Voice of Albertans with Disabilities

Voice of Albertans with Disabilities (VAD) | Together, We HOLD the Power! Voice of Albertans with Disabilities (VAD) is dedicated to supporting individuals, organizations, government representatives, schools, business personnel and employers to reduce the barriers and find solutions that prevent full participation.

VAD has moved! We are in the process of setting up phones and internet. So please have patience if we dont call you back or email a response right away.

As of August our office will be open for appointments again! Watch for news or visit our website for updates:

Voice of Albertans with Disabilities (VAD) | Together, We HOLD the Power! Voice of Albertans with Disabilities (VAD) is dedicated to supporting individuals, organizations, government representatives, schools, business personnel and employers to reduce the barriers and find solutions that prevent full participation.

Exciting news! Click&Push has partnered with Explore Edmonton to enhance accessibility at KDays, with support from Edmonton Unlimited’s Capital City Pilots program.
Melissa Radu, Executive Director of Destination Stewardship at Explore Edmonton, says, 'Our pilot collaboration with Click&Push will allow us to create a direct line of communication with users of our public spaces. This initiative underscores our commitment to nurturing a vibrant and inclusive ecosystem for local innovators.'
Read the full announcement: www.clicknpush.ca/articles/click-amp-push-accessibility-inc-partners-with-explore-edmonton-for-enhanced-accessibility-at-k-days

My first podcast! 👍

Thank you to Voice of Albertans with Disabilities for having me on to discuss accessible housing, how important this issue really is, and the potential there is to create more inclusive neighbourhoods through a unique new program by No Limits Collective!

Listen here 👉 buzzsprout.com/1678687/15199650

National Indigenous Peoples Day
June 19, 2024
Time: 3pm - 7pm
Location: YMC Castledowns 11510 153 Ave NW, Edmonton AB

Waterski and Wake Alberta will once again be hosting adaptive clinics across the province including Calgary, Edmonton, Lacombe, and Lethbridge area. I have attached a poster with the details. Please feel free to share on your social media and with your members as you see fit.

Individuals can visit https://www.wswa.ca/adaptive-program for further information on these clinics and to register.

Videos and more information can also be found on our instagram page

Splash Adaptive Program | WSWA Continue to develop awareness and accessibility for Alberta Adaptive Athletes to the joys of water skiing through our “Give-it-a-Go-Days” introductory program.

The Voice - No Limits Collective - Red Plaid Developments with Adam A - VAD Society's Podcast Join VAD as we learn about accessible housing as envisioned by Red Plaid Developments.  Adam has some great insight and knowledge about the housing industry and shares the vision of No Limits Collective and how the community across Alberta ca...

Hey everyone! Exciting news from CBC: For the first time in history, the Stanley Cup Final will be broadcast in American Sign Language (ASL)! Each game between Edmonton and Florida will feature Deaf broadcasters providing play-by-play and color analysis. This groundbreaking initiative sets a new standard for inclusivity in major sports leagues. Check out CBC Sports for more details!

Have you registered as a member for the VAD AGM on Saturday! Make sure you register or send in your membership proxy vote!

See you at 1 on June 1, 2024.

Share you NAAW stories with VAD!

Listen to Bean talk about ReYu Paralysis Recovery Centre on this great podcast!

The Voice - ReYu with Bean Gill - VAD Society's Podcast VAD talks with Bean from ReYu about their services and upcoming events.  Listen and learn about this great resource in the community.

THE EDMONTON EPILEPSY ASSOCIATION is TURNING 65!
Visit our page at: https://edmontonepilepsy.org/gala-65/ .
On June 22, 2024 we are hosting a free community event at Rundle Park.
For kids and youth, enter our Mascot Contest today! Help us design the next EEA mascot.

Gala 65 | Edmonton Epilepsy Association EVENTS AND PROGRAMS June 22, 2024 FUN AT THE PARK - REGISTER TO ATTEND AND PARTICIPATEComing soon - link to register and participateJune 20, 2025 - Epilepsy SymposiumJune 21, 2025 - EEA Anniversary Gala 65 Years Of Hope: From Shadows To Light! Taking down epilepsy stigma, one conversation at a time....

The Voice - PLAN Edmonton with Lee, Judy and Julia - VAD Society's Podcast Join VAD as we speak with a client, a facilitator and a family member of PLAN Edmonton.  We hear about how PLAN assists individuals in the community and what the members feel is great about PLAN Edmonton.

VAD would like to extend a huge thank you to the volunteers that work our Bingos, Casinos, do presentations and work on our Board of Directors. Happy Volunteer Appreciation week! Your support of VAD is appreciated and welcomed from our hearts!

VAD is seeking Board of Director volunteers for the upcoming 2024-25 & 2025-26 term. Elections will be held at the VAD AGM in June. Interested in becoming a VAD BOD member? Send your resume with contact information to [email protected] and the current board will contact you with more information about the selection process.

