Inclusion Lethbridge

09/25/2025

🚨 Important Update for AISH Recipients 🚨

We’ve been hearing from many individuals and families who have had their AISH reduced by $200 as of yesterday (September 24) — even while they are still waiting to hear back about their DTC (Disability Tax Credit) or Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) application.

👉 Here’s what you need to know:

The Alberta government requires AISH recipients to tell AISH if you’ve applied for the CDB — even if your application is still “pending.”

If you don’t update them, AISH may automatically cut $200 from your benefit.

This is because Alberta has chosen to subtract the CDB from AISH (called a clawback), meaning most people will not see extra income unless the policy changes.

💡 What you can do right now:
✔️ Contact your AISH office and let them know the status of your DTC application or CDB application process.
✔️ Keep records of your calls, forms, and letters.
✔️ Ask for help if you’re unsure — Inclusion Lethbridge may have community resources for you.
✔️ Share your story — your voice matters.

We know this is causing stress and hardship for people already living below the poverty line. Inclusion Lethbridge is standing with you and calling on the province to end the claw back so people with disabilities can live with dignity.

📢 Take Action: Call, or Email your MLA, Premier and Ministers and demand that they tell AISH not to withhold the $200 that individuals haven't received yet.
Next, write letters/contact your public officials to STOP this legislative injustice to the disability community in Alberta.

You are not alone. 💙
Please Share! Please network and help build a community of support! We’ll keep sharing updates as this unfolds.

Send a message to learn more

09/23/2025

Reminder!
Tonight from 5:00–7:00 PM at Inclusion Lethbridge, we’re hosting another Drop-In Letter Writing Event ✍️💌

We’ll provide templates, postage, and stationery—all you need to bring are your thoughts and concerns about the latest disability issues impacting our community.

Come add your voice, share your perspective, and help us advocate for meaningful change together! 💙

📝 Join our Letter-Writing for Disability Rights!
We’re hosting community letter-writing sessions to push for real policy change. Drop in, add your voice, and help flood decision-makers with impactful real life experienced letters.

When:
Wed, Sept 3 — Afternoon
Wed, Sept 10 — Afternoon
Wed, Sept 17 — Afternoon
Tues, Sept 23 — Evening (special after-hours session)

We’ll have templates, talking points, addresses, envelopes, and stamps on hand—come as you are. Bring a friend, share your story, and help move the needle on disability rights in Alberta. Upset with any and all things happening in the disability sector right now, or want to raise your voice in advocacy as an ally or community member? Please pop in and connect/network with us as we support the disability community!

👉 Can’t make it? Message us for a take-home kit or digital templates.
🧡 Let us know your access needs so we can support you.

09/23/2025

🌟 October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month! 🌟

Join Upside Down in LA and Inclusion Lethbridge for a special All ages evening of music, celebration, and community connection! 💙💛

🎶 Musical Guests:
✨ Queen of the Worms
✨ Shaela Miller

📅 Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
🕕 Time: Doors at 6:00 PM | Show starts at 7:00 PM
📍 Location: The Owl Acoustic Lounge, Lethbridge

🎟️ Tickets: $20 in advance | $25 at the door
In advance tickets are available at Inclusion Lethbridge and Owl Acoustic Lounge

This night is all about celebrating the Down Syndrome community, raising awareness, and sharing joy through music and togetherness. Come out, bring your friends, and help us spread awareness and love for a truly inclusive Lethbridge!

💙💛 Let’s make this an unforgettable evening of celebration!

09/20/2025

📢 CALL TO PARENTS: Let’s Stand Together for Our Kids!

Families your invited to attend an important parent forum:
🗓 Date: Tuesday, September 23, 2025
⏰ Time: 5:00 pm (just 5 minutes of your time makes a difference!)

📍 Place: Education Center – 433 15th Street South
This is your chance to be visible, to stand united, and to share your perspectives as parents of both neurotypical and neurodivergent children. Together, we will highlight concerns about:
✔️ Overcrowded classrooms (30+ students per room)
✔️ Teachers stretched too thin
✔️ Lack of Educational Assistant (EA) support
💡 Why it matters: Bodies in the room = impact.

One parent can be ignored, but dozens can’t.
Bring your kids, bring your voices, and bring your presence. No speeches required—just showing up makes a difference.

👉 All parents welcome—your presence matters. Dads, moms, caregivers, grandparents, past and present parents—all are needed.

📧 Questions? Want to share your story? Contact: parekh.sital@gmail.com

09/17/2025

📬✨ Today we mailed out 128 letters to MLAs, the Premier, and the Opposition — all written by our incredible self-advocates.

These letters speak loudly about disability rights and the current challenges facing our community. Every page is a reminder that when we raise our voices together, change becomes possible.

👏 A huge congratulations to our self-advocates who put their time, heart, and courage into writing these. Your words matter, your voices matter, and this is advocacy in action! 💪💙

09/16/2025

Reminder:

Tomorrow afternoon is another Letter writing event!
Feel free to drop in we have templates, labels, and are happy to help with the process!

📝 Join our Letter-Writing for Disability Rights!
We’re hosting community letter-writing sessions to push for real policy change. Drop in, add your voice, and help flood decision-makers with impactful real life experienced letters.

