Inclusion Alberta

Inclusion Alberta is pleased that Alberta Municipalities recently passed a resolution calling on municipalities to, as an association, advocate for meaningful improvements to the Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) program. It recognizes that while the program is not administered by municipalities, when families are not receiving the support they need to thrive it affects so many aspects of our local communities.

This Thursday, October 1 at noon, the University of Alberta is hosting a free webinar presentation called 'MAiD for Mental Illness and the Human Cost of Precarious Constitutional Claims’.

Trudo Lemmens, Professor and Scholl Chair in Health Law and Policy at the University of Toronto, will discuss the proposed expansion of MAiD for mental illness, claims that MAiD for mental illness is constitutionally required and sound public policy, and concerns about offering MAiD as a response to mental health-related suffering.

The discussion is particularly relevant following Alberta's passage of Bill 18, legislation which prevents the expansion of MAiD on the basis of mental illness in the province and will end the provision of Track 2 MAiD (which applies only to persons with disabilities whose natural death is not reasonably foreseeable) in Alberta’s healthcare system.

To register, visit: https://ualberta-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/JEYoacN_QbS-bRG0HuUD2Q #/registration

Inclusion Alberta is pleased to announce an exciting new chapter for the organization with the appointment of Co-Chief Executive Officers 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲 𝗝𝗮𝗰𝗸 and 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗠𝗰𝗜𝗻𝘁𝘆𝗿𝗲, commencing November 1, 2026. The Board’s decision to adopt a Co-CEO model reflects and responds to the increasing complexity and demands of rapidly changing environments and reflects Inclusion Alberta’s commitment to shared leadership, collaboration and sustained stewardship of our mission.

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗠𝗰𝗜𝗻𝘁𝘆𝗿𝗲 has been with Inclusion Alberta for 19 years in a variety of roles. She began her career at Inclusion Alberta as the inaugural Inclusive Post-Secondary Education Coordinator at NorQuest College and has gone on to hold a variety of roles in Advocacy and Inclusive Post-Secondary Education leadership. In her most recent role, Charmaine has led the Provincial Inclusive Employment and Post-Secondary Education teams as Executive Director of Community Initiatives. Charmaine’s strength in developing and expanding community partnerships and her commitment to organizational excellence has created countless opportunities for individuals and families to be fully included in their communities.

𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲 𝗝𝗮𝗰𝗸 began her career at Inclusion Alberta 20 years ago coordinating Inclusive Post-Secondary Education supports at Concordia University of Edmonton. She went on to support the expansion of higher education opportunities across the province as Provincial Director of Inclusive Post-Secondary Education, to assuming her most recent role as Executive Director of Advocacy and Family Initiatives, where she has led the advocacy and family support teams. Billie’s deep commitment to families and ensuring they are supported and strengthened in their efforts to create lives of inclusion and possibilities has been an immeasurable contribution to the organization and the families we serve.

Both Billie and Charmaine hold children and adults with intellectual disabilities and their families and their desire to be fully included in all our communities have to offer at the core of everything they do. Their complementary strengths, shared values and deep commitment to the mission, vision and values of Inclusion Alberta and the families that we represent will steward Inclusion Alberta well into the future.

The Board expresses our deepest gratitude for outgoing CEO Trish Bowman’s 22 years of leadership and contributions to Inclusion Alberta, our staff and the families we serve. Her vision, guidance and dedication have impacted countless lives and will be felt in our communities for generations. Trish will have a continued role with Inclusion Alberta as a Senior Advisor.

Families who are interested in pursuing an inclusive education for their child are invited to join us for a free virtual workshop on October 20 from 6:30-8:30pm.

𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟬𝟭: 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

​𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻: October 20, 2026 | 6:30pm-8:30pm

​𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲:Virtual/Zoom

𝗪𝗵𝗼: Everyone is welcome to join but this event will be of particular interest to families of children with intellectual disabilities pursuing an inclusive education.

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: Catherine Oakleaf, Inclusion Alberta Director of Advocacy and Stacey Andrews, Inclusion Alberta Senior Advocate

𝗧𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿: This event is free to attend but please register in advance at: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/YOHkls1UTuCRuO1Hyij_ug #/registration

Whether your child is newly attending school in kindergarten to grade 12 or you are looking for strategies to strengthen your child’s inclusion at school, this virtual session will help you understand your child’s rights, available supports, best practices, and practical approaches for working collaboratively with your child’s school team.

