Community development

Call for more accessible seating at Calgary Philharmonic

Friends initially told they couldn’t sit side by side in wheelchair section, as they had for past decade. Music fans Lochlan Magennis, who uses a wheelchair, and Ken Potma, shown outside Arts Commons in Calgary. The two friends … READ MORE

New kind of house call comes to The Woodlands

Sarah Rhea was out of town on a weekend business trip when her husband called, worried that their 4-year-old son’s fever, sore throat and cough were worse than the day before. Diagnosing ear infections with a new smartphone … READ MORE

Paid consultants help patients navigate Canada’s Byzantine health-care system

Andrée Colella had been in and out of hospital for months with bladder and bone infections when her husband, Tom, broke down and asked for help from an unconventional source: a private health-care advocate. Patient navigator, Jana … READ MORE

The rise of the private patient advocate

After bouncing around doctors’ offices in an effort to treat her debilitating back pain, Maureen had become discouraged with the lack of progress. She had seen multiple specialists yet nothing seemed to provide relief, and she began … READ MORE

Calgary doctor connects disabled children with accessible activities

Let’s make it easy for these kids. Dr. Sarah MacEachern is on a campaign to get kids with disabilities more physically active — and help parents make that happen. MacEachern, a first-year University of Calgary pediatric … READ MORE

UN calls on Canada to ensure rights of Canadians with disabilities

The United Nations called on Canada today to address the “persisting gaps in the exercise and enjoyment of rights by persons with disabilities, such as education, work and employment and an adequate standard of living, including … READ MORE

Ecuador paraplegic president-elect stirs hope for disabled people

Ecuador’s paraplegic president-elect Lenin Moreno will become a rare head of state to use a wheelchair when he takes office next month, stirring hope for disabled people worldwide. Ecuadorean presidential candidate Lenin Moreno … READ MORE

Air powered, waterproof wheelchair makes splash park ultra-accessible

A new waterproof, motorized wheelchair that runs entirely on compressed air was unveiled today at Morgan’s Wonderland, a 25-acre theme park in San Antonio, Texas. The park was built specifically for individuals with disabilities, … READ MORE

Changes coming to Alberta’s troubled support program for severely disabled adults

Problems with access, delays in processing applications, criticized by auditor general. Community and Social Services Minister Irfan Sabir announced changes to the AISH program in a response to the auditor general’s damning … READ MORE

State-of-the-art special needs school opens its doors in Calgary

After three long years of lobbying and construction, a unique school welcomed its students in for the first time this week [January 2017] in Calgary’s northwest. Students at Christine Meikle used to learn in an aging, cramped … READ MORE

Calgary Herald’s ‘Life with Emily’ documentary a finalist for international media award

The Calgary Herald has been named a finalist in a prestigious international media awards competition for a 2016 project called Without Limits: Kids With Special Needs. Our Special Children. Taking a break from lunch, 7 year old Emily … READ MORE

Calgary mom raising funds to bring music therapy to public high school

A Calgary mom is raising money so teenagers can benefit from a program that’s changed her daughter’s life. Christina Ryan dances with her daughter Emily Pitchers in 2016. Leah Hennel, Calgary Herald Photo Annalise Klingbeil, … READ MORE

Controversial changes to physiotherapy coverage put on ice: Alberta Health Services

‘The hardest hit people would have been the working poor or people who are struggling to get by.’ Alberta Health Services has backed away from planned changes that would have restricted physiotherapy services now covered. … READ MORE

Reducing frustration with health care for adults with chronic medical conditions

Navigating the U.S. health care system can be frustrating for anyone, but for adults with chronic medical conditions, the frustration can become overwhelming as they juggle multiple providers, medications and treatments. A pain point … READ MORE

Aids to Daily Living program could be outsourced to Alberta Blue Cross: AUPE

The province’s largest public sector union has some concerns about an anticipated move by the government to outsource the Aids to Daily Living program. Alberta Aids to Daily Living, AADL helps Albertans with a long-term disability, … READ MORE

The future of inclusive fashion is here

Open Style Lab’s ten-week interdisciplinary research program teams designers, engineers, and occupational therapists to create wearable solutions with and for clients with disabilities. Open Style Lab 2016 fellows and clients. New … READ MORE

Digital toolkit aims to prevent falls amongst the elderly

The Falls Risk Assessment Toolkit identifies patients at risk of falls and, potentially unplanned hospital admissions, and is available to all UK healthcare professionals to implement a review of patients at risk of potentially … READ MORE

Life With Music – Fundraiser by Christina Ryan

Emily Pitchers, 16, plucks the strings on a guitar with JB Music therapist Catherine Mitchell during a weekly session at the teenager’s family home. Christina Ryan, Calgary Herald. In celebration of National Music Therapy Month, we … READ MORE

Issues for parents caring 24/7 for children with complex care needs

A new research report has been published by the charity WellChild which explores parents’ experiences of managing care for children with complex care needs throughout the 24-hour day. Calgary photojournalist Christina Ryan and her … READ MORE

Who will care for the caregivers?

I should have put his socks back on. The thought kept nagging me as I finished my clinic notes, replaying the afternoon in my head. My final patient of the day — a man with dementia — was a late addition to the schedule, after his … READ MORE

Brain-controlled robot lets physically challenged see the world

For those with severe motor disabilities, mind-controlled prostheses have long offered a sliver of hope that they might one day be able to regain some semblance of autonomy. The Teleport uses a simple off-the-shelf brain control … READ MORE

Survey results – Healthcare system failing people with disabilities

Survey paints picture of healthcare system failing people who have disabilities in Arizona. The results of a recent survey of people who have disabilities living in Arizona and their experiences with medical providers reveals a … READ MORE

In the Garden of Hope & Ingenuity

Rehab pioneer Dr. Geoff Fernie’s innovative path from making Pink Floyd, Cream and other rock stars look good, to doing good for millions of people with disabilities. Dr. Geoff Fernie explains how FallsLab enables researchers to … READ MORE

Greg McMeekin: Lawyer, advocate for people with disabilities

Greg McMeekin’s dreams are a lot like other people’s: to live independently, travel, have a family and a job he loves. Greg McMeekin smiles while called to the bar during a ceremony at Calgary Courts Centre in Calgary, Alta., on … READ MORE

Caring for special-needs children at home brings high cost

Study finds that home care is beneficial for the children, but it comes at great cost to family members or guardians. U.S. families provide nearly $36 billion [USD] annually in uncompensated medical care at home to children who have … READ MORE

A day in the life of four wheelers

Alex Ghenis, Paula Larson, Ian Jaquiss and Ellen Stohl are four very different people with disabilities — with one similarity in common: Each agreed to share a day of their lives, taking us on a tour of what do they do, where they … READ MORE

Alberta auditor general sharply criticizes aid program for severely handicapped

The bureaucratic mess will make you mad. The human harm could make you weep. Don Braid, Calgary Herald. Alberta’s auditor general says the government is failing the severely disabled through its income supports program. … READ MORE

CP Alberta Youth Transitions Program

Youth Transitions For youth between the ages of 16 and 25, we offer customized support to help them prepare for adult life. Activities include one-on-one counselling, group support and transitions workshops and an emphasis on … READ MORE

Evaluating new health care models

Why aren’t new health care models studied more? A new study focuses on a hospital funding approach gaining popularity that would institute new incentives for hospitals to decrease wait times and increase efficiency. CBC Wendy … READ MORE

I don’t want to be ‘inspiring’

One of my most memorable moments in high school came during my freshman year. A motivational speaker was addressing us in a huge assembly. I was seated with one of my best friends at the front of the auditorium, and the whole group … READ MORE

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