Inclusion Alberta

Info Session: Inclusive Post-Secondary Education (Olds College & Red Deer College)
2021-06-09 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Edmonton)
Join us for a virtual information session, June 9, 2021 from 7pm – 8:30pm!

This session provides an overview of the Inclusive Post-Secondary Education Initiative at Red Deer College and Olds College.

Please RSVP to Jay Haukenfrers jhaukenfrers@oldscollege.ca

Inclusion Alberta Virtual Family Conference 2021
2021-04-16 08:00 - 2021-04-17 17:00
Registration is now open for the Inclusion Alberta Virtual Family Conference 2021! The first ever virtual Family Conference will be held Friday, April 16 and Saturday April 17th, 2021 and will feature speakers Dr. Paula Kluth and Janet Klees.
Click to learn more and to register.

Exploring Opportunities for Creating Employment
2021-03-13 09:00 - 12:00
The Darrell Cook Family Managed Resource Centre and Inclusion Alberta present the third event in the FMS Learning Series: Exploring Opportunities for Creating Employment
Date: Saturday March 13th, 2021
Time: 9am to 12pm
**Registration for this workshop is full. If you would like to go on a wait list, please e-mail Pat at pwinter@inclusionalberta.org**
Employment has a central role in most people’s lives, offering purpose and meaning to one’s life, in addition to an income. The vast majority of individuals with developmental disabilities can be successfully employed at least part-time and many full-time. The resources available through FMS can be effectively utilized to both create employment possibilities and to provide on-the-job supports to ensure success, when and where needed. More and more employers are demonstrating a willingness and recognizing the benefits of hiring individuals with developmental disabilities.
The session will cover:

Engaging Employers
Creating employment possibilities based on the interests of the individual
Facilitating natural supports in an employment setting

Families and FMS staff are encouraged to attend.
Workshop Presenter: Wendy McDonald
The first 100 people to sign in will be able to join.
Trouble registering? Call Pat at 403-539-8192 or e-mail pwinter@inclusionalberta.org

Supporting Families with Inclusion: Strategies for Associations & Parent Groups
2021-03-09 16:00 - 17:15
Inclusive Education Canada is hosting a webinar, “Supporting Families with Inclusion: Strategies for Associations & Parent Groups”
When: Tuesday, March 9th, 2021
Time: 4pm MST – 5:15pm MST
Link to register

Calgary Youth Employment Launch Info Session
2021-02-24 12:00 - 13:00
Inclusion Alberta is deeply committed to advancing the inclusion of children and youth with developmental disabilities in all aspects of life, whether through inclusive education, recreation or employment. After a two-year hiatus, Inclusion Alberta is thrilled to announce our Youth Employment Partnership’s relaunch in Calgary. The Youth Employment Partnership rounds out our youth-focused initiatives in Calgary, which also encompass our Supportive Communities: Strengthening Families initiative.
Did you know that paid employment during high school is the most significant factor in ensuring individuals with developmental disabilities gain employment as adults? Inclusion Alberta’s Youth Employment Partnership works with local businesses to develop jobs for youth with developmental disabilities, supported by peer mentors. Our Supportive Communities: Strengthening Families team works more broadly with families seeking inclusive recreation with a special emphasis on supporting families of teenagers to plan for life after high school by developing an expansive vision for adult life, creating opportunities to explore community-based interests and building relationships.
Inclusion Alberta is currently recruiting youth with and without developmental disabilities interested in inclusive employment, and we’d like your help spreading the word to interested families! We are also looking for families of teenagers who want help planning for life after high school while making friends and exploring interests to join our Supportive Communities: Strengthening Families initiative.
Please join us for a short information session on February 24th at 12pm to learn more about Inclusion Alberta’s youth-focused initiatives in Calgary. Please register at this link .
Questions about eligibility or space within these initiatives? Please get in touch!
Trina Steed, Provincial Director of Employment Partnerships, employment@inclusionalberta.org
Catherine Oakleaf, Regional Director of Advocacy & Community Engagement, coakleaf@inclusionalberta.org

Podcast - Inclusion of Children with Intellectual Disabilities in Regular Classrooms
2021-02-01
Inclusion Alberta CEO Emeritus Bruce Uditsky will be featured in an online event February 1st, 2021.
Creative Confident Happy Kids, and online event with host Lois Brothers
Monday, Feb 1st (Day 3)
https://creativeconfidenthappykids.com/bu

