Communiqué de Presse

For immediate release

WIAIH : Hand in hand with West Island families for 50 years.

Pointe Claire, November 1, 2007. If you are not the family or friend of someone who has an intellectual disability or autism, you probably haven't had the occasion to know WIAIH, the West Island Association for the Intellectually Handicapped. Founded in 1958 by parents looking to build a better community for their children, the association has weathered many challenges over the years, but at 50 is looking strong and fit and ready to move into its middle age. is Many exciting events are planned over the course of the year. Mr Clifford Lincoln, a past-president of WIAIH and respected Quebec statesman is the official spokesperson for the anniversary year. (See biography attached)

The West Island is home to a higher percentage of people with intellectual disabilities and autism than any other region in Quebec, so the question can be asked: which came first the families or the services? Our response would be that because of WIAIH and other groups, families moved here to take advantage of the services. Our Association creates a variety of innovative activities at the community level that encourage and equip our families to connect with each other, and provides personal and collective leadership to sustain them over the lifelong challenges they will face. Strong families build strong communities.

Apart from services to families, WIAIH annually involves hundreds of volunteers who want to make a difference in their communities - an idea that is a cornerstone of our society. WIAIH, and groups like it enable Canadians to come together to address needs they feel are important. The Canadian voluntary sector employs more than 6.5 million people - it drives, supports and anchors quality of life in this country. WIAIH serves as an expression of Canadian values; our capacity to serve our neighbours helps to shape the quality of our lives and our communities.

The West Island Association for the Intellectually Handicapped has served as an incubator for the development of other local organizations in the sector. By providing moral and often financial support for their development, WIAIH was instrumental in the launch of West Island Citizen Advocacy, Placement Potentiel, AVATIL, West Montreal Readaptation Centre, and the West Island Residences for the Intellectually Handicapped. WIAIH parents fundraised and built John F. Kennedy School and the ex-Garry Taylor Centre in Beaconsfield in the 1960s. Combined, these organizations serve thousands of families and people with developmental delays annually.

The 50th anniversary of WIAIH is a huge milestone considering the challenges that face community organizations in this country, not least of which is a lack of stable funding. But this year, we will celebrate the struggles that forged such a strong organization and has helped make the West Island a more caring community.

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Contact: Natalie Chapman, Director, 514-694-7090 or dire...@wiaih.qc.ca