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.