Inclusion of Children with Intellectual Disabilities in Regular Classrooms
With Bruce Uditsky
Every child has a right to an education, but how do we know what inclusive education looks like? Over 40 years of research demonstrates that all children benefit from learning together in the general education classroom. In this episode, Bruce Uditsky, CEO Emeritus of Inclusion Alberta will discuss inclusive education of students with developmental disabilities, classroom segregation and other topics that may be of interest to parents considering an inclusive education for their child.
*Please note that this event is not sponsored by or affiliated with Inclusion Alberta.
Bruce Uditsky, M.Ed., is the CEO Emeritus of Inclusion Alberta and its former CEO for over 25 years. He is internationally recognized for his leadership and advocacy in social justice and inclusion for individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families. Bruce is the founder of Inclusive Post-Secondary Education and co-founder of the Rotary Employment Partnerships, both of which have been formally recognized as world-leading innovations. He is the parent of two adult sons, one of whom has intellectual disabilities.
To view the video Feb 1st, please visit https://creativeconfidenthappykids.com/bu

Creating and Facilitating Relationships Through Community Engagement
2020-11-28 09:00 - 12:00
The Darrell Cook Family Managed Resource Centre and Inclusion Alberta present the second of three in the FMS Learning Series: Creating and Facilitating Relationships Through Community Engagement
Date: Saturday, November 28th, 2020
Time: 9am to 12pm
*REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED*
Relationships are an essential and intimate part of everyone’s daily life, including individuals with developmental disabilities. Relationships and friendships not only encourage individual expression, dreams and passions but also provide important natural supports necessary to have a good life in community. Individuals with developmental disabilities will never secure a safe and meaningful life if the only people in their lives providing support are staff paid to be there. A principle role of staff hired by families through FMS must be to facilitate community engagement, membership and belonging to allow for the emergence of freely given relationships and friendships.
This session will explore:

The meaning and power of natural pathways
Strategies for community engagement and inclusion through which
relationships can emerge
How families and FMS staff can facilitate and encourage connections
within the community
How to identify individual interests

Families and FMS Staff are welcome to attend.
Workshop Presenters: Billie Jack & Charmaine McIntrye
Date: Saturday November 28th, 2020
Time: 9am to 12pm
Place: Zoom
*REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED*

Sustaining a Vision of Inclusive Education during COVID-19
2020-11-24 19:00 - 20:00
The Inclusive Education Consultants at Inclusion Alberta present the next workshop in the Inclusive Education Learning Series: Sustaining a Vision of Inclusive Education during COVID-19.
About: Inclusive Education requires a dedicated vision and an ongoing effort to stay true to inclusion’s values and principles. The current health climate has impacted the delivery of education and the supports that schools are providing. How do we stay true to this vision with so many challenges? In this session, the inclusive education consultants will share some promising strategies and share a few success stories from the last few months. Participants will also be given an opportunity to share ideas and reflections in a breakout session.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE SESSION
Topic: Sustaining a Vision for Inclusive Education during Covid-19
Time: Nov 24, 2020 07:00 PM – 08:00 PM Mountain Time (MST)
Register in advance for this meeting (click here)
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Inclusion Alberta Youth Conference
2020-11-14 10:00 - 14:00
Inclusion Alberta Youth presents the 2020 Youth Conference! This year’s theme is Global Inclusion: The Cross-Cultural Impact of Belonging.
Participants will walk away with a greater understanding of what inclusion looks like across different cultures and how they can facilitate meaningful connections with their peers and community during COVID-19 (and beyond)
Date: November 14th (10:00am – 2:00pm)
Location: Zoom
Age range: 16-22 (some exceptions apply, please contact us if you have someone in mind)
Who would be a good fit for the conference?

Youth who would enjoy this event: youth interested in activism, leadership, social justice, equality/equity, human rights, siblings of youth with developmental disabilities, youth-aged FMS/FSCD workers, youth interested in making change, etc.

Visit Inclusion Alberta Youth on Facebook
Click here for tickets

$10 (+taxes and fees, standard ticket)
general admission, grant, and individual support person ticket sales close on November 9th, 11:30pm
grant tickets are available, though they are limited in quantity and subject to approval. Please contact us for more information.
tickets include all workshops, materials, and lunch
RSVPs/Tickets: Mandatory (tickets already only cover a small fraction of our costs, so we want to make sure we have an accurate headcount for ordering food, etc.)

