Inclusion Alberta

02/24/2026

*𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐱 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐒𝐂𝐃.*
Children, families, and schools suffer when FSCD (Family Support for Children with Disabilities) is denied.

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥.
The Alberta Government’s ‘Aggression & Complexity in Schools Report’ was clear that failing to provide support in the early years adds to challenges at school.

But many families wait over three years for FSCD support—meaning children often start school without early learning or therapeutic supports.

𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬.
The report found that many children with disabilities start school without early intervention.

This means “missed opportunities during formative years, contributing to longer-term difficulties in behaviour, learning, and emotional regulation.

Schools are then left to manage these challenges.”

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐒𝐂𝐃.
The report calls for immediate action to increase FSCD and related supports—to reduce wait times and meet urgent needs.

We’re calling on the Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services to provide timely services to all eligible families.

𝐀𝐥𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐧’𝐭 𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬.
Access to FSCD helps children learn and thrive, keeps families together, and allows parents to stay in the workforce.

Without it, pressure shifts to already strained systems—schools, ERs, shelters, and mental health services.
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Learn more in our report, ‘Too Little, Too Late’: Experiences with Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD)’: https://inclusionalberta.org/connections/action-urgently-needed-contact-your-mla-about-fscd-pdd

02/23/2026

Calgary and area families and FMS staff are invited to join us for a free workshop on Saturday, March 14th, on creating a home for your loved one with an intellectual disability.

Creating a Home
- Saturday, March 14th | 10am -3pm
-Inglewood Community Centre (1740 24 Ave SE, Calgary)
-Please register in advance at: https://forms.office.com/r/rABKpCcbib
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Home is more than a roof overhead—it’s the place where we feel safe, shape our identity, and experience belonging. For people with intellectual disabilities, having a home of their own is just as essential as it is for anyone else. Yet, rising housing costs and the default reliance on group living often makes it challenging to imagine other possibilities.

In this session, we’ll explore practical and creative approaches to making a home of one’s own possible. Families, individuals and FMS staff will gain tools and strategies to design individualized support, consider affordable and inclusive housing options, and envision homes that truly reflect personal choice, stage of life, and individuality. Together, we’ll look at how to move beyond traditional models and make “home” a reality.

Key takeaways:
-Visioning and planning for a suitable home for your loved one
-Using individualized funding (FMS) to create tailored home supports
-Exploring creative and affordable housing strategies in today’s economy
-Building networks of support for long-term stability in community

Register at: https://forms.office.com/r/rABKpCcbib

02/19/2026

Inclusion Alberta’s Rotary Employment Partnership is creating life-changing job opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities while providing an untapped labour market to Alberta’s business community. The partnership has created over 950 jobs to date in diverse fields such as trades, hospitality, manufacturing, childcare, culinary, the arts and office administration. Real work for real pay.

Benjamin recently joined The Calgary Stampede Catering Team as a Porter in a casual part-time role. In this position, Benjamin works varied shifts and is responsible for setting up and tearing down event and function spaces, coordinating multiple meeting rooms, and ensuring all conference requirements are met with precision. Along with supporting operations behind the scenes, Benjamin also plays an important guest-facing role, helping to create authentic and memorable experiences for all BMO Centre and Stampede Park visitors.

Benjamin says that the staff made him feel welcome and he has really enjoyed the event catering environment.

“I am ready to take on any task handed to me,” says Benjamin. ” I can’t wait to meet all the bookings that come to us. I hope they have a great experience like I have.”

His enthusiasm and commitment to excellence make Benjamin a valuable addition to the team, and his employer is looking forward to seeing the great work he continues to bring to Stampede Park events.

The Rotary Employment Partnership team is grateful to The Rotary Club of Downtown Calgary, who made the warm connection to The Calgary Stampede.

Congratulations Benjamin on your great new job, and The Calgary Stampede on your excellent new hire!

Join inclusive businesses like The Calgary Stampede to take action to open doors, build inclusive workforces, and tap into an often-overlooked talent pool. Learn more about how you can tap into a valuable labour market by becoming an inclusive employer through the Rotary Employment Partnership:

Inclusion Alberta’s Rotary Employment Partnership is creating life-changing job opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities while providing an untapped labour market to Alberta’s business community. The partnership has created over 950 […]

02/13/2026

02/13/2026

You are invited to join us for the 2026 Inclusion Alberta Family Conference, happening April 17-18 at the Fantasyland Hotel in Edmonton!

The Inclusion Alberta Family Conference happens yearly in Edmonton, and is a time when individuals with intellectual disabilities, their families, allies and support staff as well as those working in the disability and education fields to come together and learn to support the inclusion of children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

There are workshops and sessions on various disability-related topics on both Friday and Saturday, as well as evening events where you can socialize and connect with others on both nights.

Tickets are on sale now and there are a variety of options from full Conference passes to Friday workshop only and Saturday only. Early bird pricing is on until February 28th - save $50 on a full Conference pass.

