News and Events
News - Province Wide
Red Carpet Affair 2011 - CPA (Alberta) Announces Guest Speaker / Award Winner
Likely one of the most successful professional actors with a disability in Canada, James Sanders, has been announced as the guest speaker and winner of the 2011 Christopher Reeve Award. Presented annually at the CPA (Alberta) Red Carpet Affair in Edmonton, the award is a national and internal recognition bestowed to an individual with a spinal cord injury (SCI) who has made an outstanding contribution to the greater community of persons with SCI.
Readers will have an opportunity to meet James Sanders in person and hear him speak at the Red Carpet Affair 2011 on Friday, March 18, 2011 in Hall D at the Shaw Conference Centre.
James Sanders is the first Christopher Reeve Award recipient to follow the same career path as Reeve. You will soon be able to read more about James and the upcoming Red Carpet Affair at www.cpa-ab.org/redcarpet - the 8th annual fundraising and community recognition gala in support of the Canadian Paraplegic Association (Alberta). James Sanders was featured in the Spring 2010 issue of Spinal Columns.
CPA (Alberta) 2011 Recognition Awards: Intent to Nominate
Deadline - September 13, 2010
CPA (Alberta) annually recognizes those individuals and/or organizations who go the extra mile, to support organizations like CPA through the gift of time, resources and/or finances. Please help us ensure that we consider a wide selection of individuals or organizations that may merit formal recognition by submitting an intent to nominate.
At this time we are only asking for submissions of an intention to nominate individuals or organization(s) that deserve to be recognized. An intent to nominate will then be followed up with a request for an official nomination at a later date. Check out the Awards Criteria and information about past award recipients as you consider appropriate nominees.
Awards may be presented at the Edmonton Red Carpet Affair in March 2011.
If you would like further information about the Recognition Awards, contact Larry Pempeit, Director of Community Development at 780-424-6312.
Voters with Disabilities - Edmonton:
The City of Edmonton is providing voters with disabilities with a sip-and-puff opportunity to cast their own vote using the AutoMark machine, which has been successfully used in previous elections.
This machine will be used during the Advance Vote opportunities:
October 4 to October 16, excluding statutory holidays and Sunday at Edmonton City Hall or on the two Saturdays (October 9 and 16) in each of the 12 wards.
Grant Funding: Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion 2010 Quality of Life
The Rick Hansen Institute (RHI) (previously known as SCI Solutions Network) is a Canada wide collaboration of people with spinal cord injuries, researchers, health care professionals and service providers, committed to addressing priority needs and generating solutions for people with spinal cord injury. The RHI coordinates Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion (RHWIM) events that bring communities together across the country. A portion of the funds raised by RHWIM, presented by Scotiabank, is used to support Quality of Life projects for people living with spinal cord injuries.
It is anticipated that selection for grant funding will be in the of Spring 2011, however interested applicants are invited to submit anytime between now and then. To receive a copy of the application guidelines and application form, contact Ross Norton at 780-424-6312, ext. 2227 or ross.norton@cpa-ab.org
Grant Funding: Alberta SCI Solutions
The Alberta SCI Solutions Alliance is a provincial network of individuals and organizations passionate about making a positive difference for Albertans living with spinal cord injury (SCI).
The Alberta SCI Solutions Fund was created to respond to the priority unmet needs of people with spinal cord injury by providing SCI Solutions Grants to fund projects that serve to improve the quality of life for Albertans with SCI. Applications will be accepted starting on September 8th, 2010. Application deadline is October 15, 2010. Eligible applicants include:
Individuals with spinal cord injuries and,
Organizations that provide services for individuals
with spinal cord injuries.
Successful applicants from the Spring 2010 call for applications will NOT be considered for this round of funding.
For more information, including guidelines and application forms, click on the links below or go to The Alberta Paraplegic Foundation website at www.paraplegicfoundation.org (on Sept 8th). If you experience difficulties with downloading the application forms, please contact Ross Norton at 780-424-6312 or ross.norton@cpa-ab.org.