Tentative Workshops:

Indigenous perspective on inclusion
Barriers and successes in introducing inclusion (Inclusion Cayman)
Pakistani perspectives on inclusion
How COVID-19 has affected the ability of youth with and without disabilities to form and maintain connections and the tools to make it happen

Navigating and Negotiating FSCD and FMS (PDD): An advocacy workshop for families
2020-10-24 09:00 - 12:00
Inclusion Edmonton Region and Inclusion Grande Prairie are excited to be offering this advocacy workshop.
Navigating and Negotiating FSCD and FMS (PDD): An advocacy workshop for families
Speaker: Bruce Uditsky, M.Ed. CEO Emeritus, Inclusion Alberta
Many families are finding it increasingly difficult to navigate and negotiate FSCD for children with disabilities and similarly to obtain FMS funding for adults with developmental disabilities. Both Alberta’s fiscal challenges, which are now further complicated by the Pandemic, have added to the difficulties too many families routinely encounter in seeking support either for their child or their adult family member with developmental disabilities. The purpose of this workshop is to ensure families know their rights and choices, understand the legislated purpose of both FSCD and FMS and how these are not being lived up to by the government, learn about the benefits and risks associated with appealing government decisions, prepare themselves for negotiating supports as effectively as possible and the necessity for collective action.
Bruce Uditsky was instrumental in the development of both FSCD and FMS as provincial programs and brings a wealth of experience both as a parent himself and someone who has supported thousands of families.
FCSD – Family Supports for Children with Disabilities
FMS – Family Managed Supports, Persons with Developmental Disabilities Program (PDD)
This is a free virtual workshop on Oct. 24, 2020 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm.
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Virtual Fundraising Event 2020
2020-10-22 07:30 - 08:30 | Virtual Event
Learn how we’re creating change in Alberta

*This year’s events is online!*
Inclusion Alberta invites you to join us at our annual Changing Lives Changing Communities fundraising event, Thursday October 22 @ 7:30am. This free 1 hour event will give you the opportunity to hear from families whose lives have been dramatically enhanced through the work of Inclusion Alberta.
Be a Table Captain! If you’re passionate about Inclusion Alberta, our hope is that you would consider inviting those in your personal and professional networks to learn how Inclusion Alberta changes lives and communities.
To attend, or to sign up to be a Table Captain, please contact Wendy McDonald at wmcdonald@inclusionalberta.org
Click to view/download a PDF version of the invite
Thanks to our generous sponsor, Concordia University of Edmonton, and our event supporters ATB Financial, CTV and Production World and Telus Health.

The Peter Lee Golf Classic
2020-09-24 | Links at Spruce Grove, 100 Links Rd, Spruce Grove, Alberta, T7X 3B4, Canada
Please join us at the first annual Peter Lee Golf Classic!
Andre Charrois and Foster Park Brokers are fabulous supporters of Inclusion Alberta. Foster Park Brokers became an employer through the Rotary Employment Partnership and hired a fabulous young man named Peter Lee. Peter is now an administrative assistant at Foster Park Brokers, an invaluable and integral member of the team.
This year, Andre wanted to combine a couple of different objectives: have fun on the golf course, support Inclusion Alberta with raising some funds, and celebrate those who are inclusive employers as well as introduce the idea of inclusive employment to others. From there, the planning of the first annual Peter Lee Golf Classic began!
It goes without saying that because of Covid-19, golf tournaments are going to look different, we will be getting together with all of the appropriate safety measures in mind.

The Peter Lee Golf Classic
Thursday, September 24, 2020
Registration starts at 7:00 am
Teams will be given tee times starting at 9:00 AM.
Meal provided at end of round.
At The Links Golf Course in Spruce Grove
$150 Entry Fee per Golfer
CLICK TO REGISTER

To sponsor a hole, please contact
Andre Charrois 780-930-4438 andre.charrois@fosterpark.ca

Visioning and Planning
2020-09-19 09:00 - 12:00
**CLICK HERE to see the PowerPoint presentation of this session**
For additional information on visioning and planning please visit our Online FMS Guide here
The Darrell Cook Family Managed Supports Resource Centre and Inclusion Alberta present the first of three workshops in the FMS Learning Series: Visioning and Planning
About: Where do I begin? is a question often asked by families when thinking about how to create a meaningful life for their family member with developmental disabilities. Developing a life-enhancing vision, and refining this over time, is one of the most powerful and helpful means of ensuring a full and inclusive life. The actions and plans needed to achieve a good life flow directly from the vision created by families with their family member with developmental disabilities. No matter someone’s age or stage of life, crafting or refining a future vision of a promising life is a necessity.
This session will provide an overview of the process for developing a life-enhancing vision and the initial plans and actions needed to move forward when using FMS. In particular, how the flexibility and creativity allowed for by FMS, can be utilized to the advantage of families and their family member with developmental disabilities.
Presenter: Bruce Uditsky
Date: Saturday September 19, 2020
Time: 9am to 12pm
Where: Zoom Meeting (You will require a Zoom account to register. Download zoom at https://zoom.us/download)
Register at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUud-murz0tHNyA3cuwBf4etCGMd9B2QemL
Trouble registering: Call Saltanat Ashymova at 403-717-0361

