Alberta Employment First Network

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Alberta Employment First Network

02/23/2026

What can we actually do about the cuts to disability services in Alberta?

This is not a lecture. It’s about giving you real tools you can use and share with your family, friends, and allies so we can push back effectively and together.

If you care about disability rights in this province, this conversation matters.

Register now: https://www.albertandpcaucus.ca/events/events-calendar/post/learn-to-advocate

02/19/2026

📣 📣 📣

AEFN, in partnership with Better Belonging, is exploring how a Disability Employment Service Provider (DESP) Collaborative can help organizations work together to better support Albertans with disabilities to find and keep meaningful employment.

We are inviting everyone who works within disability employment services to complete a short survey to identify the challenges you face in your work, and which of those challenges could be addressed collaboratively. ⤵️

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CN6YJJ8

This Needs Assessment survey takes approximately 5 minutes to complete and responses are confidential. Please share this survey with all employees who work in employment services.

Why are we exploring a Disability Employment Service Provider (DESP) Collaborative?

- to build capacity for employment service providers in the disability sector

- changes to the sector are affecting people with disabilities

- pain points to be addressed collaboratively

- resource sharing across the province

- to build a community of practice

Stay tuned for the future of this collaborative, and we appreciate our network taking the time to fill out the Needs Assessment survey.

02/18/2026

Haven't had the chance to attend a Black History Month event yet?

There are still a handful of virtual and in person events happening across the province. This year's Black History Month theme is “30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations — From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries,” which highlights the enduring strength, creativity, and transformative impact of Black communities across time.

Events coming up in the next few days :

Calgary:

💫 Celebrating Black Scholarship - https://events.ucalgary.ca/pesjo/event/510449-celebrating-black-scholarship
💫 Black History Month: Black Lives in Alberta - Over a Century of Racial Injustice Continues - https://www.calgarylibrary.ca/events-and-programs/programs/black-history-month-black-lives-in-alberta-over-a-century-of-racial-injustice-continues
💫 Black History Month: Africa is Not a Country, It’s a Continent - Arts & Craft- https://www.calgarylibrary.ca/events-and-programs/programs/africa-is-not-a-country-its-a-continent-arts-and-craft
💫 Black History Month: An Evening with Wakefield Brewster - https://www.calgarylibrary.ca/events-and-programs/programs/an-evening-with-wakefield-brewster

Edmonton:

💫 Tales and Taste - https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/tales-and-taste-tickets-1977796167578?aff=oddtdtcreator
💫 ROOTED & RISING-A Black History Month community celebration! - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rooted-rising-a-black-history-month-community-celebration-tickets-1982462108533
💫 In Our Image: Black Bodies on Canvas - https://luma.com/tflscaxs
💫 The Development of Alberta’s Black Community- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-development-of-albertas-black-community-tickets-1977979913166?aff=oddtdtcreator

If you're looking for events in your area, visit your city or town's municipal government's website. The events above can be found on https://www.calgary.ca/events/black-history-month.html
and https://www.edmonton.ca/attractions_events/schedule_festivals_events/black-history-month

City of Calgary – Your Local GovernmentGateway AssociationMentorAbility AlbertaUniversity of CalgaryCalgary Public Library

12/24/2025

Happy Holidays from Alberta Employment First Network! 😍

Have a wonderful end of year with your community and may you feel rested and rejuvenated for 2026. We have lots of work to do! See you next year, thanks for being a part of the AEFN community.

This year we were able to accomplish quite a few things, all with your help. ⬇
✨28 events supported
✨30+ speaking opportunities
✨hosted the 4th annual DEAM Conference
✨100% increase in attendance at the DEAM IDEA Conference
✨21 DEAM AEFN Grants given out

Curious about what else we did this year? Read the overview!
https://aefn.ca/alberta-employment-first-network-2025-year-end-wrap-up/

👋🏼

12/03/2025

Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) 👏

The theme for 2025 is : Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress

What does this really mean? It means that for all of us to move forward into an inclusive society (or work place!) , people with disabilities need to be included in all you do and in your communities. 📣

We hope you get to attend an IDPD event today or this week, check out the Alberta wide events on our calendar - https://aefn.ca/all-events/

There has been an uptake in IDPD events this year which makes us happy to see. Let's keep the momentum going!

11/28/2025

November was Indigenous Disability Awareness Month ⤵️

”IDAM raises awareness about and celebrates the significant social, economic and cultural contributions that Indigenous people experiencing disability bring to our communities. It’s also an opportunity to mobilize to address the complex, ongoing intersectional challenges Indigenous people face in their every day lives.”

