Inclusion Edmonton Region
11724 Kingsway Avenue T5G 0X5 Edmonton, AB, Canada

Last one...hope these were helpful reminders. Happy Friday!

Here is another gem from the late summer workshop on inclusive education. Remember summer?

important to call your MP

October is RDSP Awareness month! If you have a disability and are under 50 years of age, you could be eligible for up to $90,000 in government grants and bonds through a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). Please help us spread the word so that more eligible Canadians can learn about and have access to the resources and support needed to open one! https://bit.ly/2FY4q9x

"Pure madness" that the safeguards for those with disabilities and other vulnerable citizens are being removed from MAiD.

Have a great weekend! Stay tuned for more memorable take-aways next week!Have a great weekend! Stay tuned for more memorable take-aways next week!

Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us//tZApceCqqjopHtMDDgMw_-h5z_tc2wrp1 After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Inclusive affordable housing for people with developmental disabilities is an important issue to address. Many live in poverty, rely on aging parents or end up in residences and senior facilities without the wide range of choices and options most people typically experience. If you live in this area and would like to add your voice to this survey, please visit: Parkland Food Bank... Parkland Wellness Centre and Refugee Welcome Space Alberta Parenting For the Future Neighbourlink Parkland Primary Care Network Social Workers PCN Tri-Region Community Connectors Native Counseling Services of Alberta Bredin Parkland Pregnancy Spruce Grove FCSS Stony Plain FCSS For more information: www.bit.ly/TriEstimate See more

Here are some memorable take-aways from our last workshop: Inclusive Education 101 that took place on Aug. 29, 2020.

Check out this cool new online guide to Family Managed Supports (FMS)!! Many families use FMS to help support big dreams of a fully inclusive life for their loved ones.

it’s absurd not to mention heartless to save money by redefining people with disabilities to meet fiscal goals

Inclusion Alberta CEO Trish Bowman on the potential change to AISH eligibility: I understand that as a province we’re going to need to look at everything, but I think looking at people who are already more marginalized and living at or below the poverty line, it seems like an odd place to be focusing our attention.

The recent reporting that AISH (Assured Income for the Severealy Handicapped) may be reduced, which was not denied by government, is one more example of how thi...s government is losing its moral compass in the midst of a pandemic. Inclusion Alberta calls upon the government to rule out imposing cuts to AISH, a move that would further marginalize and impoverish individuals with disabilities. Read more: https://inclusionalberta.org//albertans-with-disabilities/

Today I took Jacob to get a haircut. He walked in like a typical young man, showed the stylist what he wanted on his phone and proceeded to ask her how she was ...doing. I heard Jacob carry the conversation with questions like, how's your day going and then tell her how his was. Afterward, the reception said in a soft tone (child tone) "would you like a sucker"? Jacob said "what"? in disbelief.. not because he didn't hear her, she repeated herself and he said "No thank you". when we walked out I asked Jacob how that made him feel. He said "I didn't like that, I felt like a baby and unaccepted"(as an adult). I didn't either. Jacob carries himself like an adult. I do not share this to embarrass or call anyone out. This is a result of our individuals with disabilities not being a part of classrooms and our communities. These women did not know how to interact with him. I was embarrassed for Jacob. My heart hurts when he feels those small punches to his stomach. I appreciate those doctors and nurses that speak to him directly, the bank teller who asks him the questions regarding his account, the waitress who asks him "whats for dinner" and not looking at me. I wonder how many of these little jabs I've missed that he has felt. advocating is a tough job, sometimes honestly sharing stories that hurt, but Jacob wants to share these so people understand and possibly learn so they don't do it to someone else..If your not sure how to treat a young man with Down syndrome or any disability, just treat him like a young man....On the up side, his haircut looks great! See more

Creative and flexible planning for a good life rooted in your big dreams and deep vision of inclusion is an important aspect of setting up for success. Check out this free virtual learning session hosted by the Darrell Cook Family Managed Supports Resource Centre on Sept. 19, 2020 called Visioning and Planning. It’s at 9 am on a Saturday so get your device, your coffee and let’s all learn!

INCLUSIVE EDUCATION DURING COVID-19: If you missed our presentation 'Getting Ready for the Return to School', we now have the presentation plus accompanying res...ources available on our website! Included is a toolkit for teachers, a toolkit for parents and a list of questions to ask schools. Find it here under 'Resources': https://inclusionalberta.org/covid19/ See more

How do we define Inclusion? "Inclusion happes when the lives of children and adults with an intellectual disability unfold no differently, immersed together with their peers without a disabiity in the same pathways and experience of life that is commong to all."

Thank you to all of you who attended our Inclusion Education 101 session today!!!!Thank you to all of you who attended our Inclusion Education 101 session today!!!!

More learning opportunities!

Check out this opportunity to learn ways to make your virtual classroom environment more inclusive online or in-person. You can also learn a new type of school supply list to prepare you to be at your best this school year! We will see you there! #InclusiveSchooling #InclusiveEducation

Just 2 more days to register for Inclusive Education Advocacy 101. Link Below!

With the onset of the pandemic, the world is unwittingly walking a mile in my son’s shoes This pandemic has been a lesson about loneliness. Melanie shares her experience with Carter and his vast resilience. https://www.macleans.ca//what-the-pandemic-taught-me-abo/

At what point are we collectively coming to the table to talk through these issues, and brainstorm about how we can make success possible for all children? https://edmontonjournal.com//parents-scrambling-for-the-le

You're invited to a free virtual session called "Getting Ready for the Return of School", Wednesday August 19th. Inclusion Alberta is hosting an information an...d networking session for families who are interested in inclusive education and what that could look like in the fall. The purpose of this session is to gain an understanding of your experience and provide resources and ideas to support the transition back to schooling in the fall. There are two sessions that day, one in the afternoon and one in the evening. Click to learn more and to register your spot: https://inclusionalberta.org//getting-ready-for-the-retur/ See more

Inclusion Alberta is very pleased to see that our Province’s School Re-Entry Plan emphasizes inclusive education and the provision of needed supports to ensure ...success in the classroom and all aspects of school life. The following is directly quoted from the Re-Entry Plan: The Standards for Special Education define an inclusive education as one where a student with disabilities or who require specialized supports and services is included in regular classrooms and neighbourhood schools as the first placement option. As multiple scenarios are developed for the upcoming school year during the global pandemic, there must be consideration and planning at each and every level for the inclusion of students with disabilities and the impact and potentially unique supports that will be required to ensure their success and full participation in all aspects of school life. This is important information for parents to be aware of and to bring to the attention to school authorities when their choice for an inclusive education is being challenged or denied on the basis of school finances or resources. The full plan can be found at: https://open.alberta.ca//edc-covid-2020-2021-school-re-ent