Solutions Application Form for Individuals
Solutions Application Form for Organizations
New Law Promotes Prevention of Abuse for Vulnerable Adults
The provincial government has updated critical legislation to better protect vulnerable Albertans from abuse. This includes the new Protection for Persons in Care Act, which came into force on July 1, 2010. Read more
Share your ideas!
The Tetra Society of North America is a non-profit organization founded in 1987 that recruits skilled volunteers to create customized assistive devices for persons with physical disabilities.
Tetra is now collecting 30 of the best ideas, big or small, of things you think would enable yourself and/or others with physical disabilities to be more independent. You come up with the idea(s)...they try to make it work. How great is that?
For example:
elevating, tilting stove that provides access to
the oven and stove top controls,
power chair that is able to go faster for longer
because of a battery boost auxiliary battery and solar panel, on-board charger,
portable inflatable curb/step leveler that could be
used by a person in a manual chair power chair or scooter to navigate up or
down a curb or step when there is no curb cut.
For more information/Send your ideas to: clements.brad@gmail.com or nicola.birchall@cpa-ab.org
Honour someone for making a difference
in the lives of Albertans with disabilities
Nominations are now open for the 2010 Premier's
Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities Awards. These awards are
presented annually to recognize people as they work towards creating communities
where all citizens can participate fully.
There are many individuals and organizations in our province
who work to develop inclusive communities and improve the lives of Albertans
with disabilities, said Mary Anne Jablonski, Minister of Seniors and Community Supports. We encourage
Albertans to honour these individuals and organizations by nominating them for
a Premiers Council Award.
To read more access: http://alberta.ca/acn/201008/289616BDFD6FE-F1AD-D67F-966F05832B576914.html
Stars of Alberta Volunteer Award
Do you know someone who is always stepping up, giving back and lending a hand?
If so, consider nominating them for a Stars of Alberta Volunteer Award!
The Government of Alberta is now accepting nominations for the 2010 Stars of Alberta Volunteer Awards.
For more information, go to www.culture.alberta.ca/voluntarysector/stars
The deadline for nominations is Friday, September 24, 2010.
Websites that may be of Interest to Farmers with Disabilities
Canadian Farmers with Disabilities Registry
Farmers with Disabilities
http://www.abilitiescouncil.sk.ca/html/life/farmers_with_disabilities/index.cfm
(Page includes links to Handi-farmer Newsletter and Changing Gear Machinery Modifications Catalogue)
Events and News in Your Community
Calgary 2010 Peer Events
Orienteering Adventure and BBQ
If you love maps, exploring, and enjoy the great outdoors, join the Foothills Wanderers Orienteering Club as they map out a course around Fish Creek Park.
When: Sunday, September 19, 2010 starting at 1:30 p.m.
For more information and to RSVP, contact Sharlene Bridal at 403-228-3001 or sharlene.bridal@cpa-ab.org . Information is also posted as it becomes available at www.cpa-ab.org and on the CPA (Alberta) Facebook page.
Sail Your Own Ship
This is a program offered by CPA (Alberta) that focuses on teaching skills to individuals with chronic health issues and is designed to assist individuals with managing their own health and wellness through proactive decision making and lifestyle behavior changes. Following a successful pilot program in Calgary, sessions are currently taking place in Red Deer.
If you would like to know more about future sessions for this program, contact Joey Jenkinson at 403-228-3001 (general) , 403-228-7417 (direct) or joey.jenkinson@cpa-ab.org
Edmonton 2010 Peer Events
Ladies Night held on August 26thwasa great success with 17 people in attendance including CPA members along with a caregiver and some family members. It was an educational and informative evening with laughter, tears, sharing stories and experiences enjoyed by all. Guest speaker for the evening was Heather Kuttai, author of the book, Maternity Rolls - available through major book stores and at www.fernwoodpublishing.ca
For more information about upcoming events, contact Roswitha Dziwenko at 780-424-6312, ext. 2241 or roswitha.dziwenko@cpa-ab.org
Information is also posted, as it becomes available, on the CPA (Alberta) Facebook page.
