Community development

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

Calgary lawyer’s admission to the bar a history-making moment

The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, Roman emperor Claudius and the Magna Carta. Last week, Court of Alberta Justice Paul Mason sits before a packed Calgary courtroom, with an address that includes the sombre, intellectual … READ MORE

Ontario’s ambitious Patients First legislation met with hope and skepticism

Carole Ann Alloway’s husband, Bill, had seven ankle surgeries due to recurring infections that were eventually found to be caused by bacteria on the hardware that had been inserted 30 years ago. Elderly’s family caregivers need … READ MORE

Transportation shouldn’t be a barrier to health care

Transportation issues shouldn’t prevent anyone from getting to or from a doctor’s appointment. But they do just that for an estimated 3.6 million Americans. Some of these individuals don’t have cars or access to public … READ MORE

Inclusive clothing coming to LA Fashion Week – Bezgraniz Couture

Whether they are walking in high heels or rolling on two wheels, a group of disabled and non-disabled models will come together on Oct. 2 at famed Los Angeles Fashion Week and strike a pose in the Bezgraniz Couture fashion show. Dima … READ MORE

Navigating Rio with disabilities can be tough

Penn State student Brett Gravatt navigates a dirt path along a sidewalk in Rio de Janeiro on Monday, Sept. 12, 2016. The broken stones and tree roots made the sidewalk inaccessible to wheelchairs forcing Gravatt to the dirt path. … READ MORE

Aging caregivers of children with disabilities pushed to the breaking point

Carlo is in a wheelchair thanks to a condition called myositis. Now that he’s nearing 50 and “almost non-mobile,” he receives home care and lives with his parents who help take care of him. But that’s becoming more difficult: … READ MORE

When the barriers aren’t just physical

Entering the playground, I heard a boy call my son’s name. We turned and saw one of his classmates running toward us. “We’re playing soccer! Wanna be on my team?” Illustration by Giselle Potter By Sandra Joy Stein, The New … READ MORE

Many treatment guidelines are written by experts with financial conflicts

Physicians typically rely on treatment guidelines issued by medical associations, but a new study finds that many experts involved in assembling these guidelines in Canada have financial ties to drug makers. And the study authors … READ MORE

Motorvation: What’s new in accessible vehicles?

Owning a vehicle, even if you are unable to drive personally, can make a big difference in quality of life. Driving allows flexibility for attending school, work or social functions without advance reservations or worrying about bus … READ MORE

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