Together, we’ll explore how families can work collaboratively with educators, navigate common challenges, and advocate for meaningful inclusion to ensure their children have equitable opportunities to learn, belong, contribute, and build relationships alongside their peers.

Join us to gain practical information, resources, and opportunities to ask questions in a welcoming and supportive environment. This workshop is primarily tailored to families of children with intellectual disabilities but will share approaches and practices that are effective for all learners.

Inclusion Alberta would like to thank the Honourable Nathan Neudorf, Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services, for taking the time to meet with Inclusion Alberta President Tina Trigg and members of our leadership team yesterday.

We appreciated the opportunity to share families' vision for inclusive lives and communities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, and their hope to be part of discussions on how to improve the programs and supports necessary for their continued inclusion. We are grateful for the Minister's openness in listening to these perspectives and for the respectful and thoughtful discussion. We look forward to future opportunities for dialogue.

Win big, give back: Our 50/50 raffle is live!

For over 25 years, Inclusion Alberta’s Rotary Employment Partnership has been creating life-changing job opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities while providing an untapped labour market to Alberta’s business community, creating nearly 1,000 jobs across the province to date. Real work for real pay.

Due to recent government funding changes, the Rotary Employment Partnership needs your support now more than ever to keep this vital initiative alive in northern Alberta. All funds raised in this raffle will go toward helping to ensure that the Rotary Employment Partnership can continue to create jobs and change lives in northern Alberta for many more years to come.

Raffle tickets are:
-1 ticket for $10
-3 tickets for $25
-8 tickets for $50
-20 tickets for $100

Get your raffle tickets now at: https://rafflebox.ca/raffle/inclusionalberta5050/

Draw date is October 1st at 8:30pm.

Thank you for your support, and good luck!

Inclusion Alberta 50/50 Raffle Inclusion Alberta 50/50 Raffle

When we talk about Alberta separation, we often hear about politics and economics. But what about the impact on Albertans with disabilities?

This article by University of Calgary economist Gillian Petit explores some of the practical questions that deserve attention: disability benefits, healthcare access, income supports, pensions, and the services many people rely on every day.

Whatever your position on separation, it's important to consider how major constitutional change could affect Albertans with disabilities and the supports that help people live, work, and participate fully in their communities.

Check out the article on the curated news page of our website here: https://inclusionalberta.org/curated-news-content/

🎉 A fun night out in support of the Rotary Employment Partnership? Count us in!

Rotary District 5370 is hosting a pub night in support of the Rotary Employment Partnership on Thursday, October 1 at the Back Nine Tavern and Grill in St. Albert! It’s free to attend, but please reserve your spot at: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/rotary-employment-partnership-project-fundraiser-tickets-1998111507306

All donations made at the event will be matched up to $50,000. Please join to help ensure that we can continue to do this important work in partnership with our local Rotary Clubs.

Alberta’s Minister of Education and Childcare, Demetrios Nicolaides, will host a telephone town hall on Wednesday, September 23 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. to discuss investments in education this school year.

Families and advocates interested in inclusive education for students with intellectual disabilities may wish to participate. While we don't know what topics will be discussed but this may be an opportunity to raise issues that matter to you.

Advance registration is required. Participants will receive a phone call shortly before the town hall begins.

To register visit: https://www.alberta.ca/back-to-school-telephone-townhall

No child should be excluded from childcare because they need support.

A new Alberta childcare policy report reveals that families continue to face barriers including inconsistent access to supports, lengthy waits for disability-related assessments, and systems that often place the burden on families to navigate multiple programs and eligibility requirements.

When children are excluded, they miss out on opportunities to learn, develop relationships, and experience belonging. Families may be forced to reduce work hours or leave the workforce when appropriate supports are unavailable.

The report also makes clear that Alberta already has many of the building blocks needed for success. What is needed now is government leadership to connect inclusion with policy, funding, accountability, and quality standards across the childcare system.

The opportunity is clear: build a childcare system where inclusion is expected, supported, measured, and continuously improved for all children.

Read the report and join the conversation about creating a more inclusive Alberta: https://policywise.blob.core.windows.net/files/Inclusion%20in%20Childcare%20Policy%20Scan%20Project%20Final%20Report.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com