Alberta Council Of Disability Services (Acds)

ACDS Staff wearing their Jersey's at the office today in support of Humboldt. We are sending our thoughts and prayers to the Humboldt Broncos, their families and the entire community through this tragic time. #JerseysForHumboldt

Submit a nomination for an innovative practice, product, or development in Alberta's community disability services sector. Deadline March 12, 2018.

At Skills Society: Supporting the Citizenship of People with Disabilities in their Action Lab this morning recording some video on the ACDS Innovation Award. Pictured: Ben Weinlick, the 2017 award, and Pat Conrad.
SKILLS, Southern Alberta Community Living Association and Lift Interactive won the 2017 Innovation Award for the https://www.mycompassplanning.com/ planning app.

We're at the The HWHP Project conference today. The culmination of several years of research and work. Take a look at some of the resources developed by the project so far - http://hwhp.ca/resources.html

DEAM 2017 – Employer Supports and Advice Panel October 13 - 9am From the Alberta CSS Learning Series: This panel discussion will bring together employer representatives and support organizations that have experience working with persons with disabilities to create inclusive workspaces.
... http://csslearningseries.ca/deam-2017-emp loyer-supports-an…/
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Nominations are open for the 2017 Premier's Council Awards
"These awards recognize Albertans who have demonstrated outstanding achievement and leadership in making positive changes that create inclusive, barrier-free communities where persons with disabilities can fully participate. The awards are: the Gary McPherson Leadership Award, the Marlin Styner Achievement Award and Awards of Excellence in Education, Employment, Community and Public Awareness."
http://www.humanservices.alberta.ca/…/p remiers-council-awar…

#DEAM
"This video will debunk some myths associated with an ASD diagnosis and highlight the advantages of diversifying the workplace for employers, individuals with ASD, and society alike. This video will help employment counsellors and others learn more about autism spectrum disorders and ways to support people who have this type of disability, when they are seeking employment, while working, and in other aspects of life."

Disability Employment Awareness Month in Alberta
For the first time in our history, Alberta is officially recognizing October 2017 as Disability Employment Awareness Month.
"The provincial declaration of October 2017 as Disability Employment Awareness Month recognizes that despite the continued barriers to acquiring employment, people with disabilities make a significant contribution to an engaged and innovative Alberta workforce. The progressive leadership of inclusive emplo...yers is also acknowledged with this DEAM declaration, as is the work of the many professionals working across Alberta to help employers leverage diversity in the workplace. I thank the Ministry of Community and Social Services for their declaration of this important month.”
Sean McEwen, Calgary Employment First Network Realeyes Capacity Consultants Inc. Calgary Employment First Network - CEFN
https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm…
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Titles from 31 years of the ACDS Spring Conference. Why? Because the path to year #32 began this week with the first meeting of the 2018 Conference Planning Committee, with members from:
Chrysalis: An Alberta Society for Citizens with Disabilities Leduc LINX Connect Centre Mirka Care Services... YourAlberta (Government of Alberta) Disability Services ECHO Society Robin Hood Association WJS Canada Mira Facilitation Centre
Conference 2018 will be held in Edmonton, May 7th to 9th.
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“As people with disabilities, we are proud of who we are,” Gwen Rowley, a self-advocate who is part of the event planning committee, said in a news release. “It is important to raise awareness about the journey toward equality and the idea that people with disabilities are valued, contributing citizens.”

Former ACDS CEO Ann Nicol joins Cam Tait, MLA Marie Renaud, and John te Linde (all were members of PDD Standards Consultation Team) as new members of the Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities.
https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm…

You've probably seen election signs begin to appear in your community as we head towards Alberta's municipal elections on Monday, October 16th.
The Alberta Disabilities Forum has produced this handy resource on getting involved in local elections and speaking with candidates on key issues.
http://www.acds.ca/community/index.php…

The Disability Worker Safety Hub App!
Over the past year, the Alberta Council of Disability Services and the Alberta Disability Workers Association have been developing a safety application for Disability Workers to use in the field. It was first shown at this year's ACDS Spring Conference, and then tested over the summer by several Disability Services providers.
It's now ready to go out to the world! Click the link below to get it on your phone, tablet, laptop or desktop co...mputer.
http://www.acds.ca/community/index.php…
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