Red Shirt Day May 29th from 12 -1 for National AccessAbility Week

Join us for Red Shirt Day! 

For National AccessAbility Week we will be taking part in Red Shirt Day (Wednesday, May 29th) from 12 to 1 pm at the Calgary Scope Society Office (219, 18 Street SE)  Come down to the office, people are invited to take a photo to share what AcessAbility means to you and how we can improve access in our day to day lives. 

Remember to wear red! 

Download JPG poster here! PDF here

What is Red Shirt Day?

*Copy from the Easter Seals Website https://easterseals.ca/en/redshirtday/ 

Red Shirt Day of Action for AccessAbility and Inclusion is a day when people across Canada come together and wear red to create a visible display of solidarity: to show their support for disabled people and their families, celebrate the achievements of disabled Canadians, and to pledge their commitment to help create a fully accessible and inclusive society.

Red Shirt Day is an Easter Seals initiative and was first celebrated in 2019. It takes place on the Wednesday of National AccessAbility Week each year.

Anyone can take part in Red Shirt Day. Put on your favourite red shirt, take some photos and make a pledge to help improve accessibility and inclusion in your community. Then post your photos and your pledge on social media with the hashtags. #RedShirtDay #RedForAccessAbility

What is National AccessAbility Week?

Established in 2017, National AccessAbility Week celebrates and highlights some of the important initiatives aimed at creating an Accessible Canada.

National AccessAbility Week begins on the last Sunday in May every year. This year, National AccessAbility Week takes place from May 26 to June 1.

Reaction to the restored provincial funding for Calgary’s Low-income Transit Pass

Reaction to Restored Provincial Funding for Calgary's Fair Entry Low-Income Transit Pass

“I’m relieved that we are still being funded. But I am very concerned that cutting funding was even considered. I need the low-income transit pass for my classes and volunteering.”

– R. Disability Action Hall member

We are grateful for the clarification from the Province of Alberta today about continuing to support the low-income transit pass for Edmonton and Calgary. The low-income transit pass program, Fair Entry in Calgary, continues to be a gateway to affordable public services for over 119,000 Calgarians who make less than 

$ 30,560 annually. 

"While I am grateful for the provincial government's decision to rescind the funding cuts to low-income bus passes, it was very stressful to be faced with the potential reality of not being able to afford transportation to access my fundamental needs such as medical appointments and treatment. The population's well-being needs to be considered as it is unacceptable for the provincial government to cause undue psychological stress.” 

-Alex, Disability Action Hall Member

Despite today’s news, the Disability Action Hall believes that expanding the low-income transit pass program to include Calgarians making slightly over the poverty line would make more sense. Life is becoming more unaffordable for people in lower income brackets, and raising the threshold[i] to qualify would expand opportunities for both work and recreation for many Albertans.

“I would like to see the Province and City continue to support this effort as a permanent plan due to rising inflation costs.”  

-Lloyd, Disability Action Hall Member  

We hope the city and the province will continue to work together to ensure all Albertans have access to affordable and accessible public transit. Members of the Hall are amazed by the provincial response and see the value of affordable, accessible public transit across Alberta. 

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[i] MBM Threshold Stats Canada Calgary $55 771 as the most expensive city in Canada.  Comparing the Most and Least Expensive Canadian Cities for Basic Living Costs in 2024 - Green Light Canada

Media links: 

CTV 

 https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/province-backtracks-will-continue-to-fund-low-income-transit-pass-program-in-calgary-edmonton-1.6869202

Province backtracks will continue to fund low-income transit pass program in Calgary, Edmonton. A day after Calgary's mayor called the Alberta government's decision to pull its funding for the low-income transit pass program "cruel," the province is reversing its decision. calgary.ctvnews.ca

Global 

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/politics/alberta-government-reverses-course-will-continue-to-fund-low-income-transit-passes/ar-AA1nZKri

Alberta government reverses course, will continue to fund low-income transit passes The Alberta government said Wednesday it will not cut low-income transit pass funding. www.msn.com

CBC 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-government-low-income-transit-pass-funding-1.7190657

Province reverses decision to cut funding for low-income bus passes in Calgary and Edmonton | CBC News The provincial government won't cut funding to low-income transit passes in Alberta's two biggest cities. The news came after mayors and social advocates roundly criticized the decision. www.cbc.ca

City TV

Alberta reverses decision on low-income transit passes Alberta is walking back it's decision to pull funding for low-income transit passes in Calgary and Edmonton. calgary.citynews.ca