Inclusion Edmonton Region Presents: Advocacy 101: Part 1
2020-08-29 08:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
Advocacy 101: Part 1
If you are a parent or ally of an individual with a developmental disability who wants to be included in community life, then being an advocate is inevitable. Becoming an effective advocate is a skill that can be learned and improved upon over time.
This session will outline the strategies and ideas families need to consider in advocating for their child to obtain a quality inclusive education.
Presenter: Bruce Uditsky M.Ed, Chief Executive Officer, Emeritus
Bruce is a nationally and internationally recognised advocate, author, and leader in the field of developmental disabilities, in addition to being a parent himself.
Registration:
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtc-CurDooGdS2Mm_Tj6JfyZNZgHPwDQsr
Contact:
Aqeela Khalid: (780) 721-1425
mail@inclusionedmonton.org

Getting Ready for the Return of School
2020-08-19 | Zoom
Since the government announced the return to school, families have many questions about what learning will look like for their children in the fall.This is especially true for families who have children with developmental disabilities.

Inclusion Alberta is hosting an information and 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.

We would like to invite you to participate in a Zoom session on Wednesday August 19, 2020.
To accommodate more schedules, we are offering two different call times for the same session. The afternoon session runs between 2 pm – 3 pm and the evening session runs between 7 pm – 8 pm. Please register for ONE of the sessions. The session that you register for will give you an opportunity to learn, share and connect with other families.

To register for the August 19th event, please click ONE of the session times below:
2:00 – 3:00 pm: CLICK TO REGISTER

7:00 – 8:00 pm: CLICK TO REGISTER

For any questions or concerns, please call Lissa Horyn at (587) 338-9121 or email: mhoryn@inclusionalberta.org

SESSION MATERIALS:
Getting Ready for School Together (1)

Teaching at Home with Inclusion Alberta
2020-04-28 19:00 - 20:00
Now that families are teaching their children with developmental disabilities at home, we’d like to know how it’s going and how we might be able to help. If your child was receiving an inclusive education then we’d like to invite you to join our Inclusive Education Consultants and other families for two online Zoom meetings.
The first meeting is to hear from you, as to what’s working at home and what the challenges are. You’ll also have a chance to hear from other families about their experiences teaching at home. We’re interested in knowing as well how your school and teachers have been supporting you and your child.
For the second online meeting, our Inclusive Education Consultants will offer advice and resources based on what everyone shared during the first meeting.
The first Zoom Meeting will be held on Tuesday April 28, 2020 from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm.
To register for this free event please use this link: Teaching at Home with Inclusion Alberta.
On the registration page you will see three questions we’d like you to complete to help us in organizing this networking opportunity.

What’s working?
What’s your biggest challenge?
What would be most helpful?

After registering you will receive the link to the meeting itself. Space is limited.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Kaylee Farrell, Inclusion Alberta Inclusive Education Consultant, at the email provided on the sidebar.

FMS Series: Creating and Facilitating Relationships through Community Engagement
2020-02-08 10:00 - 15:00 | Inglewood Community Centre, 1740 24 Ave SE, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Relationships are an essential and intimate part of everyone’s daily life, including individuals with developmental disabilities. Relationships and friendships not only encourage individual expression, dreams and passions but also provide important natural supports necessary to have a good life in community.
Individuals with developmental disabilities will never secure a safe and meaningful life if the only people in their lives providing support are staff paid to be there. A principle role of staff hired by families through FMS must be to facilitate community engagement, membership and belonging to allow for the emergence of freely-given relationships and friendships.
This session will explore:

The meaning and power of natural pathways
Strategies for community engagement and inclusion through which relationships can emerge
How to identify individual interests
How families and FMS staff can facilitate and encourage connections within the community

