Inclusion Alberta

11/20/2025

‘We Advocate’ is a podcast that you may wish to check out if you are interested in learning more about the proposed new changes to AISH and the new Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP).

Hosted by Gordon VanderLeek, a Calgary wills and estates lawyer, and Annie VanderLeek, a disability advocate, the show shares both legal and personal advocacy perspectives and there are several recent episodes that focus on AISH/ADAP.

Check it out at: https://disabilityadvocates.ca/pages/we-advocate

11/19/2025

*UPDATE* We are so incredibly pleased to announce that this morning's fundraising event raised $304,604! 18 new Dream Makers joined (those who pledge to give $1,000/year or more for 5 years) and 10 current Dream Makers renewed their pledges for another 5 years. From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU! These much needed funds will go a very long way in supporting children and adults with intellectual disabilities and their families in their pursuit of an inclusive life in our province.
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Thank you to the nearly 1,000 people who joined us in-person at the Edmonton Inn or online from across the province (including at watch parties at Red Deer Polytechnic, in Medicine Hat, Wetaskiwin and Grande Prairie!) at the 2025 Changing Lives, Changing Communities Fundraising Event.

As our Vice-President Barb Nish said today, “You have shown up as allies with a common purpose and that matters more than I can say.”

Thank you to CTV’s Josh Classen for graciously hosting this morning and to the brave families who stood in front of so many people to share their stories.

Thank you to our generous event sponsors today. Because of them, all funds raised today will go directly to supporting the many families in our community who need us: Milkjar, Concordia University of Edmonton, UFA Agricultural Community Foundation, ATCO, DHL, Keen Creative, ATS Traffic and Production World. Thank you! ❤️

11/19/2025

Guests are settling in and enjoying breakfast before the program begins at the Edmonton Inn for the 2025 Changing Lives, Changing Communities Fundraising Event! Soon they will hear first-hand from some of the families whose lives have been changed with the support of Inclusion Alberta.

Thank you to the hundreds of people across the province for joining us online this morning as well, including at watch parties at Red Deer Polytechnic, in Medicine Hat, Wetaskiwin and Grande Prairie!

Thank you to our generous event sponsors today. Because of them, all funds raised today will go directly to supporting the many families in our community who need us. , , , , , , and .world. Thank you! ❤️

11/17/2025

**Media Release: Inclusion Alberta calls on government to include family voices in ‘classroom complexities’ reform**

Inclusion Alberta is deeply concerned that no parent representatives or organizations advocating for families of children with disabilities have been named to the Class Size and Complexity Cabinet Committee. The decisions this committee will make will profoundly affect the lives of students with disabilities and their families and it is essential that their voices and lived experiences are represented and not overshadowed by institutional interests.

In July 2025, the province announced the Aggression and Complexity in Schools Action Team, a 25-member group tasked with addressing classroom challenges. There was no representation on the Action Team of parents or organizations with expertise in disability, mental health, behavioural challenges, or English Language Learners. So far, the appointments to the Class Size and Complexity Cabinet Committee repeat the same exclusionary pattern.

“Government must ensure that those who stand to be most impacted by the decisions related to the challenges in our education system have a central role in generating solutions that are built on research and that do not reinforce stigma and negative stereotypes,” says Trish Bowman, Inclusion Alberta’s CEO. “Just as teachers want a voice in these important discussions, families of children with disabilities need a seat at the decision-making table.”

Government has stated that a new inclusive education policy will be developed to replace the Standards for Special Education, a Ministerial Order regulating how students with disabilities are educated and providing parents with legal avenues to appeal decisions. The government’s expressed interest in exploring the addition of more segregated classrooms for students with disabilities marks a troubling shift away from inclusive education. Research spanning over 45 years, including Alberta’s own experience, has consistently shown that inclusive education leads to better academic and social outcomes for all students—those with and without disabilities.

“Challenges like limited resources or overcrowded classrooms must not be used as excuses to segregate students with disabilities from their peers,” said Troy Hale, Inclusion Alberta’s Treasurer and parent of a student with an intellectual disability. “Every student, including those with intellectual disabilities, has an equal right to learn in their community school, fully included with their classmates.”

Inclusion Alberta calls on the Government of Alberta to immediately:

-Appoint parents and organizations advocating for students with disabilities to all education policy committees.
-Uphold the legal protections for parents to choose inclusive education provided by the current Standards for Special Education.
-Reject any move toward increased segregation and recommit to inclusive education for every child.

Families deserve to be valued partners in shaping their children’s education—not to be excluded from critical decisions.

For more information, visit: https://inclusionalberta.org/connections/media-release-inclusion-alberta-calls-on-government-to-include-family-voices-in-classroom-complexities-reform/

11/07/2025

Dr. Ginetta Salvalaggio (Professor at the University of Alberta Department of Family Medicine) and Petra Schulz (Disability rights advocate) have written a blog about how government is wasting healthcare resources by transferring individuals from AISH to ADAP and then requiring new assessments for them to reapply to AISH with.

"All current AISH recipients have already gone through this process with their doctors, yet it must now be repeated. . . .
The government is unilaterally manufacturing unnecessary bureaucratic work over unrealistic timelines. The imposition of redundant paperwork disproportionately affects professionals who have chosen to work in underserved communities. . . . The work is either unpaid, or places a health-threatening financial burden on patients. This major additional workload will increase ALL patients' wait times for primary care services."