Read more here : https://www.supportedemployment.ca/november-is-indigenous-disability-awareness-month/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22151472453&gbraid=0AAAAACQJ9S-t9IIldZ5XZESIiaamsqwg3&gclid=CjwKCAiA55rJBhByEiwAFkY1QAu42a4ObhgxEPZgCEZOIfxHgiJLzcyrsZkTj8mFKSvIzcdfQXW_dhoCrMQQAvD_BwE

AEFN attended an event held by Community Futures Treaty 7 to celebrate and raise awareness on the initiative. At this event, many Indigenous employment centres across Treaty 7 received awards for their work during Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM). We were able to hear stories from lived experience that showcased the importance of intersectional employment services.

Thank you Community Futures Treaty 7 for a wonderful event!

11/26/2025

Join us December 3 to increase awareness of diverse abilities and promote inclusion for Albertans with disabilities.

11/10/2025

When is a good time to disclose your disability? The answer will differ for every person, but in the latest living library video, Kavin shares that she discloses early on in order to request accommodations. ⤵️

Kavin worries that asking for accommodations might lead her to not landing a role. But an employer can do their best by valuing and understanding her while still recognizing her skills. Accommodations can also depend on the business, and may be short term. What accommodations can you offer?

Watch the full video here - https://youtu.be/UYEoZp36UL0?si=tkJKQXhkzGy75S3-

11/04/2025

🚨 Don’t Miss This! Disability in the Media 🚨

Ready to level up your storytelling? Join Katie McMillan, founder of , for a must-attend session on authentic representation in media. This isn’t just a conversation— it’s a wake-up call for anyone creating content, marketing, or shaping stories.

Learn how to spot outdated stereotypes and harmful tropes, why casting and language choices matter more than ever, and how to make your work truly inclusive and impactful.

💥 Whether you’re in media, communications, marketing, part of the disabled community, or just committed to doing better, this session is packed with insights you can’t afford to miss.

Seats are limited—reserve your spot now and be part of the movement to change how disability is represented in media!

🔗Link in bio

11/03/2025

Does every person with a disability use a service provider to find a job? Not always, but sometimes it works. ⤵️

James is currently working 2 part time jobs. He had never used a service provider to help him find a job, but once he was led to Gateway Association Alberta he found that they were very patient with him and cognizant of his diagnoses in order for him to find employment. "One of the great things about Gateway Association is that they have workshops and seminars and stuff, and they will do resumes for you and they have a professional come in that will do a mock interview with you, and that was very helpful in my journey."

Check out James' full story here - https://youtu.be/zToOrupPsSc?si=Y9QhEaD714NiFIi3

10/27/2025

Have you ever heard of the term "masking"? Masking can be a method used by neurodivergent folk to camouflage and blend in , in order to be more accepted by those around them. This can look like hyper vigilance, forcing themselves to mimic behaviours that their peers may feel more comfortable doing, and not being able to share all that they are. ⤵️

In our living library video series, we talk to Chantelle Robinson about her neurodivergence , and she shares how her invisible disability was first acknowledged - during a time where it was very uncommon. She is now in a place where she feels more comfortable being herself, asks for accommodations and works for an employer that is very supportive of her.

Check out Chantelle's full story here, it's a good one! https://youtu.be/Dcit2DJaanI?si=K10QkZQSm0RlkHja

Gateway Association

10/24/2025

Wake Up to Inclusion — hosted by the (IPSESA) and the — reminded us what “Employment First” truly means: opportunity, equity, and collaboration across all sectors.

The panel discussion dove deep into what inclusive hiring really looks like — breaking down employer fears, celebrating diversity as a driver of innovation, and sharing lived experiences that inspire action. 💬

Together, we explored how we can all help fix the bridge by supporting people early and often, and by creating systems built for inclusion — not exclusion.

🎤 Panelists included:

• Jay Brewster – Rogers Communications, Sr. Manager, DEIB Engagement & Programs

• Sue Crawford MN, RN, BN, BSc – UCalgary, Manager, Health Systems Transformative Initiative

• Michael MacLeod, PhD – Executive Director, IPSESA

• Louise Riley, CCDP – Employment Specialist & Education Facilitator, IPSESA

• Caitlyn Ungrin – UCalgary student, BCR & BA in Psychology

• Siobhan Zobatar – UCalgary & IPSESA GSS Graduate; employee at Safeway & Old Navy

As a proud funder of this impactful event, the Alberta Employment First Network (AEFN) celebrates IPSESA and all community partners leading the way toward inclusive, barrier-free workplaces across Alberta — where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

# DEAM2025

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Calgary, AB

Website

https://aefn.ca/

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What is DEAM?

Disability Employment Awareness Month was implemented with the desire to recognize the inclusive environments that employers have created for individuals with disabilities, and to celebrate the skills and achievements of the workers themselves.