Enhance your skills and build your confidence so that community inclusion is a reality – for everyone.
Biography of Susan Hipperson, MSW, RSW
- Broad range of experiences
- Certified Personality Dimensions® facilitator
- Vice-President of Community Living Kitchener Waterloo
- Co-Chair Opening New Doors, Waterloo Region
- Experienced facilitator/trainer for families and individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism
- College instructor
Susan earned her Masters of Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, ON. Her training includes numerous specialized courses related to working with caregivers and individuals with intellectual disabilities. She received certification as a Personality Dimensions Facilitator in 2007.
Susan has worked in the disability field for 35 years, in many capacities. Beginning her career in the disability field as a volunteer in a mental institution, she became a front line staff in an institution and group home, growing with the change in philosophy and values for people with intellectual disabilities. She spent many years teaching courses at the College level about disability related topics. Her most recent experiences include designing, implementing and facilitating workshops and training sessions for families and educators involved in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.
In the past, Susan helped form Pilot Parents in Waterloo Region; a support network for parents with a newly diagnosed child. She has been an active member of KW Association for Community Living for 25 years, as president, community worker and most current as vice president. She continues to co-chair for Opening New Doors, Waterloo Region (formed in 1994) an organization that assists people with intellectual disabilities to learn about and participate more effectively in community life.
As proprietor of her own company, Susan’s Toolbox, Building Skills for Life, Susan offers many interesting workshops, skills development training and educational seminars to people involved in the lives of those with a disability. She has pooled her personal experiences, teaching background, education and frontline work as the basis for her business. She also offers motivational speaking to all audiences on various topics. She is passionate about her work with people involved in the lives of those with intellectual disabilities.
Susan works with Personality Dimensions as a tool that helps to explain what motivates behaviour in people with different personalities or temperaments, suitable for educators, parents and most everyone who wishes to become aware of their own strengths and values, as well as the strengths and values of those they interact with. In addition, she teaches courses at the community college.
Know for her humourous, fun and insightful presentations, she adheres to the adage “Tell me...”
Susan and her husband live in Waterloo, parents of four grown sons and daughters, one of whom is an engaging and industrious young man with Down syndrome. In addition, she has her constant companion Roxy – an English Springer spaniel – and one ancient cat.