Check out the full blog: https://www.friendsofmedicare.org/blog_more_cuts_for_aish

11/04/2025

**UPDATE** We are pleased to announce that $148,814 was raised at this morning's event! These funds will go a very long way in allowing us to continue to provide much needed support to individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families in our community in their desire to live fully inclusive lives. From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU! ❤️
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Thank you to all of our guests who joined us for breakfast this morning at the 2025 Changing Lives, Changing Communities Fundraising Event in Calgary!

As our CEO, Trish Bowman, said this morning, "We live in a time when families and persons with intellectual disabilities need to know there are supportive people out there. Being here to learn more about Inclusion Alberta and the hopes and dreams of children and adults with intellectual disabilities and their families, sends a positive message."

We hope you left as inspired as we did, with a sense of renewed hope. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your support shown today ❤️

Thank you to the brave families who courageously shared their stories today.

11/04/2025

Good morning to all of our guests arriving at the 2025 Changing Lives, Changing Communities Fundraising Event in Calgary! Guests are getting settled and have begun enjoying breakfast and coffee at their tables. Our program will begin shortly, and guests will hear first-hand from a few families whose lives have changed with the support of Inclusion Alberta.

Thank you to our generous event sponsors today. Because of them, we are able to host this event while continuing to support the many families in our community who need us: MilkJar, Concordia University of Edmonton, UFA Agricultural Community Foundation, ATCO, DHL, Keen Creative, ATS Traffic and Production World. Thank you! ❤️

11/03/2025

Central Alberta residents wanting to sign the Alberta Disability Assistance Plan (ADAP) petition can now do so in Red Deer. It's a paper petition that is required to be signed in-person, and you can do so at Junktiques on Little Gaetz.

Learn more and read the full story at the link found on the curated news page of our website here: https://inclusionalberta.org/curated-news-content/

Learn more about how ADAP will be a $200/month cut to AISH and what you can do to take action to help stop it on our website here: https://inclusionalberta.org/adap-facts-and-take-action/

10/27/2025

Milk Jar Candle Company is a true leader in inclusive employment! Check out why owner Holly Singer says that hiring people with disabilities isn't a 'hurdle'...it's an advantage.

10/22/2025

Individuals and families are increasingly reaching out to Inclusion Alberta expressing disappointment, fear and confusion about the newly proposed Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) and what it means for them. We have created a resource where you can learn the facts about ADAP and what you can do to help stop the cut.

https://inclusionalberta.org/adap-facts-and-take-action/

10/16/2025

October is Disability Employment Awareness Month, and we are highlighting how Rotarians and local businesses are creating meaningful jobs for individuals with intellectual disabilities through Inclusion Alberta’s Rotary Employment Partnership.

Albertans with intellectual disabilities experience an unemployment rate of more than 70%. The Rotary Employment Partnership is creating life-changing job opportunities while providing an untapped labour market to Alberta’s business community. The partnership has created over 900 jobs to date in diverse fields such as trades, hospitality, manufacturing, childcare, culinary, the arts and office administration. Real work for real pay. Learn more about becoming an inclusive employer.

Logan is wrapping up his fourth summer with Parks Canada as part of the Visitor Experience Team in Banff National Park. This season, he’s been busy helping visitors learn about safe human-wildlife interactions, food storage, and the importance of protecting endangered species. Working alongside his team, Logan shares valuable tips to ensure everyone enjoys a safe and memorable experience in Banff. He has also completed a test run of a new self-guided audio tour and has shared valuable feedback to improve the experience for visitors. He’s excited to continue his journey with Parks Canada this fall as part of the Heritage Presenter Team at the Cave and Basin National Historic Site and the Banff Park Museum.

Lynda, Interpretation Coordinator with Banff National Park, says that Logan’s keen interest in nature and parks has been welcomed by both park visitors and his colleagues.

“He has always come to work with a keen desire to grow and learn unique ways to engage people in conversations about Banff’s natural and cultural history,” says Linda. “Staff members have been captivated by his presentations about how to build programs, activities, and signs with accessibility in mind. Logan has started and ended his workdays with a smile and has had the great ability to help others enjoy their work as well.”

Thank you, Parks Canada for your continued commitment to inclusive hiring over the years.

Learn more about how you can tap into a valuable labour market by becoming an inclusive employer through the Rotary Employment Partnership. Let’s move beyond awareness and take action to open doors, build inclusive workforces, and tap into an often-overlooked talent pool.

October is Disability Employment Awareness Month, and we are highlighting how Rotarians and local businesses are creating meaningful jobs for individuals with intellectual disabilities through Inclusion Alberta’s Rotary Employment Partnership. Albertans with […]

10/10/2025

*COVID 19 vaccination information for Albertans with disabilities*

DID YOU KNOW? Albertans with disabilities age 6 and older are eligible for free COVID 19 vaccinations this fall under ‘Phase 1’ of vaccine rollout. Appointments must be made on the government of Alberta website or by calling 811.

For more information visit:

Learn about COVID-19 and how to protect yourself and your family.