Janet Noel-Annable is the Chief Executive Officer of Karis Disability Services (formerly Christian Horizons), a national organization that provides services and support to people with disabilities in Canada and funds projects on disability in countries around the world. - Karis Disability Services photo
Janet Noel-Annable is the Chief Executive Officer of Karis Disability Services (formerly Christian Horizons), a national organization that provides services and support to people with disabilities in Canada and funds projects on disability in countries around the world. - Karis Disability Services photo
People with disabilities are taking their rightful place as citizens and contributors to communities across Canada, and the service system is shifting to support communities where everybody belongs.
The 21st century has seen a shift from institutional care to self-advocacy, self-directed services, better supportive housing, and a future of reform that will enable people with disabilities to fully belong. For decades, Canada’s largest developmental services provider, Christian Horizons, has been a voice and advocate of these changes so people with disabilities can live their best lives. To bring clarity to what we do and to ensure more people feel welcome to our services, Christian Horizons has changed its name to Karis Disability Services.
We believe that communicating a place of belonging and welcome begins with our name. Our hope is that this new name will open the doors for more people to both come work with us and for others to find the support they need.
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“Karis” comes from a Greek word meaning grace, favour, loving-kindness, and is related to the word ‘gift.’ We believe that all people have value and unique God-given gifts.
“Disability Services” clearly describes what we do. We believe embracing the word ‘disability’ is an important aspect of human diversity and is the preferred term in our community.
As the move away from an institution-based system for people with disabilities continues, the move to a person-directed support model is good news for Canadians. Even today, many people with disabilities are segregated and denied the opportunity to fully exercise their civil and human rights. As these large, inhumane institutions have been closed, Karis Disability Services, along with many other sector partners, worked to create community-based housing and support, helping people with developmental disabilities live like everybody else.
While there has been tremendous progress in this important work, there is still so much to do. Today, many people across the country languish without effective support. Elderly families act as primary caregivers for their loved ones, as they wait for service. People with disabilities spend far too long in hospitals after they are well, waiting for appropriate housing and support. Canada, and each province, is working to think differently about services for people with disabilities, and the contribution people can make when they have reasonable, timely, and effective support.
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Karis Disability Services is committed to providing the best services possible and collaborating with partner organizations to strengthen our community services system. Together, people with disabilities will find welcoming places of belonging where they can live their best lives. Communities are at their best when everybody belongs and contributes their unique gifts.
Janet Noel-Annable is the Chief Executive Officer of Karis Disability Services (formerly Christian Horizons), a national organization that provides services and support to people with disabilities in Canada and funds projects on disability in countries around the world.