Top 5 Wheelchair Accessible Restaurants in Edmonton: A Guide for Inclusive Dining — Zachary Weeks Discover Edmonton's top wheelchair-accessible restaurants with my expert guide. Enjoy inclusive dining with tips for a seamless experience. Click to read more!

The Voice - Public Interest Alberta with Brad L - VAD Society's Podcast Join VAD Society as we learn about the projects and resources that Public Interest Alberta offers the disability community.  With some great information about the services that are offered and provided by PIA and hear from Brad LaFortune abou...

The government of Alberta is soliciting the view of Albertans on the draft K-6 Social Studies curriculum, as well of the draft Social Studies Subject Overview for K-12. The feedback form is open until March 29, 2024.

The history of people with disabilities has never been taught in the Alberta curriculum. Albertans should learn the history of how thousands of people with disabilities were forcibly institutionalized and subjected to eugenic sterilization. In 1928, Alberta became the first Canadian province pass a law enabling sexual sterilization and this large-scale practice did not end until 1972 when the law was repealed. It wasn’t until 1980 that children with disabilities were guaranteed a right to an education in Alberta.

Social Studies should not only teach these facts, but also tell the stories of people with disabilities and their families, and the progress they’ve achieved in advocating for inclusion in society.

This survey is an opportunity for you to communicate your own personal views on what the Social Studies K-6 Curriculum and K-12 Subject Overview. In the link below, we offer suggestions on how your survey responses can express that a top priority is teaching the history of exclusion, and the current efforts to combat ableism and advance the inclusion of people with disabilities:
https://inclusionalberta.org/connections/k-12-social-studies-curriculum-feedback/

Provide your feedback before Friday - make sure the history of people with disabilities is taught to our newest generations

The government of Alberta is soliciting the view of Albertans on the draft K-6 Social Studies curriculum, as well of the draft Social Studies Subject Overview for K-12. The feedback form is open until March 29, 2024.

The history of people with disabilities has never been taught in the Alberta curriculum. Albertans should learn the history of how thousands of people with disabilities were forcibly institutionalized and subjected to eugenic sterilization. In 1928, Alberta became the first Canadian province pass a law enabling sexual sterilization and this large-scale practice did not end until 1972 when the law was repealed. It wasn’t until 1980 that children with disabilities were guaranteed a right to an education in Alberta.

Social Studies should not only teach these facts, but also tell the stories of people with disabilities and their families, and the progress they’ve achieved in advocating for inclusion in society.

This survey is an opportunity for you to communicate your own personal views on what the Social Studies K-6 Curriculum and K-12 Subject Overview. In the link below, we offer suggestions on how your survey responses can express that a top priority is teaching the history of exclusion, and the current efforts to combat ableism and advance the inclusion of people with disabilities:
https://inclusionalberta.org/connections/k-12-social-studies-curriculum-feedback/

Join VAD today! Membership fees help offset the costs of our advocacy services, assessments, and a movement to full inclusion with individuals in the province of Alberta.

www.vadsociety.ca

VAD can help with form assistance - check out our services.

Tax season is here, and Plan Institute is launching their Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) Level 1 webinar in multiple languages: Arabic, Mandarin/Simplified Chinese, Spanish, and Punjabi!

The Level 1: Intro to the RDSP webinar will teach you the basics about the RDSP. It will teach you about what an RDSP is, who qualifies for it, how to apply for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), and how to open an RDSP.

Register Here:

Arabic: Tuesday, March 19th, 6:30 – 8:45 PM: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/9kgbvxd

Mandarin/Simplified Chinese: Wednesday, March 20th, 6:30 – 8:45 PM: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/bdp48cg

Spanish: Monday, March 25th, 6:30 – 8:45 PM: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/dfgxmuz

Punjabi: Tuesday, March 26th, 6:30 – 8:45 PM: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/6kbry3h

New Research Shows Retrofitting for Accessibility Can b... New Research Shows Retrofitting for Accessibility Can be Cost Effective...

The Voice - Spinal Cord Injury Alberta with Rob MacIsaac - VAD Society's Podcast Join VAD as we speak with Rob from Spinal Cord Injury about what they offer the community and how they collaborate with AHS for spinal cord resources.

https://vadsociety.ca/vad-is-hiring-an-executive-administrator/
The Voice of Albertans with Disabilities is seeking a senior administrator with leadership experience in the Disability supports and advocacy non-profit sector. The Executive Administrator will work with the Board of Directors to support and empower people with disabilities in Alberta. The role involves financial administration, change management, and providing reports to the Board. The position is temporary for up to 6 months, with a full-time workload at the VAD office in Edmonton. The candidate will work on site for the duration of the contract.



If this position interests you, email [email protected] by February 18, 2024 at 12:00 noon. Details about the posting and next steps will be shared with suitable candidates.