Outdoors 4 All
Come out for a fun filled day of excursions with the TrailRider, Canoeing, and Handcycling in Edmontons RiverValley
September 25, 2010
HermitagePark, 2115 127 Avenue, 1:00 p.m.
Information will be posted as it becomes available at www.cpa-ab.org/news_events
Registered Disability Savings Plan FREE Information Sessions
The Alberta Committee of Citizens with Disabilities ACCD) is offering free information sessions on the Registered Disability Savings Plan. Sessions last about one hour and there must be a minimum of 10 people in attendance.
ACCD is working with COMPAS who has been engaged by the Government of Canada Canada (HRSDC) to explain to people with disabilities, their caregivers, social workers, supporters, and others, how the RDSP can benefit them. RDSP benefits can be very substantial. However, RDSPs are sufficiently complex that special sessions are needed to explain how they work. In brief, the RDSP is a kind of Registered Savings Plan for people with disabilities. It is the first retirement savings plan in the world to single out persons with disability for financial support from the government. For more information, call 780-488-9088.
Lifting the Silence Suicide Awareness March
The Support Network will be holding its annual Lifting The Silence Suicide Awareness March on Friday, September 10, 2010 at City Hall from 11:00 am-2:00 pm.
Help lift the silence on this very important issue.
See attached or go to http://www.thesupportnetwork.com/events/?id=129 for more information.
Fort McMurray
Disabled Parking
In conjunction with the United Way Day of Caring in Fort McMurray, CPA is investigating the possibility of working with corporate volunteers to refresh some of the community's disabled parking pavement symbols.
We are researching sources for the special paint and applying for permission to refresh the paint on several locations in private parking lots at strip malls, office buildings and community centers. We believe this to be a good match and an excellent means of increasing awareness regarding the issue of disabled parking abuse. The Fort McMurray office is hoping for some local media coverage and a chance to express concerns regarding the proper use of these parking locations.
Medicine Hat
This One Moment: Skills for Caregiving Conference
November 4th, 2010 , 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
ChinookVillage, Terrace Room (2801 13th Avenue SE
Please keep this date open and call the CPA (Alberta) Medicine Hat office at 403-504-4001 for more information or contact Melanie at the MS Society at 403-529-6797.
Grande Prairie
Grande Prairie & Region United Way
Grande Prairie & Region United Way has a new website. Check it out at www.gpunitedway.org.
Golf Tournaments
Thank you to all of our sponsors, golfers, volunteers, and staff who took part in golf tournaments held in Edmonton and Red Deer in August. While Red Deer met with heavy skies and rain, from all accounts it was still a great day. Edmonton golfers were blessed with a beautiful, sunny sky and once again, it was a wonderful day. Congratulations and thanks to everyone who participated in both golf tournaments - events that helped to raise significant money all in support of those with physical disabilities in Alberta.
Retraining Walking after Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury
Participants needed for University of Alberta Retraining Walking after Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury research project. Read more
Drug Test for Muscle Spasticity
The researchers at the University of Alberta are investigating how spasticity develops after spinal cord injury to help develop new anti-spastic drugs. They will be using two separate drugs, cyproheptadine and citalopram, during two separate experiments in order to understand what kind of change is happening to motor neurons after an injury. The study requires two days of your time, for 3 to 4 hours each experiment. If interested, you will be screened by phone to make sure that you do not have any conditions that make it unsafe for you to take the drug. Participants should have some spasticity present in their legs, but movement is not necessary. There is no cost to be involved in the study and parking costs and transportation to and from the University will be covered. If you are interested in this study please contact Kelly Brunton, MScPT at (780) 492-2258 or by email kelly.brunton@ualberta.ca. Kuen Tang at the CPA can also be contacted at (780) 424-6312 x2235 or by email kuen.tang@cpa-ab.org.