When:
Wed, Sept 3 — Afternoon
Wed, Sept 10 — Afternoon
Wed, Sept 17 — Afternoon
Tues, Sept 23 — Evening (special after-hours session)

We’ll have templates, talking points, addresses, envelopes, and stamps on hand—come as you are. Bring a friend, share your story, and help move the needle on disability rights in Alberta. Upset with any and all things happening in the disability sector right now, or want to raise your voice in advocacy as an ally or community member? Please pop in and connect/network with us as we support the disability community!

👉 Can’t make it? Message us for a take-home kit or digital templates.
🧡 Let us know your access needs so we can support you.

09/16/2025

Looking back on Friday, we wanted to take a moment to thank all of the organizations that came and supported with advocacy tables. From Quest Support Services, Toastmasters YQL, Southern Alberta Community Living Association and CATALYST - No Two Employment Paths The Same, to Fusion, Sexual Assault Centre, Lethbridge Family Services Pro-Choice Society of Lethbridge & Southern Alberta to even our own volunteers Inclusion Lethbridge.

Thank you for the work that you do in supporting the Disability community in Lethbridge and surrounding area!

09/12/2025

✨ What a day! ✨

The 15th Annual Citizens Walkabout was an incredible success! Over 100 people joined us as we walked from City Hall, and more than 160 gathered at Galt Gardens for music, stories, and connection. 💜

This day showed the strength, resilience, and unity of our disability community and allies. Together, we walked not just for visibility, but for equity, dignity, and the belief that we rise stronger when we rise together.

A heartfelt thank you to every self-advocate, family member, supporter, volunteer, and community partner who made this possible. 🌟

📸 Here are some highlights from an unforgettable day of community, advocacy, and celebration. More coming, and if you got some good pictures either TAG or send to Chelsey so she can put them up. chelsey@inclusionlethbridge.org

09/11/2025

Who's ready for the 15th Annual South Region Self-Advocacy Network (SRSAN) Citizen Walk About tomorrow?
WE ARE, and we cannot wait to see the disability community, allies, and Lethbridge show up and support this incredible event!

Just a reminder, there will be NO BBQ after the walk, but that doesn't mean you can't pack a lunch or hit one of the many incredible downtown lunch spots while enjoying disability awareness and advocacy.

Don't forget to wear your previous years T-shirts, and be on the lookout for Chelsey who will have a button pin to celebrate the event!

Huge shout out to some of our awesome partners: Quest Support Services (and their incredible S.A.I.L. Program), and Gemini Entertainment along with volunteers!

09/09/2025

🚨 Seclusion Rooms Still Exist in Alberta Schools 🚨

As Albertans prepare to vote for school trustees on October 20, 2025, it’s important to know that some divisions are still using seclusion rooms—spaces where children are locked or isolated alone.

📊 In 2024–25, Alberta schools had 116 seclusion rooms across just 11 divisions, with students being confined over 7,000 times the year before.

👉 Seclusion and restraint are not teaching strategies. They cause harm—especially to children with intellectual disabilities who may not understand or be able to speak up for themselves.

Inclusion Alberta continues to call for a ban on seclusion and restraint. The only ethical response is investment in positive, proactive supports that help children thrive, not punish them.

💡 What you can do:

Ask school trustee candidates where they stand on banning seclusion before the Oct. 20 election.

Talk to your child’s school and ask about their policies.

Refuse consent for your child to be secluded.

Share what you learn, complete the Inclusion Alberta survey, and report instances in the National Exclusion Tracker.

Together, we can push for safe, inclusive, and supportive classrooms for all children.

As Albertans prepare to vote for school trustees on October 20, 2025, they should know that some school divisions still utilize the practice of seclusion and have seclusion rooms.

Inclusion Alberta continues to call for a ban on these practices. These are not teaching strategies and cause harm to all children, especially those with intellectual disabilities who may not understand what happened or be able to speak up for themselves.

A freedom of information request revealed that in 2024–25, Alberta schools had 116 seclusion rooms in just 11 of 59 Public and Catholic divisions. Students were confined more than 7,000 times the year before.

Learn more about the use of seclusion and restraint in Alberta's schools, what you can do to help safeguard school-aged children and find some questions you can ask your local school board trustee in our latest Connections blog: https://inclusionalberta.org/connections/seclusion-rooms-in-alberta-schools-2/

09/09/2025

Today, September 9, is FASD Awareness Day (9/9—symbolizing the 9 months of pregnancy). 💛

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a lifelong, brain-based disability. People with FASD are our classmates, coworkers, neighbours, and friends. They deserve understanding, accessible supports, and communities that see their strengths.

At 9:09 a.m. and 9:09 p.m., take a moment to reflect on how we can build alcohol-free pregnancy supports, reduce stigma, and make services easier to access for families and caregivers. Let’s choose support, not shame—compassion saves lives and strengthens communities.

Ways to help today:

Wear red or post a photo to spark conversation ❤️

Share resources and listen to lived experience

Advocate for inclusive policies in schools, health care, and employment

If you or someone you love needs information or connection, reach out to local supports and to Inclusion Lethbridge—we’re here to help.

Today marks International FASD Awareness Day 🌍️

On the 9th day of the 9th month we raise awareness of the importance of going alcohol free for 9 months of pregnancy, as well as recognising the fantastic progress made in FASD around the world and the amazing achievements of people with FASD ✨️

Stay tuned to see what we get up to in Manchester today!