen and asked him to complete a feasibility study for producing an event that would be international in scope and most important, developed by persons with disabilities. Key to success of the event, would be the involvement of national and international organizations of and for persons with disabilities.

Rick accepted the challenge and, together with Nancy Thompson, completed the feasibility study in October of 1989. Management of the B.C. Pavilion Corporation reviewed the study carefully and with the approval of the Board of Directors, Independence ’92 was launched.

INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS AND EXPOSITION ON DISABILITY

April 22-25, 1992 Vancouver, B.C. Canada

INDEPENDENCE 92 celebrates the beginning of a new ear of independent living for ALL persons with disabilities and their representatives, INDEPENDENCE 92 is designed to promote the international exchange of information, experiences and technology in support of an independent lifestyle for persons with disabilities.

The venue for INDEPENDECE 92 is the spectacular Vancouver Trade & Convention Centre in the heart of downtown Vancouver.

To be part of this important and exciting event, contact the INDEPENDENCE 92 office:
Suite 200
1190 Melville Street
Vancouver, B.C. Canada
V6E 3W1
Tel: (604)689-5084
Fax: (604)689-4806
TDD: (604)691-2628

THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (NAC)

Formed at the very beginning of Independence ’92, the NAC represents 15 national and international organizations of and accessibility and media portrayal to the project staff. In addition, NAC members have been involved in all areas of the event ensuring that the concerns of all persons with disabilities are brought forward.

The goal of the project simply could not be reached without the solid support of these organizations and the hours of work that the individuals working on the NAC are committing. The degree of planning involvement of persons with disabilities through the sub-committees of NAC is indicative of one of the underlying principals of the project - that we are a cross-disability event and that the participation of all segments of this community in Independence ’92 is imperative to its success.

THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

Essential to the success of the event has been the support of the University of British Columbia, through the Rick Hansen Fellow Program. As the first major sponsor, they have supported the activities of the Chair of the event, Mr. Rick Hansen, for the International Promotion of Independence ’92. The international aspects of the event are being coordinated courtesy of the Rick Hansen Fellow Program by Mary Wallace-Poole, and supported by Debbie Coole and Cynthia Peters.

FEDERAL COORDINATION UNIT FOR INDEPENDENCE ’92

Another key area to the success of the project is the total involvement of the government of Canada in the event. The depth of Ottawa’s commitment to Independence ’92 greatly affects all aspects of the event, including our ability to attract other official foreign delegations. Beyond financial assistance, virtually every department of government has a contribution to make toward the goals of Independence ’92. Sue Potter of the Disabled Person’s Participation Program of the Department of Secretary of State has established a team of experienced people to work on this federal involvement to help ensure that we achieve the complete support of government.

The job of coordinating all federal government participation falls to Mr.Calude Lacasse. Claude’s responsibilities include overseeing the more than 15 federal departments and offices currently participating in the event.

The job of coordinating all federal government participation falls to Mr. Claude Lacasse. Claude’s responsibilities include overseeing the more than 15 federal departments and offices currently participating in the event.

The team in Ottawa also includes Pauline Dussette, the coordinator of the Canada Pavilion at the exposition, Steven Walker, coordinator of the Financial Assistance Program for delegates, established by Robert De Cotret, Minister of the Department of the Secretary of State and Karen Marcotte, who supports the entire Independence ’92 team in Ottawa.

THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE

They’re great. And there’s too many of them to list here!

Judy Mitten, Exposition Coordinator.
From electricity for the 165 booth exhibit floor to production of the Exhibitor’s manual, Judy is working to ensure the success of Independence ’92. Judy, who’s an experienced hand at planning and running and international exhibitions at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre and B.C. Place Stadium, is helping congress Manager Nancy Thompson meet the challenge of ensuring alternate information formats available to exhibit visitors.

“We are talking about everything from audio for the hearing impaired and Braille for the blind and visually impaired, to French, English and Spanish,” Judy explains. “ I’m also helping exhibitors construct displays that are barrier-free for people in wheelchairs and walkers – this show is making me look at everything with an entirely new perspective.”

Rita Nasr,
Congress Coordinator.

“Basically, I look after congress delegates,” Rita explains. “I keep everyone on schedule, look after accessibility needs, accommodation-plus pre and post – event tours. Pretty well everything!”

Rita is utilizing her experience as congress coordinator for Vancouver’s recent International Congress and Exhibition on Sports Medicine and Human Performance (April, 1991) to bring all the details together for Independence ’92. With accommodation, food and beverage, scheduling, supplies, room set-up, and simultaneous translation among her responsibilities, Rita has her hands full. On top of that, she’s taken on a new pet project – compiling a guide for accessible restaurants and entertainment in and around Vancouver for delegates to Independence ’92.

Walt Judas,
Communications Manager.