In Your Mailbox Soon - Summer 2010 Issue of Spinal Columns!
Watch for the Summer 2010 issue of the CPA (Alberta) magazine with features and regular columns covering many different areas related to spinal cord injury and other physical disabilities.
On the front cover and feature in this issue is Calgary-Buffalo MLA Kent Hehr, paving the way for city politics.
CPA (Alberta) Honored at Wicihitowin Gathering
CPA (Alberta) was honored with an Eagle Feather and Collaborative Relationship Certificate at a Wicihitowin Gathering held in June. The Eagle Feather and certificate were presented to Teren Clarke, by the Health and Wellness Action Circle of the Wicihitowin Shared Circle of Responsibility and Stewardship, to acknowledge and celebrate CPA (Alberta)'s commitment and participation at the Action Circle. CPA (Alberta) has been involved in Edmonton Urban Aboriginal Community development and liaison, through the Wicihitowin process over the past two years and continues to work on developing relationships within the Edmonton Urban Aboriginal Community to improve services for Aboriginal community members with disabilities. For more information go to www.wicihitowin.ca
Lethbridge Accessibility Plan
Fantastic news! As of Monday July 20, the Lethbridge office of CPA (Alberta) was notified by the City of Lethbridge that the City has instituted an accessibility plan for the downtown core in their current budget. This will include additional designated parking spaces for people with disabilities as well as curb cuts in areas of need. This has been brought about through the efforts of Lethbridge CPA staff and client advocacy. More details will follow in the Fall issue of Spinal Columns.
Driving Miss Daisy adds wheelchair accessible van to their fleet
An Alberta company providing service for seniors and individuals with disabilities, Driving Miss Daisy is now offering wheelchair accessible transportation with professional assistance and accompaniment. Service is available on evenings and weekends as well as weekdays.
Service must be pre-booked, no on demand service. Service booked on a first come, first served basis. Call 780-462-4580.
Enhanced 9-1-1 Service
As of February 1st, all mobile service providers will have enhanced 9-1-1 accessibility, but not in all cities. At Stage 1, the 9-1-1 service provider can obtain your phone number and narrow down your location to the closest tower. Stage Two will allow the 9-1-1 service provider to find your exact location from your phone. Click here for break down of each phone company and their accessibility to the enhanced 9-1-1 service.
Registered Disability Savings Plan
If you or someone you know is eligible for the Disability Tax Credit, there is a new registered savings program that you should know about: the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). The RDSP was introduced by the Federal Government to help Canadians to save and invest for themselves or a family member with a disability in a tax deferred environment. Go to www.rbc.com/rdsp to find out more.
Get in Motion
Get in Motion is a nation-wide physical activity counseling service for Canadians with spinal cord injury. This FREE service is designed to provide the participant with the information, and support they may need to meet personal physical activity goals, or just a little motivation to get started with a physically active lifestyle.
To participate or receive more information from a physical activity counselor, please call the voicemail line at 1-866-678-1966, or email motion@mcmaster.ca or visit www.sciactioncanada.ca.
Push to Open Nature
Dialogues
Be a part of the vision for inclusion for persons with disabilities in Alberta Provincial Parks
Employment / Education
Student Funding Information for Students with a Permanent Disability
Click here for updated information on how to apply for funding as a student with a permanent disability It has been posted on the Students Finance section on the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website www.alis.alberta.ca/studentsfinance under the Applying Online tab, under the Before you Apply tab, and under Forms and Resources. It will be also be posted shortly on the disabilities page of ALIS under the Before you Apply tab, and under Forms and Resources. It will be also be posted shortly on the disabilities page of ALIS at: www.alis.alberta.ca/disabilities