Albertans Advocating for Change Together

04/27/2026

04/10/2026

Disability is the only demographic that intersects with every other demographic.

04/04/2026

People in wheelchairs surrounded and barricaded two city buses over the course of two days, demanding wheelchair lifts and chanting, "We will ride."

03/10/2026

The Alberta government can't or won't share the number of people that moved to Alberta to be on AISH, but they suggest it is "a lot." They are making policy based on RUMOR instead of FACT.

Other rumors are that people are on AISH when they are not really disabled (i.e., defrauding the system). However, the facts are that possible AISH fraud that was investigated in 2024/25 found an AISH fraud rate of only .05%. That is 5 in 1000 cases.

It costs a lot to move to Alberta and leave your family, friends, home, doctors, and supports just for a few dollars more plus waiting lists for services, possibly higher living costs and months of waiting to get onto income supports. Some people have investigated what it would take to live in Alberta and get disability support, but how many of those actually move to Alberta? Give us the facts, Danielle, not the rumors.

03/09/2026

We find the new rules that the UCP has introduced for income support deeply concerning, as there are many Albertans with disabilities who rely on income support who cannot currently get on AISH for a number of different reasons. What's especially worrying is the fact that ADAP doesn't have an appeal process if a person is denied, and with income support lasting only 6 months, how are disabled Albertans who fall through the cracks going to be able to support themselves?

03/03/2026

In 2025, the Alberta government stopped funding its three regional self-advocacy groups serving adults with developmental disabilities to save less than $424,000, and then underspent its Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) budget by $52 million the same year. (Source: Budget 2026)

01/15/2026

One year ago today, the Self Advocacy Federation, Disability Action Hall, and Southern Alberta Individualized Planning Association held a media release regarding the defunding of these self advocacy groups. 115+ people attended that zoom call.

Proving beyond a shadow of a doubt the importance of self advocacy groups. We build relationships, help shape government policy, and foster meaningful conversations about inclusion.

Albertans Advocating for Change Together, a provincial disability advocacy group made up of regional self advocacy groups, relies on these smaller groups to help shape the work we do. Like a quilt, AACT is the needle and thread; and the self advocacy groups are the patches that make us stronger.

I bring this up because this decision by the Alberta government silenced many people with disabilities, it cut off a lifeline of support for so many and isolated them from the networks they relied on.

I know that there are so many awful, horrific things that this government has done, but it's so important that something like this is not forgotten.

Because they want you to. They want you to forget how they tried to silence the voiceless. And yes, there's those of us who have the privilege of still having our voice. But the ones who don't, they're the ones you can't forget.

You can learn more about the defunding, and ways you can help by visiting this link:

- Mike Wing

Links about the defunding of frontline disability advocacy groups in Alberta.

12/09/2025

We shared what we want for Christmas 2025 from the government

12/09/2025

Thank you so much CAAN (Central Alberta Advocacy Network), for having us present at the 2025 Leadership Retreat. What a great opportunity to network and have fun with other self-advocates and allies. We hope to do it again sometime.

10/16/2025

We want to thank everyone who came out to the Employment Arts Fair last night and took the time to meet and talk to our artists! Including MLA Lorne Dach !

We'd also like to thank our amazing artists for showcasing their employment journey through their art!

We'd like to thank Gateway Association for allowing us to hold the event at their office! And to Alberta Employment First Network for funding the event!

All in all it was a very successful evening!!

10/15/2025

Don’t forget to come out to our AMAZING event tonight the Employment Arts Fair!!!

Our final Featured Artist is Heath Birkholz from Edmonton!!

Heath Birkholz (they/him) is a collaborative artist, researcher and artivist/advisor whose life and work are deeply rooted in the disability community and broader movements for social justice. Their passion lies in exploring the complex ways that barriers—especially those impacting informed consent and boundary-making—shape people’s ability to make healthy decisions and live authentically in their identities. For over 20 years, Heath has contributed to multidisciplinary projects in inclusive and disability arts communities. Across these creative landscapes, Heath has served collaboratively in both written and vocal capacities—and continues to do so with deep commitment and care.

If you would like to contact Heath please send emails to hearthofheath@gmail.com