No Gatekeeping Here: Building Real Community Through Transparency and Choice

Let’s Talk About Gatekeeping (and Why It’s Not Person-Centred at All)

Alright, let’s get into it.

I’ve worked in human services for almost 18 years now supporting both kids and adults across roles in CYW, SSW, Behaviour Support, Mental Health, Addictions and DSW, you name it. And through all of that, I’ve noticed something that still doesn’t sit right with me.

Gatekeeping.

That hush-hush, "our agency only" mindset. That energy where programs don’t share what others are doing. Where support providers don’t encourage the people they work with to check out events or opportunities beyond their bubble.

And yeah, I’ve seen it firsthand. I’ve had Trailblazers want to sign up for something fun I’m offering, something simple like a dance or an outdoor hangout, and the agency they’re with straight up shuts it down.

If you’re a professional with community events or programs, please send them my way. I’m always happy to share opportunities on my platforms to help get more people involved. This community needs more, so the more the merrier! Options are gold.

Why?

These are adults. They should be making their own decisions, exploring their own interests, and having the freedom to show up in the world as they are. That’s what person-centred support actually means. It’s not about keeping someone in your program or on your schedule. It’s about helping them figure out who they are and what they want.

That’s literally the whole point behind Bill 299/10. It’s supposed to protect and honour choice, voice, and autonomy. So why are we still acting like people need permission to live a little?

Here’s where I stand. I don’t compete. And I don’t gatekeep.

I created Unique Optimism to fill a gap I kept seeing, a gap in real-life, community-based experiences for adults with disabilities. The whole point of UO is to help people turn off autopilot. And if that means they attend something another agency is running, that’s amazing. I’ll even share it and encourage them to go.

Because here’s the truth. I cheer for other agencies. I want people to have options. I want them to feel free, empowered, excited, and included. Whether that’s through UO or not doesn’t matter to me.

I also believe in transparency. Always. I don’t see the point in doing life any other way. I don’t hide behind fancy words or pretend to know everything. What you see is what you get. And what you’ll get from me is honesty, realness, and support that actually puts people first.

If you’ve been gatekeeping, maybe without even realizing it, I’m not here to attack. But I do think it’s worth asking why.

Who benefits from keeping people small? What would happen if we all started sharing a little more, cheering a little louder, and remembering who this work is really about?

There’s room for all of us. So let’s actually act like it.