Learn more and get tickets at: https://inclusionalberta.org/2026-inclusion-alberta-family-conference/

02/09/2026

We encourage AISH recipients to participate in an important study being done by researchers at the University of Calgary on the Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) that launches on July 1, 2026. This research will look to provide evidence of how ADAP impacts poverty for Albertans with disabilities.

Researchers need participants who are:
1. Between 18 and 64 years old,
2. Living in Alberta, and
3. Either receiving income assistance (AISH, Income Support, or ADAP) or living with a disability

If you're interested in taking part—or know someone who might be—you can learn more and sign up at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdEYkjx54x9ug2wUFHYFCXvpByxIgGXWiz4BmbyDGwc9ZI2aw/viewform?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExQnlZb3FlaTFGMGRFMU9RSHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6A168T8wR6Z3yyNP9_Ml7laai9u6jN3AjpJZyqReFakxKd09YoXspgcx2rIA_aem_lBxo8jdLIcF-eBV9AG1qlQ

Family members or other trusted persons may assist in completing the survey.

02/03/2026

February is inclusive education month, and Inclusive Education Canada / Éducation inclusive Canada is hosting free online learning events all month. On Thursday this week, at 4pm MST, hear from some parents who have had positive experiences with inclusive education.

We see inclusive classrooms in action in many schools and school districts all over Alberta and Canada every day! Hear some success stories and what worked for these families.

Our 'Inclusion Chat with Parents' is this Thursday @ 6PM EST! Listen to parents describe their child's path to inclusion, share the creative ways they approached challenges, and the benefits their children experience in inclusive classrooms!

Register: https://bit.ly/3LKMPDV

02/02/2026

📌 Registration now open for the 2026 Inclusion Alberta Family Conference, happening April 17-18 at the Fantasyland Hotel in Edmonton. Discounted Early Bird ticket pricing is in effect until February 28th!


The 2026 Inclusion Alberta Family Conference is a time for individuals with intellectual disabilities, their families, allies and support staff as well as those working in the disability and education fields to come together and learn from keynote speakers and other experienced families. It’s a great opportunity to deepen your knowledge and commitment to assisting children and adults with intellectual disabilities to live fully inclusive and meaningful lives in their community. The Conference is the largest and longest standing of its kind in the world and offers fully-inclusive onsite child and teen care so parents and guardians can enjoy the Conference worry-free.

The Conference features two full-day workshops on Friday:
-Families and support staff can learn practical ways to plan for an inclusive life with Janet Klees
-Educators and families can learn to use Positive Behavioural Interventions and Supports to meaningfully include children with complex needs in the class with Virginia Walker

Plus, a variety of morning and afternoon sessions to choose from on Saturday.

Session topics include:
-Inclusive education
-First Nations disability supports
-The role of siblings
-Collective action to protect and advance inclusion
-Inclusive employment
-Supported decision making
-Sustaining resilience and hope

Check out the interactive full schedule and get tickets for the 2026 Inclusion Alberta Family Conference at: https://inclusionalberta.org/2026-inclusion-alberta-family-conference/

01/30/2026

As a fitness enthusiast and Personal Fitness Trainer student at NAIT who is supported by Inclusion Alberta’s Inclusive Post-Secondary Education initiative, Ethan has found a job that he loves as a Fitness Centre Specialist with NAIT‘s Athletics and Recreation team.

In his job, Ethan works at the reception desk at NAIT’s on-campus gym, checking in on gym-goers and helping them with memberships and any other inquiries they may have. His team is responsible for taking gym stats for safety as well as locking up after practices, renting out and cleaning equipment and maintaining a safe, clean, and welcoming environment

Ethan says he loves working with the clients that visit the fitness centre and values the relationships he has developed with his colleagues. He says he enjoys his work and that he is learning a lot about personal fitness training, a career path he plans to pursue when he completes his studies.

Ethan‘s supervisors say that they’re excited to have him on the team, and that he brings a unique skillset and knowledge about personal fitness has been critical in supporting clients to meet their fitness goals.

Congratulations to Ethan on securing a new job in your field of study at NAIT, and to NAIT Athletics and Recreation on your great new team member!

Join inclusive workplaces like NAIT to take action to open doors, build inclusive workforces, and tap into an often-overlooked talent pool. If you’re interested in hiring or learning more about inclusive employment, please contact Inclusion Alberta:

As a fitness enthusiast and Personal Fitness Trainer student at NAIT who is supported by Inclusion Alberta’s Inclusive Post-Secondary Education initiative, Ethan has found a job that he loves as a Fitness […]

01/28/2026

*Research study survey participants needed*

We know that families of children with disabilities face challenges accessing quality inclusive early learning and child care. If your child has increased support needs, please take a few minutes to participate in a survey about your experience from the past three years whether it was accessing early learning and child care or having given up trying to get access.

For more information and to take the survey, visit: https://ualbertauw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bKQvlCwsCwIrjN4