strengthened by good corporate citizenship. The benefits of becoming a champion of hiring people with disabilities are numerous. So, supportive employment is really making impressive inroads for DIRECTIONS. DM: There’s no doubt. People want to feel good about a connection and what we provide through our organizations is bursting with positivity. It’s not so much a ‘Get behind us’ attitude that businesses take on with us anymore; it’s a ‘Get a board’ mentality. It’s all about what our clients can do when they have the right supports and services and gets a lot more exciting when you have corporations and big busi- nesses working alongside you – it’s exciting! HS: DIRECTIONS agency members provide a high quality of service and high-quality partnerships. Businesses will know they are making a long-term positive impact on their communities when they seek out opportunities through us. JT: I couldn’t agree more. The young gentlemen here in Antigonish are a testament to that. When they meet people on the street, they hand them a business card every time. That’s how they introduc themselves now. They’re business owners before anything else. MS: Yes, when people have more meaningful and pro-
QUEENS ASSOCIATION FOR SUPPORTED LIVING Making A Difference Queens Association for Supported Living (QASL) is a nonprofit organization in Queens County, Nova Scotia dedicated to providing choices and oppor- tunities to persons with disabilities. Located in Liverpool, Milton and Mill Village, Nova Scotia this dynamic organization meets the chal- lenges which confront individuals in our communi- ty through programs designed to foster personal growth, independence and quality of life. DM: Our agencies provide support to people with a wide range of barriers and needs with the goal of increasing their level of independence one step at a time. On Haley Street, for example, we are supporting individuals who come with complete support needs. Gaining self-help skills and even basic independence can be a long and difficult process for these members. It’s often difficult to find the right door to open in front of some members, but sometimes the right mechanism is out there in the community. Sometimes it’s a matter of actually presenting them with choice, which they may not have had very much in their lives before connecting with us. It’s different with every single person who comes ductive lives, it makes for a tighter community. I think that applies to everyone, not just people with disabilities. MT: It can be a powerful experience for everyone involved. We often point to the example of the Carleton Road Indus- tries Association in Lawrencetown in Annapolis County. If it wasn’t for that organization, people in Lawrencetown would be driving a significant distance to access many basic services. Members of the Association help run the local XTR gas station, for instance, which is the only one in town. This is a tremendous demonstration of just the sort of thing DIRECTIONS and its various organizations bring to com- munities. What are your day-to- day challenges?
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