Capabilities Connection of Central Alberta Association

09/03/2025

UPDATE: There have been a few more 'town halls' added by the Alberta government. We encourage all individuals with intellectual disabilities who will be affected by these changes and their families and allies to join one or more of these events and raise your concerns. It is vitally important that your voices are heard by government on this issue, and this is an opportunity for you to do so.

*Raise your voice about the new ADAP program. Join town hall events on Sept. 4, 5 and 8*

The Alberta Government recently released their plan to make changes to the AISH program and create a new program called the Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP). This plan proposes that all current AISH recipients be moved to the new ADAP effective July 1, 2026, with a benefit that will be $200 per month lower. This change will result in many Albertans currently on AISH being in a more desperate situation than they already are, even further below Canada’s poverty line.

Learn what we know so far about the changes to AISH and the new ADAP program on our website here: https://inclusionalberta.org/understanding-proposed-changes-to-aish-the-new-adap-and-how-to-respond-to-the-adap-survey/

*Raise your voice at a Government of Alberta telephone town hall event: September 4 and 5*

1. Thursday, September 4 at 6 pm
2. Friday, September 5 at 12 pm
You can call 1-833-380-0691 or join online here at the times listed above: https://video.teleforumonline.com/video/streaming.php?client=15500

*Raise your voice at The Premier’s Council’s town hall event September 8*
The Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities is holding a virtual town hall event on Monday, September 8 at 5pm where you can share your thoughts on the new ADAP program.

According to the Premier’s Council: “The Premier’s Council will be providing advice regarding the ADAP and wants to ensure that this advice accurately reflects what people with disabilities, service providers, and employers want to say.”

Zoom link to join the town hall meeting on Monday, September 8 at 5pm: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81449705788

To download the town hall invite, agenda, take the Alberta government's online survey on ADAP and learn more about the issues, visit: https://inclusionalberta.org/connections/adap-town-hall-raise-your-voice/

08/22/2025

"This is a bully punching down at a group who have little choice but to comply and no means to defend themselves."
chrome-extensio://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.albertadoctors.org/media/bvbknq4v/sfm-bulletin-august-19-2025.pdf

08/19/2025

"...At the end of the day, if the amount is still below the poverty line, I’m not sure it matters. We shouldn’t be content to keep people in poverty just because they’re less in poverty than someone else.” -Trish Bowman, Inclusion Alberta CEO

Check out the full story from CTV on the curated new page of our website here: https://inclusionalberta.org/curated-news-content/

08/15/2025

The Alberta government is seekinfcfedbackbon the ADAP program (information found below). When completing the survey remember to think of what the long term outcomes could be for your loved one.

https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-disability-assistance-program-engagement?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwMMEk5jbGNrAwwSHGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEe_g8QXsvJAmyFD3m0fDdqNwaeB0cii88XJOibttsOpQaXNk8CLy8rSbTsPKc_aem_maSZpJ9zIwnRFXoRHcBn7Q

Share your feedback to help shape the Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP).

08/14/2025

https://www.zacharyweeks.ca/blog/alberta-accessibility-report?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwMKGSRjbGNrAwoYpmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEeQ3XK-hRfF9BAW0SDDrPE-k5v4JT0wrqQPx0WpGw6uLx4IBOUDQXnHtpd3TE_aem_raGSL0em3J0gFDPZOU1Ihw

A government report on accessibility in Alberta was kept from the public. Here’s what it says, why it matters, and how to read it for yourself.

07/25/2025

A group of Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) recipients in Lethbridge are pushing back against new Alberta government requirements tied to the rollout of the federal Canada Disability Benefit (CDB). The province is mandating that all AISH beneficiaries apply for the CDB — and counts it as non‑exempt income, meaning recipients lose an equivalent amount from their AISH payments. Missing the September 5 deadline for compliance results in a $200 penalty off their October aid package.

The trio argues the process is dehumanizing, burdensome, and even counterproductive: applicants must fill out invasive forms, get medical confirmations, and navigate confusion over how the new benefit interacts with existing disability supports. Some recipients fear this red‑tape will cost more in administrative hassle than any savings for government .

📌 Why It’s Important Right Now
Immediate concern: Affected individuals are facing penalties in just over a month while living below Alberta’s poverty line of ~$2,412/month.
Policy tensions: The clash highlights friction between federal disability initiatives (like CDB) and established provincial programs (like AISH), with uncertainty over how these programs mesh.
Human rights & dignity: Recipients’ complaints underscore questions of accessibility, fairness, and whether people with disabilities have had a seat at the policy table.
Broader implications: With Alberta planning to roll out its new Alberta Disability Assistant Program (ADAP), the future of support for disabled individuals is under discussion—and people fear that CDB eligibility may become a gatekeeper for accessing full provincial support .
This story shines a spotlight on how policy shifts affect those with the most vulnerability—urgently suggesting that the government should engage with AISH recipients, streamline application burdens, and ensure fiscal measures don’t undermine support for the disabled community.

07/12/2025

Not something we typically share but we have a children's bike equipped with 'Fat Wheels' to give away. Excellent condition, fatwheels do the balancing for the rider and make the bike almost impossible to tip over. The Fatwheels are removable and can be placed other bikes if needed. 24" tires typical age group for this size is 9-12.

07/12/2025

https://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-albertas-clawback-of-federal-disability-benefits-shameful?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwLfY55leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHg_dRWjng3GxtYXlW5KuiW6q06Xt5G7uC_WEiPtkCCcmD7jORNLR7AwhgX0P_aem_U0hcq5D4eZmbTIlsPdLwxg

Alberta is the only province poised to claw back $200 Canada Disability Benefits from provincial disability income support recipients.

05/01/2025

https://www.facebook.com/InclusionAlberta/posts/pfbid024A3U6GDNoucoDzMNmC9yS8Tj6CYmcrU8UE6MJLXqD1bwiuME9g89Q2JEQo8HiEfql

People with disabilities matter.

On May 6, Albertans will come together at the Legislature to demand real change—because access, dignity, and inclusion shouldn’t be optional.
Join us at the Act NOW Rally to call for:
✅ The Accessible Alberta Act
✅ No clawbacks to the Canada Disability Benefit
✅ Real consultation—Nothing About Us Without Us
✅ Reduced waitlists
✅ Transparency across programs and services
📍 Alberta Legislature Building, Edmonton
🕛 12:00–1:00 PM
♿ ASL Interpretation available

🔗 Learn more at barrierfreealberta.ca

Let’s raise our voices for a more accessible Alberta—because no one should be left behind.

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Promotional poster for the Act NOW Rally hosted by Barrier-Free Alberta. A list of demands is included: implement the Accessible Alberta Act, no clawbacks of the Canada Disability Benefit, meaningful consultation, reduced waitlists, and public, transparent information. Includes rally details: May 6, 2025, from 12 PM to 1 PM at the Alberta Legislature Building in Edmonton. A person holds a yellow sign reading “Access Rights Are Human Rights.” ASL interpretation available.