No Hall meetings until July 18th, 2013

Due to unreliable transportation we have cancelled June 27th meeting. 

We have also cancelled July 4th and July 11th because of the Calgary Stampede. 

Our next meeting will be July 18th, 2013. Please share this information and stay safe everyone! 

Low Income And Seniors Pass Extension

Low Income And Seniors Pass Extension

 

Due to the unavailability of Senior Citizen and Low Income Pass sales outlets during the recent flooding and disaster relief efforts, the June Low Income Pass and Senior Citizen 2012-2013 Yearly pass will remain valid until July 14. As these outlets reopen this will give customers additional time to purchase the July pass. After July 14 the July Low Income Monthly Pass must be used. 

 

4 Solutions to end "Nothing About Us Without Us"

4 Solutions to End Nothing about us without us!

(From our community in response to

Persons with Developmental Disabilities)

1 Collaboration: work together to be better

Background

PDD has been paternalistic in its approach to planning. The community has not been included in the process. This has created confusion, fear and uncertainty.

Solution

The community will be holding sessions over the next few months to look at the challenges facing PDD and to work collaboratively to come up with solutions that meet all of our needs. Everyone will be invited to the table.

2 Values: what is important to our community

·      Social citizenship

·      Community

·      Choice

·      Good quality of life

Our community has created and defended services for people with disabilities that are based on strong values. Individuals want to be active, involved members of their communities. They want to have choice in their lives. They want to get the support they need to have a good quality lives.

Solution

Planning for PDD supports will ensure these values remain front and centre in the planning process over the next few months.

3 No cuts to agencies until we figure this out the support needs of the individuals

Background

PDD has plans to cut agency budgets, in addition to cutting individual’s supports. Community agency budgets are largely composed of individual support dollars. We ask that any cuts to agencies be done only after individual support needs have been determined.

Solution

For the Government of Alberta to commit, in writing, to waiting until individual support needs have been determined before they cut agency budgets.

4 Test your test: It’s not the SIS tool, it’s how you are using it

Background

The Supports Intensity Scale (SIS) was developed to determine support needs. It has been well tested and demonstrated to determine support needs. PDD is using parts of the SIS tool, as well some other unspecified modifiers, to assign funding dollars based on provincial average expenditures. This has not been tested, yet is now being fully implemented across the province.

Solution

Slow down the process. Test the Alberta PDD adaptation of the tool and whatever else is being used to determine funding. Work with individuals, families and agencies to check that people’s needs are being met while going through this assessment process. Working collaboratively and transparently to develop this assessment process will address fears and concerns.

“This PC government continues to break its promise to the PDD community,” said Notley. “The Premier said she would place the interests of vulnerable Albertans front and center, but these cuts are placing the health and safety of Albertans at risk. There must be an immediate moratorium placed on any changes to the PDD program.” - MLA Rachel Notley, June 18th, 2013 in a letter to the PC government

Erin Waite               Connections Counselling   403 804-6100

Ryan Geake              Calgary SCOPE Society       403 717-5616

Denise Young           Disability Action Hall          403 717-5613