Getting the word out about Independence ’92, is as challenging as organizing the event itself. Reaching the international disabled community, industry specializing in products and services for people with disabilities – plus raising the profile of the event locally and around the world – is the responsibility of Walt Judas.

“Momentum is building as we get closer to opening ceremonies,” Walt says. “With a targeted media database, and nearly two years of exposure, Independence ’92 has been getting more and more interviews, editorials and support.”

With a decade of media experience as a foundation, Walt develops the media plan from the research, writing, and photography stage, through to printing, distribution and advertising. The communications component involves lobbying among local and national government offices as well as speaking engagements to interested groups and organizations. During the event itself, Walt will oversee the fully accessible media center at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre.

Marie-Andree Mathieu,
Project Secretary.

In keeping with the multi-lingual mandate of Independence ’92, Marie-Andree is responsible for coordinating information between project staff, congress delegates and both the National Advisory Committee in French, English and Spanish, Italian and Portuguese. After joining the team in January, 1991, Marie-Andree has become a one-woman language specialist and secretary extraordinaire.

Nancy Thompson,
Congress Manager.

Before accepting the position as the first member of the Independence ’92 team back in 1989, Nancy had already logged many miles for the disabled community. As a consultant who specializes in disability issues, Nancy served as Tour Manager for Rick Hansen’s Man in Motion World Tour which raised 23 million dollars for spinal cord research and Wheel Across America, a similar tour which aided the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.

As congress manager, Nancy is responsible for all aspects of the international congress portion of the event which expects over 3,000 people – half from the disabled community. Nancy works with city, provincial and national governments, plus hotel, airline and bus companies to make changes and identify solutions to potential problems for visitors with disabilities. In addition, she is also responsible for ensuring Braille, large print, audio, English, French, Spanish, ASL, Quebec sign language and more.

“The logistical challenges really keep us hopping,” Nancy says. “But if the legacy is improved understanding and a commitment for change among the able-bodies population, business and government, as well as the disabled community, then we’ll have been a success.

Brad McCannell,
Project Manager.

Brad speaks of the growing support with an infectious enthusiasm. “People are jumping on the bandwagon wanting to know how they can get involved,” he says. “It’s fantastic. Brad comes to the Independence ’92 team after a career in television producing and writing. Producing an international congress and exhibition on disabilities reminds him of the same lesson he learned from his years in television, “Don’t assume anything!”

“The big challenge is to make it equally relevant to the guy from New York and the guy from Zaire,” Brad explains, “Independence ’92 is seeking solutions that will work not only in the high-tech cities of the industrialized world, but also in the villages of the poorest developing countries. Independence ’92 must be for all people with disabilities.”

To ensure success Brad believes the event must be market driven. A full 13 per cent of the total population is disabled, and that number rises to 33 per cent when the disabilities associated with an aging population are considered. “This is a $500 billion market in North America alone,” he says. “Also, employers must be made aware that this group represents the largest untapped work-force in the country. Independence ’92 is employers’ chance to learn barrier-free design, so they can utilize this work-force.”

As Independence ’92 takes shape, Brad makes his point of view known that it’s the business world that makes change, not well-meaning legislation. “When employers make the worksite accessible, employees from the disabled community will come. This is a loyal, hard working group we’re talking about.”

Victoria Minnos, Sales Manager.

“As each day brings us closer to show time, my job gets easier and easier” Victoria explains. “Once potential exhibits are made aware of the market we’re assembling here in Vancouver, they are happy to sign on the bottom line.”

Victoria is responsible for selling space at Independence ‘92s International Exhibition. Working from a targeted database, Victoria is securing participation from a wide cross-section of high-tech manufacturers and specialized service organizations as well as companies offering various solutions for independent living. Although her years of sales experience have given her the necessary tools to sell the exhibition, Victoria was unprepared for the satisfaction she gets from representing Independence ’92.

“The first rule of sales is that you have to believe in your product,” Victoria explains. “I’m sold on the ideals and marketability of Independence ’92 – and that makes it easy to sell.”

Phil Heard, Vice President,
New Business Development.

The whole idea of an international event for the disabled community started back in 1989 with Phil Heard. Within a couple of months, Phil had sold the idea to Rick Hansen, now chairman of the event, and the project has been gaining momentum ever since.

Phil has been producing and organizing trade shows, congresses and special events for over 14 years. From every conceivable trade and consumer show to opera and the Vancouver Molson Indy, Phil has gained an enviable reputation of success. Success in Independence ’92,however, will be measured by unique standards.

“Our success will be measured by our ability to attract the right group of international delegates,” Phil explains. “Our goal is to get these people to go back to their countries, cities and villages with the will and power, to make changes for the disabled community. We want to reach the decision makers.”

“This event is drawing on every experience I’ve had in this every experience I’ve had in this industry,” he says. “The logistics are incredible, but with the team we’ve assembled at Independence ’92, this event is destined for greatness!”