Workshop presenters:
Billie Jack and Charmaine McIntyre
Billie Jack is Provincial Director of Advocacy and Community Development, Inclusion Alberta. Billie has worked with families and individuals with developmental disabilities for more than 18 years, in varying roles. For the past three years, Billie has been the Provincial Director of Advocacy and Community Engagement and previously was Inclusion Alberta’s Director of Inclusive Education for 12 years. Billie has a deep and abiding commitment to serve families and people with intellectual disabilities and believes her own life experience drives her passion for advocating for the inclusion of people with disabilities.
Charmaine McIntyre, Provincial Director of Inclusive Post-Secondary Education, Inclusion Alberta. Supporting staff at a multitude of post-secondary initiatives, Charmaine is part of the leadership group that cultivates the growth and learning of team members committed to the inclusion of students with developmental disabilities in post-secondary education. As an employee of more than 10 years with Inclusion Alberta, she has had an opportunity to coordinate NorQuest College and MacEwan University initiatives, as well as advocate for families and newcomers to Canada.
To register: Contact Saltanat Ashymova by email, mail.calgary@inclusionalberta.org, or by phone, 403.717.0361.
Lunch will be provided. Please advise if there are any dietary restrictions.
Families are welcome to bring their FMS staff!
Download the poster for this event by clicking the image below.

FMS Series: Exploring Opportunities for Creating Employment
2020-01-11 10:00 - 15:00 | Inglewood Community Centre, 1740 24 Ave SE, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Employment has a central role in most people’s lives, offering purpose and meaning, in addition to an income. The vast majority of individuals with developmental disabilities can be successfully employed at least part-time, and many full-time.
The resources available through Family Managed Supports (FMS) can be effectively utilized to both create employment possibilities and to provide on-the-job supports to ensure success, when and where needed. More and more employers are demonstrating a willingness and recognizing the benefits of hiring individuals with developmental disabilities.
This session will cover:

Engaging employers
Creating employment possibilities based on the interests of the individual
Facilitating natural supports in an employment setting

Workshop presenters:
Wendy McDonald, District 5370 Rotary Employment Partnership Committee Chair, Inclusion Alberta Chief Operating Officer
Trina Steed, Inclusion Alberta Provincial Director, Employment Partnerships
Save the date for the upcoming workshop on Creating and Facilitating Relationships Through Community Engagement on February 8, 2020.
Download the poster for this event by clicking the image below.

Calgary Fundraising Breakfast
2019-11-07 07:30 - 08:30 | Red and White Club, 1833 Crowchild Trail NW, Calgary, AB, T2M 4S7, Canada
Inclusion Alberta invites you to join us at our annual Changing Lives, Changing Communities fundraising breakfasts in Calgary! This free event will give you the opportunity to hear from families whose lives have been dramatically enhanced through the work of Inclusion Alberta. The event will start at 7:30am sharp and conclude by 8:30am, so you can promptly continue on with the rest of your day!
Be a Table Captain! If you’re passionate about Inclusion Alberta and want to invite others to see how Inclusion Alberta changes lives and changes communities, sign up to be a Table Captain and commit to hosting a table of 10.
This year’s Calgary breakfast was November 7, and raised more than $150,000.
For more details about getting involved, contactÂ Saltanat Ashymova.

Edmonton Fundraising Breakfast
2019-10-24 07:30 - 08:30 | Edmonton Inn & Conference Centre, 11834 Kingsway NW, Edmonton, AB, T5G 3J5, Canada
Inclusion Alberta invites you to join us at our annual Changing Lives, Changing Communities fundraising breakfasts in Edmonton! This free event will give you the opportunity to hear from families whose lives have been dramatically enhanced through the work of Inclusion Alberta. The event will start at 7:30am sharp and conclude by 8:30am, so you can promptly continue on with the rest of your day!
Be a Table Captain! If you’re passionate about Inclusion Alberta and want to invite others to see how Inclusion Alberta changes lives and changes communities, sign up to be a Table Captain and commit to hosting a table of 10.
This year’s Edmonton breakfast was October 23, and raised more than $250,000.
For more details about getting involved, contact Jennifer Black-Moir.

FMS Series 2019-2020: Visioning and Planning
2019-10-18 19:00 - 21:00 | Inglewood Community Centre, 1740 24 Ave SE, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Where do I begin? is a question often asked by families when thinking about how to create a meaningful life for their family member with developmental disabilities. Developing a life-enhancing vision, and refining this over time, is one of the most powerful and helpful means of ensuring a full and inclusive life. The actions and plans needed to achieve a good life flow directly from the vision created by families with their family member with developmental disabilities. No matter someone’s age or stage of life, crafting or refining a future vision of a promising life is a necessity.
This session will provide an overview of the process for developing a life-enhancing vision and the initial plans and actions needed to move forward when using FMS. In particular, how the flexibility and creativity allowed for by FMS can be utilized to the advantage of families and their family member with developmental disabilities.
